Kathryn’s guidebook
Food
Small but nice deck by the tidal river, great fish chowder, some eclectic menu items, boiled lobster, lots of PIE, but a long wait if you don’t get there early for dinner.
35 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Helen's Restaurant
111 Main StSmall but nice deck by the tidal river, great fish chowder, some eclectic menu items, boiled lobster, lots of PIE, but a long wait if you don’t get there early for dinner.
This is a new business across town--maybe a 10 minute drive? The views of the bay are beautiful, there is a limited but yummy gourmet menu, and they are working on pick-your-own berries.
West Branch Farms
This is a new business across town--maybe a 10 minute drive? The views of the bay are beautiful, there is a limited but yummy gourmet menu, and they are working on pick-your-own berries.
This place used to be great, then it was horrible, and now it's become pretty good again. They have craft beer on tap and a good burger.
8 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Bluebird Ranch Restaurant
78 Main StThis place used to be great, then it was horrible, and now it's become pretty good again. They have craft beer on tap and a good burger.
The business model changed after COVID, so you can either pick up your food to take with you or pick it up and eat it in their dining room (no table service and no bar). The pizza is pretty good--my personal favorite is feta, garlic, and fried/breaded eggplant.
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Pat's Pizza Machias
168 Main StThe business model changed after COVID, so you can either pick up your food to take with you or pick it up and eat it in their dining room (no table service and no bar). The pizza is pretty good--my personal favorite is feta, garlic, and fried/breaded eggplant.
This is a large operational hemp farm that has a new bakery (maybe breads only?) and cafe. They are just opening, so they had a soft opening on 7/15, they'll have another one on 7/22, and then they're opening for real. La Laiterie doesn't come up on this Airbnb guide and this site won't let me add links, but Ross Florance is the chef and you can find updates on his website (his first and last name--one word).
Schoppee Farm
This is a large operational hemp farm that has a new bakery (maybe breads only?) and cafe. They are just opening, so they had a soft opening on 7/15, they'll have another one on 7/22, and then they're opening for real. La Laiterie doesn't come up on this Airbnb guide and this site won't let me add links, but Ross Florance is the chef and you can find updates on his website (his first and last name--one word).
Provisions
The French Cellar has a solid selection of wines, sakes, and Maine craft beer. They also have excellent local and imported cheeses and sometimes a killer mushroom pate.
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
The French Cellar
4 Colonial WayThe French Cellar has a solid selection of wines, sakes, and Maine craft beer. They also have excellent local and imported cheeses and sometimes a killer mushroom pate.
Hannaford is a full-service grocery store and has a surprisingly good selection of organic products. They also will cook lobsters for you to pick up and consume elsewhere. We do have lobster crackers and pickers in the kitchen. Be careful about hard-shell lobsters though if you are not used to shucking lobster. If it is hardshell season, you might just want to get lobsters at a restaurant so that the kitchen can shuck it for you if the shell is too hard. If not, there is a hammer in the laundry room drawer-haha. (no joke though)
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Hannaford Supermarket
149 Dublin StHannaford is a full-service grocery store and has a surprisingly good selection of organic products. They also will cook lobsters for you to pick up and consume elsewhere. We do have lobster crackers and pickers in the kitchen. Be careful about hard-shell lobsters though if you are not used to shucking lobster. If it is hardshell season, you might just want to get lobsters at a restaurant so that the kitchen can shuck it for you if the shell is too hard. If not, there is a hammer in the laundry room drawer-haha. (no joke though)
Sightseeing
Bad Little Falls Park has a lovely footbridge over the “machias,” which means “bad little falls” in Passamaquoddy. There are rocks to sit on and a picnic area on the south side of the river. Each Thursday from 5-7 PM, there is live music through September.
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Bad Little Falls Park
1 Bridge StreetBad Little Falls Park has a lovely footbridge over the “machias,” which means “bad little falls” in Passamaquoddy. There are rocks to sit on and a picnic area on the south side of the river. Each Thursday from 5-7 PM, there is live music through September.
The Burnham Tavern is a historic museum honoring the history of Machias as the site of the first colonial battle with the British.
9 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Burnham Tavern
Main StreetThe Burnham Tavern is a historic museum honoring the history of Machias as the site of the first colonial battle with the British.
Campobello Island is part of New Brunswick, Canada, and was the childhood and summer home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. You can tour his “cottage” and the rest of this bucolic island. One of our favorite lunch spots is next to Head Harbour Lightstation, an incredibly scenic spot whose topography resembles more that of the Greek isles than Downeast Maine. If you want to tour this lighthouse, you will have to time your visit with the tides because the lighthouse becomes inaccessible during each high tide. (Note: Campobello itself is accessible only if the Canadian border is open.)
