The Downeast/Acadia Region is diverse, with a strong coastal presence and an equally strong presence inland. Cliffs stand strong against the pounding of the Atlantic Ocean from the southern border of the region to the northern tip, and inland, by way of the Penobscot River is Bangor, the region's commercial center.  

There are many attractions available in the Downeast/Acadia Region, which boasts everything from the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard north of Rio de Janeiro, to Bangor, "The Queen City" that is home to best-selling author Stephen King.  

No Maine destination is as well known or visited than Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island. The second-most visited national park in the United States, Acadia includes 35,000 acres and includes 41 miles of coastline.  

Whale watching, hiking, biking and kayaking are all part of what make the Downeast/Acadia Region special.  

While in Acadia, make sure you take the Park Loop Road to many of the interesting sites located within the park, including Sand Beach and Thunder Hole, a tidal cavern that allows trapped water to create booming "thunder" water spouts that shoot up to 40 feet in the air. You may also take a horse-andcarriage ride through Acadia to Jordan Pond where crumpets and tea is an afternoon tradition for many visitors.  

Acadia is an impressive 35,000 acres in area, and includes 41 miles of spectacular coastline. Approximately 30,000 acres of Acadia are on Mt. Desert Island, with the balance on Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut.

Mt. Desert Island's beauty resulted from ice-age glaciers cutting through existing mountains carving out valleys, countless islands and even a fiord. Evidence of that ice is visible throughout the island.  

Visit the well-known community of Bar Harbor, with its teeming main streets and plethora of shops, restaurants and attractions. But don't stop there. Explore the entire island. Discover quaint towns such as Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor and Tremont.

Of course, while much of the attraction of Bar Harbor and the surrounding towns is based on natural sites, other possibilities include:  

• The Bar Harbor Music Festival attracts top performers from across the country each summer.  
• The Abbe Museum of Stone Age Antiquities in Bar Harbor features Maine Native American archaeology, history and culture  
• The Natural History Museum at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor features dioramas depicting the plant and animal life of coastal Maine.  
• The Wendell Gilley Museum of Bird Carving in Southwest Harbor offers everything from miniature waterfowl to life size owls, from carving demonstrations to wildlife art exhibits.  
• The Mt. Desert Oceanarium is located in two locations and children and adults may enjoy the close-up views of Maine's watery "denizens" and get to know them up close in the "Touch Tank" and at the lobster hatchery.  

Of course, the Downeast/Acadia Region is about a lot more than just Mt. Desert Island.  

For instance, as you make your way inland from Mt. Desert you will discover Ellsworth, a crossroads of northsouth and east-west traffic. A nice side trip is a visit to Castine, which is home to the Maine Maritime Academy and is considered one of Maine's most historic towns. Nearby, there's also a half-mile-long suspension bridge spanning Eggemoggin Reach to Little Deer Isle and Deer Isle, where the first America's Cup crew came from in the 1850s.  

At the tip of the island is Stonington, one of Maine's oldest communities for lobstermen and fishermen. It also serves as the departure point for ferr y trips to the picturesque islands of Vinalhaven and Isle au Haut.

For heavy-duty shopping, head inland and explore the twin cities of Brewer and Bangor. Of course, shopping is not all there is to do in the twin cities. For example, there are several unusual restaurants located on Bangor's waterfront and music often fills the air as boats make their way up and down the Penobscot River - especially at dusk and during the evening hours.  

Also, one of the most impressive sights in Bangor is a 31-foot, 2 1/2-ton statue of Paul Bunyan that is probably one of the most photographed monuments in Maine. You will certainly want to have your picture taken standing next to the statue. Everyone does!  

Look carefully in Bangor and you might just find the 1854 Italianate Villa home of Stephen King. It's not hard to spot, really, because an iron fence featuring eerie cutouts and figures of animals surrounds it.  

There are several downtown tours of Bangor available that bring the history of the city to life and that allow you to visit many of the spectacular homes built by logging barons more than 100 years ago.  

Just up the road a ways from Bangor is the main campus of the University of Maine at Orono. Impressive collections are on display in the many museums located right on campus.  

Other attractions in the Bangor area include:  

• The Penobscot Theater Company presents its "Shakespeare on the River" performances in an amphitheater right on the Penobscot River.  
• The Cole Land Transportation Museum features 200 Maine antique land transportation vehicles. It features the nation's most complete collection of snow removal equipment and fire engines, farm equipment, a unique military collection, trains, cars, wagons, sleighs, sleds and carriages.  
• The Maine Forest and Logging Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the Maine woods.  
• The Hudson Museum at the University of Maine in Orono features a collection of items produced by Native Americans, as well as collections from Oceania, Africa and Asia.  
• The University of Maine Museum of Art in Orono is a fine arts museum exhibiting work by nationally and internationally known artists.  
• The Old Town Canoe Co. has a world-wide reputation and tours of the factory may be arranged.

Bar Harbor Music Festival world famous - entire month of July.  

Living History Days in Leonard's Mills - at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum - first weekend after Fourth of July.  

Bangor State Fair - features a large midway, agricultural exhibits, racing - last week in July.  

Maine Shakespeare Festival in Bangor - on the banks of the Penobscot River - early August.  

Downeast Antiques Fair at Blue Hill Fairgrounds - more than 60 dealers from all over New England - mid-August.  

American Folk Festival in Bangor - late August.  

Local Holiday and Special Events  

Live Theater and Art Performances