Local Favorites
Parks & Nature
The 1-mile boardwalk loop trail begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest.
8 locals recommend
Orono Bog Boardwalk
Tripp DriveThe 1-mile boardwalk loop trail begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest.
Webster Park
A large grassy park with river views. Perfect place for a picnic.
A short hike with a gentle incline and amazing views. About 25 minutes from Blue Hill or Ellsworth.
20 locals recommend
Great Pond Mountain
A short hike with a gentle incline and amazing views. About 25 minutes from Blue Hill or Ellsworth.
A perfect short hike to experience northern Maine. Strenuous in parts with some rock scrambles but mostly moderate. Views are incredible (especially in the fall.) 3.5 miles roundtrip. The Borestone Audubon Sanctuary suggests a $5 per person donation to climb. The tiny town of Monson or Dover-Foxcroft has a few places to grab a bite to eat before or after.
6 locals recommend
Borestone Mountain Trailhead
A perfect short hike to experience northern Maine. Strenuous in parts with some rock scrambles but mostly moderate. Views are incredible (especially in the fall.) 3.5 miles roundtrip. The Borestone Audubon Sanctuary suggests a $5 per person donation to climb. The tiny town of Monson or Dover-Foxcroft has a few places to grab a bite to eat before or after.
Known as "The Grand Canyon of Maine", Gulf Hagas is a scenic hike through a gorge with incredible rock formations and beautiful waterfalls.
14 locals recommend
Gulf Hagas Trail Head
Katahdin Iron Works RoadKnown as "The Grand Canyon of Maine", Gulf Hagas is a scenic hike through a gorge with incredible rock formations and beautiful waterfalls.
Home to Mt Katahdin, one of the highest peaks in the Northeast and the northern terminus of the Application trail.
90 locals recommend
Baxter State Park
Home to Mt Katahdin, one of the highest peaks in the Northeast and the northern terminus of the Application trail.
Food Scene
The Family Dog
6 Mill StBurgers and hot dogs. Nice outdoor setting.
Fine dining of Orono. Outdoor patio with fire pits. Nice cocktails.
16 locals recommend
Woodman's Brew Pub
31 Main StFine dining of Orono. Outdoor patio with fire pits. Nice cocktails.
Harvest Moon Deli
18 Mill StGreat for lunch. Eat in or take out sandwiches and salads.
Pat's Pizza Orono
11 Mill StOrono's famous pizza. Old time diner.
Thai Orchid
28 Mill StGreat Thai food. Also outstanding cocktails.
Perfect place for morning coffee and a bagel, muffin or cookie. Also a selection of wines, cheeses, and Maine gifts. Opens at 8am on weekdays.
7 locals recommend
The Store Ampersand
22 Mill StPerfect place for morning coffee and a bagel, muffin or cookie. Also a selection of wines, cheeses, and Maine gifts. Opens at 8am on weekdays.
Portland Pie Company - Bangor
91 Main StAwesome pizza with a Maine twist.
Upscale with great appetizers and a wide variety of entrees. Located in a historic bank building.
11 locals recommend
Evenrood's
25 Broad StUpscale with great appetizers and a wide variety of entrees. Located in a historic bank building.
Bagel Central
33 Central StGreat breakfast. Homemade bagels.
Tacorita
2 Mill StGood spot for some grab-and-go tex mex. Burritos are the perfect hand-held hiking lunches.
New, upbeat restaurant in the area with an awesome menu and hip atmosphere. Cool rooftop bar for dining.
8 locals recommend
KANÙ
283 Main StreetNew, upbeat restaurant in the area with an awesome menu and hip atmosphere. Cool rooftop bar for dining.
Overlooking the Penobscot River in Old Town. Great classic Maine seafood - lobster rolls, fried clams, chowder - without the drive to the coast.
Pepper's Landing
170 Main StreetOverlooking the Penobscot River in Old Town. Great classic Maine seafood - lobster rolls, fried clams, chowder - without the drive to the coast.
Great bar and restaurant with spectacular views of Mt. Katahdin.
26 locals recommend
River Driver's Restaurant & Pub
30 Twin Pines RdGreat bar and restaurant with spectacular views of Mt. Katahdin.
Orono
A wonderful little library with plenty of books and games. Behind the back is a beautiful new amphitheater and green space.
Orono Public Library
39 Pine StA wonderful little library with plenty of books and games. Behind the back is a beautiful new amphitheater and green space.
University of Maine Recreation Center with pool, sauna, basketball courts, and full gym/exercise equipment. Day passes available.
New Balance Student Recreation Center
Hilltop RoadUniversity of Maine Recreation Center with pool, sauna, basketball courts, and full gym/exercise equipment. Day passes available.
