Arranging a trip to Bangor, Maine? For the best travel experience in Bangor, Maine, check out our curated list of things to do in Bangor, Maine and the best places to visit in Bangor, Maine below. As a Web 3.0 travel startup, Wondrous Drifter aspires to make a huge impact on the world.
Table Of Content
- Acadia National Park
- Bangor City Forest
- Bangor Farmers Market
- Bangor State Fair
- Cole Land Transportation Museum
- Collins Center for the Arts
- Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
- Fort Knox
- Historical Tour
- Hudson Museum
- Maine Discovery Museum
- Mount Hope Cemetery
- Orono Bog Boardwalk
- Paul Bunyan Statue
- Penobscot River Walkway
- Stephen King’s house
- The Hollywood Casino & Raceway Bangor
- The Rock & Art Shop
- Thomas Hill Standpipe
- University of Maine Museum of Art
Acadia National Park
Located east of the Mississippi River, the park includes Mount Desert Island and many other islands that you will surely enjoy!
It is just right off the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is a harsh wilderness.
Mount Desert Island and numerous smaller islands are part of the park.
The Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and Cadillac Mountain, the eastern seaboard’s highest point.
In fact, they are all located in Acadia National Park.
Among the many activities available are horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnics, and camping.
Furthermore, you can choose to go skiing, snowmobiling, or ice fishing during the winter.
In addition to its gorgeous fall foliage, Acadia’s snowy winter landscapes are just as stunning.
As a result, beautiful drives and hikes in the winter are popular.
On the other hand, winter might mean road closures and reduced access to popular destinations.
Bringing your pet along is an added bonus! However, you should always keep it on a leash and carefully dispose of any waste it produces.
Address: Bangor, Maine
Bangor City Forest
In the summer, it’s a great idea to take a stroll or bike ride in the Bangor woodland. Beautiful and calm, despite its central location in the city.
Over 680 acres of animal habitat and working forest make up Bangor City Forest in Maine’s capital city of Bangor.
Additional routes for jogging, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing may be found on more than 4 miles of access roads.
The East-West track, which is five miles long, provides an option for bikers.
The city of Bangor owns and operates the facility, which is open year-round.
According to city regulations, dogs must be on a leash at all times on Main Road, Shannon Road, Tripp Drive, and East Trail.
The ban on hunting in the forest and the illegal use of motor vehicles on the access roads and trails in Bangor are two further facts to keep in mind.
You don’t have to drive far to get away from the city’s commotion and bustle. It is a one-mile loop with several places to sit and take in the scenery.
Address: 54 Tripp Dr, Bangor, ME 04401
Bangor Farmers Market
Visit this market to support the local economy and stock up on nutritious and fresh produce.
Every Sunday afternoon from May through November, the Bangor Farmers’ Market is hosted in the city’s downtown area.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are available for purchase from local farmers and producers.
Also on hand are locally sourced meats, cheeses, bread, and baked items.
In Bangor, the market is held in front of the library.
The Sea Dog Brewing Company hosts the market year-round.
However, during the winter, it is moved indoors.
Welcome to charming Bangor, Maine, with its farmers’ market and gathering spots for family and friends.
Moreover, you can easily find local shops that sell a wide range of goods, such as cheese made from scratch and organic meat.
Come see for yourself what a healthier, more exciting experience awaits you!
Address: Bangor, Maine
Looking forward to exploring Maine? Check out our curated travel guides to Lewiston and Augusta! Discover the enjoyable things to do in Lewiston, Maine, and the best things to do in Augusta, Maine.
Bangor State Fair
The Bangor State Fair is one of the best things to do in Maine.
Traditional summertime fun for the entire family to enjoy!
Bangor State Fair, Maine’s largest annual fair, takes place at Bass Park in Bangor every July.
The Bangor State Fair is a four-day agricultural and leisure event held in Bass Park to benefit the residents of Bangor and the state of Maine.
Cross Insurance Center’s immediate surroundings. Since its inception in 1849, the Bangor State Fair has attracted between 40,000 and 50,000 visitors.
An interesting midway, 4-H activities, several food vendors, a demolition derby, live music, acrobats, a water show, the Farmer’s Draft Horse Show, tractor pull and truck, and other fun entertainment can be found at the Bangor State Fair.
There are also agricultural shows such as Frisbee Dogs, Old McDonald’s Farm, and Animal Alley available.
Other family-friendly activities, such as the lobster roll eating contest or the demolition derby, are also available.
Plan to remain for the evening performance, which has included Grammy winner John Fogerty in the past.
Address: 515 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
Cole Land Transportation Museum
The Cole Land Transportation Museum is one of the top attractions in Maine.
This museum is a wonderful place to relive the past. Many types of vehicles are included, including trains, plows, motorbikes, ships, and even helicopters.