44 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Campobello Island
Campobello Island is part of New Brunswick, Canada, and was the childhood and summer home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. You can tour his “cottage” and the rest of this bucolic island. One of our favorite lunch spots is next to Head Harbour Lightstation, an incredibly scenic spot whose topography resembles more that of the Greek isles than Downeast Maine. If you want to tour this lighthouse, you will have to time your visit with the tides because the lighthouse becomes inaccessible during each high tide. (Note: Campobello itself is accessible only if the Canadian border is open.)
Gifts and Shopping
Berry Vines is a very cute shop on Route 1 that carries local products and consignment wares as well. If you are looking for tasteful presents, this is the place.
Berry Vines Garden Blooms & Unique Finds
247 Main StBerry Vines is a very cute shop on Route 1 that carries local products and consignment wares as well. If you are looking for tasteful presents, this is the place.
Crows Nest Shops
125 Dublin StGreat for baked goods, coffee, flowers, and random gifts (hence the name)
Nature and Fitness
The University of Maine at Machias offers day passes to its fitness center and pool: https://machias.edu/fitness-center/facility-hours-events/
6 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
University of Maine at Machias
116 Obrien AveThe University of Maine at Machias offers day passes to its fitness center and pool: https://machias.edu/fitness-center/facility-hours-events/
87 miles long, the Downeast Sunrise Trail is steps from our house. Just go down Cooper St., and you’re on the trail. This is a great walk or bike ride, all very scenic.
6 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Sunrise Trail
Sunrise Trail87 miles long, the Downeast Sunrise Trail is steps from our house. Just go down Cooper St., and you’re on the trail. This is a great walk or bike ride, all very scenic.
Sunrise Canoe and Kayak near the dyke offers guided and self-guided tours with rented canoes and kayaks. They even deliver within 30 miles!
11 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Sunrise Canoe and Kayak
168 Main StSunrise Canoe and Kayak near the dyke offers guided and self-guided tours with rented canoes and kayaks. They even deliver within 30 miles!
Reversing Falls Park in Pembroke is part of the Downeast Coastal Conservatory. This 191-acre park has the largest tidal falls in Maine. You will find nearly all hikes in the area more beautiful than rigorous. There isn’t much elevation here, but that makes area hikes accessible to most people. Make sure to bathe yourself in bug dope if you are hiking before July and then use a regular amount after that. If you are hiking in May, you might want mosquito netting to keep the black flies at bay.
6 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Reversing Falls Park
Reversing Falls RoadReversing Falls Park in Pembroke is part of the Downeast Coastal Conservatory. This 191-acre park has the largest tidal falls in Maine. You will find nearly all hikes in the area more beautiful than rigorous. There isn’t much elevation here, but that makes area hikes accessible to most people. Make sure to bathe yourself in bug dope if you are hiking before July and then use a regular amount after that. If you are hiking in May, you might want mosquito netting to keep the black flies at bay.
Activities
Porter Memorial Library at the end of the street is a historic library with a beautiful adult reading room with the original fireplace and a children’s section downstairs. You can borrow movies in addition to books, and there are special events, such as kids’ storytime, as well.
Porter Memorial Library
92 Court StPorter Memorial Library at the end of the street is a historic library with a beautiful adult reading room with the original fireplace and a children’s section downstairs. You can borrow movies in addition to books, and there are special events, such as kids’ storytime, as well.
City/town information
Our favorite hike in the area is Cutler’s Western Head. You can take the longer version, which is about 3 miles, or you can take a right at the trail sign to bypass that 1-mile loop. (We prefer the longer portion, in particular because of the way it brings you into the sweeping views.) The most direct way to get to the trailhead is via Route 191 in East Machias, but before leaving Cutler, you must drive through it to appreciate one of the most iconic fishing villages in Maine. You also will see a U.S. Navy communications station, which has one of the world’s most powerful radio transmitters. Since the Cold War, this station has had the capacity to communicate with submerged submarines around the globe. The Bold Coast Charter Company has puffin tours, which are apparently amazing. These tours are fully booked for the rest of the 2021 season, mainly due to rebookings related to the pandemic. Calling about last-minute cancellations might be worthwhile, or you can keep this in your back pocket for a future visit.
6 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Cutler
Our favorite hike in the area is Cutler’s Western Head. You can take the longer version, which is about 3 miles, or you can take a right at the trail sign to bypass that 1-mile loop. (We prefer the longer portion, in particular because of the way it brings you into the sweeping views.) The most direct way to get to the trailhead is via Route 191 in East Machias, but before leaving Cutler, you must drive through it to appreciate one of the most iconic fishing villages in Maine. You also will see a U.S. Navy communications station, which has one of the world’s most powerful radio transmitters. Since the Cold War, this station has had the capacity to communicate with submerged submarines around the globe. The Bold Coast Charter Company has puffin tours, which are apparently amazing. These tours are fully booked for the rest of the 2021 season, mainly due to rebookings related to the pandemic. Calling about last-minute cancellations might be worthwhile, or you can keep this in your back pocket for a future visit.
