Down East Region
Blue Hill
Bar Harbor
Ellsworth
Machias
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The town of Blue Hill, in Hancock County, sits on the eastern coast of Maine just 30 minutes southwest of Ellsworth and 60 minutes southeast of Bangor. Settled in 1762, its name derives from Blue Hill Mountain, altitude 940 feet, just north of the downtown area. The town is a fast growing coastal community, leaping in population by over 23% from 1990 to 2000.
This area is rich with New England history, antiques, fine restaurants, inns, and art galleries; all creating the perfect setting for tourism in the summer months. The appeal of small villages with peninsula settings and water related activities have created flourishing year-round communities across this area that are perfect for families, or for those seeking a bit of solitude.
If you are a nature lover, Blue Hill will be your paradise. You can go kayaking in the ocean or canoeing on fresh water ponds and streams, take a cruise on a schooner, or you can even board the mail boat in Stonington and visit Isle Au Haut (part of Acadia National Park) to go exploring for a few hours. Maine Environmental Research Institute Eco-Cruises are another great way to enjoy the ocean. You can have fun, and also benefit from the educational aspects of this cruise and tour.
If you’re not ready to try out your sea legs, you could go hiking at Holbrook Island Sanctuary in Brooksville, where the bird-watching is exceptional! Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at Smith Cove. If you seek a challenging hike, climb Blue Hill itself! Once you reach the top, you’ll enjoy amazing views of the mountains and the sea. Great indoor adventures can be found at Kneisel Hall on Friday evenings, when talented local faculty, students and guest artists perform phenomenal music in the historic concert hall. If you’re busy on Friday, the performances are recreated on Sunday afternoons.
Mary Ellen Chase, a writer reflecting local culture and history, was born in Blue Hill in 1887. Her biography of Jonathan Fisher (1768-1847) chronicles the life of a remarkably versatile and energetic scholar, artist, craftsman and farmer who brought culture and dignity to a frontier village in the wilderness. The Jonathan Fisher House he designed and built is one of the town’s major assets, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Blue Hill has a superb school system comprised of a public elementary and middle school, The Bay School (a private elementary and middle school), George Stevens Academy (a semi-private high school where students are offered an excellent education and a number of extra curricular activities), and The Liberty School, Inc. (a private high school that offers programs for “students who are self-motivated, independent thinkers”).
College-bound students should consider an excellent nearby institution of higher learning as a unique place to further their education: Maine Maritime Academy and its training ship, State of Maine, are based in the town of Castine just 15 minutes west of Blue Hill. This is a public college offering Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degrees in the following disciplines: Business, Logistics, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Science, and Transportation. Established in 1941, The Maine Maritime Academy is rated among the best undergraduate engineering colleges in the US. Because of the quality of the education provided there, MMA has “one of the highest professional placement rates of any college in the U.S.,” according to their career services director.
When you visit the Blue Hill area, take time to make a side trip to Bar Harbor, just an hour away. The city of Bar Harbor is on Mount Desert Island, which is also home to Acadia National Park, with 41,000 acres of land to explore. You will find granite cliffs side by side with sand and cobblestone beaches. Glacier-carved mountains rise from the sea, cupping deep lakes in their valleys. Here, too, are meadows and marshes and dense evergreen forests. Everywhere the ocean makes its presence felt, whether by sight, sound, or smell. It is a magical place!
Acadia National Park is the second most visited national park in the country, with 3 million visitors each year. Many come to enjoy the diverse terrain, accessible by over fifty miles of groomed carriage roads (for walking, riding, biking, and skiing) and another 100+ miles of hiking and biking trails. The park also manages over 27 miles of paved motor roads, also suitable for bicycle riding. There are 26 mountains in this National Park, highlighted by Cadillac Mountain, with an altitude of 1,530 feet. From October to March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States where you can see the sun rise.
Property in Blue Hill is perfect for everyone! You can choose from oceanfront property, or acreage inland, or you can even buy your own island to live on! You can find land with pre-existing homes, or property where you can start from scratch to build your own dream home. No matter where you choose to live in the Blue Hill area, you’ll discover all the satisfying aspects of living in a Down-East fishing village in Maine! Back to Top
Mount Desert Island is a fascinating part of the Maine coast, with a year-round population of about 10,000. MDI is home to the Jackson Laboratory, a nationally recognized genetics research facility. Tourism remains one of the largest industries, but boat building, fishing and aquaculture are also key components of the MDI economy. College of the Atlantic, a four-year accredited college, is based in Bar Harbor.
