You can find Bangor in the very heart of Maine, tucked within the forests that line the Penobscot River. This city is a lot of fun, with everything from interesting museums to beautiful pockets of nature. My husband is a big fan of Stephen King, which made our visit particularly worthwhile. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Bangor, ME!
Introduction to Bangor, ME
When to Visit Bangor, ME
We came here in July, and I think summer is the best time of year to visit Bangor, ME. The days were warm, the nights were cool, and it did not rain once.
Spring and autumn can be nice but are subject to wide swings in temperature (similar to most of New England). Winter is usually freezing cold with snowstorms to boot.
How Much Time to Spend in Bangor, ME
It depends on what you want to do! We spent a long weekend here, which meant that we could explore in depth.
I think a full weekend is fine as well, especially if you are just passing through and have other stops to make. I would read about the best things to do in Bangor, ME, first so you know how many sights you plan to hit.
How to Get to Bangor, ME
The best way to get to Bangor, ME, is to drive. We drove from west of Boston, and it took us less than 4 hours. You might also be able to take a bus depending on your location.
If you are coming from outside New England, Bangor has its own airport 10 minutes from downtown.
Length of time from…
- Montpelier, VT – 5 hours
- Concord, NH – 3.5 hours
- Boston, MA – 4 hours
- Hartford, CT – 5 hours
- Providence, RI – 5 hours
Where to Stay in Bangor, ME
The best place to stay in Bangor, ME, is downtown.
We stayed at a bed and breakfast called the Tarratine Inn, and it was lovely. A hotel will be further out, but I recommend the Courtyard by Marriott.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Bangor, ME, with kids?
I think the best activities in Bangor, ME, with kids are the Maine Discovery Museum and the Cole Land Transportation Museum.
What are the best things to do in Bangor, ME, with adults?
I think the best activities in Bangor, ME, with adults are SK Tours and the Bangor Farmers Market.
What are some unique things to do in Bangor, ME?
The Paul Bunyon Statue and Mount Hope Cemetery are both unique activities in Bangor, ME.
What are some free things to do in Bangor, ME?
Bangor City Forest and the Zillman Art Museum are both free activities in Bangor, ME.
What are the best things to do in Bangor, ME, at night?
I think the best activities in Bangor, ME, at night are the Bangor Historical Society tours in October and the Penobscot Theatre Company.
History of Bangor, ME
Bangor was first settled by the native Penobscot, who practiced some agriculture but also relied on hunting and gathering. The Portuguese came in the early 16th century, followed by the French in the early 17th century.
Originally called Norumbega and Sunbury, they eventually named the land after a Welsh tune. The British captured it during the Revolutionary War, and the American expedition to retake it resulted in a stunning naval defeat.
Bangor was also sacked during the War of 1812, before seceding from Massachusetts in 1820 and becoming the foremost lumber port in the world in 1860. The lumber barons built elaborate mansions on Broadway during this period, earning Bangor the nickname “the Queen City of the East.”
Unfortunately, the Great Fire of 1911 destroyed much of downtown (apparently you could see the glow in the sky from Belfast). Lumber was eventually replaced by papermaking, and now the economy is based on services and retail, healthcare, and education.
Best Things to Do in Bangor, ME
SK Tours
Horror novelist Stephen King is a famous former resident of Bangor. He wrote celebrated works like Carrie and The Shining (though my personal favorite is On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft).
SK Tours is a family run business and the ultimate authority on all things Stephen King. They operate a narrated bus-driven tour that takes you through “Derry,” a fictionalized portrayal of Bangor in several of his stories.
We visited places that inspired him, like Mount Hope Cemetery (inspiration for Pet Sematary) and the Thomas Hill Standpipe (inspiration for It).
We also visited places where he lived, including a spooky Victorian mansion set within a historic neighborhood; the iconic structure was built in 1858 and has a wrought-iron gate with bats and spiders.
The people behind this tour have been fans of Stephen King since 1974 and even used to own a bookshop that specialized in his works!
Littlefield Garden
Littlefield Garden is an ornamentals trial garden at the University of Maine that is dedicated to research, teaching, and demonstration.
