Ellsworth Area
Set at the crossroads of natural splendor, culture, and commerce.
Ellsworth’s tree-lined streets and lively, historic downtown with shops, restaurants, and breweries invite you to stop in and spend a little time. A wide variety of hotels and inns are available. Restaurants offer local fare as well as more exotic world cuisines, all just a short drive to many of the region’s other attractions.
Ellsworth
Set along the Union River, the area’s original industries included lumber and boat building, seen in the elaborate carving adorning the town hall. Today, Ellsworth is filled with retail shops, restaurants, history, museums, cultural attractions, events, and more.
Black Mansion, part of the Woodlawn Museum, is preserved in historical detail with rare period furniture. Shop the gift shop, or enjoy afternoon tea, view our collection of historic carriages and sleighs. Discover Woodlawn’s 180 acres, including gardens; tournament-sized croquet court; picnic lawn; and trails.
Birdsacre–Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural museum featuring a nature walk filled with various Maine wildflowers, wooded glens, small ponds full of aquatic life, and a bird nesting area. With picnic areas, strategically placed benches, charcoal grills, and a fireplace make a great place to spend a day getting in touch with the natural environment.
Mountain Biking in Dedham and Lucerne
Along the Airline
Located 22 miles north of Ellsworth the small towns and villages along Route 9, also called The Airline, offer outstanding natural beauty and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Aurora and nearby Amherst, Osborn, Otis, and Waltham also offer lakes and ponds for paddling and fishing, and abundant trails for hiking, mountain biking, and ATV riding.
Stop into the Amherst General Store which sells a little bit of everything. Enjoy a tasting at Airline Brewing Co with a side of darts or corn hole. As you drive along look north to view Silsby Plain and the Whale’s Back, geological features that were created by ancient glaciers.
To the northeast of Ellsworth, Eastbrook encompasses four ponds, which are popular for summer residents and year-round folks alike, including Molasses Pond, Abrams Pond, Webb Pond, and Scammon Pond—part of the Lyle Frost Wildlife Management Area.
EAST OF ELLSWORTH
Franklin is tucked in along Route 182, historically the town has a solid reputation for quality granite. Today it is the western terminus of the Blackwoods Scenic Byway and a gateway to some of the regions best hiking and paddling spots. At the other end of the byway, visitors arrive in Cherryfield, once a center for lumbering, ship masts, railroad ties, and still quite well known for its tasty wild Maine blueberries and cheerful Christmas trees.
Trenton and hancock
Headed down Route 3 toward Bar Harbor, one passes through Trenton, located on the last point of mainland before entering Mount Desert Island. Just before the scenic Trenton Bridge the Acadia All American Road begins its route to and through Acadia National Park. Before you hot the island, stop in at Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, an area institution since the 1950s.
On the same peninsula to the east is Lamoine with its beautiful state park and beach with stunning views of Frenchman Bay, the coast and park. Hancock has tons of hiking trails courtesy of Frenchman Bay Conservancy.
East on Route 1 is the traditional summer getaway spot of Hancock. Stroll or drive along the coast at Hancock Point with its lovely summer “cottages” and sweeping views of the ocean. Be sure to check out the reversing falls on Taunton Bay, an unusual natural phenomenon where the tides are mighty.
Planning Tools
To help you plan your trip we provide information on drive time and distances to and around the region. Plus info on other commercial transportation options.
Once you arrive in DownEast Acadia, you will want to access local sources of visitor information, state laws, recreation rules, and road conditions.
To help you pack or plan your day, check out the current weather in the region or learn about year-round averages of temperature and precipitation.
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