If you have never visited this unique island, you are in for a treat. MDI is a microcosm encompassing the sea, the mountains, old and new growth forests, hidden villages, fantastic shopping, an abundance of dining opportunities, and the kind of scenery that makes memories to last a lifetime. MDI has it all … mountains to climb, trails to hike, carriage roads to walk or bike, lakes and ponds for most water sports and an ocean with some of the best sailing waters to be found anywhere. The lakes, rivers, and oceans are perfect for sailors, kayakers, and canoeists. Between April and October, whales including humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, and a multitude of dolphins, visit the waters off MDI. These rich waters also lure seals and a variety of rare and beautiful birds including the colorful puffin.
The appealing town of Southwest Harbor combines people and lifestyles in a mix that has become more and more common in Maine’s coastal areas, with working fishermen and their lobster boats mooring next to boat builders (such as the renowned Hinckley Company in Southwest Harbor’s Manset region) and yachtsmen. Many gracious inns and hotels, some more than 100 years old, evoke a grander past.
The nearby town of Bar Harbor, largest town on MDI, encompasses a whopping 45 square miles, and is home to 4500 residents. This quaint coastal community is recognized as one of Maine’s most popular tourist destinations, offering numerous eateries and inns, stunning harbors, famous lighthouses, and many seasonal events and activities. Don’t forget, this is also a great spot to get some of the world’s best lobster, fresh off the boat, and cooked to order!
Families can enjoy living in one of several beautiful and tranquil rural communities, either on or near Mount Desert Island, all with very good schools. Your residential options may include a historic Victorian home in town, a country farmhouse, or perhaps even building your own home on some vacant land nearby. Yes, it can be expensive to live on the ocean, but homes of all prices can be found in Down East Maine.
Education is something that is taken very seriously in Maine. You would have your choice between eight K-8 schools, after the eighth grade everyone attends Mount Dessert Island High School, an accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and by the State of Maine. You can rest assured that no matter where a child goes to school in Maine, they are going to get an excellent education. In the fall of 1999, The National Education Goals Panel ranked Maine as having the best education system in America – for the second year in a row.
MDI is about sixty minutes from Bangor, where you can easily access the many services and amenities of Maine’s second largest city. With a metro population of over 100,000 people, four colleges, a large shopping district, theatres and fine dining, a symphony orchestra, an international airport, and one of the highest rated children’s museums in the country, Bangor can meet your every need. Cultural distractions there are plentiful there, and in nearby Orono (just fifteen minutes north of Bangor), home to the flagship campus of the University of Maine System, with over 10,000 students.
Acadia National Park represents 41,000 acres adjacent to the rustic, rock-bound coast of Mount Desert Island, plus a portion of the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland, and some offshore islands. Here, you will find granite cliffs side by side with sand and cobblestone beaches. Glacier-carved mountains rise from the sea, cupping deep lakes in their valleys. Here, too, are meadows and marshes and dense evergreen forests. Everywhere the ocean makes its presence felt, whether by sight, sound, or smell.
Acadia is the second most visited national park in the country, with 3 million visitors each year. Many come to enjoy the diverse terrain accessible by over fifty miles of groomed carriage roads (for walking, riding, biking, and skiing) and another 100+ miles of hiking and biking trails. The park also manages over 27 miles of paved motor roads, also suitable for bicycle riding. Lakes, streams and ponds abound. Hikers and rock climbers come for the natural challenges. There are 26 mountains in this National Park, highlighted by Cadillac Mountain, with an altitude of 1,530 feet. From October to March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the United States where you can see the sun rise.
Visitors to MDI can spot deer, or an occasional moose, beaver, fox, eagle, hawk, or peregrine falcon. In fact, over 270 species of birds have been identified on Mount Desert Island and in the adjacent waters. MDI’s unusual ecosystem enables plant species from zones as diverse as the tundra to the New Jersey Coastal Plain to thrive. For 5000 years, people from the Wabanaki Indians through to the visitors of today have recognized and respected the special beauty of this place. Now, you have the opportunity to make Mount Desert Island your home!
Maine offers many fun-filled ways to spend your leisure time. In addition to some of the most spectacular downhill skiing in New England, you might enjoy other winter activities such as cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, ice fishing or snowmobiling. During the warm seasons, you can enjoy hiking or backpacking on nearby trails, or perhaps fishing or hunting, rock climbing, or golf! If you prefer something a little more tame, try antiquing, nature photography, or perhaps browsing through some of our quaint local museums. There is truly something for everyone, in every season. Back to Top
Ellsworth is a picturesque location on Maine’s coast midway between Bangor and Bar Harbor, each about a thirty minute drive from town. This delightful community is recognized as the Gateway to Maine’s historic Down East region, and the 35,000 acre Acadia National Park.
