...LOCAL FAIRS, FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
...EXPLORE THE COASTAL REGION
 ...IN TOWN — ELLSWORTH
...ON BRANCH LAKE
 ...MORE PHOTOS



ON BRANCH LAKE

Canoe to Blueberry Island (our own name) for a picnic.


Granite rocks along the shore feed the imagination of little explorers and provide hours of adventure right in Twig Cove's front yard.


Summer afternoon naps in the hammock are hard to beat.

     While you are staying at Twig Cove Cottage, you might choose to spend your whole vacation right on the property. If you enjoy lake activities, you will find your fill right here. 

     The water at Twig Cove is deep enough off the dock for easy access to the water for swimming. The water, Ellsworth's city drinking water, is crystal clear.

     If kayaking or canoeing is to your liking, you are welcome to bring your own. If you do not have your own, we have the name of a local outfitter that will deliver kayaks or bicycles to Twig Cove for weekly rentals. We have two adult life vest and two children's vest available. If you have an infant, you might want to bring an appropriate safety jacket. 

     Public boat access to Branch Pond is not suitable for large boats, but small motor boats and personal water craft can be launched at a nearby beach. If your boat is light enough to carry, you can probably put it in and out right at Twig Cove.

     Besides water activities, there aren't too many places around that can beat the hammock in front of Twig Cove for napping and a good summer read. We have a few games and puzzles available but don't forget to pack your family's favorite board or card game. You will take home precious memories of that championship bridge match or spoons if that is your family's tradition.

     For the nature lovers, there are lots of roadways and woods to explore. The wonderful granite rocks that were left by the glacier that created Branch Pond make scenic lakeside picnic tables. You can take a dip in the lake for dessert before heading home! The dirt camp roads are wonderful for bike riding. Don't leave yours at home, but if you do, we can connect you with an outfitter.
 

IN TOWN — ELLSWORTH

Check the local newspaper calendars for activities the week you are here!

     If you need a break from lakeside living, or groceries, Ellsworth is only a 20 minute ride. This is the commercial center of Downeast Maine. 

     You will enjoy interesting boutiques along our attractive Maine Street. Bargain hunters will enjoy hunting through our own LL Bean Outlet store and our new Mardens (a Maine shopping adventure all on its own) Ellsworth also offers two large grocery stores a Home Depot and a Wal-Mart. 

     Ellsworth boasts some very nice restaurants, including Mexican, Chinese, Mediterranean, Italian and traditional fare.

     If you are interested in theater or music, you might want to check the schedule at the Grand. The Grand offers a wide range of  music concerts, (rock, jazz, steel drums and much more), is the home of the Hancock County Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and regularly produces live theater.

     For old fashioned fun, the Ellsworth Band performs in front of city hall every Wednesday night during the summer. Much of the audience expresses its appreciation by honking their horns as they enjoy the music from their cars while the kids play on the grassy hill in front of the band.

 Check the calendar pages at The Ellsworth American and the Mount Desert Islander for dates and lots more info.
 

EXPLORE THE COASTAL REGION

The view from the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park should not be missed.


Plan a day exploring the coastal villages. Photo opportunities like this one are easy to find.


If you spend a bit of time, you may even find a willing lobsterman to take you for a ride! If not a lobsterman, there are numerous tour boats, mail boats and other boating adventures.

     The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce offers a list of 50 Things to Do while staying in our area. You will find it on their web site, along with lots of other great information about Hancock County. It is worth a visit.

     If you get tired of hanging around the lake, you might try venturing to all the special towns and villages that hug the Downeast coastline.

    Of course the premier destination is Mount Desert Island, featuring Acadia National Park and the vacation community of Bar Harbor. You can spend days exploring Acadia, a jewel of the National Park Service; shop the many island towns, eat lobster, climb mountains, swim, watch whales, fish... The list is endless.

    You will wish you had more time, but if you can tear your self away from the island, you might enjoy Blue Hill with its pottery stores, Castine with its Maritime Academy, or one of our most picturesque fishing villages, Stonington.

     Whether you choose to relax on Branch Pond or explore the wealth of our area, you will not lack for things to do while staying at Twig Cove Cottage. If you have specific questions about what our area offers, please write us and we will get you as much information as we can.

 
LOCAL FAIRS, FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS


Our area has a spectacular new world class attraction. Dedicated in May 2007, the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, is perched atop of one of the towers of the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge, spanning Verona Island and the south shore of the Penobscot River in Prospect. The 42 story high observatory offers expansive vistas of the river flowing below out to the nearby ocean and birds eye views of the village of Bucksport and surrounding towns.

Access to the observatory is via Fort Knox, one of the best preserved fortifications on the New England seacoast, built in 1844.