Schoodic
Peninsula & Beyond
East of Ellsworth lies a trove of natural and cultural wonders, oddities, and delightful surprises waiting for your discovery. Depending on your interests and desired driving time, you can wander just a bit or all the way to the eastern edge of the U.S. and pop over to Canada while you’re at it. Below is a recommended itinerary to get you started. Tailor it to your preferences and make it your perfect day trip.
Tidal Falls Preserve
As you head east on Route 1, pass through the quaint town of Hancock and be on the lookout for the road to the Tidal Falls Preserve. Here, if your timing is right (just before or after low tide), you can marvel at the reversing falls of the Taunton River, where the waters flow backward from the bay. It’s the site of many a shipwreck and the mixing of fresh and saltwater and substantial tide change make it a marine environment teeming with diverse life.
Granite
Art Garden
Just across the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge is the town of Sullivan. A short drive off Route 1, you’ll find a truly off-the-beaten-path wonder – the Granite Art Garden. Take a stroll around the now water-filled quarry and admire the stone artwork crafted by local artists. Stop in to the honor-system gift shop to pick up your next souvenir.
Schoodic Peninsula
(Acadia National Park)
Keep heading east on Route 1 and you’ll pass a couple of good lunch spots before heading south on Rt. 186 to Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula. The less crowded eastern reach of Acadia National Park, Schoodic offers dramatic rocky coastlines and quiet forest hiking – including the trek up to Schoodic Head for 360° vistas. Stop in at the Schoodic Institute to look around or see if they have an interesting event going on. Schoodic is also an ideal place for birding. For arts and culture, head to Schoodic Arts for All, which hosts the Schoodic Arts Festival in the summer.
Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge
While Schoodic offers sublime, dramatic coastlines and thundering waves, you can find calm, tranquil shores at the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. Just south of Steuben, the Refuge offers quiet, easy trails away from most of the crowds. Hike to the top of Pigeon Hill for beautiful views of the coastline and to learn about the Hill’s important role in surveying the eastern seaboard. Or find your own stretch of quiet shore at the end of the Hollingsworth Trail.
Explore Way Downeast and Washington County
This is more than enough to fill a day with outdoor fun, but if you want to keep traveling east, check out all there is to do in Jonesport, Machias, the Bold Coast, Milbridge Commons Wellness Park, or Way Downeast.
