Ellsworth, ME Road Trips

This is a blue-collar, low-income area that has a very large influx of tourists for four months of every year. Ellsworth, Maine people — perhaps like most people living outside of urban areas — are somewhat reserved until they get to know you, but are almost invariably kind and helpful. Patience goes a long way in getting along in Maine. The hectic summer tourist season can at times be an abnormal and somewhat stressful experience for locals and for visitors, and that a smile and a kind word go a long way. Visit Ellsworth from late fall through early spring to see what it's really like, when the crowds have gone home! There is a local weekly newspaper, The Ellsworth American and more information can be found on the city's web site or via the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. According to the history of the Passamaquoddy Indians, the Ellsworth area was first inhabited by members of the Passamaquoddy and/or Penobscot tribes. In 1773 the first schooner was built at Ellsworth. This was the Susan and Abigail, named after the daughters of the two most prominent citizens and original 1763 settlers from southern Maine, Benjamin Milliken and Benjamin Joy. The vessel carried pine shingles and oak staves in annual voyages to the West Indies. In the years that followed, up to the beginning of the 20th century, a great many schooners of various sizes were built in Ellsworth shipyards along the Union River.

Woodlawn Museum, ☏ +1 207-667-8671. May through September. the famous Black House, built in 1824. Original furniture, carriage house, outbuildings, public park. 1 Ellsworth Public Library, 20 State St (near the city center), ☏ +1 207-667-6363. Built in 1817 by Colonel Meltiah Jordan, listed on the National Register of Historic Houses, also known as the Tisdale House. Houses an excellent genealogical collection. Also a Wi-Fi hot spot. Old Hancock County Jail, State St (next to the Ellsworth Public Library). Home of the Hancock County Historical Society. Ask at the Ellsworth Public Library for more information. Stanwood Homestead Museum and Birdsacre Sanctuary, High St (on the way to Bar Harbor), ☏ +1 207-667-8460. Look for the sign after you drive past all the shopping centers. Congregational Church, State St (near the Ellsworth City Hall and Public Library). With historical cemetery. One of the most photographed churches in Maine. 2 Ellsworth City Hall, ☏ +1 207-667-2563. Just behind the Downtown stores, near the Congregational Church and Public Library. Unique Art Deco construction, built after the Great Ellsworth Fire of 1933. Includes the Police and Fire departments. Agassiz Outcrop. In Ellsworth Falls on Route 1A going towards Bangor, on the left just before the turn off to Route 179 An obscure but apparently important National Historical Landmark, on private property, notable as evidence of glaciation.

The Grand Auditorium, 150 Main St, ☏ +1 207-667-9500 (box office), +1 207-667-5911 (main). A not-for-profit cultural arts center, with distinctive Art Deco architecture. Concerts, movies, international acts and local performers. Ellsworth Waterfront, Water St (just off Main Street). Have a picnic at the Union River marina and watch for bald eagles and diving osprey. The Courthouse Gallery, ☏ +1 207-667-6611. On the west side of the Union River, on Bridge Hill, halfway between the Union River Bridge and the famous Black House. It's in the renovated 1838 Hancock County Court House, near the Grand Old Republic Civil War statue and memorial park. Exhibits by local and other artists. WDEA-AM, 93 Main St, ☏ +1 207-667-9555. Listen to Ellsworth's original radio station on 1370 kHz for 'timeless classics' plus local news, weather and Red Sox baseball. D'Amanda's, 25 Eastward Ln (Off the Downeast Highway, near "The Triangle"), ☏ +1 207-667-9228. bowling alley. 1 Downeast Scenic Railroad, 8 Railroad Siding Road Hancock (From downtown, Take Main Street east until you cross the train tracks a second time, where it becomes Washington Junction Road. Take the second left and cross the train tracks.), ☏ +1-866 449 7245, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2024)

