Things To Do in Blue Hill

Blue Hill has traditionally attracted more than its fair share of artists, especially potters. Family-run Rackliffe Pottery (tel. 888/631-3321) on Route 172 (Ellsworth Road), uses native clay and lead-free glazes. Visitors are welcome to watch the potters at work. It’s open year-round.

If you’re an ardent antiques hunter (or collector of bizarre experiences), it might be worth your while to detour to the Big Chicken Barn ( tel. 207/667-7308), a sprawling antiques mall and bookstore on Route 1 between Ellsworth and Bucksport. (Look for it 9 miles west of Ellsworth or 11 miles east of Bucksport.) The place is of nearly shopping-mall proportions—more than 21,000 square feet of stuff in an old poultry barn. It’s open daily from 10am to 6pm during summer, 10am to 5pm in the spring and fall, 10am to 4pm in winter.

If you’re looking for more contemporary crafts, textiles, art, and gifts, try Makers’ Market Shop and Studio (tel. 207/812-3703) a short drive outside of Blue Hill, at 30 Bagaduce Road, in Brooksville.