Location: Machias
Top Things to do in Machias
8 Things to Do in Machias That You Shouldn't Miss
Machias /məˈtʃaɪ.əs/ is a town in and the county seat of Washington County in downeast Maine, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 2,221. It is home to the University of Maine at Machias and Machias Valley Airport, a small public airport owned by the town. The word Machias roughly translates in Passamaquoddy as "bad little falls", a reference to the Machias River. Machias is best known as the site of the first naval battle of the American Revolution.
Restaurants in Machias
1. The Bold Coast
Overall Ratings
5 based on 65 reviews
Coast comprised of high cliffs.
Reviewed By lucy5976 - Brunswick, Maine
As I read the previous reviews, I realized some people wrote about the Bold Coast drive and others wrote about the actual Bold Coast hiking trail--two very different things obviously. We hiked the thirteen mile Bold Coast loop trail (there is a shorter 5.8 mile loop) but if you have all day and are in good shape, I highly recommend the longer route. There are several places to camp along the way but we had decided on a day hike. The trails are well marked with signs, blazes on the trees and cairns on the beaches. We are in our late sixties and it took us about seven hours with stops for lunch and lots of photographs. There are many great places to stop and explore--overlooks, stony beaches and large rock outcrops. The mossy forests and marshlands coupled with the pristine coast made for a varied and beautiful trail.
2. Jasper Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By StLouisKristinP - St Louis
Japer Beach soon became "Spider Beach" to me and my son. As soon as we stepped on the rocks big black spiders came crawling out from under the rocks. Each step released more and more spiders... it was nice to see the various stones and pebbles (after running down to the waters edge to escape the spiders), but one visit was enough for us.
3. Maine Sea Salt Company Factory
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Anna E - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
We visited this factory while on vacation in Machiasport, Maine. It was listed as free, so we decided to tour it on a drizzly day. From the front, the factory didn't look much different than a tiny plant-nursery with three big greenhouses and a barn-building since most businesses that far north are run out of people's farms. The tour is *FREE* and the factory is only 15 minutes outside of Machiasport. A friendly gentleman came right out to greet us wearing a pair of hip-waders and invited us to tour the factory.
First we toured the three greenhouses where he explained how they draw the water out of the ocean, where they draw it from (I won't spoil it ... go take the tour!!!), and how each greenhouse uses natural solar power to evaporate the sea salt so it retains it's natural flavor. I'm interested in passive solar power, so I asked a bazillion questions about how the setup worked at different times of the year.
We then toured the factory itself, which is a barn-type building which is actually a lot bigger on the inside than it looks from the street. Most salt factories use chemicals and drying machines to speed up the process. The Maine Sea Salt Company does not. I won't tell you what they do ... go take the tour! We got to taste a sample of salt each step of the way, from raw filtered seawater to a soupy thick broth to huge clumps of rock salt to a variety of grinds. They had stuff they were chopping up for flavored salt as well, fresh lemons, fresh dulse seaweed, and several herb varieties,
Then we went out back where they had a pile of wood and a bunch of smokers lined up (like the kind you use for a big party at home ... again ... not commercial equipment) and a gentleman babysitting the grates where the salt was smoked in small batches at a time. They had hickory wood and apple wood going that day. We got to taste it hot off the smoker. Yum!
The tour itself took around forty minutes because I asked a bazillion questions, and then we dwadled another half hour in the tiny little factory store sampling the other flavors of salt they produce that they -weren't- producing the day we were there. We ended up buying some dulse seaweed salt (which tastes like the ocean on a sunny day), applewood salt, and a couple of great big bags of plain old sea salt for everyday cooking. Yum! GO TAKE THE TOUR!!! It's free :-)
4. Bad Little Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By HappyOnTheRoad2010 - Grayling, Michigan
We read about the falls while vacationing in Jonesport, Maine. What we didn't realize was that we had driven past them several times and didn't even know they were there. There is a small parking lot and in just a few steps you can view the falls from several vantage points. They were very pretty and the water was flowing quickly. We did find the little cemetery just down the street a few houses and could see and read several old headstones. It's a nice, little scenic treat in the middle of Machias.
5. Sunrise Canoe and Kayak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Maine canoe trips, kayak tours, rentals, and river guides since 1996. Go canoeing or kayaking in Maine! It's good for the soul! Offering guided sea kayak tours of Machias Bay and the Bold Coast, guided canoe trips on the St. Croix and Machias rivers, and canoe and kayak rentals by day or week. Friendly staff, experienced guides, quality equipment. We help you enjoy more time on the water with family and friends!
Reviewed By jimcool - Boston, Massachusetts
Rented kayaks, at great expense, from these folks. Did not take one of their tours so can't comment on that. The line person was super nice but made a mistake regarding the rental price. The owner, in dealing with this, came across as quite hostile and seemed to think I was trying to pull some sort of a fast one, which I was not. Their attitude and inflexibility around the return date left a bad taste.
6. Burnham Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By diegomachias - Machias, Maine
GREAT place for the fighters in the Machias Naval Battle (1775) referred to as the "BATTLE OF THE MARGARETTA". Margaretta was the Unionjack ship the Macjoas colonists won!! Check this great place out, and ALSO the GATESHOUSE in Machiasport!
7. Berry Vines Garden Blooms & Unique Finds
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
We have TWO Maine Master Floral Designers on staff, caring for all of your wedding, funeral, holidays and special occasion needs. Primitive home decor, Maine wines and local products. Local vendors and crafts. Curtains, Braided Rugs, Melissa & Doug Toys, Greeting Cards (all Under $3.00), Chocolates, Willow Tree, Stonewall Kitchen, and much, much more! Open year round!
Reviewed By Judee K - Redlands, California
We enjoyed walking to this shop after having lunch at Helen’s There is a wonderful selection of high quality gift items. They’re also a florist shop. Prices are reasonable. They gift wrapped one of my purchases for me.Thank you Judee! We appreciate your business as well as the feedback!! Come again!
8. Middle River Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By andives - Greensboro, North Carolina
small park with short trails through the woods - easily managed. picnic tables available at the beginning with a nice view of the river.
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