Deer Isle, with its network of narrow roads to nowhere, is ideal for rambling -- a pleasure to explore by car and inviting to travel by bike, though fast traffic on the narrow roads can make cycling unnerving at times. Especially tranquil is the narrow road between Deer Isle and Sunshine to the east. Plan to stop and explore coves and inlets along the way. To get here, follow Route 15; south of Deer Isle, turn east toward Stinson Neck, continuing on this scenic byway for about 10 miles over bridges and causeways.
Stonington, at the southern end of Deer Isle, consists of one commercial street that wraps along the harbor's edge. While B&Bs and boutiques have made inroads here in recent years, it's still a slightly rough-and-tumble waterfront town. You can learn about the town's stone industry at the Deer Isle Granite Museum, at 51 Main St. (tel. 207/367-6331). The museum features some historical artifacts from the local quarry's golden years, but the real draw is a working diorama (8*15 ft.) of Crotch Island as it would have appeared around 1900, complete with miniature railroad, boats, and cranes moving stones around. Kids find it endlessly fascinating. The museum is open daily from late May to August; donations are requested.
