Down East magazine
@downeast.com
Down East evokes and illuminates the spirit and culture of Maine. 🦞🌲
Next Friday, November 7, join us at Waterville Creates from 5–7 p.m. for a pop-up exhibit celebrating the winners of our 11th Annual #DownEastReaderPhotoContest. This free event will showcase the winning images and runners-up, including third-place honorees and our publisher's favorite pic!
October 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Next Friday, November 7, join us at Waterville Creates from 5–7 p.m. for a pop-up exhibit celebrating the winners of our 11th Annual #DownEastReaderPhotoContest. This free event will showcase the winning images and runners-up, including third-place honorees and our publisher's favorite pic!
🐾 Our Pets Issue hits newsstands this week! In this issue: A look inside the feline mind, famous Mainers and their pets, Mr. Drew’s menagerie of magnificent misfits, and more. Our current issue ships free! Order your copy at shop.downeast.com/collections/newsstand. 📖
October 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
🐾 Our Pets Issue hits newsstands this week! In this issue: A look inside the feline mind, famous Mainers and their pets, Mr. Drew’s menagerie of magnificent misfits, and more. Our current issue ships free! Order your copy at shop.downeast.com/collections/newsstand. 📖
Five years and 180 legal retail operations later, has recreational cannabis secured a permanent place not just in Maine's economy but also in its culture?
Heady Times for Cannabis in Maine
Have five years of legal retail operations charted a clear course for the future of recreational cannabis in Maine?
downeast.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Five years and 180 legal retail operations later, has recreational cannabis secured a permanent place not just in Maine's economy but also in its culture?
“Marginal Way is a foil to Maine’s many steep climbs, those wooded ascents to solitary lookouts. Here, there is no destination and no striving. Hamstrings spared, one is cordially invited to slow down.”
Unlearning a Sense of Urgency on Ogunquit’s Marginal Way
The famous footpath is a Maine icon, and for good reason.
downeast.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“Marginal Way is a foil to Maine’s many steep climbs, those wooded ascents to solitary lookouts. Here, there is no destination and no striving. Hamstrings spared, one is cordially invited to slow down.”
John Bunker’s Palermo orchards are a living library of more than 500 rare and historic apple types. 🍎
A Pomologist’s 50-Year Mission to Revive Maine’s Heritage-Apple Varieties Is Bearing Fruit
John Bunker’s Palermo orchards are a living library of more than 500 rare and historic apple types.
downeast.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM
John Bunker’s Palermo orchards are a living library of more than 500 rare and historic apple types. 🍎
The secret to Bob Wirtz's Portland shop's longevity lies in a devoted clientele and a little luck.
Meet the Spin Doctor Behind Enterprise Records
Even when most vinyl-record shops were fading out, Bob Wirtz wouldn’t let the music stop at his Portland emporium.
downeast.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The secret to Bob Wirtz's Portland shop's longevity lies in a devoted clientele and a little luck.
We heard there is an epic Cooper Flagg-themed corn maze in Maine this year...
Get Lost in Maine’s Best Corn Mazes
After popping it and slathering it with butter, wandering through it is our third-favorite thing to do with corn. Here are our favorite Maine corn mazes.
downeast.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
We heard there is an epic Cooper Flagg-themed corn maze in Maine this year...
From the Kennebec to the Dead to the Penobscot, rivers around the state are home to paddling communities and rafting outfitters determined to squeeze every last sopping-wet run out of the season.
Splashing Around With Maine’s Whitewater Fanatics
When the operators of Harris Dam send thousands of cubic feet of water downstream, the river, otherwise sedate and cobble strewn, springs to life.
downeast.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:40 PM
From the Kennebec to the Dead to the Penobscot, rivers around the state are home to paddling communities and rafting outfitters determined to squeeze every last sopping-wet run out of the season.
The rugged grandeur of Maine’s western mountains converges with quintessential small-town charms around Rangeley Lake. When autumn colors get splashed across that landscape, you’ll discover a priceless foliage experience. Just don’t wait too long (like we did). 🍁🍂
How to Enjoy the Autumn Grandeur of Maine’s Western Mountains
When vivid fall colors get splashed across the quintessential small-towns around Rangeley Lake, you’ll discover a priceless foliage experience.
downeast.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The rugged grandeur of Maine’s western mountains converges with quintessential small-town charms around Rangeley Lake. When autumn colors get splashed across that landscape, you’ll discover a priceless foliage experience. Just don’t wait too long (like we did). 🍁🍂
#WhereInMaine? In 1823, a ship wrecked just offshore, shattering its hull and snapping its masts, and a passing schooner hauled the foundering vessel into this little harbor and claimed salvage rights over the cargo of fine mahogany.
