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
This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!
This iconic spot is a “road-trip-worthy” Maine destination, but can you handle their newest addition?
Spring has sprung, which means plenty of people will take a well-deserved break from the daily grind and hit the open road. If you’re heading out to explore some cool Maine traditions—and you love lobster rolls—we’ve found the perfect stop.
The Taste of Maine restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood since 1978. They’re famous for a few things: a giant inflatable lobster that covers about 75% of the roof, and their claim to fame—the “World’s Largest Lobster Roll.”
These legendary lobster rolls are 22 inches long, and over the years, many customers have taken on the dare of finishing one. If you succeed, you earn membership in the “Clean Plate Club”—no easy feat given the size of this lobster roll.
But this year, Taste of Maine has gone even bigger. Introducing the “Monster” Lobster Roll: 3 feet long, packed with 2½ pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat—tail, claw, and knuckle—all on a 6-inch roll. This colossal creation carries a price tag of $259.99.
Read More: Maine Amusement Park Reveals New Family Attraction For 2026
Located at 161 Main Street in Woolwich, Maine, Taste of Maine is now open for its 48th season.
One of the best things about Taste of Maine is watching people take on these enormous lobster rolls. Guests love filming themselves attempting to finish them, including a Guinness World Records titleholder for “World’s Largest Mouth Gape.”
Spring Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
To see just how long Taste of Maine has been a local favorite, check out this classic TV commercial from the 1980s!
New Arcade in Brewer, Maine Opens This Month
Game on, Brewer! The arcade of your dreams is almost here. Get ready to press start!
Gallery Credit: Arlen Jameson
12 New Restaurants That Opened in Maine in February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
Maine
Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare
LettersToTheEditor-640×400
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families. At Penquis, we serve 270 children from 266 families across dozens of communities through our child development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care. We see firsthand how access to child care determines whether parents can work, pursue education and build long-term stability for their families, particularly in communities facing workforce shortages and rising cost of living.
Child care availability alone is not enough. We can have programs and facilities in place, but if care is not affordable, it remains out of reach for families who are already struggling.
Without it, the cost of child care places an unsustainable burden on Maine families, consuming as much as 29% to 39% of income for single-parent households and 10% to 13% for two-parent families. CCAP is one of the few tools that effectively addresses this challenge by ensuring child care costs are affordable, capping costs at 7% of income for those with the lowest incomes, and expanding access for many more families.
Investing in CCAP supports children’s healthy development, enables parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Maine’s economy. We urge state leaders to prioritize this $15 million investment in the supplemental budget and ensure that affordable child care is accessible to the families who need it most.
Kara Hay Penquis
Bangor
president and chief executive officer
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Maine
Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home
A woman is dead, and her husband is in serious condition after a fire broke out at their home in Readfield, Maine, Friday night.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office tells NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine that the Readfield Fire Department responded to the house on Plains Road around 9:51 p.m. and found a large fire.
Jerrold Wentworth, 74, had escaped from a second-floor window and told crews that his wife was still on the second floor of the home, officials said, but firefighters were unable to go inside to rescue 75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth due to the fiery conditions.
A photo shared by the fire marshal’s office shows the fire destroyed the home.
Carolyn Wentworth’s body was found in the debris around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, near where she had been sleeping, fire officials tell News Center Maine. An autopsy will be conducted to determine her cause of death.
Jerrold Wentworth was taken to Maine General Medical Center where he’s in serious condition, officials added.
Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office responded to the scene and are working to determine the cause of the deadly fire.
An investigation remains ongoing.
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