Colby Museum of Art

Town: Waterville
Region: The Kennebec Valley
Activities: Art museum
Admission: free
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am-5 pm Sunday: Noon-5 pm. Open Thursdays until 9 pm, September–May

The Colby Museum of Art is considered one of the best academic museums in the country, with a focus on American and contemporary art. The museum’s vast collection of more than 10,000 pieces showcases important works by Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keefe, Winslow Homer, John Singleton Copley, Marsden Hartley, Alex Katz, Maya Lin, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Serra, Kiki Smith, James McNeill Whistler, and Terry Winters.

You can spend an entire day enjoying the museum’s many permanent collections, including the Lunder Collection, which has more than 500 works of American art from the 19th to 21st centuries. The Bernard Langlais Collection, with 187 works, traces the remarkable trajectory of Langlais’ career from his student days at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture to his late years in Cushing, Maine.

To learn more about the artwork, participate in gallery activities and tours to get a unique look at the permanent collection and insights into the temporary exhibitions. The Museum is wheelchair accessible through the North and South entrances of the Bixler Art and Music Center. If you would like the museum to provide a wheelchair for your use, contact them at 207-859-5610.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to downtown Waterville for a bite to eat. Front & Main serves lunch and dinner every day, with a focus on local foods. For lighter fare, enjoy a coffee or bubble tea at Selah Tea Cafe. They also have pizza, salads and tasty sandwiches to choose from. Mainely Brews has plenty of beers on tap and a wide variety of menu items for lunch and dinner.

Driving Distance:
From Ellsworth: 80 miles
From Bangor: 55 miles
From Lewiston/Auburn: 55 miles