Can You Name This Historic Maine Harbor?
It is home to a bed-and-breakfast that has been around since the Civil War.
downeast.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
#WhereInMaine? In 1823, a ship wrecked just offshore, shattering its hull and snapping its masts, and a passing schooner hauled the foundering vessel into this little harbor and claimed salvage rights over the cargo of fine mahogany.
If you pay him a few visits, owner Denis Howard will be able to make suggestions based not on an impersonal algorithm but on his understanding of your personal tastes.
Maine’s Last Video-Rental Shop Does What Netflix Can’t
Who needs algorithms as long as Denis Howard is still running Belfast's Opera House Video?
downeast.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:25 PM
If you pay him a few visits, owner Denis Howard will be able to make suggestions based not on an impersonal algorithm but on his understanding of your personal tastes.
Twenty-two miles offshore, among the tight-knit community that embraced her when she was adopted as a child, the owner of #MatinicusSaltFarm is turning seawater into delicate crystals of salt.
Usha Beaudoin Is Making Matinicus Even Saltier
After running out of salt while cooking on the remote island, Beaudoin made her own and became mesmerized by the process of turning an infinite resource into a substance, beautiful in and of itself.
downeast.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Twenty-two miles offshore, among the tight-knit community that embraced her when she was adopted as a child, the owner of #MatinicusSaltFarm is turning seawater into delicate crystals of salt.
On this day in 1972, Maine’s entire coast was closed to shellfish harvesting due to an unimaginably colossal red-tide outbreak that produced toxicity levels more than 100 times higher than the known safety threshold.
The Gulf of Maine's First Massive Red Tide Stunned Coastal Mainers
In 1972, an unprecedented algae bloom wreaked havoc on fisheries and confounded ocean observers.
downeast.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:11 PM
On this day in 1972, Maine’s entire coast was closed to shellfish harvesting due to an unimaginably colossal red-tide outbreak that produced toxicity levels more than 100 times higher than the known safety threshold.
Maine’s #100MileWilderness is a rugged sanctuary of windswept peaks, backcountry ponds, and the remotest stretch of the #AppalachianTrail — but you don’t need to be a grizzled thru-hiker to enjoy it.
A Novice’s Guide to Hiking Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness
You don’t need to be a grizzled thru-hiker to enjoy Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness, the remotest stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
downeast.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Maine’s #100MileWilderness is a rugged sanctuary of windswept peaks, backcountry ponds, and the remotest stretch of the #AppalachianTrail — but you don’t need to be a grizzled thru-hiker to enjoy it.
The Art Deco theater reopened this summer after a series of closures and years of restoration. 🎭
Bar Harbor’s Criterion Theatre Is Staging A Comeback
After a series of closures and years of restoration, the Art Deco playhouse on Mount Desert Island is ready for its next act.
downeast.com
September 8, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Art Deco theater reopened this summer after a series of closures and years of restoration. 🎭
Chef-owner Victoria Fimiani spins simple ingredients into flavorful meals inspired by her Italian roots. 🍽️
Watershed Wood-Fired Kitchen, In Bethel, Is an Instant Classico
In Bethel, chef-owner Victoria Fimiani spins simple ingredients into flavorful meals inspired by her Italian roots.
downeast.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Chef-owner Victoria Fimiani spins simple ingredients into flavorful meals inspired by her Italian roots. 🍽️
Monday, September 8, is the final day to enter and vote for your favorite Maine pics in our 11th Annual #DownEastReaderPhotoContest! Judged and Readers' Choice winners are eligible for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Enter and vote now at photos.downeast.com.
September 4, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Monday, September 8, is the final day to enter and vote for your favorite Maine pics in our 11th Annual #DownEastReaderPhotoContest! Judged and Readers' Choice winners are eligible for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Enter and vote now at photos.downeast.com.
