Preamble
While novaTopFlex has already identified the notable attractions of Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Deer Isle, the following content will refer specifically to Monhegan, Matinicus Isle, Islesboro, Frenchboro, and Swans Island, as well as to the “mainland” termini of the ferry vessels. Each route shall be covered in an arrangement in which the distinct communities are referred to first.
Introduction
The State of Maine contains six (6) state ferries, with the most notable of ferry routes originating in the City of Rockland in MidCoast Maine. The MidCoast region provides access to the Vinalhaven Ferry, as well as to ferries for North Haven and for Matinicus Isle. Monhegan, located further to the south, is also served by ferry from the mainland at Port Clyde; however, the ferry routes are exclusively private, since the State of Maine does not operate a ferry route to the island.
Matinicus Isle
The ferry to Matinicus Isle, Maine, begins the journey from the City of Rockland, where Bixby Chocolate manufactures their chocolates and where the Farnsworth Homestead and Art Museum, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, the hotel at Trade Winds on the Bay, and the Project Puffin Visitor Center are located. On the island side, Matinicus Isle is a plantation, thus with less autonomy than the cities and towns within the State. An island with a permanent population of under one hundred residents, the community is home to just a few amenities, such as the David Sears Gallery. The Maine State Ferry Dock at Matinicus is located on the eastern end of the island.
Islesboro
From the Town of Lincolnville, home to the Spouter Inn Bed and Breakfast and just a few other places to stay, the Margaret Chase Smith vessel provides access to the island town of Islesboro, home to the Grindle Point Sailors’ Museum and Lighthouse at the island terminus of the ferry as well as the Islesboro Historical Society more centrally located on the island.
Mount Desert Island
While Mount Desert Island is firmly accessible by way of the Maine road network, the communities on the island also provide access to Swans Island and to Frenchboro. At the Maine State Ferry Dock at Swans Island is the Swans Island Lobster and Marine Museum, while near the ferry terminal at Frenchboro is the community museum-library, simply named as the Frenchboro Museum-Library.
Each of the aforementioned state ferries contain the “mainland” terminus within Mount Desert Island at the community of Bass Harbor. At the southern end of the Bass Harbor area—and of all of Mount Desert Island—is the Bass Harbor Head Light Station. On the western side of the “mainland” island further north is the Sea Cove Auto Museum; however, the most notable portions of the island are further east, including the communities of Mount Desert and Bar Harbor as well as Acadia National Park. Within the latter is the Cadillac Mountain area, likely representative of the highest point in Acadia as well as throughout the entirety of Mount Desert Island.
Within the village area representing Mount Desert are the Somesville Museum and Gardens as well as the Gallery at Somes Sound. However, the Town of Bar Harbor is the chief settlement of the entire island, located on the eastern end of the island and most notable as the “Gateway to Acadia [National Park].”
Within the Town of Bar Harbor, the College of the Atlantic is located on the western end of the town, containing the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History internally hosted on campus. The Bar Harbor Welcome Sign and Historical Society areas alike are located further east, along West Street following the junction with Eden Street. The West Street Hotel, even further east, is a signature place to stay in the town and on the island as a whole, with Balance Rock further east and the Bar Harbor Ghost Tours and the Abbe Museum located further south.
Monhegan
Located near the mainland terminus of the most traditional private ferry route to the Plantation of Monhegan is the community of Port Clyde, as well as the Marshall Point Lighthouse and Museum area. While Monhegan is often described as a summer colony due to the seasonal influx of temporary residents, as well as as an art colony thanks to the island nature and surrounding scenic beauty that residents will be exposed to, three of the most notable attractions for visitors on the island include the Lupine Gallery, the Monhegan House, and the Fish House Fish Market. With the exception of the residents situated internally within the island, automobile access is throughout the entirety of the area, and such vehicles must remain on the mainland by Port Clyde and the surrounding area.
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