To clear and shape the land that would eventually become the state of Maine, automobiles, trucks, and railroads played a vital role.
The Cole Land Transportation Museum has opened to keep these vehicles and the history of the first settlers and business people alive.
The Cole Foundation wants its stories to show future generations what it takes to be successful and encourage them to work hard.
Exhibits include vintage automobiles, trucks, railroads, snowplows, and fire vehicles.
Exhibits and artifacts honoring Maine’s veterans can be found here as well.
This is a great site to bring the whole family, and you’ll be able to snap some great shots. You’ll also get scavenger hunt lists from the front desk, which will encourage you to pay attention to the finer features of this vast collection of automobiles.
Address: 405 Perry Rd Bangor, ME 04401
Making travel plans to Maine? Visit our ultimate travel guides in Auburn and Portland. For the best travel experience, check out the awesome things to do in Auburn, Maine, and the best things to do in Portland, Maine.
Collins Center for the Arts
The Collins Center for the Arts is on the campus of the University of Maine. It is a place where students, faculty, and visitors can go to learn about art.
Collins Center for the Arts is the cultural epicenter of northern and eastern Maine’s southeastern and northern coastal regions. Since 1986, the Collins Center has shown a wide range of arts and cultures, bringing in people of all ages and interests.
The Hutchins Concert Hall, the Minsky Recital Hall, and the Bodwell Lounge Area are all located.
Many different events are held in the Collins Center, such as concerts, plays, talks, and screenings of films.
The University of Maine School of Performing Arts also uses it as a venue for its events and shows.
First-floor Miller’s Café serves food and beverages for numerous concerts at the facility.
You may look up upcoming performance dates and times on the internet. Purchase tickets online, over the phone, or at the box office. Is there anything more you want to do? Place your order right now!
Address: 2 Flagstaff Road Orono, ME 04469
Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
If there is a large concert when you are in Bangor, it will most likely be hosted at the Waterfront Pavilion. So come visit us!
The Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (formerly known as the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion) is an open-air amphitheater in Bangor’s Waterfront Park.
Celtic Woman performed at the theater on July 27, 2010. The arena, which is owned by the city of Bangor, may hold up to 15,000 people, depending on the arrangement.
Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion is a well-organized, clean, and easily accessible location with ample security.
Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, and Kid Rock are among the big names that have played here.
A proposal to make the amphitheater a permanent venue was proposed to the City Council in 2012. The council agreed to maintain the facility but not to make it a permanent stage.
In 2013, renovations were done to preserve the grounds, comply with noise restrictions, and extend the arena from 8,000 to 15,000 people.
Seating is excellent, although it depends on the event; most of them require you to get up and dance rather than sit down.
Address: 1 Railroad St Bangor, ME 04401
Fort Knox
Suppose you were the type of individual who often reads Wikipedia entries about historical events or the Renaissance. In that case, you should make your way outside of Bangor’s principal city to see Fort Knox!
This massive infrastructure is built of durable granite, which has allowed it to endure the ravages of time even though it has existed for such an extended period.
By visiting the fort and examining the various fascinating exhibits it houses, you may learn interesting tales regarding the hometown’s history.
After that, you must immediately travel along the neighboring Penobscot Narrow Observatory Bridge.
Bangor boasts a number of engineering wonders including this one, and it is a spot to behold and admire for its plain quality of construction.
In addition, you may take a trip across the bridge at the same time to admire the lovely Penobscot River from a stunning vantage point of view.
Address: 740 Fort Knox Road, Prospect, Maine 04981
Historical Tour
Bangor is a historic city with a lengthy and colorful past.
Register and join a detailed historical tour inside Bangor, where you can learn about its rich past and hear fascinating stories and occurrences.
Despite the passing years, there are remnants of Bangor’s former prominence as a port city.
As one of the first subterranean trains in the world to be constructed, visitors interested in historic railroads will be able to see firsthand how spectacular the past railroads were.
Additionally, there was a historic, devastating fire in Bangor’s downtown.
However, there are still some signs here that recount this tragic story.
Moreover, you can also witness the Bangor Historical Society for one of their city-wide historical tours.
Additionally, the Thomas Hill Museum is also a must-see destination for history lovers.
Plan your journey and bring your camera to photograph all of the historical sites you will see in Bangor, Maine.
Address: Bangor, Maine
Hudson Museum
Check out the Hudson Museum to learn about the world’s many cultures!
The Collins Center for the Arts is home to the University of Maine’s Hudson Museum, which is open to the public.
The Hudson Museum promotes cultural diversity and openness through its exhibits, activities, and other projects.
The museum has a vast collection of antiquities and artifacts from throughout the globe.
Moreover, there are three galleries at the Museum: one for temporary exhibits, one for World Cultures, and one for Maine Indians.
