Merry Christmas! What a great spot you have here! You have done such a wonderful job with the space you have here. I was extremely impressed to see how prepared the space is for guest. We had a really nice time staying here. We hope to come back. Thank you.
The Juco’s
Dec 25 2017
We're lucky to have Acadia National Park in our backyard! Each year, more than 3.3 million people explore seven peaks above 1,000 feet, 120 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, 17 stone bridges, and four lighthouses. This is just one reason why getting married in Winterport, Maine is an experience that your guests will never forget! With your wedding taking place in Winterport, Maine, your guests can experience a quaint town, with cozy accommodations for your event, and also knock off a visit to a National Park during their stay in Maine! A day trip to Acadia (or two!) will be one they won't soon forget. Here's our top five things to do in Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park!
Hike - There's many places to enjoy the outdoors, from a walk around Jordan Pond or Long Pond, to a day hike up Cadillac Mountain or one of Acadia's many peaks. You can check out some detailed hike descriptions from our friends over at LoveMaineAdventures!
Eat - Bar Harbor boasts many lobster pounds (Thurston's is our favorite! It's in Bernard, Maine - but worth the drive!) and many waterfront eateries. The Fish House Grill is a favorite for waterfront dining and LARGE margaritas! Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park features Pop-Overs, a staple in Maine. Cafe this Way is popular for breakfast, and Side Street Cafe is a local favorite!
Drive - The drive along the Park Loop Road will take you a few hours, and is an adventure in itself. Be sure to charge your batteries, as there are many stops along the way that you'll want to park and enjoy the scenery! Some of our favorites are Sand Beach,Little Hunter's Beach, the summit of Cadillac Mountain, and Jordan Pond! We also recommend the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse in South West Harbor.
Relax - Bar Harbor has many spas and areas for relaxation. We love the Harborside for a good massage! The ocean we find to be relaxing - take a boat ride on the harbor, or just enjoy ice cream in the park and watch the ships come into the harbor. The Shore Path is also a nice place to wind down.
Shop - From ice cream shops to souvenir stores, there are many things to check out in Bar Harbor! You'll recognize shops from many outdoor brands, such as Patagonia, and many that you don't recognize - the beauty of the town is many of the stores are locally, independently owned.
More ideas for Adventures in Acadia National Park
For more information on Acadia National Park - check out the official site here
For more information on Bar Harbor - check out the official site here
Have you been to Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor? Let us know in the comments below!
When you think base camp, do you also think adventure? We do! And we'd like to fill you in on a little secret - Winterport, Maine is the PERFECT base camp for adventure! With many destinations a short drive away, the Crooked Steeple Hall is the perfect place to stay and play in Maine! Winterport: We wrote about the many things to do in Winterport in our last post! From the Waterfront to the Winery - Winterport has it all!
Hampden: Hampden features many parks, such as Dorthea Dix, and Reeds Brook Trail System. McLaughlin's at the Marina features waterfront dining, as well as a firepit outside and live music on the weekends.
Bangor: Bangor is the "big city" closest to us. The Downtown area is bustling with shops and eateries, as well as many public parks and green spaces. There's a beautiful path down the Penobscot River, which starts at Hollywood Casino, and ends across the river at Mason's Brewing Company. Speaking of breweries, you can spend the day touring the many breweries popping up in Downtown Bangor, and Brewer, Maine. There's the Maine Discovery . Museum, the largest children's museum north of Boston, as well as the UMMA Museum of Art, which is free to enter.
Brewer: Brewer's waterfront features a lovely walking path, as well as two waterside restaurants - Mason's and High Tide. Geaghan's Tap Room and Mason's Brewery are adventures in themselves! The downtown area features a coffee shop - Logical Sip, a yoga studio - OmLand Yoga, and Between Friends, a lovely antique store and art center.
Belfast: Belfast is a quaint artist town with a Shipyard. You will be in awe of the many ships that line the waterfront, and the shops that line the downtown area. You can certainly spend a day exploring Belfast!The walking bridge is a favorite experience as well. Belfast features an authentic Lobster Pound as well.
Bucksport: Bucksport is also a waterfront town in transition. The waterfront provides beautiful views of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, as well as Fort Knox, which are both must-sees while in the area! Vona Wine features a great patio area you can relax in, and if wine isn't you thing, there are antique shops and ice cream you can partake in. Sandy Point Beach is a great place to relax, or take a stroll!
