This place was AWESOME. It's a small store but they have utilized every single inch with a great…read morecurated arrangement of books, art supplies, and toys/puzzles/games. There are areas that are sorted by global region and then by prehistoric periods. They have interactive exhibits for kids (or adults) throughout all 3 floors of the store. 7-year-old would have been wild for this store and even as an adult saw so many cool books that I wanted. I managed to escape with only having purchased 2 books and a journal. The salesperson was very friendly and available if help was needed. Great selection of books, would much rather support an independent bookstore like this than a big box store or online retailer. Great value for being able to look through such a cool collection of books related to all things nature and science!

This was incredible!! It's a book store but also has a bunch of art installations and interactive…read moreexhibits. My kids LOVED it! So much to do and learn. They said it was their highlight from our trip to Maine!

This is a glorious addition to Bar Harbor! The renovation of this old barn at the back of Reel…read morePizza is warm and inviting . The upstairs is an inviting space to play board games or puzzles. Downstairs is the bookstore with lots of books and big comfy chairs to linger and read.

Located in a historic barn just off the main road, Hidden Barn Books is an instant delight. The…read moremoment you step inside, you're met with the cozy scent of fresh wood and new books. It's welcoming yet spacious, thoughtfully arranged, and full of titles across a wide variety of genres. A charming spot to browse, linger, and get lost in stories.

As Mainers Sherman's stands out as the biggest independent book stores in the state. This…read moreparticular location is the oldest of the state and one of the oldest in the USA in general since they opened way back in 1886. Due to the nature of how long this particular location has been opened some of the areas can feel very crowded depending on how many people are nearby but understandable with how long they've been open. Like other Sherman locations they have more than just books including puzzles, stuffed animals, Knick-knacks/trinkets, and more. My wife is an avid reader and loves checking out every and any bookstore. I appreciate locating them for her so she can do so! While not as much of an avid reader I do appreciate what appears to be a resurgence of physical books and indie book stores. The staff were extremely friendly and prices were reasonable/on par with other locations. This Sherman's has stood the test of time and has provided locals and tourists a spot for the newest and classic favorites for many generations. Worth your time to check it out even if you don't buy anything to make the claim you visited the oldest bookstore in Maine!

Perfect for book lovers, souvenir hunters, or anyone wanting a cozy break from exploring Acadia…read moreNational Park! Walking into Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop felt like stepping into a classic coastal bookstore you'd see in a movie. It's Maine's oldest bookstore and one of the ten oldest in the U.S., which makes the whole experience feel even more special. Right on Main Street, it's super easy to find while strolling through Bar Harbor, but heads up, parking is mostly street parking and can get tight during peak tourist hours. Inside, there's truly a gift for everyone. It feels endless, with multiple rooms and shelves that just keep going. The vibe is cozy, slightly nostalgic, and packed with personality. Think local Maine authors, staff picks, cute gifts, puzzles, and little trinkets you didn't plan on buying but absolutely will. There's also a discount and bargain section with a really solid variety of books, which is a great find if you're looking to browse without spending too much. Postcards were also super affordable! The service was decent, nothing unusual, but still smooth and easy while browsing and checking out. I'd absolutely come back every time I'm in Bar Harbor. Quick note: there is no bathroom on site, so plan ahead before visiting!

I've been to both locations and found them both to be a great find. No pressure , a great…read moreselection of books in a warm and inviting space.

This bookstore is absolutely adorable. Their selection isn't huge, but not bad for the size of the…read moreshop and definitely for the size of the town. It's quite diverse with a large "beach read" type selection (thrillers, mysteries, etc) but also a lot of classics.

This place is a gem. Go in and let the shelves tell you what you need. Prices are great, the…read moreproprietor is excellent, and I couldn't recommend it more.

***Cash payments only*** This no frills bookstore is…read moreawesome. The owner is very particular about the books he carries so you won't find the latest bestseller but he's got a huge selection of preowned books at very reasonable prices.

Cute tiny bookstore inside the coffee shop. We went in for drinks and were surprised to see this.read more

How have I not reviewed this place yet? This is my independent book store of choice and I will wait…read moreto purchase books until I get home so I can support them (though you can order online too!) The used book selection is not as extensive as I remember but it's curated REALLY well. You will find many books that you have wanted, including very recent used ones. There's also a small selection of new books that also are well curated and always seem to already be on my to-read pile. The staff who work here are lovely and always helpful. It's also decorated in such a curious and detailed way. I notice something new every time I'm there. Follow them on Instagram hellohellobooks for fun. You can get to them on main st by going through rock city cafe. It's okay to bring your treats inside.

This was the absolute cutest place I've been to all summer. I enjoyed the aesthetic, the staff and…read moremost importantly the books + products they had to offer. This beautiful business was well kept and well decorated as well as CLEAN. Everything was organized easily enough to get through the store. I really enjoyed everything and saw so much that I am planning to make another trip to make sure I don't miss anything. If you are a book lover and appreciate the little things this is definitely a great place to come to.

My local bookstore. Small but quite well stocked, with a lovingly curated selection of books and…read morecards, just a block off the main drag in a tidy white building that's even more appealing inside. Knowledgable owner will make you feel welcome to browse and can point you to books of local interest, order anything that isn't on hand for quick delivery, and even wrap gifts. Don't miss the lower level for the kids section (start with classic local and Maine writers and illustrators E. B. White, Robert McCloskey, and Barbara Cooney) plus more books for the grown-ups (travel, art, cooking, ...). The mainstay of local reading groups over the years, Blue Hill Books also works well with our town library and its abundant programming offers. Denizens of many a much larger town would be thrilled to have an independent bookstore like this nearby (and we are doubly blessed because we also have an exceptional public library). You don't need a foggy summer day or a short winter afternoon as an excuse to spend an hour or two at Blue Hill Books, but it's a great place to stock up on supplies to tide you over or take you to faraway times and places,. It's also my go-to source for gifts.

A gem of a bookstore. Great selection, staff is friendly and knowledgeable, atmosphere is warm…read moreand "literary."

Great little bookstore with tons of magazines, nice selection of books, postcards, fresh coffee…read more(only a dollar!, er.."dollah" I suppose), and free wi-fi. Employees are incredibly friendly and the internet is completely open, so you don't even have to ask for a password. yay!

Jim's Books has been there at 8 Elm Street since he bought my childhood home from us after my Dad's…read morepassing. 'Charlie's Barn' was there for YEARS full of books before we were lucky enough for Jim to buy it and continue it's stewardship, the posts that used to hold the 'Chalie's Barn' sign are still there in the corner of the barn that was so much part of my childhood from the 60's. This summer, I took my grandchildren up to Machias and we stopped in to see Jim and the book barn. Indeed, just as crowdeed with interesting volumes as when my Dad had it. Jim was gracious enough to allow me to show my Grand daughters the old Franklin stove I used lug wood for, the unheated bedroom I slept in for 17 years, the kitchen, my Dad's den,.... what a trip down memory lane. Jim is a wonderful man, as was my Dad. Stop by, say 'hi', and buy and interesting book before they all 'banned' by idiots. Dave Hilt, 'Charlie's Barn" youngest son.

Jim's Books is in an old garage, lined with shelves. He lives right there and has a sign hanging…read morethat says he's in the house. I walked up and before I could get into the garage, he came out the back door and offered me some iced tea! Boy howdy this guy knows how to make an impression. Since he didn't have the genre of books I collect, I spent nearly 30 minutes just chatting with him about the area. Nice guy, good prices on the books I DID look at.