OUTSIDE
Brooklin, 3 mi. Part of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. The largest continuous stretch of publicly accessible coastline on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Brooklin, 4 mi. Public boat launch and beach. A great place to go for a swim at high to mid tide or launch your kayak to explore Eggemoggin Reach
Deer Isle, 20 mi. Owned by The Nature Conservancy. A winding trail leads you through mossy forest to breathtaking beaches on either side of the bar leading to Barred Island.
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Sand Beach
Stonington, 22 mi. The most beautiful beach. A bit of a drive, but worth it!
Brooksville, Scenic natural area of upland forests, rocky shores, and an offshore island provide great opportunities for hiking.
Blue Hill Mountain
Blue Hill, 14 mi. Part of the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Seven trails between 1-2 miles long will lead you to the summit and an expansive view of the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Equipment Rentals
The Activity Shop, Blue Hill
Stonington Paddle, Stonington
VISIT
Brooklin, in session from late May to early October, offers a wide variety of one- and two-week classes on boatbuilding.
Blue Hill, known as “the cradle of chamber music in America,” it has provided musicians with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the chamber repertoire since 1902. Weekly concerts throughout the summer.
Stonington, performing arts center and movie theater.
Brooksville, The former homestead of Scott and Helen Nearing. The Good Life Center advocates for simple and sustainable living skills, social and economic justice, organic gardening and the non-exploitation of animals.
Deer Isle, International craft school founded in 1950 as a research and studio program in the arts, Haystack offers one and two-week studio workshops to participants of all skill levels
EAT + DRINK
Brooksville, wood-fired bakery using organic and local flours to bake sourdough pastry and bread. They host popular pizza nights with seasonal outdoor seating in their garden.
Bagaduce Lunch
Brooksville, roadside fish shack on the Bagaduce River. Named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation.
Offers a rotating selection of made to order and grab and go food options. Committed to using local ingredients from small producers as much as possible. They also offer a wide selection of thoughtfully curated products from apothecary and home items to cheeses, beer, and wine, as well as fresh produce, dry goods.
Brooklin, a family run restaurant serving breakfast and pop up dinners
Deer Isle, the areas premiere fine dining joint. Highly local prix fixe menu on Goose Cove in Deer Isle.
Stonington, steamed lobster and crab fresh from the sea to picnic tables overlooking the working waterfront at Fifield Point. Open Monday–Thursday, from 6–7:30 pm, by reservation only
Surry, classic lobster shack with outdoor seating on a pier overlooking Blue Hill Bay with views of Mount Desert Island. BYOB.
Blue Hill, Local roaster with a small retail coffee shop in downtown Blue Hill, serving the regions best espresso drinks.
Sedgwick, farm, market and cafe. Wednesday - Sunday. Breakfast sandwiches and burger nights!
Stonington, Seafood, pasta, soups & salads, and sandwiches. The restaurant & bar sits on the working waterfront in Stonington
Sedgwick, Brewery, serving pizzas and other bar fare with outdoor dining.
Deer Isle and Stonington, The most excellent pour over coffee, and pastries from Milkweed & Monarch, and Tinder Hearth.
Sedgwick, California style taqueria. Made from scratch from locally sourced ingredients. Outdoor dining!
LDI Lobster
Little Deer Isle, Seafood and sandwiches overlooking the Deer Isle Bridge.
Blue Hill Fairgrounds, Saturday, 9am-11:30 am
Brooklin, Thursday, 11am-1pm
Brooksville, Tuesday, 9:30am-12pm
Castine, Tuesday, 9am-12pm
Deer Isle, Wednesday, 9:30-11:30am
Stonington, Friday, 10am-12pm
SHOP
Brooklin, Just two doors down. A gift shop with fun and functional products and a wonderful selection of books by local Brooklin authors.
Brooklin, Offers a selection of chocolates, candies, teas, coffees, yarns, handmade items, and gifts
Blue Hill, They offer a broad selection of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, travel books, nature writing, mysteries, cookbooks, art and architecture monographs, and children’s books, as well as a curated selection of titles from small and independent publishers and presses.
Blue Hill, Excellent selection of wines, specialty foods, beer and cider, coffee and tea, tobacco products.
Blue Hill, Contemporary art gallery, showcasing established and up and coming Maine artists, in an old barn in downtown Blue Hill
Pushcart Press
Sedgwick, The world's smallest bookstore and independent publsiher. 380 Christy Hill Road
Deer Isle, Fine art, sculpture and craft since 1982.
Deer Isle, handmade jams and chutneys set in Peter Beerits ever-growing sculpture garden. A most whimsical place.
Stonington, A store specializing in fancy marlinespike rope work, filled with a variety of related artifacts, antiques and other interesting items.
Deer Isle, Fine art, sculpture and craft since 1982.
FRIENDS FURTHER AFIELD
Northeast Harbor, Serving breakfast, lunch, sweet treats, coffee, beer, and wine. Best place to eat on MDI! Don't miss their Thursday night Patio Party, featuring some seriously good fried chicken!
Southwest Harbor
Bar Harbor, Near the head of the island, about 10 miles outside of downtown Bar Harbor. Wood-fired pizzas, salads, and shareable sides in an idyllic garden setting.
Northeast Harbor, Featuring Bucklyn Coffee espresso drinks, baked goods, and tastefully curated pantry items.
Manset, Comfort food at it's finest. No dessert, no reservations.
Ellsworth, Micro roastery, and bakery. The first solar-powered and zero-emissions coffee roaster in Maine.
Ellsworth, Beer garden and tap room. Wood-fired pizzas. Dog-friendly.
Trenton, Climbing Gym and Fitness Center.
Belfast, Restaurant, bakery, and farm, featuring seasonal produce, farm-to-table meals, from-scratch baking, cut flowers,