Local Recommendations for Renters
Hello!
Welcome to our little cottage on the rock, sandwiched between the water and the woods! We love it here and hope that you will love it too.
We have created this page of local recommendations for you. We hope that the tidbits of information are helpful when planning your activities, locating services, and enjoying the area.
Thanks so much for staying with us! We hope you enjoy your stay.
– Keith and Michele Havey
Restaurants | Wineries & Breweries | Art & Pottery | Favorite Hikes | Outdoor Adventures | Rainy Day Activities
Restaurants
Ellsworth Pizza
Finnelli Pizza
(207) 664-0230 | https://finellipizzeria.com/
Located on Route 1, “Downeast Highway” between Home Depot turn and Governor’s Restaurant. NOT open on Sundays as of this writing. Good variety of traditional and creative thin crust pizzas like Bianca and Mediterranean.
Lobster Pounds
Lunts Gateway Lobster Pound
https://www.luntsgatewaylobster.com/
This is the pound we usually go to when we’re ordering from the cottage because it is the closest. Pretty typical fare- We pick up lobster, mussels or clams and bring it home to eat on the deck. If you’re looking for fried clams, or fried meals of any sort etc. we usually order from Jordan’s on Route 1 as that is even closer (10 minutes)
Downeast Lobster Pound
When heading home from Mt Desert Island, this is where we stop to pick up mussels, etc. to enjoy with a glass of something cold on the deck while we watch the sun paint the evening sky. They’re pretty close to the Trenton Bridge Pound but on the right side of the road for the return home and generally a bit less crowded. They offer picnic table seating under cover but we like our deck instead.
Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound
http://www.trentonbridgelobster.com/
This place is located at the bridge just before you cross over to Mount Desert Island. It’s always packed, thus we’ve never chosen to go, but it must be good or there wouldn’t always be a crowd…although I’m guessing some of it has to do with the view.
Ellsworth Area Restaurants
Jordans Snack Bar
(207) 667-2174 | https://www.jordanssnackbar.com/
Typical Maine fare: fried clams, fish sandwiches, lobster roll, burgers, onion rings, ICE CREAM. You can order ahead. Great outdoor playground and picnic area if you’ve got youngsters to keep everyone entertained while you enjoy a meal. There is also an enclosed eating area if you get a rainy day and just don’t want to cook.
Union River Lobster Pot
On a warm summer night this is a great setting to linger out on the lawn with a glass of wine by the Union River in “old downtown” Ellsworth, then have a traditional Downeast dinner. Bottom of the hill on Route 1. Hidden behind Rooster Brothers as you cross the river.
Riverside Cafe
One of our family favorites for local breakfast or lunch in the winter; cute place with old style charm. sandwiches/wraps/soups and homemade desserts. NOT open for dinner. On Main Street in “old downtown Ellsworth” (It will be on your left, halfway down the hill.)
Martha’s Diner
This is one breakfast spot we get lots of positive comments about...Beloved by locals. Nothing in terms of atmosphere, but LOTS in terms of yummy and unusual breakfast choices. If you get a rainy morning, head here. It’s in the back corner of the plaza across from the LLBean outlet. Closed on Mondays. Opens at 6 AM!
Ruth and Wimpy’s
This is in Hancock — down the road headed AWAY from Ellsworth but only about a 10 minute drive on Route 1. Home of the “giant lobster”. Great place for that “shore dinner” and a variety of diner-fare as well as dinner options. Eat-in or out.
Lucerne Inn
Wonderful 200 year old inn and restaurant overlooking Phillips Lake on Route 1A (You went by it if you traveled in from the Bangor area). Lovely if you time it for “pink sky” time of evening with the lake and the mountains. On the expensive side but wide menu including vegetarian, wonderful service and WHITE LINEN tablecloths (Do they still make those??). (mid $20s-30s) plan on a 30 minute drive.
Crocker House
http://www.crockerhouse.com/restaurant.php
Another traditional and elegant spot for a romantic dinner out or a special occasion. In Hancock Point- our deck looks over that way :-) - Perhaps we could kayak! Head back to Route 1 and head east to Hancock until you see their sign. About 4 miles down towards Hancock Point.
