Area Attractions
Washington County, Maine is made of hardworking people. The industry is mostly made up of seasonal jobs. None of which are easy. When you think of our area three things stand out: lobster, blueberries, and trees.
Lobster
When you think about lobster, you think about the Maine coast. Seventy percent of all harvested lobsters are caught in Maine. A lobster hatches from an egg. When the lobster first hatches, it has no claws or tail, and looks like an insect. It takes about one month for the baby lobster to actually look like a lobster. To tell the difference between male and female, flip the lobster on its back. A male has hard swimmerets. If it's swimmerets are soft and feathery then she is a female. Lobsters are caught in traps, while they are searching for food along the base of the ocean. They have four antennas on the front of their head and they are covered with tiny hairs that they use to sense out food. If you are visiting Maine in the summer time, be sure to try lobster. It is a delicacy treasured all over the world.
Blueberries
Maine is the largest producer of low bush blueberries in the world. The berries thrive in our soil and climate. Over 45,000 acres in Washington County are covered with blueberries. Late July and August are the harvest time for these delicious berries. They are harvested by hand with a metal rake or a mechanical harvester; the season lasts for about one month. If you are in Maine during this time, you will be sure to find a piece of Fresh Blueberry Pie at the Blue Bird Ranch Family Restaurant in Machias. The third weekend in August enjoy the Blueberry Festival where thousands of people from all over the world come to Washington County to celebrate the blueberry.
Evergreen Wreaths
Ninety percent of evergreen wreaths come out of Washington and Hancock Counties. Wreathing begins in early November, when people begin the process by “tipping” trees. This is where they go in the woods and tip the end of the Evergreen trees. They sell their “tips” to people who make the wreaths, and then the wreaths are sold and transported all over the world.
Things you should see while visiting the Machias Bay Area!
Barren View
Golf Course
Phone: 207. 43. GOLF1
Located
on Route 1 in Jonesboro Barren View Golf Course opens for the season in
late April and operates until November 1st. Tee times seven days a week
beginning a 7 a.m. Call ahead to book your tee time. Situated in
Jonesboro, on the Down east coast of Maine, Barren View Golf Course is
one of Maine’s true link courses. It offers excellent facilities and a
championship standard course suitable for players of all abilities. They
have a 9-hole par 34 course, driving range, putting green, and practice
sand trap. The course is fully irrigated, always well maintained and is
an excellent test of golf. Barren View is easy walking with expansive
views of the blueberry barrens. The scenery is spectacular - so go and
enjoy their great course and clubhouse facilities. While memberships are
available, they welcome visitors 7 days a week; reservations are
recommended.
University of Maine at Machias
Located at 9 O’ Brien Avenue, Machias this 42 acre campus was built in
1909. UMM is best distinguished for their Outdoor Recreational Program
and Marine Bio Programs. The campus overlooks the scenic town of
Machias. The Center for Lifelong Learning is located at UMM, which has
a wonderful gym and Olympic size pool. The CLL is open to the public.
You can buy a day pass or other various memberships.
Bad Little Falls
Park
Located in the center of Machias, Bad Little Falls Park is a series of waterfalls derived
from the Machias River, with a path to the oldest cemetery in Machias.
This park is a great spot to take a picnic and relax.
Whole Life Natural Market
80 Main Street, Machias
207.255.8855
Along with serving tasty snacks, this Market has a lot of books and of
course Organic foods and products. If you are looking for a place to
have a cup of coffee and relax, this may be the right spot.
Burnham
Tavern Museum
Main Street in Machias - Open in the summer.
This is the oldest building in Eastern Maine and is filled with
Revolutionary War History.
Machias Hardware
Located on Main Street,
Machias. You will find basic hardware items here, but also they have a
vast selection of spices and herbs. The best part about the spices and
herbs are they are very affordable and you get a lot. Check out this
hardware store to find all sorts of interesting things.
Blue Bird Ranch Family Restaurant
East Main Street, Machias
207.255.3351
If you are in Machias and looking for a family style breakfast, lunch or
dinner this is a great place to stop. The Blue Bird starts the day by
serving a full and hearty breakfast until 11:00 A.M. During the summer,
the Blue Bird has a great Sunday breakfast buffet. For lunch and dinner
you will find homemade soups, salads, fresh seafood dishes and great
pastas. To top it off they have tasty homemade desserts and a full bar.
The Blue Bird Ranch also makes and sells a blueberry vinaigrette, which
you can buy at the restaurant or Berry Vines Gift Shop.
Berry Vines Florist and Gift Shop
East Main Street, Machias
This unique little shop is a great place to find souvenirs from your
trip to Maine. They have locally made gifts, cards, candles, stuffed
animals, syrups, salsas and much more. If you haven’t bought something to take
home with you to remind you of Maine you will be sure to find a great
novelty here.
Roque
Bluffs State Park
Approximately six miles from Machias.
This state park has a lovely 1 mile long sand beach on the ocean. Cross
the street and there is fresh a water swimming hole. The park offers a
playground, picnic tables, grills, and bathhouses.
Porter Memorial Library
Located on Court Street in Machias. Built in
1892, this stone library contains a fireplace constructed of stone used
as ballast in the Margaretta (the British ship captured in the Machias
Bay in the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War).
