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Stonington: Good Times on the Acadia Coast!

Stonington is a can't-miss vacation haven located on remote Deer Island in the Acadia region of Maine. Deer Island is great for getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, hanging out in quaint restaurants, browsing in the galleries, and just generally soaking up the ambiance. A day on Deer Island can include deep-sea fishing, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, sailing, sun bathing, antique hunting, and just about every outdoor exploration imaginable. When you are finished playing, treat yourself to one of the local seafood delicacies. Roughly 90% of the nation's lobsters come from Maine's coast.

Before heading out for some active fun, visit the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, located near the town of Deer Isle. The school has all manner of arts and crafts that are showcased on a 40 acre campus that skirts the coastline, overlooking the waters of Jericho Bay. Visitors can take classes or watch demonstrations on such topics as blacksmithing, clay sculpture, book binding, metallurgy, and many others. In the summer, the school sponsors showcases by performing artists, writers, and musicians. The Flag Deck is a series of decks that connect the buildings and offer panoramic views of the coast. Visitors are welcome to stroll along the nature trail adjacent to the school.

Deer Isle has a rich history in granite circles. Granite from Deer Isle has been used in the Smithsonian Institute and for John F. Kennedy's gravesite. For a better understanding of Deer Isle's granite production, visit the Deer Isle Granite Museum in Stonington. The museum has a small but precise collection related to the history of the local quarries and the men who worked them. A hiking trail close to the museum takes visitors to a former granite quarry and a panoramic view atop a viewing platform, known as the "throne room". The view around Settlement Quarry should not be missed.

Maine's outdoor splendor can be thoroughly enjoyed at the Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, located a short ferry boat ride away. With over 40,000 acres, this is a year round feast of outdoor activities. Guides take visitors on nature walks explaining about the flora and fauna of Maine's only National Park. For those with limited time, a 20-mile driving path, the Park Loop Road, takes visitors to the top of Cadillac Mountain. A great photo-op awaits those who visit Bass Harbor Head Light, a lighthouse on the southern tip of the island. Over 120 miles of hiking trails meander through the park, ranging from easy day hikes to more difficult treks designed for more experienced hikers. Sun bathers can throw down a towel on Sand Beach. Rock climbing, canoeing/kayaking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing can also be enjoyed at this year-round park.

Stonington is a perfect jumping off point for aquatic activity around Deer Island. Just offshore, there are over 60 islands in the Deer Island/Stonington archipelago. One of the best ways to reach them is by sea kayak. Thirty of the islands are open to the public for hiking and picnics. Bicyclists can take a day, hop on a ferry, and pedal around beautiful Isle au Haut, located 5 miles off of Stonington. Another portion of Acadia National Park, also on the island, offers additiional hiking and biking possibilities.

You can spend your time in Stonington/Deer Isle, or use it as a base of operations for enjoying Acadia attractions. Check out Boothbay Harbor, the perfect place to immerse yourself in a quintessential Maine fishing hamlet. English fishermen were fishing these waters back in the 17th century. Journey to beautiful Bar Harbor, which has been a haven for the wealthy for over 100 years. The Vanderbilts, Drexels, and DuPonts have all had homes here. Indulge your taste buds by taking in one of the local lobster bakes. Stonington is the place to go if stepping back in time to a more untouched era is your idea of a relaxing vacation!