Machias Activities

Biking

  • Down East Sunrise Trail 2 Kilton Ln, Machias, ME 04654 (and various locations between Ellsworth and Pembroke)
    • The scenic rail corridor runs along the entire Downeast coastal area, connects multiple scenic conservation areas, intersects Downeast salmon rivers, and is near two state scenic byways.

Camping

  • Machias River Corridor Machias River, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 941-4412
    • This corridor envelopes the Machias River, which features one of the country’s largest self-sustaining wild Atlantic salmon run. This spot is great for camping, birding, fishing, hunting, and it is particularly popular with experienced paddlers.
  • Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land Rocky Lake, ME 04691 | (207) 941-4412
    • “With 11,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands bordering three lakes near East Machias, the Rocky Lake Public Lands provide opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing in a wildlife-rich setting.”

Events

  • Machias Harvest Fair Station 1898, 27 East Main St & Lee Pellon Ctr, 90 Main St, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-4402
    • Traditional fall festival on the last Saturday in September at the town’s historical railroad station from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Here you can find the Seagull Calling Contest, a rubber ducky race over Bad Little Falls, pumpkin tossing, chili, fudge and cornbread contest, and live music.
  • Machias Wild Blueberry Festival Centre Street Congregational Church, 9 Center St, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-6665
    • This fun event takes place the third week and weekend in August in downtown Machias. It celebrates the Maine wild blueberry industry with parades, races, musicals, hundreds of vendors, and more.
  • Margaretta Days Festival University of Maine at Machias, 116 Obrien Ave, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 263-5886
    Margaretta Days festival in Machias
    Margaretta Days magazineMargaretta Days Festival
    • This June festival celebrates the American Revolution Downeast, specifically the Battle of Margaretta, the first naval battle of the American Revolution. You can find soldier re-enactors, period demonstrators, and children’s activities.

Farms

  • Machias Valley Farmers’ Market 76 US-1, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-8556
    • Farmers’ market that runs from May to October on Fridays and Saturdays. There are flowers, herbs, vegetables, seedlings, baked goods, jams, maple syrup, and woven fiber arts.
  • West Branch Farms 180 West Kennebec Road, Machias ME 04654 | 207-259-0434 | info@westbranchfarmsmachias.com amber@wbfmachias.com
    • “Our farm is a haven where you can gather, relax, indulge in delicious farm-to-table cuisine, shop for unique treasures, and connect with nature through hands-on activities. Enjoy the simple pleasures of picking your own produce, feeding the friendly animals, and taking in the tranquil beauty of the countryside.”

Four Wheeling

  • Down East Sunrise Trail 2 Kilton Ln, Machias, ME 04654 (and various locations between Ellsworth and Pembroke)
    • The scenic rail corridor runs along the entire Downeast coastal area, connects multiple scenic conservation areas, intersects Downeast salmon rivers, and is near two state scenic byways.
  • Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land Rocky Lake, ME 04691 | (207) 941-4412
    • “With 11,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands bordering three lakes near East Machias, the Rocky Lake Public Lands provide opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing in a wildlife-rich setting.”

Hiking

  • Down East Sunrise Trail 2 Kilton Ln, Machias, ME 04654 (and various locations between Ellsworth and Pembroke)
    • The scenic rail corridor runs along the entire Downeast coastal area, connects multiple scenic conservation areas, intersects Downeast salmon rivers, and is near two state scenic byways.
  • Machias River Preserve 370 US – 1A, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-4500
    • Nature preserve along the Machias River with miles of forest and river frontage trails to hike. You can also see lots of evidence of past logging history. The 5-mile trail connects with the Down East Sunrise Trail as well.