Fort O’ Brien
Located on Route 92 in Machiasport. 207.255.3933 Open
to the public as a State park during the summer. This fort was
constructed in 1775. In 1814 it was held by the British. The fort
overlooks the site of the Battle of the Margaretta.
Gates
House
Located in Machiasport. Open to the public This is the
headquarters for the Machiasport Historical Society and a museum filled
with interesting artifacts from the Revolutionary War. This is the
oldest home in the town and borders directly on the river.
Jasper Beach
Located in Bucks Harbor. This beach is a smooth rock
beach, some of which is Jasper. This beach is a natural habitat for
seabirds and other wildlife.
Western Head
Located on the Destiny Road, Cutler This is a
beautifully wooded 3-4 mile long trail emerging onto the scenic ocean
front with spectacular views of the Bold coast and the Atlantic Ocean.
The trail passes through unspoiled maritime spruce forest and coastal
vegetation.
Bold Coast Trails
Located approx 4 miles from the Cutler Harbor. This
trail is a more rigorous hike than Western Head, but the hike along the
rocky shore line and the views are definitely worth it. The trail is
approx 5 miles long.
West
Quoddy Head Light House
Located at the West Quoddy Head State Park,
Lubec This famous red and white striped lighthouse was built in 1809 and
is located at the most eastern Point in the United States. This park is
a great spot to take a picnic, go for a casual hike, or relax on the
beach.
East Quoddy Head Light House
Located in Campobello, Canada You can
hike to this picturesque lighthouse only at low tide. The trail is
difficult. If you decide to cross the border make sure every one going
has valid Identification and passports (effective 2008).
Roosevelt
Campobello International Park
Located in Campobello, Canada. This house
was a long time summer home to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. While
visiting his “cottage” learn all about the history of the house via
tours and films. The grounds at the Roosevelt house have some of the
most beautiful flowers in the area. If you decide to cross the border
make sure every one going has valid Identification and passports
(effective 2008).
Reversing Salt Water Falls Park
Located in Pembroke. In and out going
tides strike a series of rocks creating an actual set of saltwater
falls. Directions: Take Route 1 into Pembroke, take Leighton Point Road
right at second Cross road, then take left to park. Approx. 6 miles from
Route 1.
The 45th Parallel
Located in Perry, Maine. This is exactly
halfway between the North Pole and the Equator.
Raye’s Mustard Mill
Museum
Located on Washington Street, Eastport. Open weekdays from
9:00-5:00 p.m. This is a working turn of the century mustard mill. Tours
are given when production allows.
Blueberry Hill Farm
Located on Route 1 in Jonesboro (The University
of Maine’s blueberry research facility) This farm currently exists on 60
acres of land in Jonesboro. The farm researches diseases and infections
of low bush berries, along with strategies and ways of improving the
blue berries.
Columbia Falls Pottery
1-800-235-2512 STORE HOURS July &
August: Mon.– Sat. 10:00 to 5:00, Sun. 11 to 4 Sept. through Dec.:
Tues.–Sat. 10:00 to 5:00 closed Sun. & Mon.
Ruggles House
Located in Columbia Falls.
Open - Seasonally: June 1 - Oct 15 Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30am -
4:30pm Sundays 11am - 4:30pmAdmission: Donations $5.00 for adults, $2.00
for children ages 6 to 12. This old mansion was built between 1818 and
1820. It is so amazing at how well maintained the house is. For lots
more information go take a tour of the house.
Explore the beautiful coast on a lighthouse cruise with Coastal Cruises.
Visit the surprising underwater world with Dive Downeast.
Churches
St Aiden’s Episcopal Church
Dublin Hill, Machias
255.3328
Service on Sundays 9:00 A.M.
Centre Street Congregational Church
255.6665
Services for July and August on Sundays 9:30 A.M.
Columbia Falls United Methodist Church
16 Church Hill Circle
259.7131
Service on Sundays 10:30 A.M. Sunday School at 9:30 A.M.
Holy Name Catholic Church
Free Street, Machias
255.3731 Sunday Mass at 8:00 A.M.
Jonesboro Union Church
Services on Sunday at 9:00 A.M. -10:00 A.M.
Sunday School 9:00- 9:45 A.M.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Machias branch)
100 Court Street, Machias
255.0707
Sacrament service on Sunday at 10:00
Machias Valley Baptist Church
Broadway, Machias
255.4476
Service on Sunday at 10:30 A.M. Sunday School at 9:30 A.M.
Marshfield Congregational Church
Church Lane, Marshfield
255.3660
Service on Sunday at 8:00 A.M.
Pentecostal Light House
Kennebec Rd. Machias
255.3577
Service on Sunday at 10:00 A.M.
For a more complete and detailed list of Churches with updated service times check in the local Machias Valley News Observer.
Banks
Bangor Savings Bank
1 Center St., Machias
255.4522
Bar Harbor Bank and Trust
Main St., Machias
255.3372
Calais Federal
131 Dublin St., Machias
255.0041
Machias Savings Bank
4 Center Street, Machias
255.3347
Pharmacies
Milbridge Pharmacy
546.2304
Rite Aid Pharmacy
255.3458
Machias Friendly Pharmacy
255.6400
Hospital
Down East Community Hospital
Maine phone: 255.3356
24 Hour Emergency 255.0215