Wonderguide by

Wesley Hopper

Schoodic Peninsula

My personal guide to the Peninsula, Winter Harbor and the surrounding area.

Use QR code to view online version

Sightseeing

Explore the great outdoors

Place

Schoodic Peninsula

Wesley:6.5 mile park loop for driving, biking or walking, culminating at Schoodic Point. 7.5 miles of hiking trails. Enjoy views from the Anvil and Schoodic Head, as well as some challenging steep climbs from the East Trail.

Place

Grindstone Neck Point

Wesley:Spectacular views of several islands, including Mount Desert Island. Small parking area. Great for sitting on the rocks or beach-combing.

Place

Frazer Point

Wesley:Picnic area with parking lot. First stop on the Schoodic Park loop. Great for kids to run around and play, explore the rocks or fish off the dock.

Place

Sea Schoodic Kayak & Bike

Wesley:Bike rental, including youth bikes, pull trailers, tag-a-longs and baby seats. Park your car there and ride right onto the Schoodic Loop. Also has kayak rentals for fresh water use only.

Place

Acadia Puffin Cruise

Wesley:2.5-hour tour of Frenchman Bay to the stunning Petit Manan Island. Worth it alone to see the Petit Manan light station, which is one of the tallest lighthouses in the US.

Place

Winter Harbor Town Wharf

Wesley:Watch the lobster boats come in or stroll the beach. Spot osprey and bald eagles. Follow parking signs. Most spots reserved for fishermen.

Place

Frenchman Bay Conservancy

Wesley:Frenchman Bay Conservancy maintains more than 28 miles of year-round public access hiking trails. See website for more info.

Place

Winter Harbor Public Library

Wesley:Historic old stone library right in town. Still serving local residents and visitors alike.

Limited offer

Gift from Wesley. Get a discount off all experiences!

Food Scene

Best places to grab a bite or a drink.

Place

Winter Harbor Co-Op Inc

Wesley:Fresh seafood straight off the boat to your kitchen: lobsters, steamers, haddock, mussels, etc.

Place

The Gallery

Wesley:Cocktail lounge and restaurant serving drinks and small plates. Great atmosphere. Open 4-8pm, Friday-Tuesday. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Place

J.M. Gerrish Cafe

Wesley:Old fashioned soda fountain which serves breakfast and lunch. Open 8am - 3pm, Friday-Tuesday. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Place

Treehouse Seaside Grill

Wesley:American Fusion Bar and Grill. Using fresh local ingredients to deliver traditional & global flavors. Brand new restaurant. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 4:30 - 9PM. Reservations encouraged.

Place

Winter Harbor Food Services Inc

Wesley:Under new ownership and renamed Winter Harbor Provisions. Local full service market and deli. Fresh meats, produce, groceries, beer, wine. Lots of Maine-made products!

Place

Downeaster

Wesley:Open Wednesday - Saturday, 6AM - 2PM. Coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches. They also carry some artisan crafts and souvenirs.

Place

Fisherman's Galley Restaurant

Wesley:Food cart which serves some of the best lobster rolls in Downeast Maine. Seriously, it's kind of a must. Dine-in available and craft beer. Open 11am - 3pm, Sunday - Friday.

Place

Chase's Restaurant

Wesley:Great for families! If you want to catch some local flavor, this is where you'll get it. Homemade donuts in the morning! Open Tuesday-Saturday. 7AM - 8PM.

Place

The Lobstore

Wesley:Similar to the Winter Harbor Co-op. Fresh lobster and seafood.

Place

Harbor Market

Wesley:Brand new wrap and sandwich shop! Has a little a bit of everything -- specialty meats and cheeses, coffee, wine, chilled prosecco, beer, even nickel candies for the kids. Eat in or take out. I especially recommend the spicy breakfast sandwich. Open 5am - 5pm, every day but Sunday. Sundays 6:30am - 5pm.

Place

The Pickled Wrinkle

Wesley:Hugh favorite of locals and visitors alike. Great food and craft beers. OPEN Wednesday - Sunday. 1-7pm.

Place

Me And Ben's Dairy Creme

Wesley:Best place to get Giffords ice cream! Favorites -- Pistachio and Black Raspberry. OPEN 12 - 7pm daily.

Place

The Bakery

Wesley:Open Friday - Tuesday, 8AM - 1PM. Small, independently owned coffee and bakeshop. Former chef trained in Paris. Call ahead to double-check hours!

Place

Grindstoneneck of Maine

Wesley:Gourmet smoked fish shop, spreads and cheeses.

Place

Bartlett Maine Estate Winery and Distillery

Wesley:Award-winning producer of Maine fruit wines! They have a tasting room open from June - October. Highly recommend. Our favorites are the Blueberry Oak Dry and Pear Dry.

Place

Tracey's Seafood

Wesley:Popular take-out place. Unfortunately, the food can be hit or miss and the service is slow. If you go, I'd stick to the ice cream. Only place in the area with black raspberry soft-serve. Wednesday-Sunday, 12-8pm.

Place

Vazquez Mexican Takeout

Wesley:Vazquez Mexican operated out of a food truck to service the migrant community working the blueberry fields in late summer. Their permanent take-out location now serves authentic Mexican with big portions and low prices.

Place

Bunker's Seafood and Spirits

Wesley:Re-opening under new ownership. Great location and we'll certainly be curious to try it out this summer! Open 11AM - 8PM every day but Sunday.

Place

Lunch on the Wharf

Wesley:Open every day but Sunday, 11AM - 3PM. Lobster rolls, crab rolls and more in one of the most photographed fishing villages in America.

Place

Provender Kitchen + Bar

Wesley:Fresh, artisan food with Maine ingredients and worldly flair. Extensive cocktail menu to boot! Reservations encouraged. Tuesday - Saturday, 4-9pm.

Place

Ironbound Restaurant & Inn

Wesley:Reimagined Maine classics, all locally sourced in a rustic local atmosphere. Reservations encouraged. Tuesday-Saturday, 5-9pm.

Shopping

Antiques, souvenirs and art

Place

Winter Harbor 5&10

Wesley:Classic five-and-dime store with essentials, souvenirs, toys and other odds and ends.

Place

whopaints Gallery and Studio

Wesley:Original Paintings of Life in Maine by Wendilee Heath O'Brien.

Place

Works of Hand

Wesley:Two story gallery features the work of over 50 primarily Maine artists, craftsmen and authors.

Place

Artisans & Antiques

Wesley:Local antiques, crafts and art work.

Place

Littlefield Gallery

Wesley:For lovers of contemporary art.

Place

Prospect Harbor Soap Company

Wesley:Handcrafted soaps and skincare with local ingredients.

Place

US Bells

Wesley:Artisan bell factory. If you're looking for one special souvenir to bring back with you -- this it. Bells and chimes for your front porch. They also make ship's bells.

Transportation

Getting around

Place

Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines LLC

Wesley:Downeast Windjammer Ferry service between Winter Harbor and Bar Harbor. 45 minutes across the bay to Bar Harbor where you can check out all the shops and restaurants.

Place

Island Explorer

Wesley:The Island Explorer features bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers.