NEARBY FAIRS

Bangor State Fair
July 25-August 3
515 Main Street, Bangor

Blue Hill Fair
August 29-September 2
233 Ellsworth Rd, Blue Hill

Common Ground Country Fair
September 20-22
294 Crosby Brook Rd, Unity

Festivals to Watch For

25th Acadia Birding Fest. - May 30 - June 2
Orland River Days – Sept. 9

Lobster Boat Races
June 23 - Bass Harbor
July 14 – Stonington
August 10 – Winter Harbor

Bucksport Bay Fest. – July 20th weekend
Castine – Bastille Day celebration – July 14
Blue Hill Kneisel Hall Chamber Music -June 15 - Aug. 25

Belfast Harbor Fest. - August 16-18
Camden Windjammer Fest. - August 30-31

Belfast – Maine Celtic Celebration –July 19-21
Belfast – The Maine Wienerfest – (dachshunds)- September 8

Bucksport Waterfront Walkway. A beautiful walk along the water. Great views of the Bridge and Fort Knox. Watch along the way for the Historical plaques as you enjoy the scenes, fountains, waterfalls, swings, and many benches inviting you to relax. A great way to spend an morning or an afternoon or evening after getting an delightful ice cream at the Dairy Port.

Fort Knox & Penobscot Narrows Observatory. The Fort Knox Historic Site features one of the best-preserved examples of coastal defense fortifications constructed in the mid-1800s. It is America's first fort named after Major General Henry Knox. This Maine State Park is overlooking the Penobscot River across from Prospect; on the other side or the river from Bucksport. The Friends of Fort Knox is a non-profit organization that manages the Fort and Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory on behalf of the state with a mission to preserve the fort for future generations. Over 100,000 guests visit each season for picnics, historical education tours, special events (eg. Civil War, Pirate and Medieval Living Histories, concerts and theater in the park - see website for details) and to take the elevator up 420 feet for panoramic 360 degree views from the Bridge Observatory.

Great Pond Mountain Trust. Discover this 2.9-mile out-and-back trail near East Orland, Maine. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 32 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Or check out this 4.1 mile loop trail option that takes an average of 2 h 4 min to complete. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Craig Pond. Nice little spring fed lake and swim spot; including tables for picnicking. Once on route via GPS, stay on main road until you see signs directing you to turn to hatchery and lake area is just past building.

Cadillac Mountain should be on the top of your list when visiting Acadia National Park. It is the highest peak on the East Coast at 1,527 feet. You can hike to the summit or take a leisurely drive up to enjoy the incredible views of Mount Desert Island, the Porcupine Islands, and on a good day, some have said that you just might be able to see the White mountains in New Hampshire. That remains to be seen by me:) It is the place to catch the first sunrise in the continental U.S. You'll need a pass to visit Cadillac Mountain, so either make a reservation online or get it included in a tour of Acadia National Park. You can get more information at: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm

Jordan Pond. This is just a beautiful spot. There are multiple trails of varying difficulty levels but the shortest one is about 3 miles(5 km) and goes around the pond. It is a fairly easy flat hike with some board constructed paths along the way. It is likely the best option for little children and the elderly. Keep in mind that it takes about an hour. The Jordan Pond House is a good place to stop for a bite. Mark is especially fond of the pop-overs and the blueberry sorbet ice cream (https://www.nps.gov/places/jordan-pond-house.htm).

Bar Island Sandbar. This is a really great walk across a sand bar to get to Bar island Lots of shells along the way to add to your collection. There are some good trails on the island too. Just make sure to keep track of when low tide begins and ends. If you are not back across the sandbar before the tide starts rolling in (and it happens quickly), it will be at least a $50.00 charge for a water taxi to come get you! For more info: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-bar-island-trail.htm

Dive-In Theater w/ Diver Ed - Fun! Fun! Fun! On the way out Diver Ed and Nori, the Newfoundland, will welcome you aboard. After setting anchor, Diver Ed and Mini-Ed don their dive gear. Diver Ed heads to the back of the boat where the kids get to push him overboard.

