Augusta

City / town · Maine

Augusta

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Best timeMay–Sep
From you
Nearest airportAUG · 1 mi
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Overview

Augusta is the capital of Maine, but at 19,000 (2020), it is one of the least populous state capitals in the United States. Top attractions include the historic Old Fort Western (the oldest surviving wooden fort in New England (built 1754)), tours of the Maine State House, the Maine State Museum, and outdoor recreation at Viles Arboretum or the Kennebec River Rail Trail.

5 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 5 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Augusta

State Capitol Building

State Capitol Building

The west entrance is open to the public Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM. Free guided tours are offered Mon-Fri 9AM-1PM.

Maine State Museum

Maine State Museum

Exhibits focus on Maine-specific natural history; prehistory and archaeology; natural resources and agricultural and industrial history; working people and manufacturing; and identity. Of particular interest is the reass…

Old Fort Western

Built in 1754, this is the oldest surviving wooden fort in North America (the main house is original). It is a National Historic Landmark. Near the rebuilt stockade overlooking the Kennebec River is a 1912 marker recordi…

Lithgow Public Library

Blaine House

Official residence of Maine's Governors since 1919. Tours of the first floor offered by appointment.

Viles Arboretum

Viles Arboretum

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Nov. (climate data from nearby Acadia National Park)

Jan: 4.5 in rain4.5"Jan: high 32°F, low 15°F32°15°JanFeb: 3.8 in rain3.8"Feb: high 35°F, low 18°F35°18°FebMar: 4.9 in rain4.9"Mar: high 42°F, low 25°F42°25°MarApr: 5.2 in rain5.2"Apr: high 53°F, low 35°F53°35°AprMay: 4.5 in rain4.5"May: high 64°F, low 45°F64°45°MayJun: 4.3 in rain4.3"Jun: high 74°F, low 54°F74°54°JunJul: 3.3 in rain3.3"Jul: high 79°F, low 60°F79°60°JulAug: 3.5 in rain3.5"Aug: high 78°F, low 60°F78°60°AugSep: 4.2 in rain4.2"Sep: high 71°F, low 53°F71°53°SepOct: 5.9 in rain5.9"Oct: high 58°F, low 43°F58°43°OctNov: 5.9 in rain5.9"Nov: high 48°F, low 33°F48°33°NovDec: 5.7 in rain5.7"Dec: high 38°F, low 22°F38°22°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • AUG Augusta State Airport, Augusta — 1 mi away. Directions
  • RKD Knox County Regional Airport, Rockland — 38 mi away. Directions
  • PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning State Capitol Building, Blaine House, Maine State Museum
  • Lunch Riverfront Barbeque & Grill
  • Afternoon Viles Arboretum, The Colonial Theater
  • Dinner Lisa's Restaurant and Lounge

Day 2

  • Morning Old Fort Western
  • Afternoon Lithgow Public Library

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

There are a number of restaurants and bars located along the historic Water St.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    AugustaAugusta riverfrontState Capitol BuildingMaine State MuseumViles ArboretumAugusta

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Get in

    By plane

    Go Augusta State Airport (AUG)

    Small regional airport with regular Cape Air flights to Boston's Logan International Airport.

    📍 75 Airport RdLocated about 1/2 mile west/northwest out Western Ave (US-202/ME-17/ME-100/ME-1) from roundabout/rotary nearest the State Capitol☎ +1 207 626-2306
    MapsWebsite

    Place Maine Instrument Flight

    Air charter and private aircraft, 123.00 MHz

    Maps

    By car

    • From Portland: take US Interstate I-295 North toward Falmouth; this becomes I-95 North; follow signs for Augusta. Exit at Augusta/Western Ave, and turn right, east, into Augusta; trip is under 60 miles, about one hour total in reasonable traffic.
    • From Bangor: Take I-95 South to Augusta/Western Ave, and turn left, east, into Augusta; trip is about 80 miles, a bit under 1 1/2 hours in reasonable traffic.
    • From Belfast: Take Maine State Route 3 South (really west/southwest); trip is about 47 miles, or about one hour in reasonable traffic.

    By bus

    See

    State Capitol Building

    See State Capitol Building

    The west entrance is open to the public Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM. Free guided tours are offered Mon-Fri 9AM-1PM.

    📍 State St💲 Free☎ +1 207 287-2301
    MapsWebsite
    Maine State Museum

    See Maine State Museum

    Exhibits focus on Maine-specific natural history; prehistory and archaeology; natural resources and agricultural and industrial history; working people and manufacturing; and identity. Of particular interest is the reassembled two-story woodworking mill.

    📍 83 Maine 27Across parking lot from the State Capitol Building🕒 Tue-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-4PM, closed Sun Mon and state holidays💲 Entrance $2, $1 for children aged 6-18 and senior citizens aged 62 and over, free for children under 6☎ +1 207 287-2301
    MapsWebsite

    See Old Fort Western

    Built in 1754, this is the oldest surviving wooden fort in North America (the main house is original). It is a National Historic Landmark. Near the rebuilt stockade overlooking the Kennebec River is a 1912 marker recording the September 1775 departure from the fort of an expedition under Benedict Arnold for the capture of Quebec.

    📍 16 Cony St🕒 Jul-Aug: daily 10AM-4PM, Sep-Oct: Fri-Mon 10AM-4PM💲 $10/adult, $8/concession, $6/child, $25/family☎ +1 207 626-2385⚠ Last checked Aug 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Blaine House

    Official residence of Maine's Governors since 1919. Tours of the first floor offered by appointment.

    📍 192 State StChecked Mar 2025
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Viles Arboretum

    Do Viles Arboretum

    📍 153 Hospital St.🕒 Daily dawn to dusk. Office staffed Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM💲 Free☎ +1 207 626-7989⚠ Last checked Jan 2018 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do The Colonial Theater

    Historic movie theater which is listed on the national register of historic building. The current building dates back to 1926. After being abandoned for a long time, the theater now once again hosts shows and events.

    📍 139 Water StChecked Sep 2022
    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    There are a number of restaurants and bars located along the historic Water St.

    Sleep

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    My experience

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