Stonington, ME: 4 Things To Do for an Amazing Dog Day Trip from Bar Harbor

Located 90 minutes from Bar Harbor, Stonington is an idyllic getaway. There are not many sights or things to do; however, the bucolic backdrop with stunning glimpses of the rocky Maine shores makes this a quick ride for an afternoon away from busy Bar Harbor. The delicious food, cute town, and sandy beach make it pretty amazing and relaxing for both you and your pup.

Because this is not a far drive from Bar Harbor, you can take your time! Sleep in, have a late brunch, and then head out. If you are looking for a relaxing yet fuller day affair, connect this trip with a joy ride through Blue Hill Peninsula.

Coastal and shore views from the harbor in Stonington, Maine.

Where is Stonington, Maine?

Stonington is the southernmost tip of Deer Isle in Hancock County, Maine. It’s more than halfway up the coast of Maine on your way to Acadia National Park. Though it’s an isle, it’s totally accessible by car because it’s connected to the mainland by bridges.

Why should I visit Stonington, Maine?

To be honest, there isn’t a ton to do in Stonington. It isn’t a destination I would recommend multiple days at. You can do it all in just an afternoon. The town itself is only a couple blocks long and has mostly art galleries or book shops to peruse. There are a couple restaurants, and a beach. If you are outdoorsy, you can take the ferry to Isle au Haute for $24; however, the hikes on the Isle are not for casual hikers.

If you run out of things to do in Acadia or need an away from the tourists, this is a good option. What I like about Stonington is:

It’s a little bit off the beaten path for vacations to Maine, which makes it a fun place to go too because it’s not super touristy.
The drive is relaxing and very pretty along the coast.
There aren’t many people in Stonington, so you can avoid the crowds entirely.
The town is sleepy, and so you can just walk at your own pace without a care in the world.
The beach. I love sand beaches and Maine doesn’t have many. It’s a really nice place to sit and enjoy the views.
Fun fact: Stonington is the top lobster fishing point in all of Maine.

You can make a full day of it and visit Blue Hill Peninsula as well. Otherwise, to get back to Bar Harbor, I recommend driving towards Brooklin and catching the 172 North along the coast. It’s a beautiful ride with lots of ocean views.

4 things to do in Stonington

Walking through Stonington on West Main Street with glimpses of the harbor and ocean through the boutiques. The American flag is waving in the breeze. Haute Island is in the distance.

#1: Window Shopping

West Main Street has a majority of the shops you can walk through with your pup. I did not go inside any of them with Ezra, but it’s nice to window shop on one side and check out the beautiful ocean on the other.

The end of West Main will bring you to a pier where you may find Lobstermen bringing in their latest catch. Ezra and I spent some time enjoying the view from this pier. It is a nice stop with benches to relax and enjoy the scenery.

#2: Stonecutter’s Kitchen for Dinner

At the second pier down the street, you’ll find The Stonington Ice Cream Company. Cross the cross walk to the parking lot on the pier. Keep walking until you find Stonecutter’s Kitchen.

The patio of Stonecutter’s is dog friendly, and is partially covered for some shade. Come early – this place gets packed quickly! They serve classic seafood dishes with local Maine brews, wine, and cocktails in case you prefer a happy hour instead.

#3: The Stonington Ice Cream Company

Time to turn back and go to get ice cream! This is a small stand with outdoor seating for ice cream. It also has snacks like lobster rolls, providing a meal option too in case you don’t want to eat at Stonecutter’s.

Once you are done with ice cream – time to head back to the car. There’s a short drive to the next stop in your Stonington trip itinerary!

#4: Sand Beach for Sunset

Bernese Mountain Dog lays down on Sand Beach nearby Stonington, ME on Deer Isle during a summer evening watching the sun set.

Last but certainly not least is Sand Beach. This is one of a few of Maine’s sandy beaches. Most of Maine’s shoreline is rocky. It’s only a five minute drive away from the town of Stonington and parking is free.

It is a small beach, but it has a lot for your pup to explore. There is a small loop trail through the woods connecting to the other side of the beach for more views. Ezra and I spent a lot of time sitting on the cool sand, listening to the waves, and watching the sun set.

The few people we saw there were eating packed sandwiches and enjoying the sun set. If you don’t want to buy dinner at Stonecutter’s Kitchen, this is another option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the summer time, Stonington, Maine weather can be pretty hot. When I was there with Ezra, it was 90 deg F and way too hot for him. It was unseasonably hot though. Typical weather in the summer hits an average high of 66 deg F. Winters hit an average high of 34 deg F. Spring and Fall high temps are between 30s to mid-high 50s deg F.

Stonington is an exceptionally dog friendly town. There is one restaurant and one ice cream stand, both of which are dog friendly. While it’s off the beaten path and has few visitors, it is pedestrian friendly. It’s easy to walk your dog down the couple streets and get beautiful ocean views at the same time. Nearby there is a small sandy beach that has some small woodland trails. It’s a beautiful place to catch a sunset.

Want to take your dog on the ferry to Isle au Haute? No problem – it is also dog friendly! The fare for the roundtrip ferry with 10 minutes on the island is $24. There are lots of hikes on the island too to check out, but be warned: this island is not for the casual tourist.

Conclusion

A sleepy, bucolic, coastal town, Stonington is not a typical tourist or travel destination. But, it’s a perfect off-the-beaten-path spot to have a relaxing day with your dog. Literally everything in town is dog friendly…though there are only four things to do, you can’t beat that.

If you want to follow along with more of our off-the-beaten-path adventures, check us out on Instagram. I post almost daily about our regular Big Dog Tails, as well as all our vacations.

Stonington, ME: 4 Things To Do for an Amazing Dog Day Trip from Bar Harbor

Where is Stonington, Maine?

Why should I visit Stonington, Maine?