Bangor, ME Tourist Attractions
|
|
Bangor (pop. 31,000) is a major commercial and cultural center for the north-eastern area of Maine. Major industries include paper making and timber products.
Black Beard's Family Fun Park
Black Beards is a family amusement park with 10 batting cages, go-carts, radio controlled boats, 36-hole mini golf course, and rock climbing arcade. Visitors to Black Beards can watch and feed the rainbow brook trout, try their hand with the radio-controlled boats or visit the games room.
Cole Land Transportation Museum
The Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor contains more than 200 vehicles, ranging from wagons to transport trucks and locomotives. The collection also includes military equipment and vehicles and over 2000 photographs related to the local history.
Bangor Historical Society Museum
The Bangor Historical Society Museum is located in an 1836 Greek Revival style house. The museum features changing exhibits as well as a permanent collections of artwork by local artists.
Hose 5 Fire Museum
The Hose 5 Fire Museum building was the Bangor fire hall from 1897 to the 1990s. The museum features a number of old fire trucks, as well as other firefighting equipment.
Maine Discovery Museum
The Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor is an interactive children's museum with seven major exhibits - Nature Trails, Booktown, Passport, Art Scape, Sounds Abound, Mission: Discovery, and Body Journey.
Surroundings
There are a number of towns and attractions in the area surrounding Bangor which can be easily visited.
Castine
The port at Castine (pop. 1,300) has been a source of much fighting and struggle. American Indians, French, British, Dutch and Americans have all tried to lay claim to this port at one time or another.Two forts were built on this site, both of which were occupied by the British during the War of 1812. Fort Madison was built in 1811 and some of the remains are still visible. Fort George, built in the late 1700s has been partially restored.
Wilson Museum
The Wilson Museum in Castine features historic, prehistoric and geological items from Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including American Indian artifacts and local history exhibits.In the same complex of buildings is the 1765 Perkins House and a working blacksmith shop.
Training Vessel State of Maine
The Training Vessel State of Maine is a training ship for the Maine Maritime Academy. It was originally a Navy oceanographic research ship, the USNS Tanner.
Blue Hill
Blue Hill (pop. 2,400) is a popular summer vacation spot and has also become known as a crafts center. Of note in the town is the Blue Hill's Bagaduce Music Lending Library, with more than 600,000 items organized by instruments for which the piece was written.The town also boasts a number of historic homes and buildings.
Belfast
Belfast (pop. 6,400) features a number of historic homes which were once the homes of sea merchants. The town is also known for its arts and artists, and is becoming a regional cultural center.
Leonard's Mill and Maine Forest Logging Museum, Bradley
Leonard's Mill is a water-powered sawmill, with a nearby blacksmith shop, stone dam and log cabin - the site of a pioneer settlement. There are also walking trails in the area. The museum was established in 1962.
Ruggles House, Columbia Falls
The Ruggles House in Columbia Falls is an 1818 Federal style house with intricately hand-carved interiors and a flying staircase. On display in the house are many of the original furnishings.
Grist Mill Museum & Miller's House, Dexter
The Grist Mill Museum in Dexter is housed in an 1854 gristmill and contains an old style kitchen, schoolhouse, and farming equipment, as well as changing exhibits. Behind the museum is the Miller's House.
Ellsworth
Visitors are drawn to Ellsworth (pop. 6,500) primarily for the surrounding areas and wildlife in the area. Nearby lakes and streams also offer opportunities for water sports.
Black House (Woodlawn Museum)
The Woodlawn Museum is located in an 1820s Federal style home which was owned by the Black family. The museum encompasses the 180-acre estate of Col John Black and his grandson George Nixon Black, Jr. owner of the famous shingle style summer cottage "Kragsyde."The house contains the original furnishings and artwork owned by the Blacks.On the grounds are formal gardens and nature trails, and a carriage house.
New England Museum of Telephony
The New England Museum of Telephony in Ellsworth offers insight into the telephone network between 1876 and 1983. The collection includes items from independent telephone companies and the Bell companies.
Stanwood Homestead Museum and Birdsacre Sanctuary
The Standwood Homestead belonged to ornithologist, Cordelia Standwood. Displays in the house include furniture, personal items, and mounted birds, nests, eggs, and art.Birdsacre is a 200 acre sanctuary for a variety of birds and other animals.
Trenton - Acadia Zoo
The Acadia Zoo is a 15 acre complex with a variety of animals from around the world. Native and exotic species including buffalo, moose and caribou have a home at the Acadia Zoo and there is a petting zoo for children.
Southwest Harbor
Southwest Harbor (pop. 2,000) is a fishing village that is located on Mount Desert Island and offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Cruises, fishing, canoeing, and other water sports are all popular activities in this area.
Wendell Gilley Museum
The Wendell Gilley Museum houses a bird carving collection by Wendell Gilley. Demonstrations on woodcarving and audiovisual presentations on birds are also available.
Mount Desert Oceanarium
The Oceanarium in Bar Harbor displays a variety of live marine life some in petting pools, fishing equipment, marsh tour, and lobster hatchery.
Seal Cove Auto Museum, Camden
The Seal Cove Auto Museum in Camden features more than 100 antique automobiles, including rare brass-era machines from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The museum has more than 30 antique motorcycles.
Great Harbor Maritime Museum, Northeast Harbor
The Great Harbor Maritime Museum is located in an old fire station. It features the maritime history of the Mount Desert Island area.
Orono
Orono (pop. 9,000) is a cultural center for the area because it is the location of the University of Maine. Many of the towns highlights are located on the campus which can be seen on a self guided walking tour of the facilities.
Hudson Museum
Located in the Collins Center for the Arts, the Hudson Museum features displays on American Indians, as well as Pre-Hispanic Mexican and Central American artifacts.
Fort Knox State Historic Site, Prospect
The Fort Knox State Historic Site has a fort that was constructed in the mid 1800s to protect against the British. The fort never came under attack. It is made of granite and contains cannons.
Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory
Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is the first cable-stayed bridge in Maine. It links the towns of Prospect and Verona Island as well as offering views of historic Fort Knox, Maine's largest military fortification.Penobscot Narrows Bridge is the only bridge in North America to offer an observation deck.
Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport
The Penobscot Marine Museum complex in Searsport consists of eight buildings dating to the early 1800s. The museum features navigational equipment, boats, models, paintings and other related miscellaneous items.
Moosehead Marine Museum, Greenville
The Moosehead Marine Museum features a collection of steamboat memorabilia, including the 1914 steamboat Katahdin, as well as old photographs from the local area.
Big Squaw Mountain Ski Area
The Big Squaw Mountain ski resort offers 22 runs serviced by one T-Bar and two Surface Lifts, with an equal distribution of runs for all levels of skiers.
Katahdin
The Katahdin is a 1914 steamboat which has been restored and now offers a variety of sightseeing cruises.
Old Town Museum, Old Town
The Old Town Museum displays local history exhibits including American Indian artifacts and a birchbark canoe.
International Paper Mill (Tours No Longer Given), Bucksport
Tours of this facility are no longer given.
Northeast Historic Film
The Northeast Historic Film Museum in Bucksport is located in a 1916 cinema and displays artifacts related to movies and the film industry. Items on display include projectors, ticket machines, and popcorn makers. There is also a video library.
