Location: Hancock
Top Things to do in Hancock
What to do and see in Hancock, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Hancock is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,394 at the 2010 census. Located on the mainland at the head of Frenchman Bay, Hancock has commanding views of Mount Desert Island.
Restaurants in Hancock
1. Woodlawn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Woodlawn is a 180-acre historic estate located a quarter mile from downtown Ellsworth, Maine. Once home to three generations of the Black family, it is now treasured for its historic house museum, its gardens, and its public park. Visitors can explore a superb historic house, stroll through beautiful gardens, play croquet, hike on pristine trails, and much more.
Reviewed By msamh - Hampton, Connecticut
So happy my husband and I went to do the tour of this beautiful, historic home in Ellsworth.
The self-guided tour is perfect! You can take as much time or as little time as you wish! Every room has a main passsage, but there are also many other additional things you can listen to if you wish. We took a very long time - took us an hour and a half, but a couple came as we were about half way through and they finished before us - so it's perfect for everyone.
Such an incredibly interesting family and I had never heard of them. The house is filled with their belongings and their story - it's like if you waited a short time, they might come back and you could have a conversation with them.
The docent who was on duty was so knowledgeable had helpful and she had just moved from California to Maine in April - yet she knew all kinds of cool and interesting tidbits she showed us. For instance, the fire door from the old kitchen to the rest of the house is fabulously interesting and isn't part of the audio tour - I assume so every single person who goes through isn't closing a heavy metal door on the rest of the visitors.
It is a fantastic tour and I'm sure we'll be back. We didn't have time to explore the gardens and trails, but we will definitely check them out another time we're in the area.
2. Scenic Flights of Acadia
Overall Ratings
5 based on 253 reviews
Experience the Island the Best Way! See it from above. You will gain a unique perspective of Bar Harbor, Coastal Lighthouses, Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain, Somes Sound and more. Choose from our five popular flights. Reservations are not required, with the exception of our unforgettable Sunset Flights.
Reviewed By Sandra M
Such a great, wonderful adventure. Seeing the coast of Maine from the air is a stunningly beautiful experience. We had a fabulous flight, and our pilot, Cody, was excellent. His knowledge and skill were outstanding. We were in awe of the beauty and nature of this part of Maine. An incredibly rich and worthwhile excursion. We highly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime scenic flight. THANK YOU, Cody, and all of Scenic Flights of Acadia.
3. Lamoine State Park
4. Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By DebbieGMadison_CT - Madison, CT
We took the shorter trail (1.5 miles) to the shore. There is a longer trail (4 miles approximately) also. The information plaques along the way were very informative and pithy. Easy to get to in Steuben off Rt. 1. Saw plenty of hikers, but not crowded, including some dogs and swimmers (COLD!)
5. Spring Woods Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
A captivating art gallery featuring the oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, fine art and photo prints, greeting cards and iron work of the Breeden family. Since 1991 Ann and Paul Breeden have welcomed first time visitors and many many repeat customers to this beautiful space.
Reviewed By gangin - Lexington, South Carolina
The first thing we saw when entering the Spring Woods Galley was Paul Breeden's painting of Raven's Nest which we had just visited on Scoodic Peninsula. Paul does detailed work, and we liked his Raven's Nest as much as we enjoyed the actual Raven's Nest site. We also learned he had done illustrations for Peter Jenkins' Walk Across America books as well a host of other pubications. His wife, Ann, also paints and the gallery is filled with paintings by both.
Paul told us about Sorrento, a beautiful place just up Hwy 1 from his gallery where he walks with his dog, Zoe. We visited Sorrento and fell in love with the road along the ocean with the Mountains of Acadia in the distance. In fact several days later, we decided to stop by Sorrento near sunset after a day trip and pulled up to see Paul and Zoe enjoying the view. We,along with our dog, enjoyed a few moments viewing the scenery with them.
We later stopped by the gallery and bought a print and several B&W photos of Raven's Nest to remind us our visit there. We enjoyed additional time with Paul and his wife Ann as well as in Willowbrook Garden they have next to their gallery.