More than 2,000 pre-Columbian ceramics, Northwest Coast art, 900 Maine Indian artifacts, and ceramics from several other Native American civilizations are on display year-round.
In addition, the museum offers educational programs for kids in grades K-12, including lectures, exhibitions on the road, and field trips.
Pay a visit to Hudson Museum and have fun with your kiddos!
Address: 5746 Collins Center for the Arts Orono, Maine
Maine Discovery Museum
The Maine Discovery Museum is a wonderful place for families to take their children, and they’ll have “far too much fun” there.
The Maine Discovery Museum is located in the heart of downtown Bangor.
It strives to provide Maine’s children and families with exceptional educational opportunities.
Touring the museum helps kids develop their creativity, sense of wonder, and ability to learn in new ways.
Moreover, this museum is the right place to be for young minds, budding scientists, and up-and-and-coming artists of all disciplines.
In order to teach visitors about the natural world, its plants and animals as well as human anatomy as well as art, technology and other civilizations from across the world, hands-on exhibits are employed.
Here, people often meet for groups and activities related to the arts, math, science, and physical health.
Specialized programs are provided for school breaks.
In fact, your child’s birthday celebration will be taken care of by the museum, too!
Have fun with your family by exploring their hands-on displays and interactive exhibitions!
Address: 74 Main Street Bangor, ME 04401
Mount Hope Cemetery
A cemetery may appear to be an unexpected addition to a travel schedule, But it is worth visiting!
The Mount Hope Cemetery, on the other hand, is unique in that it allows visitors to roam through its grounds.
Mount Hope, known as the second garden cemetery in the United States, also maintained the neighboring cemetery property of the City of Bangor during the nineteenth and twentieth century.
It is among the oldest existing garden cemeteries in the country.
Moreover, there is a wide diversity of natural plants to be seen within its borders.
If you have a passion for botany, you can discover many unfamiliar plants to investigate and exercise your botanical knowledge only at Mount Hope Cemetery.
In 1995, Mount Hope owned or maintained around 300 acres of property.
It first opened to the public for educational and recreational reasons and provided crematory, mausoleum, and other cemetery services.
Otherwise, you may spend a tranquil and beautiful day relaxing in these gardens.
Address: 1048 State St, Bangor, ME 04401
Orono Bog Boardwalk
Bogs are underappreciated yet wonderful habitats, and Orono Bog near Bangor is no exception.
The Orono Bog Boardwalk is a must-see in the Bangor/Orono region for anybody interested in the beauty and interesting plants and creatures of a Maine bog.
The 1-mile boardwalk loop route begins at the wooded wetland border in the Forest of Bangor City.
You’ll cross the Orono town line 800 feet into the University of Maine’s part of the Orono Bog.
On its route to the open, peat moss carpeted core of the Orono Bog, the boardwalk goes through a variety of diverse plants and conditions.
The Bog Boardwalk project is a collaboration between the University of Maine, the City of Bangor, and the Orono Land Trust.
Moreover, visitors to the boardwalk are greeted by a succession of beautifully-designed and full-color signages.
Many tourists come to the boardwalk repeatedly to study the colorful bog and soak in its quiet beauty as the seasons change.
Come on by and have a good time in the bog!
Address: Tripp Dr, Bangor, ME 04401
Paul Bunyan Statue
The Paul Bunyan Statue is one of the best places to visit in Maine.
Bangor, Maine, is home to the “world’s largest Paul Bunyan statue.”
According to its placard, on a stone pedestal outside the Bangor Civic Center in Bass Park.
The town of Bangor is proud to say that both the lumber industry and Paul Bunyan came from there.
Those who are skeptical about Bangor’s claim to be Paul Bunyan’s “birthplace” can view the author’s birth certificate in City Hall’s City Clerk’s office.
According to the official birth certificate, he was born on February 12, 1834.
Bangorians are reminded of their ties to this American folk hero by a titan-sized statue in the city.
In addition to its double-sided ax and lumberjack’s peavey, the monument stands at 31 feet tall and weighs 3,700 pounds.
Winds of up to 110 mph can resist Paul Bunyan’s fiberglass-over-metal structure.
On Paul’s 125th birthday, February 12, 1959, the statue was unveiled in Bangor.
Don’t forget to capture this meaningful memorial in Bagnor, Maine with your camera!
Address: 519 Main St., Bangor, ME
Penobscot River Walkway
There has to be a wonderful boardwalk in Bangor, where the Penobscot River runs through the city.
Between Union Street and the confluence of Railroad and Front streets in Bangor’s Waterfront Park, the Penobscot River Walkway stretches for just half a mile.
In addition to picnic tables and bathrooms, the park also has boat docks.
The walk goes along the river’s edge, and the park is used for many different things all year long.
