Ellsworth is a largish city that is located in Hancock County, Maine. The 2010 census estimated it to have a population of roughly 8,000 inhabitants, and it is one of Maine’s most popular tourist towns. In fact, the tourism industry here is so good that Ellsworth was the fastest growing city in Maine as designated by the last census, as it grew nearly 20 percent as compared to the census done in 2000. May through September is the major tourist season for the town, and during this time its population is a little higher than normal. Most visitors are from the United States and Canada, and Ellsworth is a popular destination for those who are looking to visit Acadia National Park, which is nearby. Mount Desert Island and the Bar Harbor region are also popular destinations for those who are coming to Ellsworth.

Ellsworth has an interesting downtown area to mingle in. Due to the fact that there was a large fire that destroyed much of the downtown area in 1933, the architecture here is not as colonial-inspired as it is on other areas of New England. Instead, most of the downtown buildings were rebuilt in an art-deco style that was indicative of the period and the downtown city hall is one of the most unique in the country. Since the influx of tourists has also brought a considerable amount of consumerism to the area, the downtown area of Ellsworth is the largest shopping district in Hancock County.

For those who would like to experience what Ellsworth has in terms of museums, you should definitely check out the Telephone Museum, which chronicles the history of this world-changing device. If you’d like to see something with a little more of a local flavor to it, try the Ellsworth Historical Society Building, or the Woodlawn Museum. Both chronicle the history of the area and provide quite a diversion to the visitor who would like to take his head out of the woods for a bit.

Ellsworth is a thriving little community set in the middle of the beautiful Maine wilderness. Any amount of time you spent here you’ll consider a good investment!