Acadia Woodland Cottage welcomes you to Winter Harbor, Maine
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WINTER HARBOR MAINE
Winter Harbor Maine is the anchor city for the Schoodic Peninsula, collectively known as the “Quiet Side of Acadia.” This mainland location isn’t a backup plan or “settling.”
Visiting Acadia National Park is too often focused on Mount Desert Island, but there’s a world of secrets, exploration, and social distancing long before it was a common thing waiting for you in Winter Harbor.
This town is just across the bay from Bar Harbor but might as well be across the pond for the different aesthetics you get. It’s a town trapped in time for all the right reasons, and it offers all the right things for a vacation to be relaxing and not relegated to a place in line for dinner.
Instead of touristy, you get timeless. Instead of long lines, you get long walks on less crowded shorelines. This magical place brings just as much romance, allure, and history as Mount Desert Island.
Winter Harbor vs. Bar Harbor
Just about every review of Winter Harbor states “getting away from the crowds” as the reason to seek out the Schoodic Peninsula and Winter Harbor.
Winter Harbor also holds two important points — Grindstone Point and Schoodic Point, each offering an amphitheater with a layered, dynamic rocky shoreline and pounding waves that mist saltwater magic over guests.
Additionally, there are the alleged healing powers of the water at Blueberry Hill.
Top that with a downtown so trapped in a time capsule that the 5&10 store is still open and a community so tight-knit they’ll know your name by the second cup of coffee. Also, there’s the other section of Acadia to explore with the infamous traffic jams of Mount Desert Island.
Walk the streets of downtown and explore the old-fashioned Winter Harbor 5&10 store with modern amenities.
Or, get a bike or kayak rental at Sea Schoodic, or explore the Town Harbor as boats flow in and out during a busy day of fishing.
Scenic Boat Rides
With smaller crowds, you’ll have smaller groups on tour boats, or you can charter your own. Puffin cruises, lighthouse tours of Egg Rock and Winter Harbor lighthouses in the distance, and lobster tours are available with Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines.
The famous "Miss Lizzie" will take you back and forth to Bar Harbor with a fun ride!
Your Acadia National Park pass gets you access to Schoodic Point, another dynamic blending of water, waves, and wonderful views. Watch your step as you walk along the long stretch of rocks that step down closer to the churning waters.
Another option is to watch the sunrise over Blueberry Hill. Here, you get a mix of plants, blooming flowers, rocks, fog, and scenic views. This is also the start of several trailheads.
The Frazer Point Picnic Area brings tourists and anglers to enjoy the rocky coastline with a fishing pier, beautiful seasonal blooms, and a piece of history.
Take a Hike
The Winter Harbor portion of the Schoodic Peninsula has seven hiking trails and more than 8 miles of gravel biking trails. Grab a map at the park office to see which trails connect to make for longer and more scenic routes
Golfing With Great Views
Grindstone Neck Golf Course is one of the oldest and most storied courses in America, with a rare spot along the jagged and pink-hued coastline.
“Founded in 1891, it is a classic, rustic 9 holes, the way golf was intended to be played. Each hole offers a stunning salt water view. The second hole plays downhill to a green on the shore looking across the bay to the mountains of Mt. Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park.
Indoor Things to Do in Winter Harbor Maine
Even indoor activities in Winter Harbor blend the beauty of the outside. The town is designed to keep your mind on the outdoors, but here are some options for staying in climate control.
Schoodic Institute
The Schoodic Institute is a nonprofit research and education center near Schoodic Point. It provides a wide range of programs, services, and facilities to support scientific research, environmental education, and community engagement.
This was once a Navy Base that was given to Acadia in 2002. In Rockefeller Hall, you’ll find a museum, visitor’s center, and gift shop. Look for the latest public activity to join researchers on a unique journey.
Winter Harbor Public Library
Instead of scouring Amazon for a book to read on your trip, stop by the architecture-rich Winter Harbor Public Library. Paperback, hardback, and e-reader books are available, and there’s a special children’s corner and year-round activities.
Note the beautiful stonework of the exterior and the mahogany inside with spectacular stained-glass windows.
Restaurants In & Near Winter Harbor Maine
Since this is the quieter side of Acadia, you won’t have a mind-boggling list of restaurants to choose from. However, the quality of the food is just as good!
Casual Eateries
The Pickled Wrinkle is in Birch Harbor just 2 miles from Winter Harbor and is a culinary tradition in this community. There’s a robust menu of sea and land-loving options, including cocktails to go. Buy some Pickled Wrinkle swag as a great conversation starter when you get home.
“Pickled Wrinkles are an old Downeast Maine Delicacy. They are large carnivorous sea snails, or whelks, which are pickled and marketed locally as Pickled Wrinkles.”
The Pickled Wrinkle management
You could pick up some fresh lobster or other seafood options at the Lobstore in Winter Harbor and cook it yourself at a campsite, vacation rental, or picnic area.
Fisherman’s Galley in Winter Harbor has one of the top-awarded lobster rolls in the state but includes a seafood menu that rivals any Bar Harbor location and makes the hallmark Maine blueberry pie. Also, there’s a popular hot dog cart for those on the go.
Or, check the schedule for the Winter Harbor Masonic Lodge’s public suppers, which are a great way to support the community while getting expert local guides for your trip.
Upscale Restaurants
Upscale isn’t really the vibe of Winter Harbor, but you’ll get one great opportunity at The Gallery Restaurant and Bar with creative dish presentations and colorful cocktails.
Chase’s Restaurant makes a great date place for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.
Winter Harbor Lobster Co-Op offers lobster meals to-go and party packages for those who want to take a fancy meal on a romantic sunset viewing.
Winter Harbor Provisions has ready-to-go meals for romantic picnics or fancy dinners without messing up the kitchen.
Coffee & Ice Cream Shops
J.M. Gerrish Cafe in Winter Harbor has been feeding, caffeinating, and scooping for more than 100 years and is still going strong.
In Birch Harbor, Me & Ben’s Dairy Creme offers many textures of ice cream with shakes, sundaes, floats, and banana boats.
The Downeaster Coffee Shop mixes a fresh brew with art and the art of conversation. Look for this newest restaurant in Winter Harbor, and let us know what you think!
Wineries & Breweries
You’ll have to make a short drive to get to Catherine Hill Winery in Cherryfield Maine because this dog-friendly, locally-owned winery is located in the beautiful Maine countryside.
If you’re wondering who Catherine Hill is, watch this ghostly story about her ghost walking the road to the winery. Grapes, ghosts, and a good time? Who can resist?
“The story of Catherine’s Hill is one of the most witnessed and famous ghost stories from Maine. It’s a very remote and twisted section of the (Black Woods) road, and it’s haunted by a young woman who died here. The oldest account is that she died on her wedding night in a carriage accident and her husband was decapitated. Her spirit stalks the roads.”
Discover Winter Harbor Maine & Acadia National Park
Winter Harbor is a simpler way of life with a lot of special places that shouldn’t be overlooked. But, a trip to Winter Harbor isn’t just about going to a “Quieter Side.” It’s also about getting the full experience of Acadia National Park and the communities that support year-round tourism.
