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BLUE HILL PENINSULA
BUCKSPORT, CASTINE, PENOBSCOT, BROOKSVILLE, SURRY, BLUE HILL, BROOKLIN, DEER ISLE, ORLAND, SEDGWICK AND STONINGTON
The Blue Hill Peninsula travel area is a fantastic introduction to DownEast living and culture featuring many of the elements that make this area of the world so unique and special. The area is punctuated by secluded nature preserves, classic Maine towns dating back to the nation’ s infancy, and world-class performance venues, restaurants, and galleries.
BLUE HILL PENINSULA
Photo courtesy of Heart of Ellsworth Caterpillar Hill Overlook. View of Penobscot Bay.
Watch: Explore the Coast
A Passion for Food
The peninsula’ s dining and food reputation may be because Stonington Harbor’ s annual lobster haul is the second largest in the state, or maybe it’ s because it boasts roughly 40 family-run farms, or the fact numerous nationally-acclaimed chefs call the area home; we know it’ s all of the above.
The Blue Hill Farmers Market is celebrating its 50th year in 2026 marking a tradition that brings together the region’ s many small farmers offering fresh produce, foraged ingredients, local meats, cheeses, baked goods, and much more. If grocery markets tickle your fancy, be sure to stop by the Blue Hill Coop, first formed in the winter of 1974 uniting the community through the common cause of good food. Today the market has a café, grab and go options, and a full grocery store.
Aragosta at Goose Cove on Deer Isle was Food & Wine’ s 2024 second-best restaurant in the U. S. Deer Isle is also home to woman-owned and operated 44 North Coffee café and roastery, as well as The New York Times’ 2025 U. S. best restaurant list recipient the Pilgrim’ s Inn; Tinder Hearth in Brooksville made The New York Times’ best restaurant list in 2023.
Crab & Lobster rolls. Photo courtesy of Heart of Ellsworth
Other classic dining spots include Brooklin General Store, El El Frijoles, The Brooklin Inn, Marlintini’ s Bar & Grill, Stonecutters Kitchen, Fin & Fern, LDI Lobster Dock & Dine, Bagaduce Lunch, and many more!
2026 DOWNEAST ACADIA GUIDE | 3