Explore Maine by Region - Downeast & Acadia
The Downeast & Acadia Region is famous for its rocky shoreline, scenic harbors and mountains-to-the sea views. This area also is home to Acadia National Park, the most frequently visited location in Maine. The region offers visitors numerous ways to explore and preserve its natural beauty.
Air Travel
Belfast Municipal Airport (KBST)
Belfast Air Taxi Origin The Belfast Area's industries and businesses are as diverse as its people. There is no better example of the traditional craftsmen working alongside the latest technology. Generations of lobstermen work the same waters their forefathers did. Local shopkeepers ensure that the area's small-town New England charm carries on while a healthy economy supported by tourism continues to lure new businesses to our area at a steady pace.
Website | 207-338-3370 ext. 10
Eastport Municipal Airport (KEPM)
"Real Down East at its finest" best describes the Eastport Area. The region's Chamber of Commerce represents the quaint, rural communities that stretch along US Route 1 and Route 214, from Edmunds, Dennysville, Charlotte, Pembroke, Perry, and Robbinston, to the spectacular drive on Route on 190 through the Passamaquoddy Tribe's Pleasant Point Indian Reservation to the Moose Island City of Eastport
207-853-2332
Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
Located in Trenton, halfway between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, this convenient, year-round facility services Maine?s Downeast coastal region and one of America?s most-visited national parks, Acadia National Park.
Website | 207-667-7329
Lubec Municipal Airport
Lubec Municipal Airport serves Lubec and Washington County in Downeast Maine. The area affords proximity to the St. Croix River and the Atlantic seacoast.
207-733-2341 | 207-733-2341
Machias Valley Airport
The Machias Bay Area includes Machias and a number of neighboring towns located in Washington County. In this area you will find picturesque harbors dotted with fishing boats, meandering rivers, historic sites pre-dating the Revolutionary War, and bustling classic New England towns.
207-255-6621 | 207-255-8683
Princeton Municipal Airport (KPNN)
This airport is two miles from Princeton, a small town with a grocery/hardware store, gas stations, post office, bank, boat shop, emergency clinic - and this small airport.
Website | 207-796-2744 | 207-796-2847
Stonington Municipal Airport
Stonington Municipal Airport is a public airport located one mile northwest of the central business district of the town of Stonington. The town of Stonington, reachable by airport or by automobile over a high narrow suspension bridge, features a cluster of quiet communities where fishing is the mainstay of the economy. The spruce-crowned pink granite ledges, quiet woods and open fields, vistas of islands and sparkling water lure visitors from nearby and far away.
Website | 207-367-2351
Biking
Downeast and Acadia by Bike
Bustling towns, scenic harbors, picturesque bayscapes, delightful villages and spectacular mountains-to-the-sea views make Downeast hugely popular among cyclists. The region is home to breathtaking Acadia National Park, as well as numerous easily reached islands.
Bus Transportation
BusBank
The BusBank is a nationwide charter bus service that is able to offer a wide variety of options from mini bus service to full size coach buses. The BusBank can handle groups from 15 passengers up to large events of tens of thousands. The BusBank services all regions of Maine.
Website | 1-866-428-7226
Custom Coach and Limousine
Custom Coach and Limousine's fleet consists of executive sedans, vans, stretch limousines, SUVs, mini coaches, school buses, 29, 49 and 57 passenger Motorcoaches and our all new 20 passenger Limousine-Party Coach.
Website | 1-800-585-3589
Downeast Transportation
A private, non-profit agency that operates flex-route public bus service in Hancock County as well as commuter services in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island with once weekly service to Bangor and Ellsworth.
Website | 207-667-5796
GO Maine Commuter Connections
This free commuter assistance program provides services to commuters who live, work, or travel throughout the State of Maine. Emergency Ride Home Guarantee.
Website | 1-800-280-RIDE (7433)
Island Explorer
Operated by Downeast Transportation, Inc., is a seasonal fixed-route public bus service. The Island Explorer operates seven days per week between Trenton, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. Check out the Island Explorer Tips Video (https://youtu.be/Y3LwO3kW1dw) for tips on how to get around using the Island Explorer bus system.
Website | 207-667-5796
Maine Charter Bus Rental Services - US Coachway Inc.
US Coachway Inc. offers charter bus service nationally and throughout Maine.
Website | 1-800-359-5991
Northeast Charter & Tour
Northeast Charter & Tour Co., Inc. offers extensive passenger transportation services, ranging from passenger vans for airport shuttle service, minibus, to a full 56-passenger charter bus.
Website | 1-888-593-6328
Pleasant Point Transportation (Calais)
Operates a public bus service between the Pleasant Point Indian Reservation and downtown Calais on Monday thru Friday.
207-853-2600
VIP Charter Coach
Established in 1985, V.I.P. specializes in motorcoach tours and charters of all kinds serving the United States and Canada. VIP also services USM Portland-Gorham.
Website | 207-772-4457
Washington Hancock Community Agency (WHCA)
A private, non-profit agency that provides demand-response, door-to-door transportation services in Hancock and Washington Counties, including Isle au Haut and, excluding Danforth, for special services for the elderly, MaineCare recipients, social service clients by agency contract and other provider transportation on an individual basis.
Website | 207-664-0012 (Ellsworth) | (207) 546-7544 (Milbridge)
West's Transportation
West's Transportation provides fixed-route and demand response public transportation service to communities within Washington county and eastern portions of Hancock County. Intercity service is provided between Calais and Bangor (named Coastal Connection) with stops in Washington and Hancock Counties along the way.
