Town of Deer Isle, Maine
Source: Deer Isle Website
The Deer Isle-Stonington Welcome and Information Center
Exploring Deer Isle Maine
The Turtle Gallery is just one example of the vibrant artisan scene in Deer Isle and features paintings, woodcut prints, sculptures, and a variety of other forms of artistic expression. The Deer Isle Artists Association is a nonprofit organization that is made up of over 100 artisans, and the exhibits at their volunteer-run gallery change every two weeks in the high season.
At the heart of town is Deer Island Village—a quaint, quiet little hub of quintessential Maine loveliness—and if you are feeling energetic, set aside some time to complete the Deer Isle Village Walking Tour. It’s easy, informative, and interesting—although it may not be ideal for families with young children, who may have a very different definition of “interesting.” Ditto for the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society, which features several historic displays, buildings, artifacts, and archives; their well-kept records are often used by folks researching their ancestral heritage or the history of their homes.
The Island Heritage Trust was created in 1987 in response to the increasing danger of overdevelopment of the island—which means there are now plenty of open spaces and natural wonders for all to enjoy. The Barred Island Preserve is a wonderful outing for all ages—this one-plus mile hike through shady glades and along a granite cliff overlooking Goose Cove gets you to the sandbar to the island preserve…but be sure to go within 2 hours of low tide if you want to cross! Otherwise, you’ll be island-bound for a while. Lily Pond Park is a delightful opportunity for a woodland stroll along a trail that runs parallel to the water.
Causeway Beach—located, of course, at the causeway that links Little Deer Isle to Deer Isle—offers a tidy public beach looking out over Penobscot Bay. The trails in the Edgar M. Tennis Preserve meander along well-maintained walkways past the old Davis or Pickering farm foundations, and the last stretch loops through the middle of the preserve, where there is an old graveyard. This particular area feels magically undiscovered—and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and osprey.
Source: Island Heritage Trust Facebook
The view from Deer Isle is breathtaking year-round
Shopping Opportunities
While Deer Isle could never be called a bustling hub of retail activity, the town still has plenty to offer those who are willing to take their time and stroll about a bit. Beyond being just plain fun to say, Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies is a true Maine oddity—and a sheer delight—that absolutely rates a visit, no matter how little time you might have. Their handmade preserves use mostly Maine fruits and are sold alongside myriad unique gift items and Maine-artisan-made goods.
But Nellieville will be the highpoint of this visit; surrounding the shop is a literal village of ever-expanding sculpture and art created by Peter Beerits. His installations include actual reconstructions of buildings—a general store, a western town, a juke joint—all inspired by events in the artist’s life. The Periwinkle Gift Shop is a delightful gift shop-cum-toy store, and you are sure to NOT leave empty-handed if on the hunt for a child’s birthday or baby shower gift.
If you’re staying in town and looking for somewhere to stock up on nosh-like sustenance, stop in, place a curbside order, or schedule delivery from The Galley grocery store for all manner of edible wants and needs—you can even order a pizza to go! Deer Isle has a few dining options, as well, ranging from super-casual to cloth-napkin-on-your-lap upscale. For the former category, check out Little Deer Island Lobster, a fantastic find for a real taste of Maine—lobster rolls, fried seafood, chowders…all take-out style at the waterfront.
For amazing pour-over coffee and locally-made breads and pastries, check out Deer Isle Café, where they roast their own fair-trade beans on site.
Yellow Birch Farm offers special farm dinners—literal farm-to-table meals for six diners lucky enough to get a reservation—in their Greene Ziner Gallery shop. Their farm store features seasonal produce, their organic goat’s milk yogurts, gelato, cheese, creams, soaps, and skin products, along with clothing, treats, and blueberry balsamic vinegar.
Aragosta at Goose Cove is of the higher-end variety and was recently named “Best Waterfront Restaurant in Maine” by Downeast Magazine. Their seasonally-influenced, farm-to-table menu is creative and thoughtful; if possible, make a coveted reservation for their tasting menu, a leisurely odyssey of culinary adventure that should not be missed.
Places to Stay in Deer Isle
Aragosta also offers lodging: nine cottages snuggled in the trees—all with breathtaking coastal views—and four ocean-view suites, located in the same building as the restaurant. The Barred Island Preserve is within walking distance of this fantastic accommodation—in theory, you could book a reservation here and never need to drive anywhere until it was time to go home.
The Pilgrim’s Inn is another of the few lodging options available in Deer Isle, and offers 12 unique guest rooms as well as three separate-entrance cottages. This quaint, off-the-beaten-path bed and breakfast also features several unique common areas such as the Game Room, the Barn, and the Library. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this diamond-in-the-rough is a member of Inns Along the Coast, a curated collection of special inns and bed-and-breakfasts all along the coast of Maine.
As you cross the bridge to Deer Isle, shake off all of your expectations of what a vacation destination should be, and prepare to set new ones. Once there, you’ll realize there’s no need for myriad options for any one thing. All you need are a few choices, some free time, and a willingness to slow down and enjoy the perfect gifts Deer Isle has to offer.
