7 Fun Things to Do in Bangor Maine

If you’re looking for things to do in Bangor Maine, you’ve come to the right place. Bangor is the third largest city in the state and is situated on the western side of the Penobscot River. The city is located just an hour and a half from the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Acadia National Park. Bangor is known for its vibrant community with several festivals being held throughout the year. Some popular festivals include the state fair, harvest festival, and the American Folk Festival. Bangor’s history goes back to the 1800s when Bangor was a lumber trade center. This city was considered the lumber capital of the world at that time and this boosted the economy of the town. Today, Bangor’s economy prospers from a variety of fields. Including retail, education, services, and healthcare. The city gets pretty cold in winter so if you’re planning to be outside, summer would be the most ideal time. With that being said, let’s jump right into some things to do in Bangor Maine.

1. Brewer Riverwalk

DrStew82, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Brewer Riverwalk is a 1.1-mile out-and-back trail that runs along the Penobscot River. The Penobscot River separates the city of Bangor from the suburb of Brewer, meaning that this trail sits just outside of Bangor. This place is perfect for an afternoon walk or a morning jog, anything to get outside and enjoy the view. Speaking of views, you can see much of Bangor’s downtown from here as it sits right on the other side of the river. The trail starts at Mason’s and runs all the way to State Street. To get here from Bangor, crossing the river at Union Street is your best option, but State Street works too.

2. Maine Discovery Museum

John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Maine Discovery Museum is a relatively new addition to the city, having opened in 2001. It has quickly grown to be a popular destination for tourists, especially those with families. Popular exhibits in the museum include a rock climbing wall, construction zone, vet clinic, tree house, and a mini theater. All of this is designed to expand kids minds to different professions while also having tons of fun. Getting to this museum is a breeze as it sits right in the center of the city. If you’re in downtown Bangor and looking for a fun activities, this museum is your best bet.

3. Cole Land Transportation Museum

User: Stilfehler at wikivoyage shared, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

This museum was founded with the idea of showcasing land transportation in the state of Maine and throughout the country. The Cole Land Transportation Museum opened to the public in 1989 and has since become a popular site. The museum features many modes of land transportation that have had an impact on Maine. In this museum, you’ll find antique cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, military vehicles, and even a steam-powered Lombard log hauler. Many of these modes of transportation are unique to Maine from its history of lumber and its large annual snowfall. The museum sits right off the intersection of 395 and 95, the center of today’s transportation in Bangor. The museum is a short 10-minute drive from downtown and is even walkable if desired.

4. Penobscot Narrows Observatory

Bruce C. Cooper (uploader), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

A 40-minute drive south from Bangor will get you here, to the Penobscot Narrows Observatory. I still included it on the list of things to do in Bangor Maine because it’s something you can easily get to from the city. The observatory sits atop the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, a 2,120-foot or 646-meter-long bridge connecting Verona Island to the mainland. Penobscot Narrows Observatory is 420 feet or 128 meters in the air making it the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. For reference, that is almost double the height of the tallest building in Maine. Getting to the top is a breeze as you can take an elevator that runs through the bridge’s main pylon to get to the top. From the top, you get 360-degree views of Historic Fort Knox, Penobscot River, and the rest of Maine’s scenery.

5. Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is Maine’s most popular tourist destination attracting over 4 million visitors per year. The park sits on Mt Desert Island just over an hour away from Bangor. The park is known for its stunning coastlines, beautiful beaches, and incredible landscape. Head to the eastern side of the park and you’ll find a view similar to the one depicted above. Thunder Hole is a spot I recommend visiting as you’ll get fantastic cliff views bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Head a bit northwest and you’ll reach Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard of the United States. If you’re not a hiking type of person, there’s no need to worry. You can drive up to the very top of the mountain and enjoy those amazing views. Head southwest until you reach Jordan Pond. Here, you can kayak and canoe while taking in the stunning landscape. Hiking is popular here with various trails for all experience levels. You can grab something to eat at the Jordan Pond House, known for its popovers but has a variety of foods. Lastly, head to Bar Harbor, a small coastal town on the island that has become a popular tourist center. You can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels while enjoying a New England vibe.

6. Cross Insurance Center

LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Getting back to Bangor, we have Cross Insurance Center. The building costed 65 million dollars to construct and opened to the public in 2013. The place is a popular spot for events such as the Bangor State Fair and the Maine Harvest Festival. The center features an arena that can hold up to 8,500 people and an attached convention center that can fit 2,000 people. The arena is mostly used for concerts but can occasionally hold a game. Cross Insurance Center is located on the south side of Bangor about a mile away from Bangor’s city center. The center is located near restaurants, hotels, and Bass Park. If you are lucky enough to visit Bangor when an activity is being held, make sure to give this center a visit.

7. Cascade Park

Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

This is the final place on our extensive list and it too is in Bangor. Cascade Park is a relatively small but beautiful park located northeast of downtown Bangor. The park is a wonderful place to sit down and relax. If you come here in summer, you can enjoy picture-perfect weather while taking in the quiet and relaxing landscape. There is a 0.5-mile or 0.8-kilometer loop trail that you can walk observing all that the park has to offer. There is also a waterfall and a fountain for you to enjoy.

Conclusion

We’ve done it! 7 fun things to do in Bangor Maine have been covered. I hope that this list helped with your future trip. Some things were outside of the city while others were right in the city center. I hope that your trip here is a fun one as this city is full of things to do.