How Locals Spend Free Time in Bangor
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Bangor? If you like the idea of paddling beneath Penobscot bridges, getting artsy strolling through gallery rows, and are daring enough to try axe throwing in taprooms, Bangor is the place for you! This list of fun things to do will take you from lumber history to live shows and give you a vivid sampling of Bangor's outdoor spirit and creative pulse.
Greg, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Greg moved to Maine before it was trendy, stayed when it got crowded, and 28 years later still loves it. He grew up here, went to UMaine, tried Connecticut, and survived eight years in Virginia before eventually packing up and moving back home. He is a former newspaper copy editor, pizza lover (Portland Pie, OTTO, & Cargo regular), and family man. At Snappy Scout, Greg helps newcomers decode Maine, a place that plays by its own rules and usually keeps them to itself.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Bangor?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Penobscot River Walk, breezy concert soundcheck, catching a game at UMaine
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Timber fire pits, craft cocktails, gossip louder than the loons
rainy dreary day
Self-guided Stephen King tour, a drop-in at Books-a-Million, hot coffee as talisman
intellectually stimulating
Cole Land Transportation Museum, engines whispering Maine’s stubborn, resourceful history, a guest lecture at Husson
artsy
Penobscot Theatre night, small-town stage, Broadway-caliber surprise grin
something inside and free
UMaine Museum of Art, climate controlled color therapy, zero dollars
outdoorsy
Orono Bog Boardwalk sunrise, misty sphagnum runway, loons in the background
if you're a shopaholic
Downtown Bangor boutiques, The Rock and Art Shop humorously enabling
with your dog
Essex Street Dog Park zoomies, then Brewer Riverwalk victory strut, and Cascade Park inclines
family oriented
Maine Discovery Museum, kids engineering contraptions, parents finally sipping coffee
in need of a selfie
Paul Bunyan statue, channel your inner lumberjack, flannel optional
you have to see this
Stephen King’s bat winged gate, politely spooky, neighbors totally used to it
My Favorite Local Spot in Bangor
Timber Kitchen & Bar, 22 Bass Park Blvd
Timber Kitchen is one of my favorite stops in Bangor. The weight of your day falls away the moment you come through the door. The design and decor reflect the Queen City’s rich history as the 19th century’s lumber capital of the world. My go-to order is the Creekstone Farms Ribeye (done well, thanks) and a pint of the Red Glaze Ale from Definitive Brewing in Portland. For lighter fare, you can’t miss with the Little Timber Salad: backyard greens, crumbled goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, fresh blueberries, and toasted pistachios.
— Greg Reid
Maine Local Expert
Ready to See If Bangor Fits You?
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