Ellsworth is a very special town in Maine because of its location. It’s right in the heart of the Downeast region, where Acadia National Park (the state’s crown jewel) lies, which is known for its rugged coastline, picturesque harbors, and outdoor adventures. Each attraction in Ellsworth is like a unique flower in a diverse bouquet – one for the history buff, one for an art lover, one for those who love to spend some time in nature, and so on.
For instance, you can visit Woodlawn Museum, which is a very stunning mansion that was once home to a wealthy family for over a century, or you can visit an iconic theater — The Grand where you can learn how locals save a dying theater and turn it into an entertainment hub. And that’s just the beginning because Ellsworth has more surprises up its sleeve.
And my list of the best things to do in Ellsworth, Maine is long. So without any further ado, let’s talk about each in detail.
Visit Woodlawn Museum
Woodlawn Museum (aka the Black House locally) is a really beautiful and grand estate sprawling across 180 acres (almost 73 hectares) and located on the banks of the Union River, which is just a quarter mile from the downtown Ellsworth, Maine.
Back in the day, this museum used to be the residence of the Black family, who lived here for three generations and took care of this stunning mansion for almost a century, from 1827 to 1928 and since then it’s been serving as a museum.
Also, the museum has some of the best gardens in the world that are filled with all sorts of plants and trees, so you can spend some quality time wandering around, or you can just take a stroll along the 2 miles of wooded trails.
Woodlawn Museum also offers various educational programs and lectures about the history of Ellsworth and the local culture throughout the year.
And they even host special events like an annual flower show and movie nights, which can make your visit even more interesting.
So, I’d suggest you check their website to see if there’s any cool event happening during your visit.
Watch Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show
Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show is an iconic Maine attraction that celebrates the state’s rich lumberjacking heritage.
Tina, the show’s owner and head performer, leads her team of talented performers through a captivating one-hour showcase where they showcase a dozen different lumberjack sports, including log rolling, pole climbing, springboard chopping, crosscut sawing, log birling, ax throwing, and timber tossing, among others.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! The lumberjacks at Tina’s show are always ready with demonstrations for visitors throughout the day, making it even more interesting.
That means you might even get a chance to try your hand at log rolling, ax throwing or other lumberjack skills under the guidance of experienced performers.
While writing about Tina’s show, I came across a review in which, after seeing the performance, Cheryl and her friends wanted to get a cab home. But unfortunately, there were no drivers available. What Tina did for them next is definitely something everyone needs to know.
“Timber Tina is beyond impressive. She’s 1000% enthusiastic about lumber sports, super supportive of others’ interest and success, and an obviously with-it business woman who cares about people. Our plan to take an Uber or Lyfte home after the show fell thru when there were no drivers available. Tina noticed we were stranded and insisted on giving us a ride. That’s good karma we wish delivered back to Tina and her entourage in triplicate!”
Cheryl M/ TripAdvisor
It’s clear that Tina isn’t just passionate about lumberjack sports, but she genuinely cares about the people who come to enjoy the show.
So, if you find this interesting and want to try your hand at lumberjack sports, then you should definitely visit Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show.
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Step Back in Time at Ellsworth’s Beloved Gem, The Grand Theater
The Grand is an iconic Art Deco theater and a non-profit performing arts center located on Main Street in Ellsworth, Maine.
It was built in 1938, and since then, it has offered the best entertainment in Downeast Maine. But things didn’t go smoothly, and in the late 90s, the coin flipped, and the fall of this iconic Art Deco started due to the rise of the multiplex cinemas that forced it to close its doors.
But the locals of Ellsworth didn’t want their local landmark to disappear like many other classic theaters that have completely vanished over time. So, they put in the effort to preserve it, and today, I wholeheartedly thank them for their dedication to saving it.
And now, it’s a hub of entertainment and culture for the whole region, hosting all kinds of performances, from film screenings and live theater to opera broadcasts from the Met, classical music concerts, dance recitals, comedy shows, and even the occasional magic act or circus performance.
