Guidebook for Franklin

Aimee And David
Aimee And David
Guidebook for Franklin

Parks & Nature

This quieter section of Acadia National Park gets fewer visitors, yet also has a nice loop road, hiking and picnicking areas and a rugged coast with fantastic views. If you want to experience the park with fewer people, this is the spot.
77 locals recommend
Schoodic Peninsula
77 locals recommend
This quieter section of Acadia National Park gets fewer visitors, yet also has a nice loop road, hiking and picnicking areas and a rugged coast with fantastic views. If you want to experience the park with fewer people, this is the spot.
Great picnic spot; possibly the coolest spot ever to watch the tide change.
6 locals recommend
Tidal Falls Road
Tidal Falls Road
6 locals recommend
Great picnic spot; possibly the coolest spot ever to watch the tide change.
Nice beach, picnic spots - less crowded than the national park sites.
19 locals recommend
Lamoine State Park
23 State Park Rd
19 locals recommend
Nice beach, picnic spots - less crowded than the national park sites.
Another nice beach used mostly by locals.
Marlboro Beach
Another nice beach used mostly by locals.
Iconic lighthouse, beautiful views.
19 locals recommend
Quoddy Head State Park
973 S Lubec Rd
19 locals recommend
Iconic lighthouse, beautiful views.
Great beach, views; quiet.
9 locals recommend
Cobscook Bay State Park
40 South Edmunds Road
9 locals recommend
Great beach, views; quiet.
Fantastic beach; less traveled.
24 locals recommend
Roque Bluffs State Park
145 Schoppee Point Rd
24 locals recommend
Fantastic beach; less traveled.
swimming, hiking, kayaking - the way life should be!
11 locals recommend
Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land
11 locals recommend
swimming, hiking, kayaking - the way life should be!

Food Scene

Great thin crust pizza.
21 locals recommend
Finelli Pizzeria
12 Downeast Highway
21 locals recommend
Great thin crust pizza.
Asian fusion - sushi, Thai and Chinese food. Always a line to get in, so reservations are recommended.
33 locals recommend
Shinbashi
139 High St
33 locals recommend
Asian fusion - sushi, Thai and Chinese food. Always a line to get in, so reservations are recommended.
David's favorite pancakes - breakfast and lunch; cash only.
25 locals recommend
Martha's Diner
151 High St
25 locals recommend
David's favorite pancakes - breakfast and lunch; cash only.
Local spot for breakfast and lunch.
16 locals recommend
Sylvia's Cafe
248 State St
16 locals recommend
Local spot for breakfast and lunch.
Another local favorite for breakfast or lunch.
10 locals recommend
Chester Pike's Galley
2336 US-1
10 locals recommend
Another local favorite for breakfast or lunch.
Seasonal spot for seafood overlooking the Union River.
84 locals recommend
Union River Lobster Pot
8 South St
84 locals recommend
Seasonal spot for seafood overlooking the Union River.
Family style restaurant with something for every taste, from lobster to hot dogs. A safe bet if you have a group with varied tastes. Iconic blueberry pie.
23 locals recommend
Helen's
55 Downeast Highway
23 locals recommend
Family style restaurant with something for every taste, from lobster to hot dogs. A safe bet if you have a group with varied tastes. Iconic blueberry pie.
Great spot near Schoodic for casual dining, from local seafood to burgers and beer.
74 locals recommend
The Pickled Wrinkle
9 E Schoodic Dr
74 locals recommend
Great spot near Schoodic for casual dining, from local seafood to burgers and beer.
Local seafood and family fare, something for everyone.
11 locals recommend
Fisherman's Galley Restaurant
7 Newman St
11 locals recommend
Local seafood and family fare, something for everyone.
Great view over the harbor; outdoor deck for drinks and dining. If the dinner menu is outside your budget, the breakfast is wallet-friendly and will let you enjoy the locale.
8 locals recommend
The Looking Glass Restaurant
50 Eden Street
8 locals recommend
Great view over the harbor; outdoor deck for drinks and dining. If the dinner menu is outside your budget, the breakfast is wallet-friendly and will let you enjoy the locale.
Modern farm-to-table cuisine and local seafood.
51 locals recommend
Ironbound Restaurant & Inn
1513 US-1
51 locals recommend
Modern farm-to-table cuisine and local seafood.
Where locals go for steak; relaxed bistro atmosphere.
32 locals recommend
Chippers Restaurant
1239 US-1
32 locals recommend
Where locals go for steak; relaxed bistro atmosphere.
Fine dining in Hancock, Maine! Classic traditional fare such as steak and rack of lamb, plus seafood.
34 locals recommend
Crocker House Country Inn
967 Point Rd
34 locals recommend
Fine dining in Hancock, Maine! Classic traditional fare such as steak and rack of lamb, plus seafood.
Funky roadhouse atmosphere; beer and mixed drinks; lobster; broiled, baked and fried seafood. Hamburgers, sandwiches, mac & cheese and other family favorites for those not wanting seafood. The demand can sometimes outpace the waitstaff; if you go prepared to be patient, you will enjoy it more.
33 locals recommend
Ruth and Wimpy's Restaurant
792 US-1
33 locals recommend
Funky roadhouse atmosphere; beer and mixed drinks; lobster; broiled, baked and fried seafood. Hamburgers, sandwiches, mac & cheese and other family favorites for those not wanting seafood. The demand can sometimes outpace the waitstaff; if you go prepared to be patient, you will enjoy it more.
Beautiful view overlooking the harbor, good food, friendly service. Perfect spot for dinner after a day at Schoodic!
12 locals recommend
Bunker's Wharf Restaurant
260 E Schoodic Dr
12 locals recommend
Beautiful view overlooking the harbor, good food, friendly service. Perfect spot for dinner after a day at Schoodic!
Local favorite for fried seafood, also has burgers and soft serve ice cream. Arcade and playground to keep kids entertained.
19 locals recommend
Jordan's Snack Bar
200 Douglas Highway
19 locals recommend
Local favorite for fried seafood, also has burgers and soft serve ice cream. Arcade and playground to keep kids entertained.
Delicious Indian and Sri Lankan food; small seating area and take out.
40 locals recommend
Serendib Indian And Sri Lankan
2 State St
40 locals recommend
Delicious Indian and Sri Lankan food; small seating area and take out.
Great variety of wraps, burritos and light bites with fresh ingredients - popular local lunch spot.
57 locals recommend
86 This
125 Main St
57 locals recommend
Great variety of wraps, burritos and light bites with fresh ingredients - popular local lunch spot.
Half the menu is classic seafood shack fare (fried haddock, fried scallops, fried clams, french fries, lobster and crab rolls); the other half of the menu is Korean. Really. Popular with locals and almost always busy. Although it has "takeout" in the name, there are some picnic tables.
14 locals recommend
Yu Takeout
674 US-1
14 locals recommend
Half the menu is classic seafood shack fare (fried haddock, fried scallops, fried clams, french fries, lobster and crab rolls); the other half of the menu is Korean. Really. Popular with locals and almost always busy. Although it has "takeout" in the name, there are some picnic tables.
Tired of seafood? Manny's brings excellent fresh Greek food to Ellsworth. The menu is limited to keep prices reasonable; gyros, chicken or pork souvlaki, salads and of course baklava! Delicious; open for lunch or dinner.
15 locals recommend
Manny's Greek Grill
248 State St
15 locals recommend
Tired of seafood? Manny's brings excellent fresh Greek food to Ellsworth. The menu is limited to keep prices reasonable; gyros, chicken or pork souvlaki, salads and of course baklava! Delicious; open for lunch or dinner.
Family friendly, with something for everyone from burgers to classic Maine seafood.
38 locals recommend
Geddy's
19 Main St
38 locals recommend
Family friendly, with something for everyone from burgers to classic Maine seafood.

