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Orono, Maine: Where Fun and Adventure Meet – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Orono is a campus town and most of this whole page sits on it. The bog boardwalk is flat, raised on posts and runs to about a mile in length. Nothing here needs proper boots except for the trails out around Acadia. That park is a drive out rather than an afternoon from the town. Everything else here sits within a short walk of the university itself.

Welcome to Orono, Maine, a town set in the middle of the state. Whether you live here or you are visiting, there is plenty to do and plenty to see in Orono. From the outdoor half through to the historical sites, this town covers most kinds of visitor.

If you want a taste of Orono, take the Orono Brewing Company. This local brewery runs a long list of craft beer that will suit most palates. And if you’re hungry, eat at one of the local restaurants doing Maine cooking properly.

If you live outdoors, Orono has the ground for it. Walk the Orono Bog Boardwalk and take the country and the wildlife on both sides of you. If you want something harder, head to the University of Maine’s climbing wall and find out where your limit is. And after dark, take the stargazing in Orono, where the clear skies do the work for you.

Key Takeaways

• Orono, Maine offers a variety of fun things to do and places to visit for locals and visitors alike.
• From outdoor adventures like the Orono Bog Boardwalk to historical sites, there’s something for everyone in this charming town.
• Be sure to check out the Orono Brewing Company for a taste of local craft beer and enjoy the clear skies for stargazing at night.

A Taste of Orono

Looking for a taste of Orono? These are the local places that do something you will not get elsewhere.

Orono Brewing Company

If you drink craft beer, do not miss the Orono Brewing Company. With a rotating list on, there is always something new. From their Tubular IPA to their Van Life IPA, one of them will land. And with a comfortable room and staff who talk to you, you will stay longer than planned.

The Family Dog

For eating with the family, head to The Family Dog. This restaurant runs classic American cooking, burgers through hot dogs to mac and cheese. But what actually makes The Family Dog is the room. With the dog theme running through the artwork and a giant dog statue in the middle of it, this is where a casual meal with the family goes.

207 BBQ

If you want BBQ, take 207 BBQ. This restaurant runs the whole list, brisket through pulled pork to ribs. And with a rustic room to eat it in, the place matches the food. Do not take our word for it, because the reviews say the same thing about the cooking and the staff.

Orono’s Fruitful Kettle Sour

Want a drink that is not like the others? Take Orono’s Fruitful Kettle Sour. This local beer is brewed with fresh fruit, which gives it the sweet and sharp edge. And with a low ABV you can take a couple without losing the afternoon. It is the drink for a hot day.

Whatever you came for, Orono has a version of it. So go ahead and take a taste of the town today.

Outdoor Adventures

While you’re in Orono, the outdoor half will keep you busy. Whether you want to get properly into the country or just get your heart rate up, both are covered. Here are the outdoor options to take:

Orono Bog Boardwalk

If you want a walk that is not like the others, the Orono Bog Boardwalk is the one. This raised boardwalk runs through a peat bog with the forest standing around it. Watch for wildlife along the way, beavers, muskrats and birds among them. It is how you get the air and the exercise without working for either.

Acadia National Park

A short drive from Orono, Acadia National Park is the one to take if you follow nature. With over 47,000 acres, you will not run out of ground. Hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain for the coast opening out below you, or walk the Ocean Path slowly instead. And in summer you can swim in the park’s clear lakes.

Fishing in Orono

If you fish, Orono is where you want to be. The Penobscot River holds a real range of species, salmon, trout and bass among them. You can fish from the bank or rent a boat and work the river properly. Just get a fishing license before you cast.

Cross-Country Skiing

Once the snow arrives, Orono changes entirely. Cross-country skiing is how you stay outdoors and stay warm through the cold months. The Hirundo Wildlife Refuge and the Bangor City Forest both run groomed trails at every level. Just dress for it, because it gets seriously cold out there.

Whenever you come, Orono has something running. Whether that is walking in the woods or fishing the river, the day will land. So take the gear and get outside.

Historical Sites

If you read history, Orono holds enough sites to fill the days. Here are a few of ours:

Page Farm and Home Museum

Step back a century into the history of Maine farming at the Page Farm and Home Museum. This museum sits on the University of Maine campus and runs exhibits covering everything from early farm tools to household items. You get what early Maine farmers were actually up against, and what it took to build the state’s agriculture.

Hudson Museum

The Hudson Museum is the one to take if world cultures are your subject, particularly those of Native Americans. This museum sits on the University of Maine campus and runs exhibits from traditional Native American clothing through to contemporary art. You get the history and the traditions of the Wabanaki people and what they built here.

Cole Land Transportation Museum

If vintage cars and trucks are your subject, do not miss the Cole Land Transportation Museum. This museum runs a serious collection of antique vehicles, from early steam-powered cars to muscle cars from the 1960s. You also get the history of transportation in Maine and what cars and trucks did to this state’s economy and culture.

Whether it is early Maine farming, Native American culture or vintage cars and trucks, Orono holds the sites for it. So step back a century and work through the history of this Maine town.

Stargazing in Orono

If you want to look at the sky properly, Orono runs the places for it. Here are the best spots for stargazing in Orono:

Orono’s Planetariums

Orono holds the Emera Astronomy Center, which runs a planetarium with shows through the year. You get early space exploration and Maine’s own part in it, from the first test launches through to the International Space Station. The planetarium runs a modern digital projection system that puts the night sky over you and moves you through it.

The other option is the Versant Astronomy Center, which runs a planetarium and an observatory. The planetarium covers the wider picture, while the observatory puts the stars and planets in front of you through a telescope.

