Anyone who really wants to escape the hassle of everyday life will find the answer in Maine's Sunrise County. So named because the sun rises earlier here than at any other spot in the United States, the region is virtually unspoiled and offers a glimpse of what many people consider to be the "real Maine."  

Sunrise County features hundreds of bays and inlets and it is here that Maine truly displays its world famous "rock-bound coast."  

Nature is also allowed to take center stage here as the land bears native wild blueberries (80 percent of the nation's wild blueberry crops are raised here) and virgin timber, and the earth sustains an amazing range of wildlife, from moose and deer to eagles and puffins.

Numerous quiet trails and tree-lined lanes often lead to unmatched ocean views, and coastal communities such as Jonesport and Jonesboro offer visitors the opportunity to visit typical fishing piers, nature preserves and even a shellfish hatchery or two.  

Machias is the commercial and historic hub of Washington County. It has also become the wreathmaking center of Maine. It was here, near Fort O'Brien, that the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War took place even before the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.  

History is really on display in this region. Micmac and Passamaquoddy Indians still reside at Pleasant Point outside Eastport, and the Roosevelt International Bridge connects Lubec and Campobello Island, site of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's summer home.  

Calais, the largest community in the region, was settled in 1770 and is home to the St. Croix Island International Historic Site. There, in 1604, Sieur de Mons and Samuel Champlain settled with about 80 others, making it the first permanent French settlement in the New World.  

Another interesting point of interest is a granite monument on the road between the coastal communities of Lubec and Eastport. Placed at the site of the Reversing Falls Park by the National Geographic Society, the monument marks the 45th parallel, the exact midpoint between the equator and the North Pole.

Best known for its hunting and fishing (some of the best fishing holes in Maine are accessible in this region), there is much to see and do during a stay in the Sunrise County. For instance:  

• Columbia Falls is home to the Ruggles House, an 1818 showplace, built by Judge Thomas Ruggles.  
• The Hannah Weston grave site in Jonesboro honors the woman who carried ammunition 16 miles through the woods to aid the Revolutionary War effort.  
• The Burnham Tavern Museum in Machias was built in 1770 and is the oldest building in eastern Maine and the only one with a Revolutionary War history. It was the meeting place for the men who gathered to fight the first naval battle of the war.
• Moose-horn National Wildlife Refuge features more than 22,000 acres of hills, streams, lakes, bogs and marshes. It is open to hiking and nature watching of more than 200 species of birds and plenty of moose.  
• Lubec - the easternmost town in the United States - features West Quoddy State Park. The 485-acre site located right on Maine's bold coast offers hiking trails and picnic areas with views of Canada, Grand Manan Island, whales and sea birds. Here you will find the highly photographed, red-striped West Quoddy Head Light.  
• The Waponahki Museum and Resource Center in Perry features old photos of Passamaquoddy Indians, old basketry and crafts, as well as mannequins formed by individuals of the tribe.  
• Roque Bluffs State Park is a great picnic area featuring a fresh water pond and 900 yards of sandy beach. There is also a great playground, restrooms and pedestal grills.  

Independence Celebration and Old Home Week in Eastport - early July.  

International Festival in Calais - includes street fairs, parade, concerts - early Aug.

Indian Ceremonial Days at Pleasant Point Reservation near Eastport - early August.  

Blueberry Festival in Machias - features food, fun and festivities - mid-August.  

Eastport Salmon Festival - features boat tours, a fishing derby and salmon dinners - early September.  

Local Holiday and Special Events