2 Best Places to Shop in Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, Maine

All over the world at Christmas, folks hang stockings knitted by the proprietor, who you're likely to find with needles in hand at this year-round homestead shop—in business since 1984 in the village of Bernard across the water from Bass Harbor. There are large and small stockings and, yes, designs include a red lobster on a green background. Her other craft items and some made by family members are also sold, as are used goods, including books. From a long line of islanders, she displays old family photos and wood toys her great-grandfather made for sale to tourists.

Right downtown, this welcoming shop sells an array of items—everything from jewelry and wood kitchen utensils to sea glass art and paintings. The cooperative that runs it represents scores of artists and also has a shop in Northeast Harbor.