2 Fun, Dog Friendly Activities in Ellsworth, Maine

Let’s be honest – you are not vacationing in Ellsworth to be in Ellsworth. You are probably there because it is the Gateway to Acadia National Park. It’s ~30 min away from Bar Harbor, but it’s a budget friendly town with Airbnb’s that accommodate dogs. Some space away from the crowds of tourists is also a perk.

I stayed there with Ezra in July 2022 and it was worth it; however, there was one day that I didn’t feel like taking the drive but I still wanted to explore with Ezra. I’m sure you have felt the same on some of your travels too. I didn’t think there was going to be anything nearby, but there were a couple spots that we enjoyed in Ellsworth together – check them out below!

Where is Ellsworth, ME?

Ellsworth is in Hancock County in the Down East region of Maine. It’s not a coastal town, but it’s near the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a quiet town with a lot of locals and not as many tourists. Lamoine, Trenton, and Surry are all neighboring towns.

What is Ellsworth, ME known for?

Acadia National Park is what put Ellsworth on the map. The main attraction is that you are 20 miles from Bar Harbor and within 45 minutes of most the best dog friendly trails in Acadia. It’s also quite a bit cheaper than staying in Bar Harbor, with far fewer crowds. Ellsworth itself has a Main Street with vintage shops, a couple restaurant bars, and a coffee shop.

2 Fun, Dog Friendly Activities in Ellsworth

Activity #1: Attend Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show

The biggest attraction in Ellsworth is Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show. It’s an hour and fifteen minute show that features log rolling, axe throwing, pole climbing, and more. This is a quintessential Maine show – Maine is the birthplace of logging! What better way to celebrate the culture, lifestyle, and history of Maine than attending a lumberjack show?

You can buy tickets online or at the door. Dogs can enter for free! All dogs must stay leashed through the show. I recommend arriving a bit early so you can grab some drinks, popcorn, and find a good seat.

Activity #2: Happy Hour at Fogtown Brewing Company

Fogtown Brewing Company is located nearby Main Street in Ellsworth, close to the downtown shopping center. It has a patio, a beer garden, and indoor tables to have a cold beer or cider. The pizzas are amazing – you can order a full pie to split or individual slices. Saturday nights are particularly busy. There is usually a crowd and live music. But even during the week you’ll find plenty of locals hitting up this spot.

We saw five dogs when we went on a random Tuesday afternoon. They have big water bowls out for your pup and plenty of dog treats too. The outdoor area has picnic tables with umbrellas to give you and your pup some shade. Ezra really appreciated those umbrellas. The dogs are not allowed inside, unless the bar tender is lenient. We got lucky – the bar tender was totally fine with Ezra and me walking in and out for another brew.

Conclusion

Other than these couple of activities, there is not much going on in Ellsworth. Is it worth visiting on its own? Probably not. But if I were to visit Acadia again, I’d stay in Ellsworth for some breathing room, a yard for Ezra, and a quiet place to work remotely during the week. And if I were to stay in Ellsworth again, I would for sure do these two activities again. They were both pretty fun.

Is Ellsworth, ME worth visiting? What do you think? Comment below and let us know!

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