📌 Planning your visit? Read our complete guide to Things to Do in Stonington Maine — Isle au Haut ferry, kayaking the archipelago, granite heritage, and hiking on Deer Isle.
Stonington is a working fishing village at the southern tip of Deer Isle connected to the mainland by the soaring Deer Isle Bridge. One of the most authentically Maine towns on the entire coast, Stonington is home to the largest lobster fleet in the state, a thriving arts community, and the ferry to Isle au Haut — the remote and spectacular section of Acadia National Park accessible only by boat.
Stonington: Maine’s Working Waterfront
Stonington sits at the southern tip of Deer Isle, connected to the mainland by a graceful suspension bridge, and it is the real thing — Maine’s most active lobstering port. More than 300 boats work out of this harbor, landing more lobster by weight than any other port in the state. While many Maine harbor towns have tipped fully into tourism, Stonington’s economy still runs on fishing, which gives it an authenticity that’s increasingly rare on the coast. The drive down the length of Deer Isle, over the bridge at Sedgwick, is part of the experience.
Things to Do in Stonington
Take the mailboat to Isle au Haut. This is why many people come — the boat from Stonington carries you to the remote, wild section of Acadia National Park on Isle au Haut, with some of the most beautiful and least-crowded hiking trails in Maine. Visit the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, one of the most respected craft programs in the country, which draws artists worldwide and has seeded the island with potters, weavers, and glassblowers; the campus (designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, cascading down to the water) offers public tours on Wednesday afternoons in summer. Catch a show at Opera House Arts in the historic Stonington Opera House on the National Register, with one of the best harbor views in town. Explore the town’s granite heritage at the Deer Isle Granite Museum — local pink granite was used in Rockefeller Center and the JFK Memorial — and hike the trails at Settlement Quarry and the Island Heritage Trust preserves. Don’t miss Nervous Nellie’s for jams and its whimsical sculpture garden.
A note on the harbor: Stonington’s waterfront is a working one, not a marina for pleasure boats. Stay clear of the docks and boat ramps, and buy your lobster directly from the co-op to support the fleet.
Best Restaurants in Stonington, Maine
Dining in Stonington is simple and focused on the sea. Aragosta at Goose Cove is a celebrated destination restaurant worth planning a trip around — chef Devin Finigan’s locally sourced tasting menus have earned national recognition. The Fisherman’s Friend is a no-frills local institution for fresh chowder, lobster rolls, and seafood. Stonington Ice Cream is a beloved summer stop right on the working waterfront.
Best Hotels in Stonington, Maine
Stonington has intimate lodging options that reflect its character as a working village. The Inn on the Harbor has rooms with direct waterfront views of the lobster fleet and island-dotted Penobscot Bay. Goose Cove Lodge offers secluded cottages in the woods above the water. Several vacation rentals are available for those wanting to settle in for a week and truly experience island life.
Things to Do in Stonington, Maine
The ferry to Isle au Haut departs from Stonington and is the only way to reach this remote and beautiful section of Acadia National Park — with far fewer visitors than the main park. The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts nearby is one of the most respected craft schools in America and offers summer programs and occasional open campus days. Stonington’s waterfront galleries showcase some of the finest artists working in Maine today. Sea kayaking among the Merchant Row islands is world-class and outfitters offer guided trips through the archipelago.
Stonington, Maine FAQ
What is Stonington, Maine known for?
Stonington is known as Maine’s most active lobstering port — more than 300 boats land more lobster by weight here than at any other port in the state. It’s also known for the boat to Isle au Haut (a remote part of Acadia National Park), the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, its granite-quarrying heritage, and its authentic working-waterfront character at the tip of Deer Isle.
What are the best things to do in Stonington, Maine?
Top things to do include taking the mailboat to Isle au Haut for hiking in the wild section of Acadia, touring the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (Wednesday afternoons in summer), seeing a performance at Opera House Arts in the historic Stonington Opera House, exploring the granite heritage at the Deer Isle Granite Museum, hiking Settlement Quarry, and visiting Nervous Nellie’s Jams and its sculpture garden. Buying lobster fresh from the co-op is a must.
How do you get to Stonington, Maine?
Stonington is at the southern tip of Deer Isle in Hancock County, reached by driving down the island and across the suspension bridge at Sedgwick. It’s about 1 hour from Bar Harbor, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from Bangor, and about 3 hours from Portland. The scenic drive down Deer Isle is part of the appeal.
Day Trips from Stonington
Deer Isle village is 30 minutes north with more galleries and the famous Nervous Nellie’s jam kitchen and folk art environment. Blue Hill is 45 minutes away with excellent pottery studios, a wonderful independent bookstore, and outstanding dining. Castine is about an hour north — one of the most beautifully preserved Federal-era towns in New England with a remarkable colonial history.
Looking for work in Stonington? Browse Jobs in Stonington on JobsInMaine.com.