The Open Road Travel

Our list of the 10 best things to do in Bangor is designed to help people discover one of the hidden gems of the United States. Despite being one of the largest cities in Maine and a destination full of things to see and do, it gets overlooked by the vast majority of people.

We hope by giving you a little bit of background on the city and showing you the diverse range of attractions it has to offer, we will convince a great number of people to visit Bangor and help them to devise a dream travel itinerary for while they are there.

So, if you are planning your own trip and want to ensure it goes perfectly from start to finish, I highly suggest reading our guide to the best things to do in Bangor, Maine.

Bangor is the 3rd oldest, 3rd most populous, 7th most densely populated, and 9th largest city in Maine. Located by both the Maine North Wood and Penobscot River, it was established in 1834 by logging and shipbuilding companies, who could easily source wood and transport it to the coast.

Having ridden the boom of both industries, it continued to use its location to fuel industry, turning to the production of things like paper.

Having one of only two major airports in Maine, the other being in Portland, it has also developed one of the most thriving tourist industries of any city in the state.

Known for having a range of options for outdoor recreation, including forests, parks, and waterways, as well as things like art installations, it is often visited by those who love the great outdoors.

This is furthered by Bangor being the closest major city to Acadia, the only national park in New England.

The best time to visit Bangor for most people is between late June and early September. This is the warmest, driest stretch the city sees in the entire year, making it the perfect time to explore a city well known for its natural beauty.

That said, the best time to visit Bangor for anyone coming for snow or winter sports is from mid-December to the end of March. This period sees snow falling on 24 different days on average, with standing snow at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep for around 60 days during this time.

As we move to our list of the 10 best things to do in Bangor, I am going to suggest a broad range of options. These will include things to appeal to travellers of all different interests, while ensuring you have something to cover everything that Bangor is known for.

The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation is the home of legendary horror author Stephen King and his wife, who is also a horror writer in her own right. While the house is a private residence and tourists aren’t allowed inside, you simply must stop by and see its exterior.

A Victorian style mansion, it is a truly stunning building and boasts features heavily linked to the genre of its owners, such as black, wrought iron gates designed like spider webs with statues of bats and spiders sitting atop them.

Stephen King has admitted to using Bangor as the inspiration for the fictional town of Derry, where many of his stories are set, and there are at least 20 locations in the surrounding area that directly inspired scenes from his books.

This makes visiting the house somewhat of a pilgrimage for fans of his work and horror in general.

47 West Broadway, Bangor, Maine, 04401

The Bangor Historical Society is a museum dedicated to teaching visitors about the history of the city and surrounding area, which is located in the Thomas A. Hill House.

Once known as the Grand Army Memorial Home, it was renamed after local 19th century banker and businessman Thomas Adam Hill.

The property was built in the Greek Revival style in 1836, has served as the home to two former mayors of Bangor, and was listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1972.

It is a rare example of a place where the building that houses the museum is as historic as the artefacts within. In the museum you will find historic furniture, art, and possessions, as well as an extensive range of artefacts and exhibits covering the Bangor area and American Civil War.

With historic walking tours also departing from the property, it is the best place for anyone interested in the history of Bangor.

Thomas A. Hill House, 159 Union Street, Bangor, Maine, 04401

Not many cities can claim to have their own forest, but Bangor is a clear exception to this rule.

The Bangor City Forest is a 650 acre forest that doubles as a city park and features a 10 mile (16km) trail system that is used for hiking and biking during the summer and cross country skiing in the winter.

You also have the 1 mile (1.6 km) Orono Bog Boardwalk, which passes over the 600 acre Orono Bog.

With plentiful wildlife, picnic and parking areas, and even facilities for the disabled, Bangor City Forest is a great place for those who truly want to embrace the great outdoors in Bangor.

54 Tripp Drive, Bangor, Maine, 04401

The Cole Land Transportation Museum is a small, privately owned museum dedicated to teaching people how the transport injury and region as a whole have evolved through the years. Its exhibits consist primarily of its extensive collection of classic vehicles.

This includes bicycles, cars, farm equipment, fire engines, military vehicles, motorcycles, tractors, snowploughs, trucks, and even railroad equipment, such as cabooses. Tours will help people see how these vehicles have changed and demonstrate their importance to the region.

With programs for children, teachers, and veterans, it is an attraction that can be enjoyed by people of all tastes and ages. This is furthered by the attractions surrounding the building itself as well, like the Maine Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, and an iconic covered bridge.

405 Perry Road, Bangor, Maine, 04401

Paul Bunyan is a giant lumberjack from American and Canadian folklore that has been mentioned in stories since the late 1800s.

Extremely popular in northern U.S. states and in heavily wooded sections of North America, many cities feature statues and attractions dedicated to the character.

