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36 Hours in Bangor

36 Hours in Bangor

Region: The Maine Highlands
Activities: Walking, sightseeing, wildlife watching, art museum
Family friendly

Bangor is home to many of Maine’s unique attractions, from spots that inspired author Stephen King’s spooky-sensational books to a thriving arts, dining and shopping scene. Now is a perfect time to get out and explore all the city has to offer with this itinerary.

Local Highlights

See the Larger-Than-Life Statue of Paul Bunyan

Lumberjack icon Paul Bunyan was born in Bangor — his birth certificate is even on display in Bangor’s City Hall. To honor Bangor’s hometown folk hero, a massive statue is on display in front of the Cross Insurance Center on Main Street. The statue is 31 feet high, weighs 3,700 pounds and is a perfect spot to grab a selfie with a legend.

Explore Bangor’s Spooky Side

After visiting Paul, spook yourself a bit by visiting some sights made famous by Stephen King, America’s famed horror author. You can check out King’s home in Bangor at 47 West Broadway. You can easily see his eccentric mansion behind the wrought-iron gate that is decorated with spiders and bats. Next, check out spots in Bangor, which in King’s books is called Derry, such as the drain that inspired the scene in “It” where Pennywise lures young Georgie Denbrough. It is located at the corner of Union and Jackson Streets. Then head to the Mount Hope Cemetery at 1048 State Street in Bangor, the site of the (human) cemetery in the film “Pet Sematary.” You can take a self-guided tour or just explore and see if you recognize film locations. For a guided tour of all things Stephen King, book a tour with SK Tours.

Visit the Zillman Art Museum

Formerly the University of Maine Museum of Art, the modern and contemporary Zillman Art Museum has returned bigger and better than ever before, located conveniently in downtown Bangor. What was once a 1930s department store now boasts spacious galleries, a sleek glass entryway and intriguing exhibitions on display. You can easily spend a few hours perusing the airy space. Prepare to be challenged, delighted and entertained by artists from New England and around the globe. Nearby, don’t miss the iconic Hannibal Hamlin statue at the adjacent Kenduskeag Mall.

Arts & Culture at Their Finest

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra performs at the Collins Center for the Arts.
Penobscot Theatre Company entertains audiences at the historic Bangor Opera House. Time your visit right and book your tickets for a live theater experience.
The Bangor Culture & Arts Collective is a resource for a wealth of culture and arts events of every genre.
Check out the workshops and classes at Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness.
Waterfront Concerts along the Penobscot River bring some of the biggest names in the music world to Bangor.

Get Out in Nature

The nearby Bangor City Forest is a perfect respite from your urban exploring. With 680 acres and nine miles of trails through the woods, the forest is great for wildlife watching and enjoying the outdoors.

Shop

Stop into some of downtown Bangor’s eclectic shops. Whether you seek a new book or a succulent to brighten your space, Bangor’s downtown shops offer unique goods and experienced staff happy to help you find what you are looking for.

The Briar Patch

A local favorite, this gem of a bookstore has a friendly, knowledgeable staff and offers great reads for children and adults alike.

The Rock and Art Shop

Crystals, spidery air plants and fossils are among the curiosities and treasures this shop houses.

Rebecca’s Gift Shop

This family-owned business offers a variety of goods for your home, bath, kitchen and more. With an emphasis on Maine-made gifts, it’s the perfect place to find a souvenir.

Eat and Drink

Bangor has a great food and drink scene, from gourmet restaurants to understated farm-to-table dining options and casual breweries.

Novio’s

This cozy, brick-laden eatery will warm you right up with a variety of fine Italian fare. Tip: Don’t skip dessert.

The Butcher and Baker

This gastropub features a menu of eclectic comfort foods and a miles-long cocktail list full of cheekily named drinks.

Barliman’s

Located in the historic downtown district, Barliman’s is a high-end cocktail lounge & farm to table eatery, which also features an extensive list of non-alcoholic alternatives & house-made desserts.

Orono Brewing

The Orono favorite has a downtown Bangor location. Enjoy a variety of local IPAs, stouts, sours and more.

Stay

After a day of exploring, shopping and eating, rest well at one of these local lodging options.