Additionally, there are many scenic and historical sights to see when strolling, biking, or jogging along the river’s banks.
It takes an average of 23 minutes to complete this course.
Also, the park has a lot of activities going on all year long, such as free concerts in the summertime.
You may also stop for a bite and a drink while watching the river from one of the many surrounding food trucks or on many nearby seats.
Address: Bangor, Maine
Stephen King’s house
Popular novelist Stephen King is most known for his horror thrillers. Fans of his paintings may swing by and view his beautiful Bangor house.
A great deal of the work of acclaimed horror author Stephen King has taken place in and around Maine, where the author was born.
Despite his fame and fortune, he still resides in Bangor, Maine, in a unique mansion just outside the city center.
Despite their size and pricey appearance, the homes in his community are all within walking distance of a huge roadway with a public walkway running through it.
Red and white trim on the King’s mansion makes it appear like it has stood the test of time.
All in all, it is also visible from the street, not obscured by the property’s little wrought-iron fence.
Even if the house is a private one, you may take a walk about the area and snap images of it and talk with the owner if he’s present.
Address: 47 W Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
The Hollywood Casino & Raceway Bangor
The tables and slot machines here aren’t exactly Vegas-style, but they’re still a good spot to gamble and see whether you’ve got what it takes to win big.
There is a casino and a racetrack called Hollywood Casino in Bangor, Maine.
It is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and managed by Penn National Gaming.
As of 2012, it was the first licensed casino in Maine to provide table games and the state’s first licensed slots facility.
There has been a legislative vote that approved slot gambling at pari-mutuel racing tracks.
Penn National Gaming purchased Bangor Historic Track and its slots license from casino entrepreneur Shawn Scott, and the site became a casino.
However, smoking is not permitted inside the casino, and the personnel is kind and helpful.
When you need a mental vacation from gaming, all you have to do is turn on the TV or go out to eat.
Indulge in a little card or table game fun, or hit the slots for a quick fix.
Address: 500 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
The Rock & Art Shop
This charming little boutique is a great place to pick up a memento of your trip to Bangor or a thoughtful present for a loved one back home.
Family-run, The Rock & Art shop promotes the appreciation of natural history, art, science, and aesthetics while also giving back to its community.
A wide variety of intriguing products for people of all ages and interests, including rocks and crystals, jewelry, bugs, and books.
Over twenty different Maine artists’ works of art, including rocks and minerals, are for sale here.
Moreover, they also feature some unusual air plants and other lovely pieces of artwork.
Every month, they also feature the work of a different local artist. A natural history museum with a sprinkling of anthropology, according to some patrons.
It is the mission of The Rock & Art Shop to offer a singular shopping experience to all customers. Is there anything more you want to do? It’s best to see it for yourself.
Address: 36 Central Street Bangor, ME 04401
Thomas Hill Standpipe
The best way to obtain a eagle’s eye perspective of Bangor is to hike to the top and look down on the city from the Standpoint of Thomas Hill.
It’s a great place to take photos with your DSLR because of the breathtaking vistas you’ll receive from the summit.
Moreover, Thomas Hill Standpipe occupies a prominent place in Bangor’s history and exemplifies the city’s civil engineering prowess.
An American Civil Engineering Landmark, this historic property is designated as a National as a historic landmark.
However, there are only four times a year when the monument’s enormous precincts are open for thorough visits. But don’t worry, it is worth the wait.
Please inquire about what’s going on with the Thomas Hill Standpoint public tour schedule if you’re visiting Bangor as a tourist.
Plan your visit appropriately to experience it firsthand!
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see a historical engineering marvel that you will never forget!
Address: 41 Thomas Hill Rd, Bangor, ME 04401
University of Maine Museum of Art
Become a part of a vibrant modern art scene in Bangor’s downtown area!
This institution has been committed to assisting students and public members to gain an appreciation for modern art since 1946.
Photographs, sculptures, installations, prints, and paintings by well-known regional, national, and worldwide artists are displayed at UMMA.
Moreover, the museum’s permanent collection has more than 3,800 works of art from the 20th century. Most of these are photos and original prints.
Andy Warhol, Andrew Wyeth, Richard Estes, Diego Rivera, and Pablo Picasso are notable painters whose works are on show.
Additionally, you’ll find rotating exhibitions and hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages at the museum.
Visitors of all ages may learn something new and interesting at UMMA.
If you’re looking for something fresh and exciting to see, the University of Maine Museum of Art has a rotating program of 12 unique contemporary art exhibitions.
Traveling and having fun in the USA? You have to check out this page – the best states to visit in USA for the most fun and unusual travel ideas.
Need more convincing to travel to Bangor, Maine, right? Click here for all the reasons to visit Bangor, Maine, at least once in your lifetime here.
Address: 40 Harlow Street Bangor, ME 04401