Riverside Café, 151 Main St (in the old Downtown section of Ellsworth), ☏ +1 207-667-4213. Great place for breakfast or lunch, but be prepared to wait during the peak summer season, unless there is room at the counter. Good coffee. Sylvia's Café, 240 State St, ☏ +1 207-667-7014. At Mill Mall, out towards Ellsworth High School and Ellsworth Falls. Popular with locals. The Union River Lobster Pot, 8 South St, ☏ +1 207-667-5077. Centrally located quite near the Union River Bridge, with excellent seafood and close-up views of the Union River. Finelli Pizza, 12 Downeast Highway (Route 1) (near "The Triangle"), ☏ +1 207-664-0230. Reputedly the best pizza in eastern Maine, New York style. Helen's Restaurant of Ellsworth, 55 Downeast Highway, ☏ +1 207-667-2433. Out on Route 1, heading downeast. Jordan's Snack Bar, 200 Downeast Highway (Route 1), ☏ +1 207-667-2174. Popular, high-quality roadside stand with indoor and outdoor seating. Fried seafood, ice cream. Friends and Family Market, Rte 1A Ellsworth Falls. Family run market with a variety of offering, including excellent butter rolls. Josie's Country Store and Cafe, 126 Surry Rd, ☏ +1 207 412-0129. 5AM - 8PM, closed Sundays. Great breakfast, lunch and dinner. Local craft beer on tap. (updated Jul 2022) Shinbashi, 139 High St (at Washington St., about 1/2 mi. south of Main St.), ☏ +1 207-667-6561. Spin-off of Bangor's "Green Tea," serving Asian food (Chinese, Japanese, Thai) with an extensive sushi selection.

Rooster Brother, 29 Main St. At the Union River Bridge at the foot of Bridge Hill, in the historic Victorian Odd Fellows Hall Building. Specialty food, wine, cheese and coffee roasting. Breakfast from 7:30AM M-F with various excellent coffee choices, plus muffins and croissants. Pepper's Pub, 20 Water St.

Homestead Motel. Historic 1810 building plus new units, on the west side of Ellsworth, on Route 1. Eagle's Lodge Motel, 278 High St. Just past "The Triangle," on the way to Bar Harbor. Comfort Inn, 130 High St, ☏ +1 207 667-1345. Colonial Inn, 321 High St, ☏ +1 207 667-5548. Lakeside Cedar Cabins, 397 Mariaville Rd (Route 180 just beyond Ellsworth Falls), ☏ +1 207-667-9295. Nine housekeeping cedar cabins along ten-mile long Graham Lake, a warm water lake with bass fishing and swimming. Each cottage accommodates five persons and include two bedrooms with double beds, bathroom with shower, and kitchen/living area with double futon. Screened porches as well as decks overlooking the lake, plus wood stoves. Acadia Sunrise Motel, 952 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ☏ +1 207-667-8452. Just outside Ellsworth, in Trenton, near the airport and Acadia National Park. Open Hearth Inn. Just outside Ellsworth, in Trenton, near the airport and Acadia National Park. Isleview Motel and Cottages, 1169 Bar Harbor Rd, ☏ +1 207-667-5661. Cabins, motels rooms and budget rooms available. Located just outside of Ellsworth in Trenton, 7.5 miles from Acadia National Park. Ramada Ellsworth, 215 High St., ☏ +1 207 667-9341. 100% smoke free. Services, attractions, and accommodations. 9 miles from the Hancock County- Bar Harbor Airport

Travel north up I-95 towards Bangor until Exit 182A, then briefly follow I-395 until Exit 6A leads you on to Route 1A and south 22 miles to Ellsworth. Alternatively, drive the old but much more scenic Route 1 all the way up the Maine coast. A common compromise route by locals returning home from southern Maine is to take I-95 to just beyond Augusta, and then pick up Route 3, which leads to Belfast and then joins Route 1 up the coast to Ellsworth. This latter may be the fastest route to Ellsworth from points south, though the stretch along Route 3 lacks the charm of the coastal drive. Hancock County - Bar Harbor Airport. Located in Trenton, 5 miles outside Ellsworth, near Acadia National Park Bangor International Airport. 30 miles away in Bangor. There is no long-distance ferry service into the Acadia region. Downeast Transportation. Bus service from Bangor, Bar Harbor, and Trenton. (updated Jul 2025) West Bus. Bus service from Calais. (updated Jul 2024) There are no intercity trains traveling to Ellsworth and points Downeast. However, the old railway right-of-way is being used for tourist excursions, departing from Washington Junction in the nearby town of Hancock, and running into downtown without boarding. The railway tracks still intersect West Main Street, just beyond the meeting point of High Street and Oak Street.

Ellsworth is a very safe place, with relatively little crime. However, petty theft is possible anywhere in the United States, especially in large shopping centers and during the busy summer tourist season. Realistically, your biggest risk is in driving your car. Don't drive if you drink, and always drive carefully and defensively, here and everywhere else. Ellsworth drivers are generally polite, careful drivers, but the summer season can be a crazy time on the Maine roads. If visiting Ellsworth in the winter, take special care on the slippery, snowy roads, especially if you're unfamiliar with winter driving conditions.