We recommend taking the time to visit and enjoy the gallery and garden as well as Paul and Ann. Living in the area for many years, they are a wealth of knowledge for visitors like us. Also ask Paul about the "Acadia Mountain Dog" pedigree of Zoe!
6. Wild Acadia Fun Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Telgip - Guildford, United Kingdom
We just love mini golf so stopped as soon as we spied this. But the whole set up here looks amazing. There were plenty of youngsters enjoying themselves when we were there. Queues did not seem to be long and it looked like good value....MoreThanks so much for stopping at our park. We are glad you had a good time and appreciate your business.
7. Wild Mountain Man Ray's Chainsaw Show
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Gloria S - Englewood, Colorado
Ray does an amazing show, he is such a gentle soul. His creations made only with a chainsaw are a piece of art. Ray does shows every evening at 7p.m., charges $10.00 for adults, kids under 10, no charge. He interacts with the audience before, during and after the show. Some great music plays during his demo too. He carved a name on a pencil and then sharpened it with a chain saw. Carved a name on a belt buckle while it was being worn (I volunteered my honey). Used two chainsaws at once to saw two different pieces. The feather he carved during his show is now proudly displayed in my home, and will always be a treasure. Ray is 73 this year and does just an amazing job, you won't be disappointed. Kids will love it too.
8. Tidal Falls Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Andrei S - Clemmons, North Carolina
The Gulf of Maine has one of the largest tidal ranges (high tide - low tide) in the world, due to tidal resonance. Changes in the tides can have interesting effects on coastal rivers, including making them appear to flow backwards as high tide is coming in. Here at Tidal Falls Preserve, you get a front row seat to this show on the Mount Desert Narrows, if you time it right. We came here just before high tide, and the water was flowing in different directions at the same time in the river. Near the bank, the river was flowing upstream, but in the middle, the river was flowing downstream. It was a cool sight!
I definitely recommend stopping here if you are in the area. Maine is the only place in the United States where you can see this effect in rivers well, and it is one of the only places in the world that this happens. This park is one of the best places in the state to see this effect.
In addition to offering this unique attraction, the park has plenty of parking, fully equipped bathrooms, numerous benches and picnic tables, and the natural beauty surrounding it is breathtaking. You will have to take several turns off US-1 to get here (and watch for signs to the park, they are relatively small), but it is absolutely worth the detour.
9. Hancock Point Kayak Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reservations are on a first-come basis. Flexible starting times to fit your vacation needs. Single or double kayaks available on all tours. We also offer hiking and snowshoe tours--search for Schoodicmaineguide.
Reviewed By Durango78
Ant was great! My boyfriend, my college friend, and I took a 3-hr sea kayak tour with him last week. There were two other people who also booked that day, so it was nice to have a small group and get personalized attention.
First off, Ant gave a very thorough safety review before we left shore and made sure every person on the trip was comfortable paddling near the shoreline in the harbor before we headed to Bean Island in Frenchman Bay. Ant was very patient and supportive of each kayaker and made sure to give tips to help us improve our technique.
We all had a great time and wished we were staying longer so we could take a tour of another area! Ant, thank you so much for your prompt and professional communication before, during, and after our trip. We can't wait to come back and do this again next time we're in the area.
10. The Granite Garden Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By BobShay - Watertown, Massachusetts
Set in pine woods by a water filled 19th century granite quarry a couple of miles off of Rte. 1 in Sullivan Maine, the Granite Garden Gallery showcases Obadiah Buell's remarkable sculptures, both large and small, hewn from the very granite mined in the area. The setting is beautiful backwoods Maine and Obadiah's pieces range from huge stone animals to stone wind chimes, to great granite benches to an array of stone jewelry and household items in his small shop. Every piece is unique because every piece of stone is unique. When you are traveling down east from Bar Harbor be sure to visit the Granite Garden Gallery, just over the bridge in Sullivan.
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