Acadia is the second most visited national park in the country, an incredibly popular place for camping, hiking and biking, bird watching, whale watching and nature photography, canoeing and kayaking, plus cross country skiing and snow shoeing, and much, much more. Nearby Bar Harbor is a quaint coastal community recognized as one of Maine’s most popular tourist destinations, offering numerous eateries, stunning harbors, famous lighthouses, and many seasonal events and activities. Don’t forget, this is also a great spot to get some of the world’s best lobster, fresh off the boat, and cooked to order!
If you’re looking for a great event that’s supporting a great cause, you’ll want to make sure and attend the annual Union Trust Celebrity Chef’s Gala held in late April. This event has been celebrated since 1993 and supports the Maine Memorial Coast Hospital. 
You can enjoy living in one of several beautiful and tranquil rural communities, yet you can easily access the many services and amenities of Bangor. Bangor is Maine’s second largest city, with a metro population of over 100,000 people, four colleges, a large shopping district, theatres and fine dining, a symphony orchestra, an international airport, and one of the highest rated children’s museums in the country, plus much more. Cultural distractions are plentiful here, and in nearby Orono (just north of Bangor), home to the flagship campus of the University of Maine System, with over 10,000 students.
You will have a range of residential options. You may chose to live in one of several nearby communities, or choose a historic Victorian home in town, a country farmhouse with some acreage, or maybe seek out some vacant land on which to build a home of your own design! No matter what you decide on, you can rest assured that Maine is ranked one of the safest and best places to raise a family in the U.S.
The schools in Maine consistently rate high in academic excellence, extra-curricular activities and athletics. Children go to two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Some students choose to attend Hancock Country Technical Center while they’re attending high school.
Maine offers many fun-filled ways to spend your leisure time. In addition to some of the most spectacular downhill skiing in New England, you might enjoy other winter activities such as snow shoeing, ice skating, ice fishing or snowmobiling. During the warm seasons, you can enjoy hiking or backpacking on nearby trails, or perhaps fishing or hunting, rock climbing, or golf! If you prefer something a little more tame, try antiquing, nature photography, or perhaps browsing through some of our quaint local museums! There is truly something for everyone, in every season. Back to Top
The town of Machias, which gets its name from the Indian word meaning “bad little falls,” is located in Maine’s Down East region, right on the coast in Washington County about 90 minutes east of Bangor, and 70 minutes south of St. Stevens, Canada. This area features harbors speckled with fishing boats, scenic winding rivers, and historic sites that predate the Revolutionary War. Lively towns in this part of New England present an enviable experience for those longing to find the “traditional Maine way of life.”
The residents of Machias enjoy a range of wonderful educational opportunities. Parents may settle near any of seven different elementary schools. Older students continue their education in one of four places: at one of two public high schools in the region, a local parochial school, or the area’s semi-private high school, Washington Academy. Washington Academy was originally a prep school for prestigious Colby and Bates colleges! They offer their students small classes with an excellent student-teacher ratio, access to high-end technology tools and training, and selection of more than 50 extracurricular activities in which to participate! There are also three colleges located in this community, including the University of Maine at Machias, Washington County Technical College, and the WCTC Marine Technology Center.
Several coastal and inland communities offer an easy drive to Down East Community Hospital, giving incoming families a broad range of home choices. You may enjoy living in town, where many beautiful and affordable homes are available in all shapes and sizes. If you prefer to live in a home with an ocean view, that will of course be a little pricier, but just minutes inland land is available for building, or you may find yourself drawn to the freedom and spaciousness of a vintage farmhouse. Local agents will be delighted to show you the many affordable possibilities.
For the sports fan, the town of Machias maintains several recreational facilities for sports such as tennis, basketball, and softball, in addition to a boat launch in Bad Little Falls Park on the Machias River. Bicycling and golfing are other popular ways to spend summer days, while winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. The local recreation department provides summer and winter programs in organized sports, and day camp programs, too.
Machias was settled in 1763. The town is best known for being the site of the First Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War, on June 12, 1775. Information on this battle is available at the Gates House Museum in Machiasport, where local historians maintain the bond to the area’s fascinating seafaring past. Other local historical sites include The Ruggles House in Columbia Falls, known for its flying staircase, and the O’Brien Cemetery in Machias.
Since 1977, Machias has hosted a big annual Blueberry Festival on the 3rd weekend of August. Another important crop in the area is the balsam fir, branches of which are used to make wreaths. These quality wreaths are often featured in finer catalogues like LL Bean, Harry & David, and Martha Stewart Living. Historic monuments in Arlington National Cemetery are often decorated with fir wreaths from Machias.
This part of Down East Maine has a lot to offer anyone who settles in the area. Whether you’re a history buff, active in outdoor recreation, seeking fine educational opportunities, or just looking for a simpler way of Maine living, you can find it all in Machias! Back to Top
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