Website | 1-800-596-2823
Car & Driving
Downeast and Acadia Scenic Byways
The Downeast & Acadia region is home numerous scenic byways, which offer visitors glimpses into small, coastal villages ripe with wild blueberries - and the open waters surrounding Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
Explore Maine by Car
Sometimes, the only way to get to your destination is by car. In fact, some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the state can only be reached by driving. Make the most of the ride by traveling along one of many scenic byways that wind through the state. And if you need directions or lodging along the way, checkout our information on Maine's Visitor Information Centers.
Ferry Service
Bar Harbor Ferry
Miss Lizzie provides seasonal service between Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor, Maine, connecting to the Acadia National Park Island Explorer Shuttle Bus. The ferry operates seven days a week, from Memorial Day weekend to the 2nd weekend in October.
Website | 207-288-4585 or 207-288-2373 | Winter: 207-546-2927
Beal & Bunker Ferry
Beal & Bunker Mail Boat and Ferry. Year-round service, leaving from the Northeast Harbor Town Dock.
Website | 207-244-3565
Campobello Island
One of five Bay of Fundy Isles, Campobello Island is part of New Brunswick, but accessible by mainland from Lubec, Maine. Enjoy two spectacular parks, or visit FDR's summer home.
Website | 506-752-2529
Cranberry Cove Ferry
All trips do a loop between Great Cranberry Island, Islesford (Little Cranberry) and Great Cranberry. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains of Acadia National Park, as you cross Frenchman's Bay in our ferry. Hike, bike, picnic or visit a museum. Seven Days a Week ? May 26 to October 1.
Website | 207-244-5882 | Boat Cell: 207-460-1981
Deer Island (New Brunswick)
Deer Island is a Canadian island located in the Bay of Fundy at the entrance to Passamaquoddy Bay. At 17 square miles, the island is the largest in the West Isles Parish which had a 2001 population of 851. Deer Island is entirely rural with the major communities being Fairhaven, Leonardville and Lord's Cove. The economy is primarily driven by the fishing and aquaculture industries although tourism is growing in importance.
Website |
East Coast Ferries Ltd.
Visitors to the Campobello area who wish to continue on to the New Brunswick mainland can save nearly 100 driving miles by hopping on the M.V. "Island Hopper." Save nearly 50 driving miles from the Eastport area aboard the M.V. "Fundy Trail."
Website | 506-747-2159
Frenchboro Ferry
The ferry "Captain Henry Lee" serves the island of Frenchboro from Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island.
Website | 207-244-3254
Frenchboro Island
This island community is just over eight miles from Bass Harbor, and can be reached via ferry in under an hour. The town of Frenchboro is actually made up of 12 islands. They are: Long Island, Crow Island, Harbor Island, Mount Desert Rock, Great Duck Island, Little Duck Island, Black Island, Placentia, the two Green islands, Pond Island, and Drum Island.
Website |
Grand Manan Island
Grand Manan Island lies a mere 11 km (6 miles) from the closest landfall (Campobello Island and the easternmost point of Maine) and is served year-round by a 64 car ferry making multiple trips daily from Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick.
Website |
Great Cranberry Island
Located just south of Mount Desert Island, Great Cranberry Island is accessible via ferry from various points, including Northeast Harbor, Manset and Southwest Harbor. The island is home to a year-round community of lobstermen, boat builders and artisans.
Website | 207-244-0622
Isle au Haut
Isle au Haut is approximately six miles long and two miles wide. A section of Acadia National Park covers about half of the island. The town's year-round population of 65 grows to several hundred in the summer season. Accessible by ferry.
Website |
Isle au Haut Mail Boat
The Isle Au Haut mailboats offer passenger and freight service between Stonington and Isle au Haut, Penobscot Bay lighthouse cruises, lobster fishing excursions for sightseers and seasonal service to Acadia National Park at Duck Harbor.
Website | 207-367-5193
Little Cranberry Island (Islesford)
Located just south of Mount Desert Island, the Cranberry Isles are accessible via ferry from various points, including Northeast Harbor, Manset and Southwest Harbor. The Cranberries are home to a year-round community of lobstermen, boat builders and artisans.
Website |
Moose Island, Eastport
The sun rises first in the small port city of Eastport on Moose Island, connected to the mainland by a short causeway. Rich in history and natural beauty, Eastport continues to serve as a commercial shipping port.
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Quoddy Loop Ferries
The Quoddy Loop, a "two-nation vacation" loop between points in Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, relies on a series of ferries. These vessels transport travelers and vehicles among five islands and Blacks Harbour on the New Brunswick mainland.
Website | 506-662-3724
Swan's Island
Take the Swan's Island Ferry from Bass Harbor to the unspoiled island in Downeast Maine. Once on the island, enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking and swimming. The Swans Island Museum and Hockamock Head Lighthouse provide visitors with a perspective on the island's history.
Website |
Swan's Island Ferry
The ferry "Captain Henry Lee" serves Swan's Island from Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island.
Website | 207-244-3254 | 207-526-4273
White Head Island
Located in New Brunswick, Canada, and accessible only via ferry or air, White Head Island is the spot to get in touch with mother nature. It is a quiet quiet hide-away for bird watchers, geologists, naturalists, writers, artists and whale watchers.
Website | 1-888-525-1655
Train Travel
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