Historic

  • Burnham Tavern Museum 14 Colonial Way, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 733-4577
    • “In recognition of its importance, the Burnham Tavern has been designated as a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and in 1974 the Tavern was selected as one of the 21 homes in the United States with the most significance to the American Revolution, the only one so recognized in the State of Maine.”
  • Fort O’Brien State Historic Site Fort O’Brien Point, Machiasport, ME 04655 | (207) 941-4014
    • This fort was built in 1775 and saw the first official naval battle of the Revolutionary War, and was destroyed by the British fleet in the same year. It was rebuilt in 1777, and destroyed by the British again in 1814. In 1923 the United States Federal Government decided to deed the site over to Maine, where it was made a State Historic Site in 1966 and is now maintained by the Bureau of Parks and Lands ever since.
  • Machias Historic Railroad Station 2 Kilton Ln, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-6621
    • A historic railroad station that was built in 1898 and is one of the five remaining stations built by the ambitious but unsuccessful Washington County Railroad.
  • Washington County Courthouse Heritage Center Museum and Genealogy Research Room 85 Court House St, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 225-3127
    • At this courthouse, there are two rooms dedicated to genealogy research materials and information on Maine families.

Hunting

  • Machias River Corridor Machias River, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 941-4412
    • This corridor envelopes the Machias River, which features the country’s largest self-sustaining wild Atlantic salmon run. This spot is great for camping, birding, fishing, hunting, and it is particularly popular with experienced paddlers.
  • Perry’s Guide Service 1314 Northfield Rd, Machias, ME 04654| (207) 598-5109
    • Offering guided moose hunts and fishing trips.
  • Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land Rocky Lake, ME 04691 | (207) 941-4412
    • “With 11,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands bordering three lakes near East Machias, the Rocky Lake Public Lands provide opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing in a wildlife-rich setting.”

Lighthouses

  • Libby Island Light 44°34′5.985″N, 67°22′2.555″W Machias Bay, ME 04655
    • Located at the scene of the American Revolution’s first naval battle and can be seen distantly from the mainland, but is best viewed from a boat.

Parks

  • Machias River Park 2 Kilton Ln, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-4500
    • This property was used for centuries by settlers for salt hay production and raising cattle. In 2013, it was developed into a public space with over 2 miles of hiking trails and a wide variety of habitat perspectives.

Rainy Day Activities

  • Porter Memorial Library 92 Court St, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-3933
    • This library was originally established as a Library Society in the early 1800’s and was designed by the Boston architect, George Clough. It now features over 13,000 books for children and adults, audiobooks, magazines, and newspaper subscriptions.

Skiing

  • Machias River Preserve 370 US – 1A, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 255-4500
    • Nature preserve along the Machias River with miles of forest and river frontage trails to hike. You can also see lots of evidence of past logging history. The 5-mile trail connects with the Down East Sunrise Trail as well.

Snowmobiling

  • Down East Sunrise Trail 2 Kilton Ln, Machias, ME 04654 (and various locations between Ellsworth and Pembroke)
    • The scenic rail corridor runs along the entire Downeast coastal area, connects multiple scenic conservation areas, intersects Downeast salmon rivers, and is near two state scenic byways.

Waterfront: Beaches, Swimming, Boating, Fishing

  • Gardner Lake East Machias, ME 04630
    • A classic lake with prestige views, incredible fishing and access to docks and shore.
  • Hadley Lake East Machias, ME 04630
    • Essentially a wide spot in the East Machias River, provides fisheries for the typical assemblage of warm water sport fish.
  • Jasper Beach Machiasport, ME 04655
    • Also known as the “Singing Beach,” this is a great spot to explore as “the waves crash against what looks like billions of colorful smooth stones of all colors, sizes, and shapes.”
  • Machias River Corridor Machias River, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 941-4412
    • This corridor envelopes the Machias River, which features the country’s largest self-sustaining wild Atlantic salmon run. This spot is great for camping, birding, fishing, hunting, and it is particularly popular with experienced paddlers.
  • Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land Rocky Lake, ME 04691 | (207) 941-4412
    • “With 11,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands bordering three lakes near East Machias, the Rocky Lake Public Lands provide opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing in a wildlife-rich setting.”

Wildlife: Birding

  • Machias River Corridor Machias River, Machias, ME 04654 | (207) 941-4412
    • This corridor envelopes the Machias River, which features the country’s largest self-sustaining wild Atlantic salmon run. This spot is great for camping, birding, fishing, hunting, and it is particularly popular with experienced paddlers.
  • Rocky Lake Public Reserved Land Rocky Lake, ME 04691 | (207) 941-4412
    • “With 11,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands bordering three lakes near East Machias, the Rocky Lake Public Lands provide opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing in a wildlife-rich setting.”

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