Diver Ed and Mini-Ed return to the boat – and so do the creatures! Touch tanks allow you to observe, handle, and sometimes even kiss, these strange and mysterious beings before they are returned safely to the sea. You will be amazed at the colors, the textures and the variety of animal life beneath the waves. https://www.diveintheater.com

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. Challenge friends and family to an enjoyable round of Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf! Enter the world of 18th century pirates--carousing buccaneers, an authentic, full-scale pirate ship, and lavish landscaping. Putt your way through mountain caves, over footbridges and under cascading waterfalls! Specifically designed for adults and kids enjoyment alike. 

Thuya Gardens - Gorgeous perennial garden open from late June until the beginning of October. You can either park down below and walk up a stone stair path, or park at the garden. The views of harbor are breathtaking and the gardens are incredible. We usually have lunch at the Asticou Inn, followed by a walk around the garden. (https://www.gardenpreserve.org/thuya-garden).

Asticou Azalea Garden - The garden combines the best natural features of Mount Desert Island with design elements inspired by classic Japanese gardens. Located in Northeast Harbor, the beauty of Asticou changes throughout the year. A flowering cherry tree heralds the start of the season in mid-May, followed by a myriad of colorful azaleas and rhododendrons from late May through June. In July blooms the Japanese iris, smoke bush, rosebay rhododendron, and the azalea. August is accented by blooming water lilies just before the garden is ablaze with fall colors. For more information: https://www.gardenpreserve.org/asticou-azalea-garden

Click the link below for the bloom chart details. Dates may vary by as much as two weeks (https://www.gardenpreserve.org/bloom chart).

Cranberry Island  - Maybe consider hoping on a mail boat to the Cranberry Islands from Northwest Harbor. The best way to see the northern Maine coast is by boat. There are all sorts of tourist boat rides available, from whale watching tours to schooner rides to cruises. But the local mail boat takes passengers to two of the tiny islands just off Mt. Desert Island. This mail boat delivers the mail to the folks who live on nearby Cranberry and Islesford islands. It also picks up and delivers all kinds of other things too, including people.

Check it out. https://roadslesstraveled.us/Mail-Boat-Northeast-Harbor-Cranberry Island

There is a restaurant on Little Cranberry Island/Islesford that has great food and amazing views: https://www.islesforddock.com

Bass Harbor Head Light Station - is located in Tremont, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island. 

Among about 80 lighthouses across Maine, it is one of three lights managed by Acadia National Park, including two others on Baker Island and Bear Island. https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/bass-harbor-head-light

Schoodic Point & Winter Harbor - Don't forget about the other half of Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Peninsula. Driving the Schoodic Peninsula loop is fun to do either before or after a possible trip to Bar Harbor via the Winter Harbor Ferry. The ferry conveniently arrives at the Bar Harbor Inn pier after the approximate 45 minute boat ride. While on the boat, look for wildlife such as seals, harbor porpoise, bald eagles and other waterfowl. Arriving in Bar Harbor, enjoy shopping, restaurants and other in town activities as well as visiting Acadia National park by shuttle or other means of transportation. You could bring a bike or rent one in Bar Harbor. This is a wonderful way to visit Bar Harbor and Acadia. Here is a great resource for your visit to Winter Harbor (it has a ton of information to make your trip to Maine even better): https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/acadia/winter-harbor

Sail Acadia Tours. Escape the crowds of Bar Harbor and explore the spectacular coastline of Acadia National Park. Sail aboard a classic Friendship sloop or a real Maine lobster boat for a private or shared tour of Maine’s most beautiful coastline along Mount Desert Island.

Sailing and lobster boat cruises depart several times each day from Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor, just 15 – 20 minutes from Bar Harbor.

At Sail Acadia we maintain and operate our locally built wooden boats with a great respect for Maine’s maritime heritage. We believe in smaller groups and personalized attention for an authentic boating experience in Acadia. Our captains and crew will share their local knowledge and give you their best tour of Mount Desert Island.

Lulu's Lobster Boat Ride. Take a lobster boat tour on a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat. Lulu’s two-hour lobster boat ride offers the most exclusive, personal and unique cruise in Bar Harbor. Experience lobster fishing, seal watching, sightseeing and more!

Watch them catch lobsters right before your eyes, while narrators educate you about all the parts of a lobster trap and how the lobsters find their way into the trap.

Lobster boat tours are also the perfect opportunity to see seals in their natural habitat. Along the way, enjoy views of the Egg Rock Lighthouse, beautiful summer cottages, and local wildlife like bald eagles and sea birds.