This place may not be fancy and modern, but the name board of the Grand is, well, pretty darn GRAND, with a 3D logo in a vibrant yellow color. And when the lights turn on at night, the whole thing turns a deep, rich red, and it’s a real showstopper, let me tell you.
So, if you’re in Ellsworth, what are you waiting for? Go and watch a movie or catch a live theater performance at The Grand.
Discover the Fascinating Roots of Modern Telecommunications at the Telephone Museum
Technology is everywhere, or in other words, I can say that we are surrounded by technology like Computers and laptops, Tablets, Smart home devices (like Alexa and Google Home), Smartwatches, and even a smartphone that you are using right now.
But phones are sometimes different from what they are now. It all started with the telephone, and we all know what the telephone is. Telephones back in the day laid the groundwork and served as the inspiration for the development of the modern-day mobile phones.
Mobiles also have a fascinating history. When the first mobile phone was introduced in the world, it was very large and bulky with an antenna on the top. But, over the time the evolution of mobile phones started, and we got to see keypad phones in the market with a smaller and more compact size.
And then the year 1994 came when the real modern-day marvel, the first ancestor of the Smartphone (just kidding), the first touchscreen phone, The IBM Simon came into existence.
This explanation of the evolution of phones is necessary to tell you the importance of the Telephone Museum, where they preserve the rare crank phones of the late 1800s to a manual switchboard from the 1900s and their history too, just for our generation, so that we can also see the telephones.
But the best part of this museum, which I like the most, is that it’s not like any other museum where we can only see the exhibits, but here we can touch the telephones and even interact with them.
So, I highly recommend this to everyone and not just history geeks, because phones are an integral part of everyone’s lives.
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Check Out the Unique Thrill of Candlepin Bowling at Ellsworth Candlepin Bowling Alley
Bowling needs no introduction. It’s a famous sport among us Americans and people around the world. But have you ever heard about Candlepin bowling?
Basically, Candlepin bowling is a 10-pin bowling game that uses smaller, thinner pins that are cylindrical in shape and arranged in a triangular pattern at the end of the lane. The bowling ball in Candlepin is much smaller, typically around 2-3 pounds, and has no finger holes.
The rest of the rules are the same as classic tenpin bowling, though – the player gets two rolls per frame (or round) to try and knock down all 10 pins. If the player knocks down all 10 pins on the first roll, it’s called a “strike,” and if they knock down all 10 pins across the two rolls in a frame, it’s called a “spare.”
Candlepin bowling is primarily popular in the northeastern United States and some parts of eastern Canada. And Ellsworth Candlepin Bowling Alley in Ellsworth is one of those few places where you can give this unique sport a try.
So, if you’re in Ellsworth, I’d recommend you to visit Ellsworth Candlepin Bowling Alley because it’s totally worth trying this famous but one-of-a-kind sport.
Explore the Homegrown Artistry at Ellsworth’s SevenArts Local Artisan Gallery
SevenArts Local Artisan Gallery is a member-owned co-op gallery located at 192 Main St and housed in the Maine Grind Building which is a very popular destination for art lovers in the area.
SevenArts Gallery is dedicated to supporting the local art community and bringing high-quality, affordable pieces to the people of Ellsworth and beyond.
And when I say “local art community” means the artists who display their work here aren’t just faceless names on a wall – they are part of the community, and they can be anyone – maybe he lives right next to the SevenArts Gallery or is a neighbor down the street., or anyone who lives in Ellsworth and pour their hearts and souls into their crafts.
Here you’ll find everything from nature photography to one-of-a-kind wooden wares that’ll have you wondering “How the heck did they carve that? And this list goes on and includes other impressive things like – paintings, ceramics, jewelry, knits, textiles, and more.
So, if you ask me, SevenArts Local Artisan Gallery is hands down one of the best places to visit in Ellsworth, Maine.
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Wander Through Nature’s Playground on the Down East Sunrise Trail
The Down East Sunrise Trail is an 85-mile off-road trail and it’s a part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3000-mile (or 4800 km) route for cycling and walking that stretches all the way from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida.
