Tag: Summer

Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: Lewiston/Auburn better known as the “Twin Cities” of Maine has a lot to offer visitors and has been recognized as having one of the best art scenes for its size on the east coast. L/A Arts is the center for a wide variety of visual and performance art programs, family, student and individual learning workshops and community and business related art displays. There is an on-going and ever changing calendar of events that L/A Arts host. If you find yourself in Lewiston, be sure and stop in at Gritty’s for a bite to eat you can enjoy their Arts & Ale display sponsored by the L/A Arts program. During my last visit there was a great photography display lining the walls of Gritty’s but, it is ever changing so be sure to stop in to see what is new. Another great program is L/A Arts sponsored performances held at the Franco-American Heritage Center. From plays to musical events this community center offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages. If you are trying to come up with some fun, interesting and educational things to do for your kids this summer you should look into their summer workshop programs. These programs vary based on the age with a very popular summer theater program. Lewiston/Auburn has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye and with a program like L/A Arts you could stay busy while immersed one of the best on-going community arts programs in Maine.

Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Hallowell is a small town outside of Maine’s capital, Augusta but, has some great places to eat. One of the most creative restaurants in town which just re-opened after a devastating fire is Slates. Slates offers an eclectic menu with the freshest produce and bake goods around. In addition, it is a fun, artsy atmosphere and is a great meeting place for Sunday brunch. Another great stop in town is Hattie’s Chowder House. Hatties makes some of the best seafood chowder north of Portland and they have a huge seafood menu from fried to stuffed to baked, it’s all good. The Liberal Cup is the local hangout with a wonderful old pub atmosphere and it’s own line of brewed beers on tap. The food is delicious pub fare and I highly recommend the Beer Cheddar Cheese soup and the fish n’ chips. Lucky Garden has a mainstay in Hallowell for years and for good reason, they have some of the best Chinese cuisine in the area. I love the General Tao’s chicken a perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Perhaps you just want something simple and are craving some good grease! A stop in at Boley’s is just what the doctor ordered. They have some of the best hot dogs in town and homemade French fries around! Boley’s has been a popular place to eat since opening it’s doors over 30 years ago. Hallowell may be small but, offers some great choices to dine and if you are in the area make sure to stop in and enjoy yourself!

Fall,Winter,Spring & Summer: Henry David Thoreau came to Maine in search of a deeper wilderness and a deeper understanding and he found it Why not retrace his steps by visiting your local library and reading his book, The Maine Woods. It just could inspire you to take a trip or two around the state in search of what he found. The book describes trips over an eleven year period in Thoreau’s lifetime. His works included visits to the northwoods and Moosehead Lakes Region, Mt Katahdin, The Allagash and East Branch. Some of his pathways have been retraced by the curious. Climbing Katahdin is a defining moment for Thoreau. He saw what real wilderness was and that’s in part why people want to go there after reading his book. What Thoreau wrote is as relevant today as it was 150 years ago. He had it right…”you see nature there in its full aspect, and it’s overwhelmingly beautiful”.

Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: Maine’s motto is “The Way Life Should Be” and with so many places to see and things to do it’s hard to decide where to start. If you are looking for some of the top places to visit then first on your list should be a trip to Baxter State Park. Located in the great northern woods, the natural setting includes mountains, lakes and wildlife galore. For nature lovers this is utopia. Miles of hiking trails, beautiful campsites and quiet all rolled into one. With the shadows of Maine’s highest peak in the background, Mt. Katahdin is a close second in must see sites in Maine. Hiking on Knifes Edge trail atop this majestic mountain is certainly not for the faint of heart but, the views from the the top make it all worth the journey. Perhaps it is the ocean that is calling to you then a definite stop should be Portland Head Light. The Head Light is the oldest of Maine’s 66 lighthouse and the most photographed in the country. What struck me on our last visit was the sharp contrast of the blue sky, the deep blue ocean and the stark white structure of the lighthouse in contrast all the colors around it. It was on those rocks that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his poem, “The Lighthouse”. Traveling a little further downeast will bring you to Acadia National Park where mountains, islands and oceans come together making it one of the most beautiful spots in North America. Cadillac Mountain, Thunderhole, Sand Beach, hiking, biking, camping all make this area worth the trip. In addition to the natural beauty Bar Harbor is close for those who want to spend some time in a quaint Inn or upscale hotel. Consider putting these three top must see sites on your list when traveling in Maine.