If you’re looking for things to do in Maine and your final destination is Bar Harbor, there’s plenty to do along the way that most tourists and visitors don’t even know about. But if you’re looking for a true Downeast Maine experience, you’ll find plenty of adventure waiting just off Route 1 between Belfast and Ellsworth—the gateway to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.
belfast center
Belfast in one of the oldest cities in Maine and has a long history. With the exception of the rail yard which was destroyed after 127 years of service in 2005, much of central Belfast looks much the same as it did at the turn of the century. Some of the most influential and renowned architects of the 19th century helped shape Belfast, including Samuel French and Ammi Young; both have buildings standing in the city today. If you’re looking for things to do in Maine, a stroll through Belfast’s city center and waterfront will give you a rare glimpse into the past of a bustling seaport that once built some of the most impressive 5-masted schooners in the world. .
Sears Island, Maine
A few miles north on Route 1 from Belfast is Sears Island, a beautiful sanctuary that has been the subject of heated debate and controversy for years. At one time the potential site for a nuclear power plant, container shipping port, and liquefied natural gas facility, Sears Island is now largely in a state of conservation. This means that tourists and locals alike can use the massive island for hiking, biking, walking, and other daytime activities. There are no fees to explore this beautiful and pristine island, and visitors can even see the remains of old farmhouses that long ago decomposed and were left with nothing but their original stone foundations.
Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory
After exploring Sears Island, one of the world’s most uniquely engineered bridges awaits just ten minutes to the north. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge offers stunning panoramic views from North America’s only bridge observation deck. At 420′, the bridge’s towering height affords visitors breathtaking views of Penobscot Harbor, Bucksport Village, Fort Knox State Historic Site, Verona Island and the rugged Maine coastline. Admission fees allow visitors to explore both the fort and the bridge, which share the same 175-acre property.
Nana’s Kitchen, Verona Island, Maine
Nana’s kitchen is a throwback to a time when restaurant owners had a vested interest in getting to know their guests personally. Located just off the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, Nana and Pappy offer a unique combination of traditional Maine seafood and lobster boil dinners, as well as New York-style rolls, sandwiches and even fries. Open early and closed late, Nana’s offers the best Maine seafood in a cozy Downeast setting with an open kitchen/bar concept and local staff. In fact, Nana will probably cook your food herself and do it for a lot less than those “touristy” places that just want to turn the table around as fast as possible.
Downeast Sunrise Trail, Ellsworth, Maine
After a fabulous lunch or dinner at Nana’s Kitchen, the Downeast Sunrise Trail is just 20 minutes closer to Bar Harbor. Just off US Route 1, the trail travels a staggering 85 miles along what was once a busy railroad platform. Now that the tracks have been removed, the trail offers hikers, bikers, and ATV enthusiasts a beautiful corridor that is nearly flat and runs along the incredible Maine coastline, providing spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
From the Downeast trailhead to Bar Harbor it’s only about a 15-minute drive. There is much more to see and do along the way, including Kisma Preserve and Acadia Aerial Tours, which are sometimes heavily frequented by tourists. So if you’re looking for things to do in Maine and want to take the less traveled route, check out these gems between Belfast and Ellsworth.