Lamoine General Store
(207) 667-2441
QUICK breakfast sandwich on the way in to Acadia? You’ll be going by the Lamoine General Store. They have a breakfast/lunch counter along with a limited grocery selection and have breakfast sandwiches for the road. Subs, hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch.
Bar Harbor Restaurants
There are a “bazillion” great restaurants in Bar Harbor! We have seldom been disappointed, but they change names and owners regularly being only a 3 season town. We’ve listed some tried and true ones here that are our family’s go-to spots.
McKay’s Public House
http://www.mckayspublichouse.com/
This is one restaurant that I honestly think we’ve tried everything at least once. :-) Delicious menu, including seafood, vegetarian, beef and pasta along with pub fare. Open year round a favorite of locals. 231 Main St, Bar Harbor, not far from the village green. Reservations needed.
Havana
If you’re looking for something a little different from the “shore dinner menu”, try this. Latin food along with seafood. Unusual menu. Delicious but expensive. Great wine list. They have a new tapas bar that we’re looking forward to trying. Reservations. (And yep- the Obamas dined here on their Acadia visit)
Chart Room
http://chartroombarharbor.com/
On your way TO or FROM Acadia in Hull’s Cove. A lovely deck right over the water for some delicious chowder, blackened fish salad, etc. and a wonderful summer breeze. If it’s mid-tide there is enough of a beach for the kids to explore while you wait for dinner to come to your table or while you finish your coffee following dessert.
On Mount Desert Island (but NOT Bar Harbor)
Burning Tree
(207) 288-9331
Frommer's Review – “On Route 3 between Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor, this is an easy restaurant to speed by, but that would be a mistake. This low-key place, with its bright, open, and sometimes noisy dining room, serves the freshest food in the area. Much of the produce and herbs come from its own gardens; the rest of the ingredients are supplied locally whenever possible. Seafood is the specialty, and it's prepared with imagination and skill. The menu changes often to reflect local availability. Typical entrees might include prosciutto-wrapped sea scallops, Maryland-style crab cakes with a roasted jalapeño tartar sauce, or squash ravioli with rosemary cream. Route. 3, Otter Creek Reservations recommended.” Closed M and T Also open from 9AM-2PM with pastries and coffee.
Red Sky
http://www.redskyrestaurant.com/
Southwest Harbor. This is a lovely restaurant with fabulous food but a bit on the expensive side but worth it. It’s a small place and when we’ve been the service has been very good. If you’re looking to get away from the Bar Harbor bustle and want an upper scale spot, this fits the bill beautifully. A lovely drive to Southwest Harbor.
SIPS
Great for lunch or dinner- sandwiches, soups, and salads to risottos, pasta and crepes. Beer, wine and mixed drinks to boot. Also located in Southwest Harbor.
Town Hill Market
Heading in for a hike on the island? Route 102 takes you inland just a smidge for some wonderful launch sites for various hikes and also past Town Hill Market for coffee, breakfast sandwiches or great sandwiches to throw in your cooler.. They sell wine and beer and basic groceries on your way home as well. Did I mention that they’re just down the road from Atlantic Brewing?
Mainely Meat Barbecue
http://www.atlanticbrewing.com/mainly-meat-bbq/
A great place also in Town Hill on 15 Knox Road with a wide selection of locally brewed beer, root beer, and Mainely Meat barbecue, amongst other good foods. A Great stop on your way back to the cottage after a morning hike. Atlantic Brewing is also located at 52 Cottage Street in Bar Harbor, but with a different restaurant cuisine.
Mother’s Kitchen
http://www.motherskitchenfoods.com/menu
Also on Route 102 near Town Hill. YUM!!! Wonderful sandwiches...but call or order online ahead. They are always busy, for good reason. Fabulous creative sandwich menu with vegetarian options to boot.
Traveling to or from Schoodic Area
Pickled Wrinkle
In Birch Harbor as you leave the Schoodic area and head back towards Winter Harbor. They’re always PACKED. Basic fare (except for wrinkles when available) and hometown atmosphere.
Chases Restaurant
In Winter Harbor. This restaurant has been here as long as I have been coming to Maine. Its menu offers typical Maine fare the clam chowder is always good and my kids grew up ordering their mac-n-cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches before they discovered the “better stuff”.