It was established in the early 1960s by a professor of horticulture named Lyle E. Littlefield and has over 2,500 plants. Though best known for its flowering crabapple trees and extensive lilac hedge, it also places emphasis on rhododendrons and magnolias.
The research focuses on ornamental characteristics, landscape potential, and winter hardiness (Maine can get brutally cold).
Paul Bunyon Statue
Bangor was “the lumber capital of the United States” in the 1800s. To honor the lumberjacks of this period, a 31-foot-tall statue of Paul Bunyon was constructed on Main Street.
In American and Canadian folklore, he is a logger with extraordinary strength who performs superhuman labors with Babe the Blue Ox.
His legend started in the oral tradition of lumberjacks and was eventually put in print for the pamphlet of a lumber company.
More recent stories depict him as gigantic and attribute natural wonders to him. For instance, he created lakes with his footprints and the Grand Canyon by dragging his ax.
The statue downtown is certainly unique, and it was honestly a lot bigger than I imagined!
Bangor Historical Society
The Bangor Historical Society is located in an 1836 Greek revival-style home that was built for Thomas A. Hill, a lawyer, banker, and speculator. They care for items like antique clothes, books, and furniture and offer fantastic tours too.
We dove into the rich history of the city with the “Best of Bangor” tour, which covers the first settlers, the worst tragedy in our naval history until Pearl Harbor, the British Occupation during the War of 1812, the Great Fire of 1911, and more.
The “Devil’s Half Acre” tour details a very interesting period in Bangor, when the city refused to comply with the 1851 Prohibitory Law in Maine. Instead, saloons and brothels were packed into an area rife with violence and reigned over by Fan Jones, a notorious Madam.
These tours are one of the best things to do in Bangor, ME, with some including historic architecture, lumber barons, and even ghosts!
Maine Discovery Museum
The Maine Discovery Museum is bursting with interactive fun for kids.
There are turtles and snakes in the Reptile Room and nature trails that include a 20-foot waterway and a two-story treehouse. In Booktown, they can experience scenes from popular stories complete with sets, costumes, and props.
In Artscape, they can design a masterpiece on an oversized Lite-Brite or build a structure with PVC pipes. There are chances to play vet or doctor or even fossil hunt at Dino Dig.
This spot is perfect for a rainy day with kids!
Helpful Information
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children and Adults | $12 |
| Seniors (over 65) | $10 |
Bangor Farmers Market
The Bangor Farmers Market supports the local economy by showcasing the incredible agriculture in Maine. The vendors have fresh produce, meat, eggs, cheese, bread, flowers, and more, with many using organic methods.
For example, Burke Hill Farm specializes in wild blueberries; they manage wild fields rather than planting and harvest with rakes.
Wise Acres Farm focuses on conservation with vegetables like carrots, peppers, zucchini, and squash. Maison de Chevre is a family run artisanal goat creamery where they milk by hand.
If the market is open while you are in town then definitely stop by!
Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory and Fort Knox
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is remarkable and has a 420-foot-tall Observatory with absolutely stunning 360-degree views of the river, countryside, and mountains.
The bridge was modeled after the Washington Monument and sits next to Fort Knox, a well-preserved example of coastal defense fortification. It was built following the British Occupation during the War of 1812 and helped a young United States deal with border disputes.
The fort was named after Major General Henry Knox, the first Secretary of War, and a volunteer docent even gave us a free tour!
Helpful Information
| Time of Year | Hours |
|---|---|
| May 1 to June 30 | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| July 1 to August 31 | 9:00 am to 6:00 pm |
| September 1 to October 31 | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| November 1 to April 30 | Closed |
| Age | Ticket Price Maine Resident | Ticket Price Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (under 12) | $5 | $5 |
| Adults | $7 | $9 |
| Seniors (over 65) | $2.50 | $5.50 |
Cole Land Transportation Museum
The Cole Land Transportation Museum collects, preserves, and displays a spectacular variety of land transportation equipment from the state of Maine. With a full acre of indoor exhibits, you can spend hours in this space (and they even have a scavenger hunt)!
There are train cars on railroad tracks and Soap Box Derby cars from the youth racing program. They also have antique cars in mint condition, like a 1923 Packard Roadster and a 1931 REO Royale Coupe.
