Hostels and boarding houses are a great way to see our region while on a budget. Younger travelers, in particular, will enjoy the timeless camaraderie of this traditional way of jaunting about, most likely in backpack mode, where basic accommodations provide travelers with a place to come and go, hang out a spell, often make friends with each other, and trade tips on must-sees.

The YWCA of Mount Desert Island has a long tradition, dating back more than a century, of providing inexpensive and safe rooms for women. Located right in Bar Harbor, it’s in easy walking distance to all of the tourist amenities, as well as the free Island Explorer shuttle bus.

You’ll never want to leave the Deer Isle Hostel. Located in a hand-built 17th-century-inspired house, this “eco-hostel” is the epitome of “cool,” with solar power, hand-pumped water, organic gardens, and communal dinners. Its 17 acres are next to an oceanside nature preserve, hiking trails, and an excellent kayaking and canoeing archipelago.

Hostels and boarding houses also offer a great way to connect with locals for the inside scoop on what to see and do. These are great, hospitable places to stay and create lasting memories for a lifetime.