Discover Surry

Local Hiking

  • If you’re hiking in Acadia National park to avoid crowds be sure to get an early start & avoid weekends. Our favorite Bar Harbor hikes are Acadia Mountain, Parkman Mountain, Great Head and the Ocean Path to the Fabri Cliffs. These are moderate hikes with spectacular views. If Bar Harbor seems too crowded, you might enjoy the “Quiet Side” hikes in Southwest and Northeast Harbor. Far less people.

  • In SW we love Flying Mountain for short hike, spectacular overlook of Somes Sound, quick dip n the clear cool waters of the Cove at the Bottom. Usually we head to Hunters Beach after this. Less than 2 mile hike through the woods along a babbling brook to a cobblestone beach. If you are in SW in time for lunch, we suggest Milk & Honey.

  • Heading to Northeast Harbor, we love Little Long Pond in Seal Cove. You can take this path via Jordan Stream Trail or Carriage Path all the way to Jordan Pond. Lots of opportunity for swimming or wading. You can do a long or short hike. We like finish with a drink at the Asticou Inn or a meander through the Thula Gardens.

  • Some of our favorites are Harriman Point in Brooklin. A good 4 mile or so loop through mossy

    woodland to a lengthy walk along the shore. I always jump in. Great views of Eggemoggin Reach.

  • In Deer Isle we do the Tennis Harbor Trail. It is close to Nervous Nellies Jams and Jellies which is a blast to visit for it’s Sculpture as much as it’s jam.

  • In Stonington we suggest the Barr Island Trail. This is NOT dog friendly. But it is stunning. It’s fun to finish at Aragosta for happy hour. Check the website. Happy hour is only a couple days a week. Aragosta is one of the best restaurants in Maine, but forget trying to get a res. Nearly impossible.

  • Blue Hill – Peters Cove trail leads to a lovely waterfall that is great for people and dogs alike to jump in.

  • If these seem too far or too crowded, try Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust,or Island Heritage Trust Trials.

Gallery Galore

  • We love Margret Baldwin’s Little Gallery on Morgan Bay Road, Surry, Cynthia Winnings Gallery, Heidi Daub’s Studio (call to arrange a visit or get lucky and catch her painting), and the Handworks Galleries in Blue Hill, The Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth, Nervous Nellies and the Turtle Gallery in Deer Isle, The Farnsworth in Rockport, the Little Gallery in Schoodic.

Biking & Water Sports

  • Newbury Neck is great fun. Try doing loop, go past the Carrying Place Beach, turn left onto Morgan Bay road, visit the Carter Nature Preserve on Morgan Bay, stay left to East Blue Hill, visit Curtis Cove Beach then head to Blue Hill for lunch, and back by way of Pugnuts famous ice cream in the center of Surry Village. Schoodic point, part of Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor is excellent and a gentle 11 mile workout. Biking the carriage trails of Acadia National Park is world re-known.

  • We are close to the Bay of Fundy which has the highest tides in the world. At the cottage, high tide comes to just below beach steps (150 feet horizontal 8-10 feet vertical) and low tide to way beyond the big boulder to the right. Tide cycle is every 5.75 hours. Rocky coast. Swimming shoes advised (Teva’s). Water temp in August can reach 68-72. Kayak (and bicycles) can be rented and delivered to the cottage through the Blue Hill Activity Shop. Stick close to shore unless you are experienced ocean kayakers.

Live Music

  • Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill is one of the oldest chamber music summer schools in America. It has terrific concerts Friday nights and Sunday afternoons for much of the summer. Flash in the Pan steel drums host a concert and dance in the waterfront park every Monday night and elsewhere all summer. Surry Opera Barn has many concerts, posted outside on a board and in the Ellsworth American.

    International Jazz Festival happens in Stonington in August. The Grand and Criterion have live music often, Rock and Roll in Bar Harbor regularly, and contra dances in Blue Hill and Bar Harbor. Schoodic arts in Winter Harbor has many summer performances. The Monteux conducting school in Hancock has weekly classical concerts.

Delicious Food

  • Lunch at Josie’s, excellent Asian inspired. Our fav is the Banh Mi. Lunch or dinner at Provender never fails to delight. Great locally sourced creative.

    Serendib- Mediterranean The Grind (lunch, excellent) Finnelli’s (NY pizza) 86 This (excellent burritos for lunch) Finns (Irish pub, hot scene year round, great Mac and Cheese), The Riverside (comfort family food, breakfast and lunch)), Josie’s is outstanding, huge menu, lots of interesting ethnic food like Bahn Mi. Provender- great locally sourced food heavy on meat, lovely historical interior, Jordan’s (picnic outside, basic fried fish, snacks), Jonathon Edwards for great wines and baked goods. The Bangkok for Thai Food. Some brand new ones... 86 This- Great burritos. Fogtown Brewery- woodfired pizza and brew. Airline Brewery – new microbrewery.

  • Perry’s is excellent for fresh seafood. Bay Market does decent job with basic food. Pug Nuts is the best ice cream in Maine and run by two very cool community minded guys.

    Surry Market (fresh crab, picnic sandwiches) and Pugnuts (ice-cream and goodies).

  • Humblebee is excellent for breakfast or lunch. But check the website, they’ve got limited days and hours. Sandy’s is good lunch. Bucklyn coffee is outstanding for just that and maybe a baked good. Coop is the most reliable store around open 7-7, 7 days a week. Great food and smoothies. Blaise has great options for high end pub food, nice options for outdoor and indoor seating.

    Blue Hill Wine Shop (and MUCH more, sells baked goods, Italian staples, loose teas) in Blue Hill. John Edwards and Rooster Brother in Ellsworth. Waters Edge Wine Shop in Stonington very good. Maine grocery stores sell (really basic) wine and liquor, Bucks Market in Brooksville.

  • El El Frijoles is DownEast groovy Mexican food. Very fresh.

    Strongs Brewery and food truck, wood fired pizzas.

  • Tinder Hearth pizza is the best but it’s tricky to order. You’ll have to look at Website. You can’t just show up.

    Baked goods and terrific provisions/wine for picnic/boating at Bucks Market)

  • Brooklin Inn is lovely. Stop by Brooklin Candy for everything from Norwegian chocolate to homemade bagels to slippers from Marrakesh. Leaf and Anna is great store for kitchen and décor and the proprietor will be able to answer any question you may have about places to go...

    Brooklin Inn OUR FAV! (locally sourced/mostly organic ingredients-fine dining. There is informal pub downstairs, The Lookout (amazing location and good food.) Brooklin Candy- Amazing place for fresh baked goods, international goods and candy.

  • Harbor Café for lunch and early dinner (try the lobster omelette HUGE), Stoncutter (Basic good seafood right on dock) Deer Isle BEST Aragosta but be sure to make res or you’ll never get in. Get there early because the setting will knock you out.

Perfect Get Away

In May, the high is 64° and low is 43°.

In June, the high is 72° and low is 51°.

In July, high is 78° and low is 58°.

In August, the high is 77° and low is 57°.

In September, the high is 69° and low is 49°.

In October, the high is 57° and low is 39°.