Searsport - In between Winterport and Belfast lies Searsport, Maine - an unassuming town with many wonderful features! Swan Lake is a great place to get some sun or take out a kayak or canoe! Mount Waldo is also in this area - it's a great moderate hike with amazing views! It's not very far from our doors, either. Moose Point State Park is a great place to have a picnic, or to take a walk. On a clear day, you may be able to see a schooner or two! If lighthouses are your thing - you're in luck! The Fort Point Light is right down the road from the Crooked Steeple Hall.
We haven't even begun to discuss Acadia National Park or Baxter State Park... those will be featured later.
As you can see, Winterport is quite a base camp for adventurers! All of the towns described are within a 30 minute drive from the Crooked Steeple Hall.
Give us a call today to discuss availability, or to book your next event - or stay - at the Crooked Steeple Hall!
Wonderful home with nice touches everywhere you turn! Locally made soap included and nice postcards too. Loved the king sized bed and cozy space. They even shared some loose leaf tea with us and let us join as their family was making Christmas crafts! Great people, great place.
Ryan, Londonderry, NH
Nov 17 2017
Nice and a very comfortable place. We drove from Philadelphia to Winterport and had a very good night's sleep. There is enough room for 4 guests and the listing is like an hours drive from Acadia National Park and Bar harbor. Katrina was a great host. A must stay if you are visiting Acadia
Raja, San Diego, CA
Nov 14 2017
The town of Winterport, Maine, is a perfect place to host your Whimsical Maine Wedding!
Winterport, Maine is an old river town, settled in 1766, during the American Revolution. The railroads didn't come to Bangor until 1855. This made Penobscot River the main source of transportation at the time. Because the river was icebound into Bangor, all goods and travelers had to be unloaded in Winterport and transported to Bangor and all points north, by wagons or sleds. This gave the town its name as the "Winter Port" of the Bangor region.
"Old maps of this town show many farms existing in the rural area where now stand abandoned cellars and orchards as mute evidence of what was once thriving agricultural activity. The old records, photos, and postcards in the Historical Association museum reveal the tremendous changes that have occurred here.
Where stood livery stables, carriages, harness, and blacksmith shops, there are now only an occasional hitching post and watering trough to remind us of the days when nearly everyone kept a horse. In time, an Exxon station, the Winterport Mercantile, and the restored Treat Building replaced the Rankin store, the corn and flour mill, the vest factory, and the Frank Haley business where he sold everything from stoves to caskets. On Steamboat Avenue, there was a vinegar factory, along with coopers shops, fishermen’s shacks and the wharf for the Boston boats. Although many of the 19th century buildings still stand, all have seen numerous changes in use and purpose."
The town of Winterport today is a peaceful destination, approximately 25-30 minutes from Downtown Bangor a destination in itself, and the Bangor International Airport. The town borders the Penobscot River.
Winterport has a unique collection of shops. Tea Mania is a local tea shop that ships their teas all over the world. The Wooden Spoon, a bakery, is the newest addition to Main Street. The town also has Winterport Winery and Penobscot Bay Brewery. Next door to the Winery and Brewery is The Bacon Tree, a restaurant famous for its breakfasts and Friday night dinners.
Accommodations include the Old Winterport Commercial House, An 1833 inn and stagecoach stop converted into a 4,000 sq. ft. antique shop and second-floor bed & breakfast with private baths and the Guest House at the Crooked Steeple. In addition, a short drive down the road will take you to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Fort Knox - a great viewpoint and a photo perfect spot, as well as another coastal town, Belfast, Maine.
Imagine: your guests arrive in a quaint New England town. They are amazed by the friendliness of everyone they meet. They are in awe of the river, the historic New England buildings preserved in a quaint village. Your guests are in for a remarkable experience.
Places to stay: Wedding parties have the benefit of accessing a private space above the Crooked Steeple for getting ready, or as a Honeymoon Suite for the night of the wedding. The Crooked Steeple Meeting Hall can accommodate up to 12 guests! The Old Winterport Commerical House is walking distance from The Crooked Steeple. It has 5 guest rooms and is available to rent entirely for wedding parties, or individually for your guests. The 1812 Pierce House is available for rental as well and can host up to 20 guests. It's located about half a mile from the Crooked Steeple Hall and is a great space to host a rehearsal lobster bake or a private Sunday morning brunch.
