Some rando on Reddit told us this place was the store in Bangor most worth visiting, and it turns…read moreout that person was right. It's the kind of wild esoterica shop that you don't see around much, selling everything from coyote skulls to cheeky postcards. I also want to mention that the proprietors told us to be sure to check out Mexicali Blues (a similar shop a block down) and the cashiers at Mexicali Blues told us to be sure to stop by Rock & Art. So clearly they are good neighbors as well!

What a wonderful store! This place is exactly what I'm looking for when visiting a town. They have…read moreeverything from fun notepads, to back packs, plants, stones, and some jewelry. My son enjoyed looking at the taxidermy and my daughters loved the stones. We only had time to visit one shop while in Bangor and this was it.

We always make a stop here to pick up local crafts to return home. Lots of gems to discover. Shop…read moreowner is sweet and one of the local artists as well.

The D'alessio Gallery is a smallish gallery that has a bunch of very colorful expressionist style…read moreart lining the walls. each artwork has a blurb under or next to it detailing what may be going on as well as his thoughts on what inspired it. Nearly all the art on has an abstract look with sometimes exaggerated features on the people and things depicted with humor thrown in. The art is described on the town website as "whimsical and colorful and full of stories." His tag line is ''Brightly animated stories told through the art with an eclectic mix of materials and genres that reflect the human spirit." The Artist - Russell D'Alessio is a Bar Harbor local and owner of the Gallery. The actual Gallery is in a fitting place - Right across from the Village Green Park in town and next to two craft looking souvenir shops. The gallery is open from Mid May through October but if owning any pieces is of interest, they can be ordered via the D'Alessio Gallery website. If you're in Bar Harbor, amongst all the other touristy things going on you can walk right into the Gallery and take a look around and even chat with him if you wish. If you're an art collector or want to buy a piece on the whim you certainly can here, but that tags run in the quadruple digits. So unless you got Warren Buffett levels of cash, be ready for that.

D'Alessio Gallery offers a pleasant diversion while in Bar Harbor. I am not quite sure how I…read morewould classify the gallery's featured art. It is rather whimsical. If you are looking for your more common Maine landscape art, this may not be the gallery for you. Nonetheless, it is fun to view.

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!

Visited this lovely establishment with my mother the day before their annual grand opening on May…read more15th. We happened by just as the owner was pulling up to do a few last minute preparations. Nonetheless, she was kind enough to open the gallery for us. It was a marvelous chance to see some local artists as well as really impressive work from all over. This shop hit the right mix between images of the surrounding environs and assorted pieces. The furniture collection was amazingly impressive as well. All in all, a worthy experience to elevate your time in MDI.

Island Artisans is located on Bar Harbors main Street heading towards the docks. It's a great place…read morefor a one of a kind present or souvenir. Everything is made by local artisans, and many pieces look to be one of a kind. They have wall art, blown glass, yarn art, and lots of pottery. The prices are a little high until you find that thing you love. Then they seem absolutely perfect because if you're traveling, you may find something close but never that exact piece again. The woman at the register was very friendly. I would expect she'd have been able to provide additional background, should I have asked.

I always love buying things made by local artists and makers. I was thrilled to see Island Artisans…read morein the mix of Bar Harbor shops! Everything inside was absolutely beautiful--glasswork, ceramics, woodworking, etc. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but soon a pair of cobalt stained glass earrings jumped out at me and I had to have them. The woman running the shop told me a little bit about the artist (Boothbay Harbor, I think he's from) and how she bought a cobalt glass pair of earrings from his collection the previous year, different design). They're gorgeous when the light hits them. Highly recommend stopping in to look at the array of human creativity on display!

This review is for Works of Hand, we didn't stop in the antique store. there's an incredible…read moreeclectic mix of artisan created items, little paper lanterns, locally made jewelry, beautiful silk scarves, cool bags made out of recycled materials. Prices are a little high but everything is locally made. The gardens outside are worth the trip all on their own. Currently they can't accept credit card and I don't know if that's going to change anytime soon.

Gerry Monteux's photographs capture nature on the coast of Maine with majesty, positivity and…read morestunning beauty. He possesses a passion for nature photography which oozes out of every photograph. Ask him how he does it, and this self-effacing artist with a camera will explain it to you, making it sound simple. It reminds of a woman observing Michelangelo carve a statue. She remarked that it did not seem so complicated. Michelangelo replied "Oh, it's easy. All you need is a hammer, chisel, and a block of marble." When you visit the Monteux Gallery and stand by the creator of these masterpieces, you have a sense that you are in the presence of the Michelangelo of nature photography. The works are reasonably priced, far less than in the tourist meccas of coastal Maine. You might be surprised that Monteux also offers lessons for stunningly modest prices - you could spend more on a lobster lunch. Take a lesson! Let a great photographer guide you to master your camera, grow your composition skills, and learn how to "see photographically." Residents of Maine will want to own one of his treasures as the centerpiece over the mantle and visitors to Maine will be well satisfied to take home an image of Maine's beauty to cherish and value.