Perhaps none are as impressive as the Paul Bunyan Statue in Bangor, Maine though. Located on Main Street, it stands 31 feet (9.4 metres) tall and weighs 3,700 pounds (1,678 kg).

The statue is made from concrete and metal and depicts the character in traditional lumberjack attire, with an axe over his shoulder and a peavey in his hand. An icon of the city, a quick stop by and a photo is a must for anyone the first time they visit Bangor.

519 Main Street, Bangor, Maine, 04401

The Thomas Hill Standpipe is a wrought iron and wood standpipe that holds 1.75 million U.S. gallons and was built in 1879.

The oldest standpipe in the area, it was listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1974 and is considered one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in Bangor.

Its features Shingle style architecture on its cladding and windows, a large, spiral staircase that winds up its insides, and a set of circular, elevated lights atop it that are known as “The Crown On The Queen City”.

While seeing the structure is an experience in itself, the observation deck at its peak is also opened for tours 4 times each year. This gives visitors the chance to climb the structure and appreciate its interior architecture and some of the best views of Bangor you will find.

41 Thomas Hill Road, Bangor, Maine, 04401

Formerly known as the University Of Maine Museum Of Art, the Zillman Art Museum was established in Downtown Bangor in 1946. Its goal was to provide the people of the city and state with a place to learn about art, display their own work, and experience pieces made by others.

The museum’s collection includes more than 4,000 pieces, with paintings, photos, and prints from 1900 to present day displayed in rotating exhibits. While most of the works are by local artists, the museum also features pieces by more prominent names with significant ties to the state of Maine.

With educational classes, lectures, programs, festivals, and workshops held each year, as well as being an official stop on the Maine Art Museum Trail, the Zillman Art Museum is a must visit attraction for any fans of art who visit Bangor.

40 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine, 04401

Cascade Park is a beautiful city park and garden, located on the north bank of the Penobscot River. A sprawling area filled with wide open green spaces, it boasts pine trees, hiking trails, bridges, and even a fountain, pond, and picnic area.

By far the most popular park in the city, it perfectly exemplifies everything that Bangor is known for. It is a fabulous place to relax, go for a walk, take in river views, or just get some fresh air and appreciate the great outdoors, without ever having to leave the heart of the city.

600 State Street, Bangor, Maine, 04401

Mount Hope Cemetery is the second oldest garden cemetery in the U.S., behind Mount Auburn Cemetery near Boston, after which it was modelled.

Created by the Bangor Horticultural Society in 1834, it uses elements of English Half-Timbered, Greek Revival, and Late Victorian architecture.

Listed on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places in 1974, it has been used as the final resting place for many of the city’s most esteemed figures, so has various iconic graves for you to see.

This includes 10 U.S. Congressmen, 8 U.S. Civil War Generals, 4 Governors Of Maine, 1 U.S. Senator, 2 U.S. Ambassadors, 1 U.S. Vice President, and various local actors, businessmen, and politicians.

Covering around 50 acres, Mount Hope Cemetery is filled with beautiful tombs, graves, sculptures, and almost a quarter of it is reserved exclusively for horticultural activities. This makes it an incredibly beautiful yet sombre place to visit.

So striking is its appearance that it was both the setting for the Stephen King book “Pet Sematary” and used to film scenes for its 1989 movie adaptation of the same name. This makes it another of the great locations in Bangor for Stephen King fans to explore.

1048 State Street, Bangor, Maine, 04401

While Acadia National Park is located roughly an hour’s drive from Bangor, it is New England’s only national park and 6th most popular national park in the U.S., so is more than worth the trip while you are in the area.

Covering 49,000 acres, it is filled with vibrant wildlife, historic sites, exciting activities, and iconic locations, such as Mount Cadillac, the highest peak on the east coast and the first place in the United States to see the sun rise each morning.

This makes it more than worth the 46 mile (75 km) journey required to  explore Acadia National Park for yourself.

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine, 04660

Country Inn At The Mall is a wonderful little hotel on the outskirts of the Bangor City Forest. The property is designed in the traditional New England Colonial style and boasts features like a lobby computer and laundry services.

Each of the rooms is simple yet spacious and stylish, while featuring amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, an en suite bathroom, and a TV. All guests will also receive free parking and a continental breakfast each morning.

Bangor is a beautiful, natural city that is often overlooked, thanks largely to its location. Our list of the 10 best things to do in Bangor will hopefully have not only convinced you not to make the same mistake but also given you plenty of ideas to keep you entertained when you arrive.

This means you will be able to plan the perfect travel itinerary for your very own dream vacation to “The Queen City Of The East”. All you have left to do now then is start getting things booked, so you can look forward to when you visit Bangor and experience it all for yourself.