Between Acadia National Park And Canada's Border Is Maine's Underrated Coastal Town With A State Park And Beach

Nearly 100 years ago, Maine started being called "Vacationland" after the slogan was added to the state's license plates. Though Maine's license plate designs changed over the years, the summertime appeal of its coast, from Kennebunkport and Ogunquit to Rockland and Camden, never faded. If you want to escape the millions of people arriving with the warm weather, head north, almost to the Canadian border, and stop when you reach Machiasport, a tiny town home to a historic state park and a unique beach.

DownEast Maine, comprised of Washington and Hancock Counties, is the northeastern-most coastal corner of not only the Pine Tree State, but the entire United States. Here you'll find the country's first sunrise and Acadia National Park with its postcard-worthy scenery. Maine's Bold Coast lies north of the popular national park. The Bold Coast extends from Milbridge to Eastport, along the edge of Canada, with the 147-mile Bold Coast National Scenic Byway, a picturesque road trip through secluded harbors and seaside villages, hugging its shore. Machiasport is hidden up along this route.

Machiasport sits on a hill overlooking Machias Bay, rocky islands, and fishing boats. Though Native Americans lived here and traded with Europeans, the area, called Machias, wasn't officially settled until 1763 by English settlers. The new community built defensive walls, which became Fort O'Brien, the site of one of the first naval conflicts during the American Revolution. Machiasport eventually split from neighboring Machias in 1826. The small town is now home to 1,000 people.

Despite being reinforced with barracks, a four-gun battery, and a blockhouse, the fort at the mouth of the Machias River didn't deter the advancing British. Fort O'Brien was seized, and its barracks were destroyed during the War of 1812. But, half a century later, the site was needed again. During the Civil War, the land where Fort O'Brien once stood was revived as Fort Machias, which became a five-gun earthworks fort that had a Napoleon, a bronze cannon that could shoot 12-pound cannonballs an impressive 1,600 yards across the river. Fort Machias wasn't going down like its predecessor.

After the second war, the forts at the mouth of the Machias River were abandoned for many years. Then, in 1923, the United States government gave the land to Maine. It was turned into Fort O'Brien State Historic Site, also known as Machias State Park, in 1966 and has been open to the public ever since. "History buffs will love to explore the grounds. There is a period cannon, and an interactive timeline to follow around part of the site," according to one Tripadvisor reviewer. Picnic tables, grills, and bathrooms have also been added to this picturesque spot along the water.

Unlike many state parks in Maine, there is no fee to visit Machias State Park. Fort O'Brien State Historic Site gates are open from Memorial Day until the end of September, and leashed dogs are welcome, too.

Although you can't miss Machias State Park, which is easily accessible from Route 92 (Port Road), Machiasport's unique beach is harder to find. Jasper Beach lies five miles south of the state park, overlooking Howard Cove, with two islands — Starboard and Stone– in the distance. Although stunning, the view isn't the reason to make this journey. Instead, Maine's half-mile Jasper Beach has polished, colorful pebbles that sing with the tides. As the water ebbs and flows, the volcanic rocks musically clink together, especially during low tide.

After being put in a trance at Jasper Beach, you'll probably be ready for some seafood. People were fishing these waters for food like clams, lobsters, and scallops long before Machiasport was established. Licensed lobstermen still fish from the small town today. You can buy just-caught lobsters, as well as fish and clams, from Captain Matt's Live Lobster.

The closest airport to unsung Machiasport is nearly 70 miles away in Trenton, which connects Maine's mainland with Mount Desert Island (MDI), the location of Acadia National Park. The Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is a tiny airport whose only flights go to Boston, though. For additional flight options, you should also check out Bangor International Airport (BGR). The larger airport, which receives flights from an additional 13, mostly East Coast, cities, is about 95 miles away.