Bangor, Maine is a small city located in Central Maine. According to the US News & World Report, Maine is among the top half of the best states to live in. Part of that designation comes from the incredibly low crime rate in Maine, one of the lowest in the country. But, even so, is Bangor worth visiting?
I grew up in Maine, attending both high school and college in the state. As a result, we made a lot of day trips to explore Bangor. Although Bangor continues to grow and change, in many ways, it has also stayed very much the same. Let’s look at all of the reasons that make Bangor worth visiting.
What are Mainers like?
Maine residents are affectionately known as “Maineiacs,” but don’t let that give you the wrong impression. Maineiacs are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Something about the rural communities that have to rely on each other to survive the harsh conditions creates that friendliness. Mainers enjoy a slower-paced New England lifestyle and often live in small fishing villages, farming communities, and mountain towns.
Where Should I Visit In Bangor, Maine?
Cole Land Transportation Museum
Open only seasonally, but has been preserving and displaying historic vehicles and memorabilia since 1990. With exhibits including Fire Engine Lane, Snowplow Alley, and a Maine Central Caboose. They maintain an incredible collection of well-maintained vehicles, many of which were used in Maine history. As a student in Maine schools, we had several field trips to the Cole Land Transportation Museum as they offer free admission to children under 19. For adults, the cost is only $7 per person or $5 for seniors and military. They are open between May and November, 9 AM to 5 PM, 7 days a week. It is located at 205 Perry Road in Bangor.
Take a Stephen King Tour
If you’re a fan of the scary stories of Stephen King, then you’ll absolutely want to visit his house and neighborhood. He designed it himself, and it closely matches his personality. His house can be found at 47 West Broadway in Bangor. Although you can’t tour the inside, you can take pictures from outside the wrought-iron gates, adored with bats.
Although Stephen King no longer lives in the house, moving out in 2018, his home is not a non-profit which houses archives. It’s not open to the public, the house and the neighborhood are worth the visit if you’re a fan of the author.
Penobscot Theatre Company
For the theatre lovers out there, the Penobscot Theatre Company is Bangor’s premier theatre with high-quality shows. They bring Broadway-level performances to Bangor, generally 6 – 10 each year. Tickets range between $16.75 (Adult) to $39 (Adult) or $13.75 (Student) to $21.75 (Student). The theatre is in downtown Bangor at 131 Main Street, with a nearby parking garage. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby for a meal before or a drink after a show.
The Gracie Theatre
Located on the campus of Husson University, the Gracie Theatre is a 490-seat performing arts center that opened in 2010. In addition to being an active theatre with lots of incredible shows, it also serves as a training experience for students at the New England School of Communications. They can practice skills in digital audio, live sound, sound mixing, and electronics. The Gracie has produced Broadway productions, off-Broadway productions, touring groups, concerts, and lectures. Tickets are generally inexpensive and it’s a beautiful facility to watch a show. The theatre is located at 1 College Circle.
Maine Savings Amphitheatre
Home of the Waterfront Concert Series, the Amphitheatre hosts concerts all summer long. Some of them are pretty big names. The 2023 lineup includes Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor, Chris Stapleton, Santana, Nickelback, and others. Located right along the river at 1 Railroad Street, with parking nearby. The amphitheater holds 16,000, and because it’s an outside venue, nearly every seat is a good view of the stage. Just note that because it is an uncovered outdoor venue, the weather can significantly affect your enjoyment of the show. So, prepare accordingly for the weather.
Hollywood Casino
One of the only casinos in Maine, Hollywood Casino was opened in 2005 and is located at 500 Main Street. Beyond being a casino, it also houses a hotel, dining options, and a harness racing track. The casino is open from 11 AM to Midnight every day. There are two restaurants within the complex, Hops House 99 and Take 2 Pizza. With 148 deluxe rooms and 4 hotel suites, you can stay right at the complex after a day of gaming. If you’re interested in horse racing, the harness racing track is right next door. With races most weekends during the summer, it can be an exciting way to spend a day. For many Mainers, this attraction alone makes Bangor worth visiting.
Maine Discovery Museum
With three floors, this museum has dozens of hands-on, interactive exhibits. The museum focuses on science, nature, geography, music, art, and anatomy. Current exhibits include the reptile room, dino dig, pet vet, and Booktown. Open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Located at 74 Main Street, admission is only $10 per person, with discounts for seniors or the military.
The Rock & Art Shop
Family-owned and operated, the Rock and Art Shop is dedicated to celebrating natural history, art, and science. With an impressive collection of rocks, stones, minerals, fossils, and other similar products. In addition to the Bangor Location, they have two additional locations in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth. The Bangor location can be found at 36 Central Street and is open every day from 10 AM – 6 PM, except Sunday when it closes at 5 PM.
Go Antiquing
If you’re into antiquing and finding those little treasures, there are two great options solely for that purpose.
Central Maine Antique Mall
Located at 1372 Union Street, this shop reports having antiques dating back to the 1800s. The antique mall includes fine arts, collectibles, sports memorabilia, and furniture. Open every day between 9 AM – 5 PM, they have an ever-changing collection to explore.
