MAINE - Acadia/Bar Harbor/Down East

If you are interested in bird watching in Maine, you have a formidable ally in Down East Books and its beautiful and informative Maine Birding Trail Official Guide. Research for the Maine Birding Trail began in 2003, spanning 301 locations across the state. Five years and 36,000 miles later, the trail has launched with the designation of 82 official sites that feature excellent birding, parking, paths, and facilities. The Maine Birding Trail Official Guide details over 260 sites, many of them off the beaten track and away from crowds. The guide features over 100 new maps, secrets for finding sought-after species, and advice on trip-planning. The Maine Birding Trail Official Guide is available online from Down East Books and also at most local Maine bookstores and at all Maine Audubon centers.

Acadia Byway travels through Acadia National Park and the historic villages of Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island. Along this route, the rugged Maine coast and old-growth forests remain much as they were when the island was described by Samuel de Champlain in 1604. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are among the most beautiful places in New England. Travelers can bike on miles of interconnected carriage roads. This byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, then follows the park loop road thereafter. Every bit as wonderful in winter as in summer. Phone: 207-667-7131
Acadia Byway Map

St. Croix Valley Antiques & Auctions has everything you want-- a unique shop overflowing with all sorts of good things. This treasure-filled shop at 4 Monroe Street in the heart of downtown Calais consists of 3,000 square feet of space filled to the gunnels with drop leaf tables, kitchen collectibles, stained glass windows, china cabinets, depression glass, chandeliers, Indian baskets, estate jewelry, armoires, quilts, washstands. Even the building has a history. Originally a hotel on Monroe Street, the building was destroyed the fire in the 1800s. The building was rebuilt, and, over time, has served as a mortuary, a restaurant, an apartment building, and a bowling alley. Antiques wait for you in the arms of history. Phone: 207-454-7704.

If you are traveling internationally, you may buy items without having to pay either the sales tax (called value added tax) or the customs duties assessed by the United States – primarily on liquor and tobacco but also with many other products. The savings from duty-free shopping can be significant. At Duty Free Americas in Calais (40 Main Street), and in Vanceboro (119 Water Street), shoppers can find discounted prices on premium spirits, tobacco, fragrances, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, leather goods, gifts for children, and more. Phone: Calais store at 207-454-3476 or 207-454-3404; Vanceboro store at 207-788-3989.

For a dose of heat from the inside out, catch up to the Saucy Contessa, a hot sauce store at 31 Commercial Street in Boothbay Harbor. The Contessa was opened on Culebra Island just off Puerto Rico many years ago and its retail outlet in Boothbay Harbor is open April through Christmas. If you are a chilihead and love award winning hot sauce, barbecue sauce, salsa or spice rubs, the Saucy Contessa is the place for you. Saucy Contessa is fanatical about hot peppers, chiles, red chili sauce and even the Ghost Pepper (Naga Jolokia). The store sells all types of hot sauce including the hottest hot sauce in the world. Chiliheads who count Scoville units will be impressed by the vast array of heat-filled sauces and hot sauce gifts. Phone: 201-350-4165.

Once upon a time in the far off enchanted land of Bar Harbor there lived a clockmaker known all over the land for his expertise and knowledge of the intricate workings of clocks, watches and barometers. This clockmaker goes by the name of Alexander H. Phillips and his place of business is 110 Main Street. You can visit him there from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to learn of his history and talents and to see a sample of his wares. (the store is also home and guest petting parlor to Finn and Whiskey, a yellow and a chocolate Lab.) Phone: 207-288-3684.

From 19th Century armoires to books on Zen, the Big Chicken Barn on Route 1 between Bucksport and Ellsworth caters to the interests of today's collector of antiques and paper collectibles. Almost 22,000 square feet of floor space holds an ever- changing and diverse selection of intriguing items displayed for unhurried and unhindered browsing. This is Maine’s largest antiquarian bookstore and antiques gallery, and a really fun place to browse and hunt for Maine memorabilia. Phone: 207- 667-7308.