JM Gerrish Café
In Winter Harbor-Turn right onto Main St instead of left following 186 towards Schoodic. It’s just down the road.. Offer takeout. We haven’t tried it yet but it looks like they’ve got some delicious options. It’s on our list when we’re not packing pbj sandwiches for Schoodic.
Wineries & Breweries
Atlantic Brewing
http://www.atlanticbrewing.com
Visit on your way home from a day in Acadia. There are now two locations. The original is in the Town Hill area. Great tour, great beer and root beer and fabulous BARBECUE on site and patio seating for a summer meal with your beverage.
Bar Harbor Cellars
http://www.barharborcellars.com
On your way in to Bar Harbor area on Route 3. Fun wine tasting!
Art & Pottery
Gull Rock Pottery
One of my favorite pottery spots. The surroundings are lovely and serene with gorgeous water views before you even get into the show room! The pottery is some of my very favorite. Just down the road in Hancock- well worth the 15 minute drive.
Spring Woods Gallery
19 Willow Brook Ln, Sullivan, ME 04664 | (207) 422-3007
My other favorite spot- this time for paintings, prints and a stroll through their Willowbrook garden. About 30 minutes from the cottage.
Lunaform
Large garden planters, urns, etc.. Awesome! Just down the road in Sullivan.
Hog Bay Pottery and Handcrafted Rugs
Littlefield Gallery
http://www.littlefieldgallery.com/
In Winter Harbor.
Rackliffe Pottery
http://www.rackliffepottery.com
In Blue Hill.
Favorite Area Hikes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ORIWFgVyMc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENmVXtwsKE8
Acadia National Park
Of course! Stop by the Park Visitor Center for some detailed maps and recommendations. We have a few guide books on the shelves here as well.
Schoodic
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-schoodic.htm
The OTHER Acadia and well worth the drive! Pick a day with a little onshore breeze so you get some surf, pack a picnic and your rock scampering shoes, and head over. Pack a wind breaker and sunscreen too.
We love the Schoodic Head Trail- lush green moss covered boulders- some rock scrambling, but not bad. We used to hike it when the kids were elementary school to expend some energy and as it is relatively short it was a great picnic spot at the top. We cheat though and drive to the trail head....We’ve even driven to the top when we’ve had some older guests who couldn’t hike it. See the map - You’ll notice after you begin the one-way loop at Frazer Point (great picnic area!) that there is an interior light gray road to the left across from Pond Island. We have always been able to turn onto this dirt road and trek in- bearing left to drive to the top of Schoodic Head and staying to the right while looking for the trail marker to begin the climb by foot. P.S. Don’t miss the turn - only way back is starting the loop all over again!!
Petit Manan Wildlife Refuge
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/petit-manan-wildlife-refuge-hollingsworth-trail
One of our favorite short hikes away from the madding crowds of Acadia. A birder’s paradise and just a wonderful quiet spot for all of your senses to soak in the beauty of the area. Only a 1.5 mile loop and yet it takes you through field, bog, woods and along the coast. We often carry our lunch in and sit oceanside on some sunny rocks...wade in the huge tidal pools if it’s mid-low tide or on the pebble beaches, always leaving with wet shoes....
We have NOT tried to hike Birch Point Trail across the road as it is a 4 mile loop and we’re always short on time when we get there, but I am certain it is lovely.
Indian Point Blagden Preserve
This is the hike if you want to watch seals from somewhere other than our deck! About a 3 mile loop in all. Give yourself plenty of time to sit on the shore with your binoculars to look at the seals sunbathing on the offshore rocky outcroppings. Great fun to spot them in the waves as well. A steady downwards slope to the shore and a steady but gradual uphill slope on the return.
Bold Coast Trail
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/cutler-coast-public-reserved-land
It’s a drive but sooooo lovely. Hiking along cliff tops in the Coastal Trail for spectacular views but not a great trail for little kiddos as I would need them on a leash for my peace of mind.
Quoddy Head State Park
http://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/quoddy-head-state-park/
Not only do you get a great lighthouse to tour, but wonderful hiking and picnicking area as well. We have actually watched Minke WHALES feeding looking down from the bluffs on two different trips! Amazing. The Coastal Trail is spectacular and not a difficult trail. Green Point is a wonderful ledge outcropping that we always linger at....