From the quaint town of Lubec (about 45 minutes east), one can see Canada’s Campobello Island and the extreme tides that bring frolicking seals. Spending time at the water’s edge is just lovely in Lubec, but bring an extra layer because the temperature is often 10-20 degrees cooler there (great to keep in mind if it’s hot everywhere else!). Try to align your trip to Lubec with the operating hours of Morano’s Pizza, amazing authentic Jersey pizza. Lubec Brewing Company is a small operation with a wide selection of craft beer and a lovely beer garden. Lubec also has a nice farmer’s market on Saturday mornings during the summer. Feel free to bring one of our coolers from the laundry room with ice packs on day trips so that you can bring cold items with you or gather local products to take back to the house. Quoddy Head State Park is a picturesque spot with hiking trails and lighthouse tours (check the hours though).
29 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Lubec
From the quaint town of Lubec (about 45 minutes east), one can see Canada’s Campobello Island and the extreme tides that bring frolicking seals. Spending time at the water’s edge is just lovely in Lubec, but bring an extra layer because the temperature is often 10-20 degrees cooler there (great to keep in mind if it’s hot everywhere else!). Try to align your trip to Lubec with the operating hours of Morano’s Pizza, amazing authentic Jersey pizza. Lubec Brewing Company is a small operation with a wide selection of craft beer and a lovely beer garden. Lubec also has a nice farmer’s market on Saturday mornings during the summer. Feel free to bring one of our coolers from the laundry room with ice packs on day trips so that you can bring cold items with you or gather local products to take back to the house. Quoddy Head State Park is a picturesque spot with hiking trails and lighthouse tours (check the hours though).
Eastport is about an hour east from Machias and is a quintessential coastal Maine town. Think Bar Harbor or Camden but much smaller. We love going to fun and creative Sweetie’s to buy their delicious candy and getting some excellent brews at Horn Run Brewing is a must (no food there, but there is usually a food truck around though we haven’t witnessed it ourselves). If you want boiled lobster, Quoddy Head Lobster has great lobster and generous pours of white wine, but you should be prepared for a really long wait and blazing sun, depending on the day. You can get a pretty good poutine at The Happy Crab and they have pretty cheap cocktails too. Check the Eastport calendar because they also have musical performers at the small amphitheater next to Horn Run Brewing. The Tides Institute and Museum of Art is a lauded local art treasure focused on exhibitions and artist residencies. You might want to make sure that a cruise ship has not docked in Eastport before you go.
Whether you begin in Lubec or in Eastport, you can take the Eastport Ferry from one to the other. Their Facebook page and websites have their Friday-Sunday hours. This is a great way to get a two-in-one experience. Both places are great to visit, but neither downtown will necessarily keep you occupied all day. If you are here during Pirate Festival season, you will find Eastport “pirates” invading Lubec or Lubec “pirates” invading Eastport. Pretty fun time!
25 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Eastport
Eastport is about an hour east from Machias and is a quintessential coastal Maine town. Think Bar Harbor or Camden but much smaller. We love going to fun and creative Sweetie’s to buy their delicious candy and getting some excellent brews at Horn Run Brewing is a must (no food there, but there is usually a food truck around though we haven’t witnessed it ourselves). If you want boiled lobster, Quoddy Head Lobster has great lobster and generous pours of white wine, but you should be prepared for a really long wait and blazing sun, depending on the day. You can get a pretty good poutine at The Happy Crab and they have pretty cheap cocktails too. Check the Eastport calendar because they also have musical performers at the small amphitheater next to Horn Run Brewing. The Tides Institute and Museum of Art is a lauded local art treasure focused on exhibitions and artist residencies. You might want to make sure that a cruise ship has not docked in Eastport before you go.
Whether you begin in Lubec or in Eastport, you can take the Eastport Ferry from one to the other. Their Facebook page and websites have their Friday-Sunday hours. This is a great way to get a two-in-one experience. Both places are great to visit, but neither downtown will necessarily keep you occupied all day. If you are here during Pirate Festival season, you will find Eastport “pirates” invading Lubec or Lubec “pirates” invading Eastport. Pretty fun time!
Roque Bluffs is about 15 minutes away and is home to Roque Bluffs State Park, which has a nice beach (remember that these are Maine beaches) and scenic hiking trails.
6 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Roque Bluffs
Roque Bluffs is about 15 minutes away and is home to Roque Bluffs State Park, which has a nice beach (remember that these are Maine beaches) and scenic hiking trails.