Downeast
Around Downeast
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Maine · 88k people
Downeast
“Sunrise County”, “Bold Coast”, “Acadia Region”
Where the sun rises first and the Atlantic meets the pines.
Atlantic DeepPine GreenLobster Shell
Welcome to Downeast, where the Atlantic gnaws at granite shores and the blueberry barrens stretch to the horizon. Take time to wander the working harbors, hike the bold coast, and let the salt air slow your pace.
Clubs for Downeast
No clubs for Downeast yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Downeast. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Downeast. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Acadia National Park Granite peaks, carriage roads, and ocean vistas; the crown jewel of the coast.
- Abbe Museum Devoted to Wabanaki history and culture in Bar Harbor.
- Cadillac Mountain Highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast; famous for first sunrise.
- West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Easternmost point in the U.S., with distinctive red-and-white stripes.
- Fort Knox State Historic Site 19th-century fort overlooking the Penobscot River near Bucksport.
- St. Croix Island International Historic Site Site of the 1604 French settlement, now a memorial to early contact.
- Outdoors Hiking Cadillac Mountain
- Outdoors Kayaking in Frenchman Bay
- With kids Junior Ranger program at Acadia
- With kids Lamoine State Park
- Evenings Live music at the Criterion Theatre
- Evenings Summer concerts on the Village Green
- Locals love Lobster pounds
- Locals love Blueberry barrens
Through the year
- Bar Harbor Fourth of July fireworks and parade July The town's biggest summer celebration with a waterfront fireworks show.
- Machias Wild Blueberry Festival August A weekend of blueberry pies, crafts, and family fun in the blueberry capital.
- Acadia Night Sky Festival September Celebrates the dark skies over Acadia with stargazing, talks, and photography.
- Deer Isle-Stonington Fishermen's Festival April/May Honors the fishing heritage with boat races, seafood, and a blessing of the fleet.
- Schoodic Arts Festival August A multi-day celebration of music, art, and creativity in Winter Harbor and Gouldsboro.
Downeast has a maritime climate with cool summers, fog, and cold, snowy winters. The best time to be out is from late spring through fall, when the coast is alive with activity. Best: Late spring through fall – June to October – offers the most comfortable temperatures and long daylight.
Talk like a local
- “Downeast”
- The coastal region east of Bangor; also an adjective for anything local.
- “Ayuh”
- Yes; a classic Maine affirmation.
- “Wicked”
- Very; as in 'wicked good'.
- “From away”
- Someone not from Maine.
Getaways
- Bangor City amenities, the Waterfront Concerts, and the Stephen King tour.
- Midcoast Camden, Rockland, and the Farnsworth Art Museum.
- Charlotte County, NB Cross the border to St. Stephen and explore the Bay of Fundy.
- Augusta State capital, Maine State Museum, and the Kennebec River.
Local flavour
Rooting for University of Maine Black Bears, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Portland Sea Dogs
Eat and drink
- Lobster roll Fresh-picked lobster meat, often served cold with mayo or warm with butter.
- Clam chowder Creamy, hearty chowder made with local clams.
- Wild blueberry pie Made from the tiny, tangy wild blueberries that grow on the barrens.
- Fried clams Whole-belly clams, breaded and fried, a coastal staple.
- Whoopie pie A Maine classic—chocolate cake with creamy filling.
- Moxie A bitter, herbal soda that originated in Maine and has a cult following.
- Red snapper hot dog A natural-casing hot dog with a red dye, a New England specialty.
Where people go
- Lobster pounds Rustic dockside eateries where you pick your own lobster from a crate.
- Lighthouses Historic beacons like West Quoddy Head, the easternmost point in the US.
- Blueberry barrens Vast, low-lying fields of wild blueberries, especially in Washington County.
- Fishing villages Working harbors with lobster boats, traps, and weathered wharves.
- Granite quarries Abandoned quarries that once supplied stone for buildings across the country.
- Bold Coast trails Hiking paths along dramatic cliffs and headlands, like the Cutler Coast.
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Nearby
Every areaBangorMaineWhere the river meets the pinesMidcoastMaineSalt air, pine, and the working sea.SkowheganMaineWhere the rivers run quiet and the woods are deep.AugustaMaineRiver town charm, Maine style.Charlotte CountyNew BrunswickWhere the highest tides meet the sweetest chocolateFarmingtonMaineWhere the mountains meet the riverLewistonMaineTwo cities, one river, a Franco-American heart.PortlandMaineWhere the sea meets the pines, and the welcome is warm.
Hancock and Washington counties, ME. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.