Tunk Mountain
http://mainelakecabin.tripod.com/tunk_mountain.html
Schoodic Mountain
http://mainelakecabin.tripod.com/schoodic_mountain.html
Tunk and Schoodic Mountains are the two mountains you see to the northwest (over the blueberry field as you drive into our driveway.... Again, they are AWAY from Acadia, but lovely!
Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary
http://www.birdsacre.com/trails.html
Not really a hike but a nice walk with a chance to look at some wonderful raptors and birds in the care facility for non-releasable injured birds. Some nice trails and great information!
Outdoor Adventures
Kayaks and Canoes
National Park Sea Kayak Tours
National Park Canoe Rental Inc.
http://www.NationalParkCanoeRental.com
Coastal Kayaking Tours
Kayak1
http://barharborguideservice.bravehost.com/
Located in Lamoine, will deliver kayaks to YOU for paddling around the cottage area- Upriver when the tide is coming in will take you inland with some lovely views of the “other mountains” (Black, Tunk, etc)- then turn around as the tide leaves and paddle back towards the cottage and the bay and soak up the Acadia scenery. A lovely day.
Maine State Sea Kayak Guided Tours
http://www.MaineStateSeaKayak.com
In Southwest Harbor.
Aquaterra-Adventures
http://www.aquaterra-adventures.com
Acadia Outfitters
http://www.acadiaoutfitters.com/index.html
Whale Watches & Nature Cruises
Bar Harbor Nature Cruise
http://www.barharborwhales.com
Sea Princess nature cruises
Glider and Biplane Rides
Acadia Air Tours
Maine Coastal Flights
http://www.scenicflightsofacadia.com/
Fun Park: waterslides & zip lines
Biking
Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop
Acadia Bike Rentals
Acadia Outfitters
http://www.acadiaoutfitters.com
Sailing & Lobstering Excursions
The Margaret Todd
http://www.downeastwindjammer.com
This is the schooner you’ll see off towards the islands each evening on their sunset cruise! You might get more wind on an afternoon sail, but I love seeing her sails as the sun sets on my day at the cottage.
The Friendship Sloop
Downeast Sailing Adventures
Dive-in Theater
Horse Drawn Tours of Acadia’s Carriage Roads
http://www.carriagesofacadia.com
Local Parks
LOCAL PARKS & Beaches
http://www.lamoine-me.gov/Parks.htm
Less than 10 minutes away. These are great places for a quick dip on a hot day.... Bloomfield Park is a large pond and the water in the summer is always warm with a sandy beach.... Good choice for little ones. It is stocked with trout and I understand it has pickerel as well so if you want to try fishing, here’s a local spot.
If you choose to mozy down the road to our local Marlboro beach for swimming, go at low tide and enjoy the “warmth” of the sand in the large tidal pool that develops on the backside. The oceanside water is for brave souls. Unfortunately no picnic facilities but as it’s only 1 mile from the cottage, might as well walk home for lunch. :-)
Lamoine Beach DOES have picnic facilities (tables and grills), a great view, and some sand. I believe there is a swing set. It sits on the tip of the peninsula so is generally breezy.
Lamoine State Park
http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=16
Picnic facilities, fishing, playground, small sand area.
Fishing Holes
https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
Echo Lake
http://www.acadia.ws/echo-lake.htm
Eagle Lake
https://acadiamagic.com/eagle-lake.htm
Donnell Pond
Rainy Day Activities
Museums
George B Dorr Museum of Natural History
http://www.coa.edu/dorr-museum-microsite.htm
Wendell Gilley
http://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/
Neat museum of bird carving in Southwest Harbor.
Seal Cove Auto Museum
http://www.sealcoveautomuseum.org/
Over 50 vehicles dating from 1895-2917.
Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum
62 Beech Hill Cross Road, Mount Desert, ME
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-4. Admission = donation. Granite industry tools, photos, company ledgers and large collection of books relating to granite industry
Woodlawn Museum: Black House
http://woodlawnmuseum.com/site/index.php
Right in Ellsworth. They have walking/jogging trails AND a farmer’s market in the summer months
Antiques
Big Chicken Barn Books & Antiques
1768 Bucksport Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605
An enormous barn filled with tons of used books and an eclectic selection of “antiques”, collectibles and “stuff”. A fun way to spend a rainy morning or afternoon. About 20-25 minute drive