Observatories

If you want to get closer still, head to the Ellen M. Leach Memorial Observatory on the University of Maine campus. The observatory opens to the public on Friday nights through the academic year, which is when you get the night sky through a telescope. You see everything from the moon and planets through to galaxies and nebulae.

Whether you have done this for years or you are looking up for the first time, Orono has the options. So take the telescope and get out under it.

The campus sets the calendar around here and the whole town follows it. Term time fills the bars, the concerts and the sporting events all at once. The observatory opens on Friday nights right through the academic year alone. Summer empties the place right out and the bog boardwalk takes over instead. And winter brings the groomed ski trails out at the two nearby forests.

Shopping in Orono

Looking for somewhere to shop in Orono that is not the same as everywhere else? Take the town’s Farmers Market and Front Porch Books.

Front Porch Books

If you read, Front Porch Books is where you go. This small bookstore is full of things worth carrying home. From classic literature to new releases, they have it. Plus the staff talk to you properly and will put the right book in your hand.

Orono Farmers Market

If you want fresh produce, handmade work and a morning worth spending, the Orono Farmers Market is the one. This market runs every Saturday morning with vendors selling everything from fruit and vegetables to homemade baking. There is live music and other entertainment while you work through it.

Whether you want a book or fresh produce, Orono covers it. So put the walking shoes on and work through the shopping in this town.

Family Fun

Looking for something to do with the family in Orono? You’re in luck. This town runs plenty for school-aged children.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Take your family to the next level by trying indoor rock climbing! Head over to the Maine Bound Adventure Center located on the University of Maine campus for some climbing excitement. They offer a variety of climbing walls to suit all skill levels, from beginner to expert. Don’t worry if you’ve never climbed before, their friendly staff will give you a quick lesson and get you started. It’s a great way to challenge yourself and bond with your family.

Hands-On Activities

Looking for a more hands-on experience? Check out the Page Farm and Home Museum for some interactive exhibits. Learn about the history of farming and see how people used to live in Maine. They also have a blacksmith shop where you can watch demonstrations and learn about the art of blacksmithing. It’s a great way to learn about history and have fun at the same time.

If you’re looking for something a little more creative, head over to The Clay Studio and try your hand at pottery. They offer classes for all ages and skill levels, so everyone in your family can get involved. It’s a great way to express your creativity and make some unique souvenirs to take home.

So whether you want a challenge or something creative, Orono has the family activities to fill the days.

Accommodations in Orono

Hotels in Orono

On somewhere to sleep in Orono, you have the choice. Whether you want the cheap end or something more comfortable, there is a hotel in Orono that fits.

The hotel most people take in Orono is the Black Bear Inn And Conference Center. This one runs comfortable rooms, an indoor pool and a fitness center. Plus it sits near the University of Maine campus, which makes it the obvious call if you are visiting a student.

The other one is the University Inn Academic Suites. This hotel works for families and groups, running suites with separate living areas and kitchenettes. Plus it is a short walk from downtown Orono and the restaurants and shops there.

If you want the cheaper end, take the Days Inn by Wyndham. This one runs clean, comfortable rooms without the price. Plus it sits just off I-95, which makes it straightforward if you are passing through.

Whichever hotel you take, read the reviews on Tripadvisor before you book. You do not want to find out on arrival. And if you would rather be outdoors, you can camp at the nearby Rolland Perry City Forest. Just bring your own tent and supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do for free in Orono?

You can walk the Orono Bog Walk, which costs nothing and gets you the exercise and the country at the same time. You can also take the Hudson Museum at the University of Maine, which is free to everybody. And if you want to cool off, get into the Stillwater River. It is not a pool, and on a hot day it does the job.

What’s the deal with the Orono Bog Walk?

The Orono Bog Walk is a 1-mile boardwalk running through the middle of the Orono Bog. It puts you into a side of Maine that most visitors never see. You get plants and wildlife along it, pitcher plants, orchids and birds among them. And with luck a moose comes through. Just bring bug spray, because the mosquitoes here take it seriously.

What’s the vibe like around the University of Maine?

The University of Maine runs on real energy, with students from across the world. Through the school year, the campus has something on constantly, from concerts to sporting events to art exhibits. And plenty of those are open to the public whether you study there or not. So come down and use them.

Can anyone survive living in Orono, Maine?

Of course. Orono is a good place to live, with a real community and enough going on. The winters run cold, and that is part of the deal. And if you are not used to it, you adjust faster than you expect. Plus there are coffee shops and restaurants here where you warm up over a drink or a bowl of soup. So give Orono a try, because it grows on people.

Frequently asked questions about Orono, Maine

Is the Orono Bog Boardwalk genuinely free to walk on?

Yes, entirely free. It runs about a mile of raised boardwalk straight through a peat bog, past pitcher plants and orchids, with beavers, muskrats and birds working in the water around you. The surface is flat the whole way along, so a stroller handles it fine. The parking at the trailhead out there costs you nothing either. Take bug spray with you, because the mosquitoes out there are properly serious.

Is the Hudson Museum worth an hour on the campus?

Yes, and free. It covers world cultures with the Wabanaki people at the center of it, running from traditional clothing right through to contemporary work being made right now. The Page Farm and Home Museum sits on that very same campus too. Both of them cost nothing at all to walk straight into. Do the two of them together, because the walk between takes no time.

Is Orono Brewing Company worth a stop for non-drinkers?

Honestly, not really. It runs a rotating list built around the IPAs, the Tubular and the Van Life among them, which is the whole reason people walk through that door. The Family Dog is the better call if you have the children with you. And 207 BBQ covers the other end of the evening entirely well. Eat first and drink second, because this town closes early right through midweek.

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