Coastal Maine Road Trip: Charming Towns Beyond Bar Harbor

Kim Martinez
Jun 7
2 min read

Updated: Jun 29

While we loved Bar Harbor's energy, we craved a taste of authentic coastal Maine—the kind found in quiet fishing villages, scenic backroads, and hidden waterfront gems. So we set off on a day-long road trip from our KOA Islandside Campground, exploring Blue Hill, Deer Isle, and Stonington—all within an hour's drive.

Our travel style?

"Stop every 15 - 30 minutes" mode. Scenic pull-offs, short hikes, spontaneous detours, and plenty of lobster shack sightings. Here's how the day unfolded:

First Stop: Blue Hill (Briefly)

Quick Stops:

We zipped through historic Ellsworth (more on that later) and turned onto Highway 172 toward Blue Hill. The town was adorable—full of art galleries and cafés—but parking was tight, so we soaked in the vibe from the truck and continued toward Deer Isle.

Pro Tip: If you're hunting for the famous Reversing Falls, beware—GPS will lead you astray! We followed ours to a "Private Drive" (oops) before learning the falls are best seen from the little bridge on Route 175—but only during tide changes.

Deer Isle: Bridges & Beachcombing

Deer Isle

The Deer Isle Bridge is a stunner—a soaring, 1930s suspension bridge with sweeping water views. Shortly after, we took a detour to the Deer Isle Causeway Beach Preserve, a 90-year-old roadway that connects the island to the mainland.

We spent an hour here:

- Beachcombing for shells and sea glass

- Watching boats glide through the narrow channel

- Soaking in the peaceful, off-the-beaten-path vibe

Stonington: A Lobstering Village Frozen in Time

15 minutes farther south, we reached Stonington—and instantly fell in love. This was the real Maine:

- Weather-worn buildings dating to the 1830s

- Lobster boats stacked with traps in the harbor

- Zero crowds (we were a week early for peak season)

We missed the Historical Society (still closed for the season), but we wandered the docks, imagining the town's fishing heyday. Bonus: A local bakery, 44 North Coffee, hooked us with fresh cinnamon rolls—fuel for the drive back. Special Note: 44 North Coffee has organic fee

Ellsworth: A Quirky Pit Stop

On our return trip, we explored Ellsworth, the region's "big city" (by Maine standards). Highlights:

- Historic downtown with cute shops

- No food needed—thanks, Stonington cinnamon rolls!

- The Walmart Effect (a sure sign of "quaintness erosion")

Final Stop: The Maine Lumberjack Show

Buy tickets on line or at the gate : https://mainelumberjack.com

Family friendly prices: Adults $17, children $13

We wrapped up the day at Tina's Maine Lumberjack Show (near our KOA). After a quick campground shower, we cheered on axe-throwing, log-rolling, and chainsaw art—a hilarious, high-energy slice of Maine culture.

The Verdict?

If you want postcard-perfect harbors, untouched fishing villages, and roads less traveled, this route delivers. Stonington was the standout, but the real magic was in the detours—like that quiet causeway beach where we had the shore all to ourselves.