You are minutes from downtown Machias - the shiretown of Down East Maine. There are pool tables at the Thirsty Moose Cafe down town, a harbor cruise at the town landing and a community swimming pool at the University of Maine at Machias that is charged on a per diem basis for guests. Downtown you can participate in the local history by celebrating the annual Magaretta Days Festival June 8-11th which salutes Fort O'Brien and Burnham Tavern as the sites where the first naval battle of the American Revolution was planned, fought and won. Shopping, fine restaurants, cultural events (University of Maine at Machias, Washington Academy), a boat launch and the annual Wild Blueberry Festival (last weekend in August) and East Machias River Day & Fireworks (end of June) all contribute to make Down East Maine a special place.
There are also a number of beaches and lakes in the area including Roque Bluffs State Park (ocean and fresh water pond, grills, toilets, playground), Starboard and Jasper Beach (multi-colored smooth stone beach made of volcanic rock)as well as Gardiner Lake (4 minute drive from cottage), Hadley, Bog and Seven Mile Lakes. The Starboard Community Center puts on its annual Lobster Roll & Fish Chowder dinner at the end of July which is a popular event.
Further down Route 1 South you can golf at the Barren View Golf Course or drop by the fishing village of Jonesport (Lobster Boat Races in Moosabec Reach on July 4th), visit an old time movie theater in Milbridge, or shop for art and antiques in Cherryfield (Narraguagus Trading Company, Queen Anne's Place) If you continue on to Ellsworth (1 hour) you'll be able to enjoy a day of shopping, dining or touring at Lamoine State Park (55-acre recreation, fishing and picnicking area around Frenchman's Bay).
A half hour from downtown Ellsworth you will find Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park - a must see full day trip on your visit. You will be enchanted by the quaint and bustling town of Bar Harbor and will be in awe of the charm and majesty of Cadillac Mountain, the Carriage Trails, and Park Loop Road. This is God's Creation at its finest and one of the prettiest places in the entire United States.
There is something for everyone in Down East Maine. Some are drawn to the photography, hunting, fishing (the best small mouth Bass in the USA), sightseeing, bird watching (Bar Harbor and Down East run annual tours around Memorial Day), lighthouses, golfing (Barren View Rt 1 South and Great Cove G.C. on the back road to Roque Bluffs), hiking, boating, or the Autumn leaves. Others are interested in acquiring their own home or piece of land in this last undeveloped coastline in the USA.
