DOWNEAST ACADIA’ S TRAVEL REGIONS
Meet Maynard the Moose, our DownEast Acadia friend! Find Maynard hidden in 5 places in our guide!
DownEast Acadia stretches along Maine’ s rugged northeastern coast from Penobscot Bay to the St. Croix River, encompassing an astonishing 2,300 miles of shoreline and more than 5,600 square miles of wide-open space. Within this vast landscape, seven unique travel regions offer their own perspectives on the DownEast Acadia experience, each with its own charm, pace, and sense of place.
The Blue Hill Peninsula is home to Stonington, one of the nation’ s most important working waterfronts, and the historic maritime port of Castine. Sheltered coves, internationally renowned dining, and scenic villages have long drawn writers, artists, and artisans to the peninsula, shaping communities rich in creativity and flavor. After exploring Deer Isle, follow Route 1 back toward the mainland and stop in Blue Hill for a memorable meal and carefully curated shopping.
Ellsworth, the activity hub of DownEast Acadia, brings together the best of many worlds. Visitors can stay the night, shop, dine, explore public spaces, attend performances, or gear up for deeper adventures across the region. Just minutes beyond Ellsworth’ s vibrant downtown lies a quieter inland landscape of forests, freshwater lakes, and mountaintops ideal for outdoor recreation in every season.
Mount Desert Island is a quintessential Maine destination, pairing the lively charm of Bar Harbor with the awe-inspiring beauty of Acadia National Park. Shops, restaurants, and abundant lodging line the town’ s streets, offering seemingly endless activities for visitors of all ages. For a slower pace, explore the island’ s quieter villages including Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Tremont, where the scenery is just as striking, and the vibe is more laid back.
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From swimmable freshwater lakes and rivers to dramatic granite shorelines, the Schoodic to
Jonesport region is a true hidden gem. Pass through Cherryfield, the self-proclaimed“ Wild Blueberry Capital of the World,” before reaching the bold coastal landscapes of Acadia’ s Schoodic Peninsula. Stroll on Main Street in Winter Harbor or immerse yourself in the working waterfront communities of Jonesport, Steuben, Corea, and Milbridge. This stretch of coastline is also a premier year-round birding destination, with sheltered coves serving as vital resting points for migrating seabirds like the Atlantic Puffin.
The Machias Bay region offers a compelling mix of history and outdoor adventure. Paddle from the forested shores of the Machias Lakes down the Machias River Corridor, or explore the town of Machias, the site of the first naval battle of the American Revolutionary War that is commemorated annually during Margaretta Days. Along the coast, Roque Bluffs State Park surprises visitors with a rare pebble-sand beach that contrasts with the area’ s rugged rocky shoreline. Each August, Machias hosts the Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival celebrating Washington County’ s iconic harvest and industry.
The Grand Lakes region is defined by unspoiled wilderness and a long tradition of year-round angling. For generations, sporting enthusiasts have been drawn here to fish, paddle, hike, and explore by foot, canoe, motorized craft, or snowshoe. Whether guided or solo, adventures in the Grand Lakes region deliver an authentic, yearround Maine experience rooted in nature and solitude.
Wake up to the first sunrise in the United States in Way DownEast., home to Eastport and Lubec. Once global centers of the tinned and smoked fishing industries, these communities have evolved into vibrant arts and outdoor recreation destinations. Towns surrounding Cobscook Bay offer some of the East Coast’ s finest hiking, paddling, fishing, and camping opportunities set against one of Maine’ s most pristine coastal environments.
Just across the bridge from Lubec in New Brunswick, Canada, Roosevelt Campobello International Park invites visitors to explore the summer estate of 32nd U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and their family. Campobello Island features historic cottages, extensive carriage roads, sweeping coastal views, lighthouses, and unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. For those seeking a challenge, the Bay of Fundy International Marathon returns on June 21, 2026.
You made it to the Easternmost Edge. You made it to DownEast Acadia!