Maine
This Town In Maine Is Full Of Islands, Charming Shops, And Delectable, Fresh Seafood – Explore
The waterfront in Stonington is lined with cute stores and delicious seafood spots. It also overlooks bobbing lobster boats and a beautiful, granite-lined archipelago with more than 50 islands. This postcard-worthy coastal town is exactly what you picture when you dream about a classic Downeast Maine vacation.
Stonington is a small town — about 1,000 people live here year-round — off the coast of Maine. It’s due east of Camden, one of the best budget-friendly adventures in small American towns, on the mainland. It’s also perched on the southern tip of Deer Isle. The island sits on the eastern side of Penobscot Bay, which is considered a top cruising spot in the world. It faces Merchant Row, one of the largest island clusters in the United States. With its harbor being the biggest lobster port in the state, life clearly revolves around the sea in Stonington.
Like most of the islands in Penobscot Bay, Stonington is never an accidental destination. Bangor International Airport (BGR) is the closest airport. The small airport receives nonstop flights from mostly East Coast cities. After landing and renting a car, you will drive an hour and a half south, crossing two bridges along the way. The Deer Isle Bridge is a brightly colored suspension bridge that connects Sedgwick, on the mainland, with Little Deer Isle. Just a mile later, the Deer Isle Causeway, built atop a sandbar, joins Little Deer Isle with larger Deer Isle. Stonington sits at the bottom of the island.
Wander around the shops overlooking Stonington’s harbor
Stonington’s Main Street runs parallel to the water along Deer Isle’s south coast. Boat ramps, ferry docks, and the fishing pier line one side. Buildings from the 19th century, including Stonington Town Hall and the Stonington Public Library, are on the other side. While narrow, winding streets, which can barely fit two passing cars, extend from there. The air is always thick with salt.
Many of the buildings facing the harbor are now filled with small shops, where you will find a lot of Maine-inspired items. Dockside Books & Gifts is a bookstore that features Maine and marine books. Island Approaches, a clothing store, has cozy Maine sweatshirts. Marlinespike Chandlery is a supply store that displays antiques and rope work. While the Dry Dock, “a creative department store,” has a little bit of everything, most of which is made in Maine, or at least New England.
You will also find J. McVeigh Jewelry, which showcases one-of-a-kind pieces. They have been made by more than 30 artists from around the world. 44 North Coffee is a woman-owned roasting company. It sells small-batch, organic coffee. Then you can buy camping gear and kayaking accessories at Sea Kayak Stonington. The adventure company also offers guided trips, lessons, and rentals.
Find fresh-off-the-boat seafood along the waterfront
Since Stonington is an important fishing community, it’s not surprising that you can find delectable seafood everywhere. Fin and Fern, with its upstairs bar, is the perfect sunset spot. Then head downstairs for heavenly fresh pasta dishes, like lobster ravioli and seafood alfredo. 27 Fathoms Waterfront Grille has a large deck with an outdoor bar. It’s a great place to order the classics: New England clam chowder and a chilled Maine lobster roll. Then Stonecutters Kitchen and Stonington Food and Ice Cream Company are more casual restaurants. The former has a large patio and serves fried seafood and build-your-burgers in plastic baskets, while the latter, a take-out window with outdoor seating, has more lobster rolls and Gifford’s Ice Cream.
If you have a kitchen to cook for yourself, you can buy fresh seafood, as well. The Stonington Lobster Co-op is a collective that was founded in 1948. It sells live lobsters right off the dock. Also, Greenhead Lobster is the largest independently owned and operated lobster dealer in Maine. In addition to live lobsters, they sell lobster claws, knuckles, and tails, the best parts of the crustaceans.
While waiting for your catch of the day, you will probably stare at the water and imagine what else these idyllic islands hold. On Vinalhaven, Lawson’s Quarry is a hidden swimming hole with granite ledges and glassy waters. Plus, serene Warren Island State Park is only accessible by boat. Downeast Maine is even better than you dreamed.
Maine
Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition
For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.
That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.
So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.
It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.
But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.
Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine
Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.
Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.
Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.
There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.
Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter
While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.
Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.
All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.
TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine
Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.
This list was updated in March of 2026
Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka
Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine
Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!
Gallery Credit: Getty Images
Maine
Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.
The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.
Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.
“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.
The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.
“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.
The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.
The location is yet to be determined.
If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak
Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.
This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.
Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine
According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.
Wondering what’s in the burrito?
The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”
Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.
The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.
As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.
Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.
Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant
First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.
Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.
A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.
READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew
And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.
So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.
You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods
Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
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