Plan your weekend
Ellsworth, Maine
Crossroads of Downeast Maine and the gateway to Acadia National Park. Home to ZAOstock on October 3, 2026 at the Franklin Street Parklet, as part of the 9th Annual Art of Ellsworth during Maine Craft Weekend.
How to reach Ellsworth.
About 40 min (30 mi) from Bangor, ~3 hrs (135 mi) from Portland, and ~5 hrs from Boston. Route 1 / Route 1A run right through downtown.
Nearest major airport, ~40 min away. A direct shuttle bus runs to Ellsworth twice daily (~35 min). Best bet for most travelers.
Smaller regional airport ~20 min away, with seasonal Cape Air service (including from Boston). Closest to the venue.
A public parking lot plus free street parking right near the Franklin Street Parklet - no shuttle needed.
Beds near the venue.
One of the newest hotels in town. Indoor heated saltwater pool, breakfast included.
Indoor saltwater pool and hot tub, free WiFi, daily continental breakfast.
85-room property, renovated in 2016. Central to downtown.
Suites with full kitchens - good for a multi-night stay. Breakfast + onsite laundry.
Ellsworth is the Acadia gateway and early October is foliage season - rooms go fast. Reserve ahead.
Where to refuel.
The ZAOstock afterparty venue. Start here after the show.
Seasonal seafood on the banks of the Union River downtown - lobster and a famous slice of pie.
Mediterranean bistro in the historic 1938 Luchini building on Main Street.
Award-winning Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine.
Chef-driven contemporary American at 112 Main St, 4.5-star. Reservations recommended.
Irish food and pub fare at 156 Main St, 4.4-star, casual.
Taproom with a dog-friendly beer garden.
British-style local beers and classic pub fare.
Make a weekend of it.
Ellsworth is the gateway - about 25 mi to Bar Harbor and the park. See the full ZAO Guide to Acadia for must-see spots, reservations, and excursion plans.
New granite sculptures by Maine artists along the Riverwalk - first installations launching Fall 2026.
The historic Black House on 180 acres - gardens, trails, and a croquet court.
Rescued birds and miles of quiet walking trails, plus the Stanwood homestead museum.
19th-century Main Street: galleries (Courthouse Gallery, Atlantic Art Glass), shops, and cafes climbing up from the river.
Before you come.
Early October runs roughly 58-62°F by day, ~44°F at night - crisp and breezy, with the season just turning toward fall color. Pack layers and a jacket; ZAOstock is outdoors.
About 11 hours of daylight, sunrise ~6:48 AM, sunset ~5:49 PM. The festival runs noon-6 PM, finishing near golden hour.
Roughly a 1-in-3 chance of rain on any given fall day - a packable rain layer is smart.
Free shuttle bus connecting Ellsworth-area hotels, Bar Harbor, and Acadia - running through October 12, 2026. Good way to skip the park's parking crunch.
On-site portable restrooms (including ADA-accessible units) near the stage/food area, plus walkable downtown restroom access nearby.
Coming to ZAOstock?
October 3, 2026 - Franklin Street Parklet, Ellsworth, Maine. Free to attend.