Maine Lakes & Mountains

While this region seems to speak to the sports-minded with its bountiful lakes and fish-filled rivers for the fishermen or boating enthusiasts and swimmers, or the challenging, exciting slopes for the skiers,or groomed winter trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, or the numerous trails, including the Appalachian Trail, for hikers and nature lovers, there remains much for families to see and experience. Countrysides and mountains glimmering in the fall with Mother Nature's brilliant painting of the trees, or antique and arts/crafts shops, country fairs, covered bridges, general stores, historic sites and museums are an adventure for the young and old alike. A vacation wonderland. Things to See and Do Attractions Fryeburg Fair in Fryeburg - Maine's oldest country fair. Nordica Homestead in Farmington; birthplace of America's first international diva, Lillian (Norton) Nordica. Exhibits include original costumes and gifts received from the Emperor of China and Diamond Jim Brady. Norlands Living History Center in Livermore - Providing a view of 19th century rural life on 445 acres. Saddleback Ski Area in Rangely - Shares its ridgeline with the Appalachian Trail providing a remote wilderness experience. Comprised of 41 downhill trails and an 1,830 foot vertical drop, and a snowmobile park. Sugarloaf / USA in the Carrabassett Valley - Famous ski mountain stands 4237 feet high and provides the only above treeline skiing in the East. Covered Bridges Bennett Bridge in Lincoln Plantation - Totalling 93 feet in length, this bridge was built in 1901 and closed to traffic in 1985. Babbs Bridge in Windham - This bridge, originally built in 1864 was burned by vandals in 1973. An exact replica was built and opened for traffic in 1976. Hemlock Bridge in Fryeburg - Build in 1857, this 109 foot bridge is located three miles northwest of East Fryeburg crossing over the Saco River. Lovejoy Bridge in Andover - This 70 foot bridge spanning the Ellis River was built in 1868. This bridge is Maine's shortest covered bridge. Sunday River Covered Bridge in Newry - Built in 1872, this bridge is also knows as Artist's Covered Bridge because it is one of Maine's most painted and photographed covered bridges. Historic Sites Bethel Historical Society Regional History Center in Bethel - Exhibiting fine 18th and 19th century collections and a nine room period house dated 1813 with Rufus Porter murals. Daniel Marrett House in Standish Village - Built in 1789; features 18th and 19th century furnishings. Banks hid their money here during the War of 1812 to keep it from the British. Farmington Historic District in Farmington; over 100 historic residential, commercial, and industrial buildings reflecting this community's growth from the late 1700s through mid-20th century. Museums Creative Photographic Arts Center in Lewiston - The largest photographic facility on the East Coast. National and international exhibits. Olin Arts Center on the Bates College campus in Lewiston - Houses a concert hall, art museum, and the Muskie Archives, a repository for the papers of Senator Edward Muskie. Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community & Museum in New Gloucester - The only Shaker village functioning as a religious community. Parks & Trails Grafton Notch State Park - Located on State Route 26 between Newry, Maine, and Upton, New Hampshire. The park offers opportunities for sightseeing, picknicking and hiking on its 3,000 acres of beautiful terrain. Jay - Farmington Trail - The trail is 14 miles in length and crosses the scenic western hills of Maine. Enjoy great foliage vistas! Mount Apatite in Auburn - A 375 acre wooded park with miles of scenic trails to experience nature and is a rock-hounds treasure trove. Mt. Blue State Park - Park is located 14 miles northwest from Wilton off State Route 156 in Weld. Enjoy 5,000 acres of trails, camping areas and picnic areas. Moose and other wildlife live in and around the park. The views are spectacular! Poland Springs Preservation Park in Poland Springs - Home of the popular Poland Springs bottled water since 1854. Tours of the bottling plant and facilities. Shawnee Park in Bridgton - An all-season recreation area with skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking. Largest downhill night skiing in New England. Scenic Drives Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway - From Auburn, take Route 4 north or Livermore, then Route 108 north to Rumford. Cross the Androscoggin River to connect to Route 17. Take Route 17 north to Byron. The 35-mile scenic byway begins in Byron. Route 17 goes into the middle of Rangeley Lakes, to Oquossoc. Take a right on Route 4 along the lake, continue on Route 4 southeast to Madrid. State Route 17 - The 32-mile route begins on State Route 17 about 3-1/2 miles north of U.S. Route 2 in Mexico, Maine. Continue on State Route 17 through Roxbury, Byron, Township D, Rangely Plantation and Rangely. The drive ends at the junction of State Routes 17 and 4 in Oquossoc. Western Maine/White Mountains loop - This Scenic Byway connects with a New Hampshire Scenic Byway. The trip starts on State Route 26 about 5 miles north of U.S. Route 2 in the western mountains of Maine. Continue on Route 26 through Newry, Grafton, and Upton, N.H. Once in New Hampshire, head toward Errol, N.H., the turn south on Route 16. At Intervale, N.H., head east on Route 16A to Fryeburg, then go north on Route 113 through Evans Notch. This road will bring you back to Route 2 just west of Bethel. Science & Nature Related Crystal Cave for Kids at Mt. Mann in Bethel - Exhibiting Maine's rocks and gems, and the mining tradition of Oxford County. Collecting is encouraged.

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