The Corson House guests and tenants have the pleasure of enjoying the benefits of a private living space located within walking distance of Southwest Harbor Maine. Southwest Harbor is one of the three “villages” that make up Mount Desert Island. Southwest Harbor sits on the “back side” of the island which is known as “the quietside.” A working harbor town, it caters to the local fisherman. It hosts several casual but quality restaurants and shops. While Southwest Harbor tries to keep tourism low-keyed, it also has some of most pristine scenery on the island.

Bar Harbor is a 15 minute drive across the island from Southwest Harbor. It is a spectacular tourist area with one of a kind shops and fabulous restaurants. Seafood is of course the specialty on every menu, but many restaurants offer all sorts of fare. There are two shore side lobster pounds on the island where you can pick your lobster and enjoy it fresh from the ocean with corn on the cob and cold slaw which is known on the island as the “shore dinner.” Bar Harbor is an international port of call and cruise ships are a part of the summer season along with ocean side walks of Acadia and Frenchman’s Bay.

Between the two communities of Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor lies Northeast Harbor which is a small artisan community margined by large shore side homes and a private golf course. Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor are split by Somes Sound, one a North Americas largest and most beautiful fiords. Boating, kayaking and canoeing are offered at all locations as well as cruises and excursions to the “outer islands.”

The most treasured feature of Mount Desert Island is Acadia National Park. The park wraps around the shore line and touches all three communities on the island offering majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean along side the Acadia Mountains everywhere you go. You can see the park from behind the wheel, but you’ll want to walk the seawalk above Sand Beach or take one of the many hikes laid out along the groomed hiking trails of the park. Wherever you are in the park, you will enjoy wildlife, wildflower, breath-taking views and an aroma of evergreen and salt air.

Mount Desert Island offers a unique experience for nature lovers, tourists, and for folks in search of quiet retreat and rejuvenation. There is both mystery and grace in witnessing all that this small island has to offer. Perhaps Ruth Moore, Maine author said it best when she described Maine as “the place that you were homesick for even when you were there.” The gifts you will take with you from this lovely place will linger with you long after you leave.