Great little Farmers Market located in the Steam Plant Parking Lot on UMaine Campus. Saturdays 8am - 12pm. Check schedule: https://www.facebook.com/oronofarmersmarket/
Orono Farmer's Market
300 College AveGreat little Farmers Market located in the Steam Plant Parking Lot on UMaine Campus. Saturdays 8am - 12pm. Check schedule: https://www.facebook.com/oronofarmersmarket/
Sightseeing
Stephen King's House
47 W BroadwayVisit Stephen King's house in Bangor, ME!
The Fort Knox Historic Site features one of the best-preserved examples of coastal defense fortifications constructed in the mid-1800s. It is America's first fort named after Major General Henry Knox.
The fort is open seasonally to the public from May 1st to October 31st from 9am to 6pm (7pm in July/August) unless otherwise posted at the gate. Free interpretive guided tours are available daily from 11am to 3pm.
The Penobscot Narrows Observatory is the tallest bridge observatory open to the public in the world. Visitors to the observatory ride Maine's fastest elevator up 420' feet for breathtaking 360 degree views of the Penobscot Bay area.
140 locals recommend
Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory
740 Ft Knox RdThe Fort Knox Historic Site features one of the best-preserved examples of coastal defense fortifications constructed in the mid-1800s. It is America's first fort named after Major General Henry Knox.
The fort is open seasonally to the public from May 1st to October 31st from 9am to 6pm (7pm in July/August) unless otherwise posted at the gate. Free interpretive guided tours are available daily from 11am to 3pm.
The Penobscot Narrows Observatory is the tallest bridge observatory open to the public in the world. Visitors to the observatory ride Maine's fastest elevator up 420' feet for breathtaking 360 degree views of the Penobscot Bay area.
Maine Forest and Logging Museum
262 Government RoadThe grounds are open daily during daylight hours.
Best Breweries
A gem in the middle of nowhere. Big beer hall with lots of outdoor seating. Live music. Excellent beer and food menu with BBQ. Thur-Sat closes at 8 pm.
18 locals recommend
Bissell Brothers Three Rivers
157 Elm StA gem in the middle of nowhere. Big beer hall with lots of outdoor seating. Live music. Excellent beer and food menu with BBQ. Thur-Sat closes at 8 pm.
Awesome large restaurant & brewery with an innovative menu. Many vegetarian options. Outdoor setting on the Penobscot River waterfront during warm weather months. About a 20-minute drive from Orono. Worth it!
52 locals recommend
Mason's Brewing Company
15 Hardy StAwesome large restaurant & brewery with an innovative menu. Many vegetarian options. Outdoor setting on the Penobscot River waterfront during warm weather months. About a 20-minute drive from Orono. Worth it!
Beer made on site. Funky, retro brewery and eatery with an outdoor beer garden. Food has an Asian twist. Try the Bang Bang Cauliflower or a Sushi Burrito.
Bangor Beer Co.
330 Bangor Mall BoulevardBeer made on site. Funky, retro brewery and eatery with an outdoor beer garden. Food has an Asian twist. Try the Bang Bang Cauliflower or a Sushi Burrito.
A little gem in downtown Ellsworth (on the way to and from Bar Harbor.) Colorful beer garden, wood-fired pizza, fun & interesting beers.
54 locals recommend
Fogtown Brewing Company
25 Pine StA little gem in downtown Ellsworth (on the way to and from Bar Harbor.) Colorful beer garden, wood-fired pizza, fun & interesting beers.
A must-try Orono brewery. A cozy tasting room and outdoor setting area with fire pits
7 locals recommend
Marsh Island Brewing
2 Main StA must-try Orono brewery. A cozy tasting room and outdoor setting area with fire pits
Black Bear Brewery
19 Mill StGreat beer, good company. Small food menu.
Located about 1 mile outside of downtown Orono at 61 Margin Street. A new, hip, industrial-looking tasting room and brewing facilities. Pub menu is available. Large outdoor seating area with patio games.
12 locals recommend
Orono Brewing Company - Tasting Room & Kitchen
61 Margin StLocated about 1 mile outside of downtown Orono at 61 Margin Street. A new, hip, industrial-looking tasting room and brewing facilities. Pub menu is available. Large outdoor seating area with patio games.
A fun outdoor brewery with a big grassy lawn. Wood-fired pizzas. Friday - Tuesday closes at 7 pm.
24 locals recommend
Strong Brewing
7 Rope Ferry RdA fun outdoor brewery with a big grassy lawn. Wood-fired pizzas. Friday - Tuesday closes at 7 pm.