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Bethel
Photo by Kingpineair.com
Voted “America’s Best Ski Town” by USA Today readers, Bethel is situated in the Androscoggin River valley surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Maine.
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Now a quiet resort town, it is full of quaint shops and tranquil streets where visitors can enjoy a casual stroll to experience its New England village charm.
Year round recreation abounds with the likes of hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and golf in the spring and summer. Winter comes alive with some of the best alpine skiing in the east at Sunday River Ski Resort, only a short drive from Bethel. Of course, there is plenty of Nordic skiing and snowshoeing with lots of stops for après ski merriment. The fall foliage in the area is among the best in Maine.
The Bethel area offers many choices for accommodations and eateries. You’ll find many B&B Inns that offer an intimate, home like setting and there are plenty of choices from among the locally run restaurants, lounges and pubs. The Sunday River complex offers hotels and lodges with accommodations such as health and fitness centers, saunas, swimming pools and spa services. Camps, cottages, vacation rentals and campgrounds round out the available places to stay.
Most Unusual: There are three wooden Covered Bridges in the Bethel area. The Sunday River Bridge is the oldest, built in 1872 and spans 87 feet. The Bethel Recreational Pathway Bridge was built in 2001 and spans 50 feet and the Big Adventure Bridge was built in 1999 and also spans 50 feet. (see our article on the Covered Bridge Tour)
Local Favorites: Zipline tours at Sunday River feature a series of six lines ranging from 100 to 300 feet in length with a final “zip” down the resort’s 750- foot Twin Zip. Its wooded location takes you through the trees and over a ravine and streambed, at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
