Things To Do in Blue Hill

Blue Hill has traditionally attracted more than its fair share of artists, especially potters. The Peninsula Potters Studio Tour takes in more than a dozen of them each October, and many of the ceramicists along the tour have open studio hours throughout the year.

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 Rd., in Brooksville.

A good way to explore this region is to ascend the open summit of Blue Hill (see top of page), from which you’ll gain superb views of the bay and the bald mountaintops on nearby Mount Desert Island. To reach the trail head from the center of the village, drive north on Route 172 about 1 1/2 miles, then turn west (left) on Mountain Road at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds. Drive another 3/4 mile and look for the well-marked trail; park on the shoulder of the road. The fairly easy ascent is about a mile, and takes about 45 minutes. Bring a picnic lunch.