Bangor

Whether you enjoy dining, the arts, the great outdoors, history, architecture, shopping or sports, you’re sure to find something to do and lots to love here.

The Bangor region has been designated by the State as one of Maine’s gateway communities. Bangor’s central location allows you to stay in a central location and see everything Maine has to offer - scenic coastline and beaches, camping, hiking, canoeing, charming downtowns and shopping, theater and the arts, and so much more. Your vacation begins here.

You’ll find miles of trails for jogging, biking, cross country hiking, sailing, fishing and winter sports as well as scenic paths along the Penobscot River and Kenduskeag Stream. The downtown area hosts many art studios and galleries mixed in among small specialty shops and a wide array of restaurants to satisfy the “foodie” in you.

Concerts seem to happen everywhere in Bangor. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra has charmed audiences since 1896 and the Bangor Band is one of the oldest, continuous community bands in the United States. Bangor is also home to the American Folk Festival, the Collins Center for the Arts and Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, an open-air amphitheater that hosts some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Most Unusual: Paul Bunyan, the mythical lumberman, was born in Bangor, Maine, according to the locals. And while other parts of the country claim him as their native son, Bangor is the only place with a 31 foot, 3700 pound fiberglass statue built in his honor. Be sure to stop here for your memorable photo with the statue.

Hidden Gems: Just a short drive north to Bradley you will find the Maine Forest and Logging Museum where you can celebrate the sustainable forest culture of Maine. The Cole Land Transportation Museum, in Bangor, has every form of transportation you can imagine. The items range from doll and baby carriages, to dump trucks and fire trucks, to a Bangor & Aroostook engine, boxcar, and caboose.