3 Best Sights in Eastport, Down East Coast

Occupying an 1887 landmark brick former bank where Water and Sea Streets angle together, the museum’s focus is art depicting or connected to the Passamaquoddy Bay region—extending into Canada—from the 1800s through the present. Changing exhibits in a modern gallery range from classic maritime paintings to abstract art created by artists-in-residence, whom you may spot in storefront studios on Water Street. On the main floor, tall windows let in lots of light for viewing works from the large permanent collection. Catty-corner across Water Street, downtown's historic Masonic Hall is under renovation to become the museum's main building. Among the institute's other local preservation efforts: two early 1800s federal churches, Seaman’s Church ( 26 Middle St.) and Free Will North Church ( 82 High St.), and Grand Army Hall ( 6 Green St.), with patriotic wall art and veteran artifacts. Check out the exteriors on a walk after picking up a map card, also available online, as is information about the buildings and special events like artists talks and church concerts. Handy and a great souvenir, Tides' large foldout "Artsipelago" map, with place names in Passamaquoddy and English, highlights galleries, festivals, sights, etc. in the international region (grab one here or at area businesses and organizations). On Duck Cove Road about a mile from downtown, the institute's small public park overlooks Cobscook Bay.

Anchoring downtown Eastport, the district extends from the former Customs House, a striking Italianate granite structure that's now the post office, down Water Street to Bank Square and the Romanesque Peavey Memorial Library, with a cannon on the lawn. The area was largely rebuilt in the late 19th century after a fire. A bench is beside an 1889 cast-iron water fountain in front of a former bank, now Tides Institute & Museum of Art.

At the parking area for this 90-acre park, placards and a stone memorial pay homage to wooden Civil War ships the federal government burned here for scrap years after the Civil War. Items salvaged from the ships are still found around town. A trail from here leads through woods and past pocket beaches and coves to a headland where you can enjoy wonderful views of Cobscook Bay and over Passamaquoddy Bay to Campobello Island. You can also see the pens for Eastport’s salmon-farming industry as well as Estes Head, where the city's cargo pier is located. The trail is part of an interconnected network totaling a few miles. There is also a short trail from the parking area to Cony Beach.