Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island (MDI). Cadillac Mountain is the highest on the eastern seaboard, and offers beautiful views. Miles and miles of hiking trails and historic "carriage trails" for walking and biking.
Bar Harbor - largest town on MDI, with many shops and restaurants. The tourist hub of the region.
Schoodic Peninsula and Winter Harbor - a separate and spectacular mainland section of Acadia National Park with campgrounds and beautiful scenery.
Lighthouses - Petit Manan and Quoddy Head lighthouses are great for visiting and hiking.
Water Water Everywhere! - Whether on the open ocean, one of the many bays or an area lake, boating options and tours are plentiful. Also, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, etc.
Only a 45 minute drive to Bangor - a larger city with many shopping, recreation, cultural and entertainment offerings.
Less than 75 miles from the delightful mid-coast towns of Camden and Rockland.
Easy accessibility to ferry services for visiting Maine's coastal islands such as the Cranberry Isles, Swans Island, Monhegan, Vinalhaven, and Isle au Haut.
Baxter State Park - home to Mt. Khatadin, the highest mountain in Maine. It is the start (or end) of the Appalachian Trail with excellent hiking and fishing opportunities.
Campobello Island - just across the Canadian border from the village of Lubec is FDR's beautiful childhood summer home, which can be toured and enjoyed May -October
Easy driving access to other areas of Canada - New Brunswick is only a little over an hour drive, Quebec City just over 4 hours away, Montreal just over 5 hours and both Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are under 6 hours.
Where is Downeast Maine? Click here for a larger map and description of the region.