Machias, ME

Set right along the Machias River in Down East Maine, Machias is a small riverfront town with deep historic roots. The town gets its name from a Passamaquoddy phrase meaning “bad little falls,” pointing to the tumbling waterfall right near downtown that once powered early lumber mills. Local history runs deep, from landmarks like the 1770 Burnham Tavern to its claim as the site of the Revolutionary War's first naval battle.

ATTRZedmaster375 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Today, Machias serves as the main everyday hub for this stretch of Washington County. Downtown Centre Street is lined with local shops, the public library, and county offices, with essential services like the regional hospital close at hand. The University of Maine at Machias overlooks the river, bringing a steady college presence and cultural events to the area. With its scenic waterways, annual Wild Blueberry Festival, and quiet coastal pace, it offers a welcoming, practical home base for anyone moving Down East.