Which one(s) are you adding to your reading list? 📚
9 Great Maine Novels from the Down East Reading List
Our running tally of page-turning beach reads, murder mysteries, family dramas, and more from the state's talented authors.
downeast.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Which one(s) are you adding to your reading list? 📚
We're giving away a set of four general-admission tickets and a set of two VIP tickets to the #NewportInternationalBoatShow, one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the Northeast. Two lucky winners will be drawn and notified via email on Monday, September 8. 🎟️
Enter Now for the Chance to Win Tickets to the Newport International Boat Show
We're giving away a set of four general-admission tickets and a set of two VIP tickets to the September 11-14 event to two lucky winners.
downeast.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
We're giving away a set of four general-admission tickets and a set of two VIP tickets to the #NewportInternationalBoatShow, one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the Northeast. Two lucky winners will be drawn and notified via email on Monday, September 8. 🎟️
Only a small portion of the Pine Tree State has ever been publicly protected. Instead, #LandTrusts have toiled parcel by parcel to fend off development of natural spaces, turning private ownership into the leading model for land conservation in #Maine. 🌲
In Maine's Land Trusts We Trust
The magnificent landscape might well be our state’s greatest asset, but only a small portion of it has ever been publicly protected.
downeast.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Only a small portion of the Pine Tree State has ever been publicly protected. Instead, #LandTrusts have toiled parcel by parcel to fend off development of natural spaces, turning private ownership into the leading model for land conservation in #Maine. 🌲
Join #DownEastAdventures workshop leader Darylann Leonard in the beautiful western mountains of #Maine during our October 17 Western Maine Fall Photography Workshop. Reserve your spot on this workshop at shop.downeast.com/collections/down-east-adventures/products/western-maine-photo-workshop. 🍁📷
Western Maine Photo Workshop | Fall Photography | Down East Adventures | Down East Shop
Instructor Darylann Leonard is lucky enough to call the Bridgton area of Western Maine her backyard, and she's excited to share her local knowledge of photo locations, local weather, and great food st...
shop.downeast.com
August 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Join #DownEastAdventures workshop leader Darylann Leonard in the beautiful western mountains of #Maine during our October 17 Western Maine Fall Photography Workshop. Reserve your spot on this workshop at shop.downeast.com/collections/down-east-adventures/products/western-maine-photo-workshop. 🍁📷
The name of the restaurant is not a fib. Owners Jesse and Mindy Bouchard are committed to sourcing as many ingredients as they can locally.
Yolked Farm to Table Is Dishing Up Meals You Can Feel Good About
The Windham restaurant’s owners, Jesse and Mindy Bouchard, are committed to sourcing as much as they can locally.
downeast.com
August 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The name of the restaurant is not a fib. Owners Jesse and Mindy Bouchard are committed to sourcing as many ingredients as they can locally.
There are four open spots on our September 19 Portrait Photography Workshop. Led by staff photographer Dave Waddell, this workshop is perfect for those wishing to take better family photos. He will teach you how to use light and background to create more dynamic and engaging photos of people.
Portrait Photography Workshop | Down East Adventures
Learn from Down East's staff photographer how to create more dynamic and engaging photos of people.
shop.downeast.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
There are four open spots on our September 19 Portrait Photography Workshop. Led by staff photographer Dave Waddell, this workshop is perfect for those wishing to take better family photos. He will teach you how to use light and background to create more dynamic and engaging photos of people.
Every year, thousands of readers nominate and vote for their favorites in dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoors, and travel in our annual #BestOfMaine poll. Here we present the five finalists for Best New Restaurant to have opened within the last year or so. 👇
The Top 5 Best New Restaurants in Maine
Presenting our readers' favorite Maine restaurants to have opened in the last two years. Hope you're hungry.
downeast.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Every year, thousands of readers nominate and vote for their favorites in dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoors, and travel in our annual #BestOfMaine poll. Here we present the five finalists for Best New Restaurant to have opened within the last year or so. 👇
Our September issue hits newsstands this week! In this issue: the results of our annual #BestOfMaine Reader Poll, how a woman is turning seawater into salt on Maine's most remote inhabited island, and more. Order your copy at shop.downeast.com/collections/newsstand. 📖
August 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Our September issue hits newsstands this week! In this issue: the results of our annual #BestOfMaine Reader Poll, how a woman is turning seawater into salt on Maine's most remote inhabited island, and more. Order your copy at shop.downeast.com/collections/newsstand. 📖