Step Into Another World When You Visit This Whimsical Fairy Village In Maine
By Michelle|Published June 24, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Maine is already a fantastical place to be, but the state gets extra points for some of the more obscure spots. The one we’re talking about today is one of those! Hidden on an island (that’s actually not really an island) this beautiful spot is great for hikes, walks and simply taking in the fresh air coming off of Casco Bay. But, dig a little deeper and you’ll find a special little village for some very tiny new friends!
To find special little Mackworth Island and the fairy village that exists here you’ll head to Falmouth, which is just north of Portland. Since it’s not actually an island, you don’t need to worry about any ferries or boats. Simply take a short causeway at the mouth of the Presumpscot River off of Route 1.
Back in 1946 Governor Percival Proctor Baxter donated Mackworth Island to the State of Maine to be used for state public purposes and "as a sanctuary for wild beasts and birds."
Mackworth Island is about 100 acres with a 1.25-mile trail circling the perimeter. The walk around should take about an hour, but plan for more time if you’d like to visit the small beaches and skip stones!
On weekends things get busy, which means the cars will be backed up along the roadway. If that’s the case, you’ll need to head home and come back another day. To avoid this try a morning or late afternoon visit. If things are clear, head in and you’ll pass the guard gate, which doesn’t actually have a guard. Find a space and start your walk!
And while we love the walk, it’s the fairy village we always take extra time to see! You can reach it by walking about 10 minutes from the parking lot.
Another good way to be sure you’ve arrived is seeing children and adults huddled near the ground visiting with the fairies and helping to build their homes.
A big part of the fun is that each home is constructed entirely using natural elements found on the island. From feathers to seashells, bark to pine cones you’ll find lots of different building elements.
