Located in the state of Maine is the city of Bangor, the third largest settlement after Portland and Lewiston. Initially established as the shipbuilding industrial town, with water powered sawmills and log ports, Bangor is now a city. Today, its economy relies on the services and retail, healthcare, and education industries. The city experiences a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. This makes summers the peak tourist season, wherein many people visit the city with their family and friends to experience this part of the United States. During your visit, you will be surprised to find so many things to do here. Out of these we have picked the best things to do in Bangor, Maine below. Read on to find out more.
1. Wonder at the eerie beauty of Stephen King’s House
Start your tour of Maine with the spooky Stephen King’s House. This eccentric mansion has figured in the list of most popular haunted spots in Maine. Once the residence of horror author, the site is now a major tourist attraction and landmark in the US. The Victorian-style manor is located close to the main street and is easily accessible. A public sidewalk winds through the mansion offering a chance to take a good tour of the house. Leafless tress and its isolated location add to the spooky factor.
Stephen King's House
Address: 47 W Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Stephen King’s House
2. Spend some time at the scenic Penobscot River Walkway
The Penobscot River Walkway is one of Bangor’s most attractive trails. The sidewalk along the river is very scenic and bustling with people in the evening who come here to relax and chill. It runs 0.5 miles (0.8 km) through Bangor’s scenic Waterfront Park between Union Street and the intersection of Railroad and Front streets. In the end the trail meets the riverbank. You can also attend the various events held here at the park all year round.
Penobscot River Walkway
Address: Front Street at Railroad Street, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Penobscot River Walkway
3. Travel back in time at Cole Land Transportation Museum
If you are fascinated by histpry, you can’t miss the Cole Land Transportaion Museum on Perry Road. Built in 1989, the museum contains the former Maine Central Railroad Company station house that was located in Enfield, Maine. The exhibits include land transportation vehicles used on dirt roads as well as state and interstate highways in the U.S. state of Maine. It alos houses a blacksmith shop and an old garage as well that was used in historical times.
Cole Land Transportation Museum
Address: 405 Perry Rd, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Cole Land Transportation Museum
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
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4. Attend a concert at Bangor Waterfront Pavilion
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Happy Holidays from all of us at Darling's Waterfront Pavilion. We miss you like crazy!!! Stay safe and healthy and soon we'll hanging on the waterfront. ?
Posted by Darling's Waterfront Pavilion on Friday, December 25, 2020
To enjoy a concert or a musical, visit Bangor Waterfront Pavilion, now known as The Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion. This open-air amphitheatre lies in the gorgeous waterfront park in Bangor along the Penobscot River. The amphitheatre remains open from July to October and serves as the venue for the Waterfront Concert Series, a famous musical concert. Visit with your family or friends and enjoy a concert under the starry night at this magnificent pavilion.
Bangor Waterfront Pavilion
Address: 1 Railroad St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Bangor Waterfront Pavilion
5. Go hiking or biking through Bangor City Forest
Nature and adventure lovers can go hiking through Bangor City Forest on Tripp Drive. The massive 650 acres (263 ha) of forest not only provides oxygen but also a huge recreational area. You can go on the cycling, hiking and cross country ski trails here, or you can simply relax and soak in the fresh air. The concrete trails make walking easier. The park also features a picnic area and huge parking space. Enjoy the luxury of nature here in the heart of the city.
Bangor City Forest
Address: 54 Tripp Dr, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Bangor City Forest
6. Witness a spectacular performance at Penobscot Theatre Company
The Penobscot Theatre Company is one of the most famous theatres in Bangor for performing arts and musicals. If you want to enjoy a concert, musical show, opera, dramas, performances, and more, visit this theatre on Main St. The works include both classic and new era work. The company now produces five main stage shows, add-on musicals, and limited engagement concerts and performances. It has also started an education program for dramas known as Drama Academy.
Penobscot Theatre Company
Address: 131 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Penobscot Theatre Company
7. Let your children have fun at Maine Discovery Museum
If you are on a family holiday in Maine, you must visit this museum with your kids. The Maine Discovery Museum is located on the Main St and offers the largest display in Maine. This unique children’s museum was opened in 2001 and exhibits medieval items from the history of US. Conceptualized in 1996 and completed in 2001, the Maine Discovery Museum is the largest children’s museum outside Boston and often referred to as the heart of downtown Bangor.
Maine Discovery Museum
Address: 74 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Maine Discovery Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 7.50 USD
8. Stroll across Mount Hope Garden Cemetery
Looking for some peace and quiet in Bangor? Visit Mount Hope Cemetery, also the second oldest garden cemetery in the US. Designed by ace architect Charles Bryant in 1834, the garden spreads across acres of land, lined with lush green trees and winding walking trails. The site has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once the final resting ground of 19th- and 20th-century elite in Bangor, this garden cemetery is also equally exciting for spooky feel, looking at the graves of historical personalities.
Mount Hope Garden Cemetery
Address: 1048 State St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Mount Hope Garden Cemetery
Opening hours: 7:30am - 7:30pm (daily)
9. Play a game or two at Hollywood Casino
Enjoy a fabulous evening at the Hollywood Casino in Bangor. A part of the popular Casino Hotel, this casino is a hotspot of nightlife here. There are a range of games available here like slots, roulette, cards, and various other famous casino games. You can visit with your group of friends and enjoy a round or two of games with your favourite cocktail and enjoy the evening trying your luck. The Hollywood casino is the first facility to start slot and table games in Maine.