Essentials

Closest gas and basic groceries to our cottage; small diner serves breakfast and lunch.
9 locals recommend
Franklin Trading Post
33 Blackswoods Road
9 locals recommend
Closest gas and basic groceries to our cottage; small diner serves breakfast and lunch.
Gas and basic groceries close to the cottage - also pizza, fried chicken, sandwiches and burgers if you need a quick bite.
6 locals recommend
Tideway Market Irving
750 US-1
6 locals recommend
Gas and basic groceries close to the cottage - also pizza, fried chicken, sandwiches and burgers if you need a quick bite.
Gas and groceries; deli counter, homemade bakery and pizza.
Hancock Grocery
1381 US-1
Gas and groceries; deli counter, homemade bakery and pizza.
Laundromat in the same shopping mall as Hannaford Supermarket.
Eden Laundry
225 High St
Laundromat in the same shopping mall as Hannaford Supermarket.

Shopping

25 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter
17 Myrick St
25 locals recommend
Grocery and pharmacy.
117 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
86 Cottage St
117 locals recommend
Grocery and pharmacy.
Natural food and supplements; hard to find and specialty items.
38 locals recommend
John Edward's Market Inc.
158 Main St
38 locals recommend
Natural food and supplements; hard to find and specialty items.
A selection of items from this iconic retailer's inventory at reduced prices.
49 locals recommend
L.L.Bean Ellsworth
150 High St
49 locals recommend
A selection of items from this iconic retailer's inventory at reduced prices.
Reny's has everything you need to live, from groceries to household goods to clothes. Good prices, good selection for local shopping.
36 locals recommend
Reny's Department Store
175 High St
36 locals recommend
Reny's has everything you need to live, from groceries to household goods to clothes. Good prices, good selection for local shopping.
Grocery and pharmacy
33 locals recommend
Shaw's
175 High St
33 locals recommend
Grocery and pharmacy

Arts & Culture

History of native cultures.
57 locals recommend
Abbe Museum
26 Mt Desert St
57 locals recommend
History of native cultures.
Natural history of the area.
10 locals recommend
George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History
105 Eden St
10 locals recommend
Natural history of the area.
Local history; marine history.
42 locals recommend
Penobscot Marine Museum
2 Church St
42 locals recommend
Local history; marine history.
Historical fort overlooking the Penobscot River. The bridge observatory tower offers great views.
140 locals recommend
Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory
740 Ft Knox Rd
140 locals recommend
Historical fort overlooking the Penobscot River. The bridge observatory tower offers great views.

Sightseeing

The Blackwoods Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive through old growth trees, with many spots along the way for swimming, hiking and views: http://www.exploremaine.org/byways/downeast/blackwoods.shtml
Blacks Woods Road
Blacks Woods Road
The Blackwoods Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive through old growth trees, with many spots along the way for swimming, hiking and views: http://www.exploremaine.org/byways/downeast/blackwoods.shtml
Park on the US/Canada border which contains the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Beautiful ocean views and hiking terrain at the north end of downeast Maine. A great day trip from Franklin. Stop in Machias for blueberry pie at Helen's flagship restaurant.
44 locals recommend
Campobello Island
44 locals recommend
Park on the US/Canada border which contains the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Beautiful ocean views and hiking terrain at the north end of downeast Maine. A great day trip from Franklin. Stop in Machias for blueberry pie at Helen's flagship restaurant.

Everything Else

Huge barn full of antiques and books at reasonable prices. There is something for everyone, making it a great rainy day spot!
33 locals recommend
Big Chicken Barn
1768 Bucksport Rd
33 locals recommend
Huge barn full of antiques and books at reasonable prices. There is something for everyone, making it a great rainy day spot!