This trail offers you an amazing opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Maine, and while exploring there is a chance that you might even spot wildlife like moose, turtles, eagles and many others.
Now, people of all ages come here to experience the breathtaking beauty of Maine, but this trail is especially popular with the outdoor enthusiasts – the ones who live for activities like walking, cycling, biking, and even horse riding.
So, if you are one of those outdoor enthusiasts, then you should definitely go and explore this amazing trail.
Visit the Stanwood Homestead Museum and Bird Sanctuary
The Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Birdsacre Sanctuary spans 200 acres and is located at 289 High Street in Ellsworth, Maine.
Birdsacre Sanctuary is one of the best natural spots in Ellsworth, which I think everyone should visit – not just to admire wildlife, especially the birds, but also to learn about the legacy of Cordelia Stanwood.
She was a self-taught ornithologist who spent five decades (50 years, can you believe it?) meticulously studying the feathered residents of her homestead.
And after she passed away in 1958, a man named Chandler S. Richmond led a group of activists to acquire her property, with the goal of honoring her by opening up a museum and sanctuary. They managed to get that up and running in 1960, and yes, they gave the whole place her name.
And as I mentioned, it’s a real natural spot, which means there are tons of nature trails where you can do many activities like hiking, and bird watching and if you go in winter then you can enjoy activities like skiing and snowshoeing.
Take a train on the Downeast Scenic Railroad
Ever watched an old movie where folks would travel in style aboard those grand, classic trains and thought, “Dang, I’d love to ride one of those someday”? Well, the Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth, Maine can turn that fantasy into reality.
The Downeast Scenic Railroad can give you the chance to climb aboard beautifully restored vintage coaches that are pulled by a classic diesel-electric engine.
You’ll get to experience a train ride for an hour and a half, covering 12 miles (19 km) through Ellsworth Falls all the way up to the Union River Bridge over the former Maine Central Railroad.
But the beauty ain’t just outside the window. The knowledgeable guides on board are like the icing on the cake. They’ll give you all the scoop on the golden age of passenger trains and the rich history of the area the train passes through.
And the railroad management is super dog-friendly, so if your furry best friend is as much of an adventurer as you are, then you can bring them along for the ride (just make sure they’re comfortable and well-behaved around other passengers, of course).
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Shop at The Old Creamery Antique Mall
Collecting souvenirs while traveling is like capturing memories in a bottle because souvenirs are one of the few things that when you look at them later on, they remind you of the best moments of your trip, unlike those who do not collect any souvenirs.
The Old Creamery Antique Mall in Ellsworth is a place where you can collect the best souvenirs of your Ellsworth trip and make those amazing antique pieces yours.
It’s a family-owned and operated joint where you can easily find some of the best antique goodies, like hand-crafted wooden ducks, vintage musical instruments, textiles, furniture, art pieces, and a stunning array of colorful glassware including bowls, plates, dishware, and even some beautifully ornate perfume bottles from days gone by.
And the best thing about this antique mall is that the owner is super friendly. He’ll totally help you out and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, he’ll even call around to other places to try and track it down for you.
Plus, he even offers free freshly brewed coffee to all his customers, which is such a nice touch that makes shopping there even more enjoyable. So, I don’t think that any other can beat that kind of service.
Green Lake National Fish Hatchery
If you want to see who’s working hard to keep Atlantic salmon from dying out, and meet the real-life heroes and saviors of these fish, then be sure to include the Green Lake National Fish Hatchery in your list of the best things to do in Ellsworth, Maine.
In case you think the Green Lake NFH is just any old fish hatchery then let me tell you – it’s one of 70 National Fish Hatcheries in the U.S. and it’s one of just two genetic conservation hatcheries run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Maine.
The aim of the hatchery is pretty simple – they do everything in their power to protect the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). And there’s a good reason for that why, back in 2000, the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of anadromous Atlantic salmon was listed as an endangered species because their populations had taken a serious nosedive.
But now, the hatchery releases almost one million Atlantic salmon every year (that’s 650,000 smolts, which are 8-inch fish, and 350,000+ fall parr, which are 3-5 inches).
