Bosley86

Hey everyone,

we currently have a reservation for two nights in late september in Bar Harbor but thinking about changing it to three nights in Ellsworth. The idea is to have more time in Acadia and a better chance of good weather.

We found a nice little Airbnb in Ellsworth that would save us money and give us more time but I'm not sure about the location. Is Ellsworth a good place to stay and how do you think of the drive from there to Acadia?

Thanks for your help!

dfrostnh

We went thru Ellsworth last July headed almost to Acadia. In the past we have liked the downtown Ellsworth but this time we were driving thru the busy commercial section between downtown and Acadia. We were headed to the lobster and barbecue place opposite the airport. Traffic should not be so bad in late September and maybe location of Airbnb isn't near that section or you can somehow avoid it. Googlemaps says about 35 minutes between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor so distance shouldn't be a problem.

I traditional do a weekend away the third weekend in September and we usually have wonderful weather.

Bosley86

That sounds good. I think our Airbnb will not be near the commercial part. We will probably book it and stay in the quieter town.
Do you have any tips for the area around Ellsworth or are you always driving to Acadia directly.

We will be there around the 24th so I'm looking forward to hopefully nice weather!

StacyB

I drove that drive many a time when we lived there. It is a fine place to stay and Ellsworth downtown is cute. Plus it gives you a nice jumping off to Bar Harbor (35 minutes is spot on) and Acadia. Plus you have Blue Hill and a few picturesque drives in the area. Do some digging on the internet about the area, it is typical New England!

elberko

Acadia basically surrounds Bar Harbor, and the drive from Ellsworth to Acadia is largely bordered by strip malls--it would not be my choice.

dfrostnh

Bosley, we usually go to mid-coast Maine preferring the area around Rockland but my husband likes the Chicken Barn Antiques and Used Bookstore south of Ellsworth downtown. Going to the lobster barbecue place is the closest we've been to Acadia/Bar Harbor in years. On your other thread somebody suggested Blue Hill area. This seems to be an overlooked area and very quiet. We stayed in Brooklin ME for 4th of July 2015 and went on a terrific boat ride with historian and boat captain narrating tour around Deer Isle. It was a special event and the kind I look for.

I agree Ellsworth downtown is "cute" which some interesting shops. We usually don't go further north. This year we stayed in the Damariscotta area and liked that little downtown a lot. We have stayed in the Camden area in late September a couple of times so we can attend the Maine Organic Farmers Common Ground Fair. It's an outstanding fair if you are interested in short lectures/workshops about organic life. Held in Unity, a tiny college town with very little lodging choices and roads.

When we stayed in Acadia, it was in a small non-chain motel on the outskirts not near Bar Harbor.

Bette

I agree with elberko. Ellsworth seems to be one strip mall after another. If the town of Bar Harbor seems above budget check out other towns on Mt Desert Island such as Northeast Harbor or Southwest Harbor. If the point of your visit is to see Acadia Nat'l Park I'd rather be on the island.

yestravel

Like others we drive through Ellsworth on the way to Acadia Natl Park. It doesn't strike me as a place to stay. As others said, it's a bunch of strip malls. We like SW Harbor or even Bass Harbor, both are quite and not as expensive as Bar Harbor.