You can explore military vehicles from World War II or learn about how snow removal evolved over time from a horse-pulled snow roller to snowplows.
This museum is fun for kids and one of the best things to do in Bangor, ME.
Helpful Information
Open seasonally from May to November, 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
| Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Children (under 19) | Free |
| Adults | $10 |
| Seniors (over 65) | $8 |
Bangor City Forest
Bangor City Forest is a haven of 680 acres with 10 miles of trails for walking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Here you can find peace and quiet in a beautiful setting and get closer to nature.
We did the Orono Bog Walk, a one-mile stroll through wetlands and peat moss with stations identifying the unique flora and fauna. You can also take a guided tour with experts who explain the natural history and ecology of the area.
The Bangor City Forest is home to wildlife as well, such as great horned owls and black bears.
Zillman Art Museum
The Zillman Art Museum displays modern and contemporary art with a concentration on original prints and photography.
The collection has over 4,000 works in rotation from the early 20th century on. Located in a building that once housed a bustling department store in the 1930s, you can now see pieces by Pablo Picasso or Andy Warhol.
The museum is owned by the University of Maine and hosts lectures by featured artists as well as classes on styles like ink wash painting. In the summer, it hosts a camp for kids!
Helpful Information
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission is free
Penobscot Theatre Company
The Penobscot Theatre Company is a treasure, hosting a wide variety of plays and musicals each season.
The structure is the last remaining opera house in a city that used to have seven and was known as “the little Broadway of the North.” The style of the building is Art Deco Egyptian revival with Art Nouveau overtones.
They put on shows like Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and The Wizard of Oz, and the reviews are always great. They also have private voice lessons for adults and a summer camp for kids with days focused on scenic design, make-up, acting, singing, and circus performances.
Mount Hope Cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery is the second-largest garden cemetery in the United States.
It was completed in 1836 as part of a rural cemetery movement, when people wanted a peaceful spot to bury their loved ones within an urban landscape. Thousands of ornate tombstones dot the green space, complete with hills, trees, and ponds.
The grounds are open to visitors but we took a guided tour with the Bangor Historical Society. In October, they even do them after dark!
Though a little gloomy, I think coming here is one of the best things to do in Bangor, ME.
Thomas Hill Standpipe
We saw the Thomas Hill Standpipe on a Stephen King tour. The structure was built in 1897 and has been in continuous use since completion, regulating water pressure downtown and even storing water for emergencies.
During World War II, it was painted olive for camouflage due to its proximity to the easternmost airfield in the United States.
The riveted wrought-iron tank with a wood frame jacket is now a city landmark and can hold 1.75 million gallons of water. Its lights are called the jewels in the crown of “the Queen City of the East.”
The promenade deck is only open four times a year but has magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.
Page Farm and Home Museum
The Page Farm and Home Museum is a window to the past. Located on the University of Maine campus, it covers farm and home life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
They have an 1833 post-and-beam barn, a carriage house, and a blacksmith shop as well as an 1855 one-room schoolhouse with separate entrances for boys and girls. A heritage garden contains heirloom varieties of flowers, herbs, and vegetables that were cultivated during this period.
You can also visit the old-fashioned Brownie’s Kitchen with recipes and home economics tips, like daffodil cake, honey and vinegar candy, and ways to limit sugar intake due to war rationing.
Penobscot River Walkway
The Penobscot River Walkway stretches for 0.5 miles along the waterfront of Bangor. We took an easy stroll to admire the views before grabbing some lunch from a food truck.
The Penobscot River was integral to the establishment of Bangor and is named after the indigenous people. The first European to navigate it was the Portuguese Estêvão Gomes in 1524, followed by the French Samuel de Champlain in 1605.
It then became a trade corridor from the interior of the state to the ocean. During the Revolutionary War, the disastrous Penobscot Expedition resulted in the loss of the entire American fleet and was the worst tragedy in our naval history until Pearl Harbor.
The Penobscot River was then used for lumbering and papermaking before eventually turning to more recreational pursuits like boating, fishing, and tourism.
I hope you enjoyed this post about the best things to do in Bangor, ME! I also hope it convinced you that Bangor, ME, is worth visiting.
For another trip, check out the best places to visit in Maine!