Deer Isle
Just 45 minutes from Ellsworth, Deer Isle boasts the kind of rural island charm straight out of a picture book. From the unique Deer Isle suspension bridge to the quaint cove of Stonington, find a postcard-perfect day awaiting you at the edge of the Atlantic.
Nervous Nellie’s and Haystack Mountain
For your first roadside stop, check out Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies for a taste of homemade Maine. From blueberry preserves to rhubarb-ginger chutneys, you’ll find something for both the sweet and savory-minded.
Toward the end of the same road lies Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. The School offers studio space and workshops for artists and craftspeople of all types, all hosted on its stunning mid-century modern campus designed by famous American architect Edward Larrabee Barnes. Visitors are welcome to walk down the central staircase to sweeping views of the water. Or sign up for a more extensive tour, and check if there are any artist presentations, studio walk-throughs, or special events during your visit.
Stonington and Sand Beach
Make your way to the southern end of Deer Isle to Stonington, where gentle hills amble into a harbor surrounded by craggy rocks and tree-lined islands. The Stonington Opera House sits perched atop one hill overlooking the water. Over 100 years old and the third building to grace this site as an amusement hall, the storied building now hosts Opera House Arts.
A short distance from the Stonington Harbor, Sand Beach offers a beautiful stretch of sandy shore nestled between rocky and tree-lined cliffs. It’s a great spot for a picnic, to get the kids and the dog out for a run (leashed please!), or just soak in the scenery.
Bonus: Isle Au Haut
From Stonington Harbor, take the year-round passenger ferry to Isle Au Haut, the most remote part of Acadia National Park. On the island you’ll find campgrounds and eighteen miles of trails. Or bring a bike and wonder the backroads (ie, all the roads) of the island.