There are many antique buildings that make for stunning photo opportunities. The Penobscot River is also accessible at the end of Kaler Street, a few hundred feet from Crooked Steeple, and from many locations as well as the docks at the Winterport Boat Yard. Blueberry Hill, the town blueberry fields, offer stunning views of the surrounding areas. Mount Waldo, in Frankfort, offers 360 degrees views and on a clear day you can see Mount Katadin in Baxter State Park.
Your guests have traveled to be with you - let them relax in the historic accommodations at Crooked Steeple Hall and the 1812 Pierce House. Spread over 3 properties, your guests have plenty of space to enjoy their stay. Winterport is located centrally to many Maine must-sees: Acadia National Park, the coastal towns of Belfast, Camden, and Rockland, close to Bangor, and for the more adventerous of your group, Baxter State Park and Mount Katadin.
You can hold your ceremony inside or outside at The Union Meeting House, a historical building that has been well maintained. The 1820 Union Meeting House is situated on the hill overlooking the village of Winterport and the Penobscot River. It’s the perfect place to hold your ceremony and capture many beautiful wedding pictures, with stepped lawns and original granite steps. After your ceremony, head to your reception at Crooked Steeple Hall. The main Hall is on the first floor, with a large balcony overlooking it all, where you can create a lounge space for your guests. The lower level contains the Speakeasy, a great place for the groomsmen or after-hours celebrations to continue into the night. After the wedding, the bride and groom can enjoy the onsite suite at Crooked Steeple, while the wedding party retires just down the road to the 1812 Pierce House and the Old Winterport Commercial House.
What a cool little place! We throughly enjoyed our visit. Loved the local soap and coffee, and all the nice touches that made this very cozy and comfortable. Definitely would recommend to friends :)
Beth, Southampton, PA
Oct 27 2017
Katrina & Family,
Thank you so much for the lovely stay. You made this weekend even more special. We really appreciated your recommendations and the great conversations we had. We would always consider staying with you on our trip back to Acadia. Unless we decide on the sunrise hike to the mountain.
Thank you for the cookies! Its a great stay. Let us know if you ever need anything when you come to Boston.
Best wishes
Damela & Connor
Oct 25 2017
Thank you Katrina, we had a lovely saty!
Sarah & Sylvia
Oct 23 2017
This is a wonderful space with access to your private suite as well as areas of the home like the huge and welcoming kitchen. Katrina and her family are delightful and so welcoming. We had a wonderful stay and are looking for excuses to go back!
Katie, Portland, ME
Oct 19 2017
The cutest place in Winterport! Everything about this house was so great, the kitchen had coffee & the bathroom had soap. Heaters and fans in the bedrooms (I have to sleep with a fan so this was lovely) and Katrina & others were quick to respond and help when needed! Will book again & again!
Lauren, Newark, OH
Oct 18 2017
A perfect spot for a family to stay. Private with no neighbors. Everything was clean. Many games and books available to keep you entertained. This is not a luxury stay, but was what we expected and needed. A great value!
Jim, Iowa City, IA
Oct 12 2017
Beautiful stay, very clean and peaceful space! Great spot to stay for a night (or a few), quick drive to Bangor and on the way to Bar Harbor.
Mike, Portland, ME
Oct 10 2017
Hi Katrina,
Thank you for sharing your home with us. We all enjoyed it very much. Everything was perfect. Best wishes!
Tony, Phyllis, Autumn, Anna
Oct 04 2017
Thank you for the excellent stay! Your house is beautiful and furnished with great taste. Thanks for sharing with us!
Hary, Rahul, Remu, Musali
Sept 27 2017
Beautiful stay, very clean and peaceful space! Great spot to stay for a night (or a few), quick drive to Bangor and on the way to Bar Harbor.
Mike, Portland, ME
Sept 26 2017
Crooked Steeple Hall is a perfect little spot! I hosted a small gathering for my 30th birthday party and it was a hit! My guests loved the coziness of the apartment, the fully equipped kitchen, and the selection of local items available. It’s a great place for a small group!!
Ashley, Maine, United States
Sept 25 2017
Thank you for an amazing stay. The house is amazing. We will definitely be back some day.
Lauren
Sept 20 2017
Hi Katrina,
Thank you for sharing your home with us! Everything was perfect, we enjoy so much staying here. Your house is so cozy and beautiful! Thank you. All the best!
Leornardo & Elizabeth
Sept 18 2017
Thank you Katrina! We love your home and will make it our regular place to stay when coming back home to Winterport.
John & Viola
Virginia
Sept 15 2017