Antique Marketplace
The Antique Marketplace is essentially a collection of 50 independent antique dealers in one place. You’ll find the shop at 65 Main Street in downtown Bangor. Their collections include artwork, books, coins, furniture, jewelry, tools, records, etc. The marketplace fills two floors and is open every day of the week.
Where Should I Eat In Bangor, Maine?
Make sure you stop by some of these recommended restaurants, as good food is one of the things that makes Bangor worth visiting.
Governor’s Restaurant
A true Maine Icon, Governors is now a chain restaurant in Maine that hasn’t forgotten its roots. With fun touches like pictures of our Maine Governors to a train that chugs its way around the dining hall. They serve classic Maine food. Their motto is “eat dessert first,” so stop and look at the dessert case before taking your seat. 643 Broadway Street, Bangor, ME.
Timber Kitchen & Bar
An upscale spot, located within the Residence Inn by Marriott – 22 Bass Park Blvd. They really try to live out their motto, “Work Hard, Play Hard” with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Featuring wood-fired classics, including pizza and burgers. They also have a good selection of beers and cocktails in stock. Open daily for lunch, dinner, and drinks.
11 Central
To create their menus, the entire staff works together to create their dishes. The menu features categories such as “Farms,” “Fins,” and “Fur and Feathers.” Great local food and the majority of it is made in-house.
Blaze
When you talk about restaurants in Bangor, Blaze often comes up in the conversation. Although primarily known for their pizza, they have a menu of food and drink that goes on for pages and pages. Located at 18 Broad Street in Bangor, this place is so popular locally that they didn’t even bother to create their own website. But search their name and you’ll find plenty of articles written about them.
What is the Weather Like in Bangor, Maine?
The local weather can be rough. This is one of the biggest downsides to the area. So, unless you love cold and snowy winters, this may be a reason that Bangor isn’t worth visiting for you.
What is the coldest month in Bangor?
Bangor, and Maine in general, has very cold winters. The coldest month of the year is generally January, with an average low of 11’F and an average high of 28’F. Although January is the coldest month, the “cold season” is from December to March in which the average daily high temperature is below 38’F. That means that for several months, it’s more often below freezing than above it. Overnight, it can commonly get below 0’F for much of this three-month period.
Does Bangor Maine get a lot of snow?
Winter weather starts as early as October and can continue through April. It’s even possible to find some snow in places as late as the end of May. Predictability, the most snow falls in January with an average of 13.9 inches. But, for the entire winter season, Bangor averages just over 70 inches of snow each year – that’s nearly 6 feet! During significant “nor’easter” storms, Bangor can see up to 10 inches of snow in a single day.
What’s the best thing to do with all that snow? Skiing, of course! Here’s our list of the best ski resorts in New England.
Transportation Options to Bangor, Maine
Airport
Bangor International Airport (BGR) is located on the west side of the city. It’s a small airport with only 1 runway and only 4 airlines. But it does provide a few non-stop destinations to some of the bigger cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Charlotte. Because it’s a smaller airport, and not a hub for any airline, flights in and out of Bangor can be more expensive.
Busses
There are only three primary bus services that can get you to Bangor. Cyr Bus Lines only travels from Northern Maine to Bangor and back once per day. Concord Bus Lines and Greyhound Lines both offer regular trips south to destinations including Portland, Washington DC, and New York, along with transfers to anywhere else in the country. Concord is the best way to get to Bangor if you’re coming from Boston with 5 trips per day throughout the day.
Train
Although there is no direct train service to Bangor, you can take a train to Portland and then a bus for the last two hours of the trip. Concord Coachlines and Amtrak share the Portland Transportation Center, so it’s an easy transfer between the two services. The Amtrak Downeaster is the only train that heads up to Portland from Boston. It leaves from a different station than all the other Amtrak trains heading south of Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bangor Maine have a bus system?
Bangor does have a local bus system, known as the Community Connector. They only have 12 routes in total, but it does cover most of the downtown area. It has stops at the airport, big shopping centers, and most universities and hospitals. Some of the routes also head out of town to cover nearby Brewer and Old Town.
Does Bangor, Maine have Uber?
Uber & Lyft both operate in Bangor, Maine. Although there are fewer drivers than you would find in larger cities. The residents of Maine generally have their own vehicles because of how rural the state is, so you’re primarily having to compete with tourists for the limited rides available.
Wrapping Up: Is Bangor, Maine Worth Visiting?
Personally, this is a challenging question for me to answer. Growing up in Maine, Bangor seemed to be the height of excitement and wonder. But now that I’ve lived in Boston and visited fascinating cities all over the world, I found everything that Bangor offered was pale in comparison. Yes, they have some good restaurants and museums, but so do so many other cities around the world. Yes, the people are friendly and welcoming, but you’ll find entire countries that embrace that culture.
Interested in seeing more of Maine? May we suggest this Coastal Maine Road Trip for those who love ocean views?
So, Is Bangor, Maine worth visiting? I can say that if you’re in the area, or heading up to Bar Harbor, then yes, stop by Bangor and explore it. But I wouldn’t recommend getting a plane ticket to Bangor just to experience it for yourself. There are so many other incredible places that offer so much more for so much less than Bangor, Maine.