And the results of their efforts can be seen on the ground level, because “Three out of every four Atlantic salmon returning to U.S. waters come from Green Lake National Fish Hatchery,” according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Enjoy a piece of Ireland at Finn’s Irish Pub
Finn’s Irish Pub is located right on the main street, just in front of the iconic theater – The Grand, where you can feel an authentic Irish VIBE without even leaving the U.S. (and trust me, you’ll feel it on your visit).
The pub has a lot of drink options to choose from including – beers and wines to creative cocktails and also hard liquor.
And for food, they’ve got traditional Irish dishes, as well as other tasty options – from juicy burgers and fresh salads to piled-high sandwiches – the “Finn’s Big Bang” sounds like a flavor explosion waiting to happen. Plus, the local favorites like the “Ellsworth Grinder” and the “Blackened Haddock Sandwich” and many other options which you can also read on their menu.
Also the staff is very kind and quick and always ready with a smile, so you won’t have to wait long to get your order. Plus, to top it all off, the live music performance will make your lunch (or dinner) even more enjoyable.
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Explore the Flavors of Maine at The Union River Lobster Pot
We all know that Maine is very famous in the world for its seafood, and every corner of Maine offers you a unique taste of seafood.
It’s like each restaurant puts its own special twist on the dishes, so don’t worry if you’re trying the same thing everywhere because the taste will be one-of-a-kind for each place.
And if you are visiting Maine, especially Ellsworth, then you should visit The Union River Lobster Pot, and not just visit but also have your favorite seafood or any traditional downeast style food with an amazing view of the Union River.
Their menu is loaded with a variety of food, from so many options of lobsters like Hot Boiled Lobsters, Sweet Maine Lobster Rolls, Lazy Lobster, Lobster Pie and so many more. But they also have other tasty options like burgers, sandwiches, and the New England Clam Chowder (that’s been voted the best 17 times over). And of course, their famous blueberry pie is a must-try.
Enjoy a day out at Knowlton Community Park
If you want to spend quality time with your friends or family, then go and visit the Knowlton Community Park without thinking.
The park spans six-acre and is very organized and offers green space all around which is great for picnics, sports activities, and family get-togethers with proper sitting areas.
Plus, the park also hosts seasonal events like movie nights on Thursdays in the summer and ice skating and other winter fun during the colder months. So no matter when you go, there is a chance that there’s always something cool happening at Knowlton Community Park.
Let’s Summarize All the 14 Things To Do in Ellsworth, Maine
- Visit Woodlawn Museum
- Watch Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show
- Step Back in Time at Ellsworth’s Beloved Gem, The Grand Theater
- Discover the Fascinating Roots of Modern Telecommunications at the Telephone Museum
- Check Out the Unique Thrill of Candlepin Bowling at Ellsworth Candlepin Bowling Alley
- Explore the Homegrown Artistry at Ellsworth’s SevenArts Local Artisan Gallery
- Wander Through Nature’s Playground on the Down East Sunrise Trail
- Visit the Stanwood Homestead Museum and Bird Sanctuary
- Take a train on the Downeast Scenic Railroad
- Shop at The Old Creamery Antique Mall
- Green Lake National Fish Hatchery
- Enjoy a piece of Ireland at Finn’s Irish Pub
- Explore the Flavors of Maine at The Union River Lobster Pot
- Enjoy a day out at Knowlton Community Park
Conclusion
So, to wrap things up, I have to say that Ellsworth, Maine is the real definition of a hidden gem where you can visit some of the best places as well as do amazing things. Whether you want to learn about the town’s history, meet the local artist, or just spend quality time in nature and get your heart racing with outdoor activities, Ellsworth has everything for you. Then what are you waiting for? Just pack your bags, book that ticket, hop in a cab, and get your feet over to this awesome little town.
Disclaimer: This article is based on extensive research. I made every effort that can be made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information and tried my best to provide up-to-date information. Still, I encourage my readers to conduct their own research and consult with locals for further recommendations before making their final dining decisions.
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