The city of Ellsworth has teamed with the Heart of Ellsworth downtown advocacy group to launch DiscoverEllsworth.org, a tourism platform aimed at positioning the Hancock County city as a year-round destination and regional hub for Maine’s Downeast region and Acadia National Park.
To develop the platform, Heart of Ellsworth was awarded $200,000 in 2024 by the Maine Office of Tourism in the final round of its Tourism Marketing and Development Recovery Program.
The money for the program came from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, established to help Maine’s travel and tourism industry recover from negative financial impacts caused by the pandemic.
Longer stays
The platform highlights Ellsworth’s arts, history, dining, trails and small businesses and encourages visitors to spend more time in the city and explore surrounding communities. The goal is to increase overnight stays and local spending, support small businesses and promote year-round visitation.
Interactive maps, curated itineraries, local business and event listings and insider tips are designed to facilitate longer stops by visitors. Community members can use the platform when hosting or planning their own outings.
Family-friendly, affordable activities include everyday moments like walking downtown, grabbing coffee and exploring local trails, highlighting “community-based experiences,” according to a news release.
The work was made possible through collaboration between the city, Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, Downeast Acadia Regional Tourism, Downeast Maine National Heritage Area, Maine Downtown Center and organizations such as Frenchman Bay Conservancy. All participated in a year-long series of focus group calls with Portland, Ore., branding consultant HUB Collective.