Hollywood Casino
Address: 500 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Hollywood Casino
Opening hours: 8am - 3am (daily)
10. Visit Paul Bunyan Statue
There is something common and unique you will find all across the US and that is the statue of Paul Bunyan. In Bangor, this 31-foot (9 m) high statue stands on Main Street. Paul Bunyan’s legend is a staple of American culture as a whole, holding a large axe in one hand and a peavey in the other. The giant statue is built from a metal frame covered in colorful fiberglass, and is built to withstand hurricane force winds, and also the largest Paul Bunyan statue in the world. This is no doubt a major attraction and place to visit in Bangor.
Paul Bunyan Statue
Address: 519 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Paul Bunyan Statue
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
11. Shop unique souvenirs at The Rock & Art Shop
Grab some collectibles and souvenirs at the Rock & Art Shop on Central St. The shop sells rocks and minerals, jewellery, home goods, bath items, and a lot of other interesting items which you would like to take back for memory or gifts. These unique and antique stuff are available at cheap prices and can serve as a great gift for your family or friends back home. Even if you don’t want to buy, you can visit the store for window shopping, too.
The Rock & Art Shop
Address: 36 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: The Rock & Art Shop
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 6pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm
12. Discover modern and contemporary art at University of Maine Museum of Art
History buffs would love to visit the University of Maine Museum of Art. This modern art museum is a part of the University of Maine as the name suggests, and displays a curated art collection. Established in 1946, the main goal of the museum was to provide the people of Maine with significant opportunities to experience and learn about the visual arts and their diverse histories and cultural meanings. You can also attend the different exhibitions featuring different artists and their work. The museum is a part of the famous Maine Art Museum Trail - a circuit of eight art museums designed to show Maine’s art history.
University of Maine Museum of Art
Address: 40 Harlow St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: University of Maine Museum of Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
13. Shop your heart out at Bangor Mall
If you need some retail therapy in your Bangor Trip, visit the amazing Bangor Mall on Stillwater Ave. Built on a former dairy farm in 1978, the mall is a famous stop in Bangor for buying all kinds of clothing, accessories, bed and bath products, kitchenware, and so much more. The mall has stores for all budgets whether you are looking for branded or one-dollar items. Current stores include JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, American Eagle, Hollister, Pandora, Victoria’s Secret, and other local businesses and pop-up shops.
Bangor Mall
Address: 663 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Bangor Mall
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
14. Go skiing or snowboarding on New Hermon Mountain
Bangor is known for a lot of different things and one of them is skiing and snowboarding. New Hermon Mountain provides the ideal setting and facilities to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in those boring winter days. The area is covered with snow and optimum for trying your hand at skiing when you have nothing to do. The family owned ski area lies on the outskirts of Bangor and offer facilities for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and night skiing as well as lessons and rental service.
New Hermon Mountain
Address: 441 Newburg Rd, Hermon, ME 04401, USA
Website: New Hermon Mountain
Opening hours: 3pm - 9pm (daily)
15. Visit Bangor Historical Society and Thomas A. Hill House Museum
The Thomas A. Hill House, also known as the Grand Army Memorial Home, is a historic house in Bangor, Maine. The museum houses the collection of historical society and American Civil war collection and had also been the residence of two of Bangor’s mayors. The museum has found its way to the National Register of Historic Places. It is a great place to spend a few hours peeking into history with your family or group of friends.
Thomas A. Hill House Museum
Address: 159 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Thomas A. Hill House Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun)
16. Shop local fresh veggies at Bangor Farmers Market
Like all other cities in the US, Bangor also has its very own Farmer’s Market located on Harlow St. This open market is held every Sunday from 11am to 1:30pm only and visited by everyone who loves to buy organic and fresh produce from farmers. This is great to buy farm to table items and fresh local produce sourced from farms. Everything is available here from fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy as well as meat products. The market is the best place to buy such items and enjoy healthy cooking at home.
Bangor Farmers Market
Address: 140 Harlow St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Bangor Farmers Market
Opening hours: Sun - 11am - 1:30pm (closed from Mon - Sat)
17. Experience fine dining at Novio's
Enjoy a delectable dinner at Novio’s restaurant on Hammond St. in Bangor. This upscale bistro serves classic American comfort food. The menu is small and creative and also offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. Enjoy meats, seafood, and produce from local farms in the form of salads, fresh pastas, and other delectable dishes. The restaurant also offers a full service bar that showcases an elegant wine list, craft beers, and signature cocktails. Visit with your friends or family.
Novio's Bistro
Address: 130 Hammond St, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
Website: Novio’s Bistro
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 8:30pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
18. Dance the night away at Half Acre Nightclub
Located on Harlow Street is the famous Half Acre Nightclub. This is the hottest and Bangor’s favourite club–party patrons from all over town come to spend a good evening, grooving to the beats of the DJ. Grab your favourite cocktail and dance your heart out at Half Acre Nightclub that also offers a full service bar and nightclub. Open every Thursday to Saturday, this dance destination of Bangor is a must-visit if you are with your friends.
Half Acre Nightclub
Address: 190 Harlow St. 04401 Bangor, Maine
Website: Half Acre Nightclub
Bangor is full of surprises
There’s a lot more in Bangor that you can do in addition to these activities listed here. Although these things to do and places to see are diverse and unique, you can choose your pick depending on your taste. If you liked any of these or need more information on these, please let us know by dropping a line in the comments section below.
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