Overview
Bangor is a small city of 32,000 people (2019) in the Highlands region of Maine. Bangor is the third-largest city in the state and the retail, cultural and service center for central, eastern and northern Maine. It is a good base for exploring Aroostook County, Down East & Acadia, the Maine Highlands and Maine’s Mid-Coast.
4 sights · 7 things to do · 5 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 14 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bangor
Penobscot Theatre Company
Bangor Symphony Orchestra
Zillman Art Museum at University of Maine
Modern and contemporary art, especially after 1945, with many original prints and photography.
Thomas Hill Standpipe
110-ft (34 m) tall water tower that gives the Queen City its "crown," open seasonally for tours. From the observation deck you can see to Mt. Katahdin on a clear day; enjoy the famous Maine foliage in the autumn. This re…
Maine Discovery Museum
Three-story Bangor Children's Museum, ideal for preschoolers but stimulating and entertaining for kids of all ages.
Hollywood Casino
One of only two licensed casinos in the state of Maine, the casino features 923 slot machines as well as table games. Also has a restaurant with gourmet hot dogs along with sandwiches and snacks, a pub, and an attached h…
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)
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.
- BGR Bangor International Airport, Bangor — 3 mi away. Directions
- BHB Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Bar Harbor — 32 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 110 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $70–$100 a night (typical $100), from 4 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$210.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Penobscot Theatre Company, Zillman Art Museum at University of Maine
- Lunch Bagel Central
- Afternoon Hollywood Casino, Bangor Band
- Dinner Taste of India
- Evening Sea Dog Brewing Co.
Day 2
- Morning Thomas Hill Standpipe, Bangor Symphony Orchestra
- Lunch Dysart's Restaurant
- Afternoon Stephen King's House, Waterfront Concerts
- Dinner Mason's
- Evening Paddy Murphy's
Day 3
- Morning Maine Discovery Museum, Ten Bucks Theatre company
- Lunch Timber Kitchen & Bar
- Afternoon Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
- Evening Geaghan's Pub & Craft Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Incorporated as a town in 1791, it was sacked by the British during the War of 1812, was known for its strong anti-slavery stance in the Underground Railroad and US Civil War era and was heavily damaged by a 1911 fire. It is the closest city to Fort Knox State Historic Site, built from 1844-1869. As the first US landfall for arriving jetliners from Europe, its international airport is a welcome sight to pilots who want to throw drunkard passengers off inbound commercial flights. Its cultural facilities, including the University of Maine, rival much larger cities. As the home of author Stephen King, it appears often in fictional works, but travellers can be assured that as the city is relatively safe and peaceful they will not be eaten by mutant zombies.
Get in
By plane
Go Bangor International Airport (BGR)
Bangor has year-round non-stop service on American from Philadelphia, Washington-National and Charlotte (seasonally); United from Newark, Washington-Dulles and Chicago O'Hare (seasonally); Breeze Airways from Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers; and Allegiant from Orlando-Sanford and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida.
By bus
Get around
Downtown Bangor and the waterfront is easily explored by foot; the nearby Pickering Square parking garage offers the first two hours for free. Traveling to sites outside of downtown will require a car.
See
See Ten Bucks Theatre company
Seasonal live theater at Eddington-Clifton Civic Center (Comins Hall)) at 1387 Main Road, Eddington, (10 miles from Brewer on Rt. 9). Summer performances of Shakespeare outdoors in Indian Trail Park and at Fort Knox in Prospect.
Do
Do Thomas Hill Standpipe
110-ft (34 m) tall water tower that gives the Queen City its "crown," open seasonally for tours. From the observation deck you can see to Mt. Katahdin on a clear day; enjoy the famous Maine foliage in the autumn. This requires climbing 100 steps, and is not handicapped accessible.
Do Hollywood Casino
One of only two licensed casinos in the state of Maine, the casino features 923 slot machines as well as table games. Also has a restaurant with gourmet hot dogs along with sandwiches and snacks, a pub, and an attached hotel. Live harness racing April-Nov, and simulcast every day.
Do Stephen King's House
Victorian mansion, home to the famed horror novelist, with wrought-iron bats and spiders on the gate. A must-see for fans of Bangor's most famous resident!.
Festivals and events
Buy
Eat
Eat Bagel Central
Bagels, sandwiches, soups and baked goods. Bright dining area with tall ceilings and full length windows.
Eat Taste of India
Indian food, lunch specials, buffet W-F. Good Indian beer and (domestic?) wine selection, Beside Maine Discovery Museum.
Eat Dysart's Restaurant
Truck stop with repair garage, reasonably-priced family food, travel store, event facilities for 10-200, deli and bakery, Greyhound bus stop.
Eat Mason's
Rustic, spacious beerhall featuring its own artisanal brews & pub grub such as pizzas & burgers. Has an excellent view of the Penobscot River and offers outdoor dining with heat lamps that actually work very well.
Eat Timber Kitchen & Bar
Upscale spot for wood-fired New American, Maine-inspired entrees, pizza & burgers, plus craft beers & cocktails. Often considered the nicest restaurant in town.
Drink
Drink Paddy Murphy's
Plenty of brews, Irish & American bar food & nightly events are on tap at this polished-looking pub right in the center of downtown Bangor.
Drink Geaghan's Pub & Craft Brewery
Long-standing Irish pub with a cheerful, down-to-earth vibe & a vast menu from pancakes to ribs.
Sleep
Unless you want to stay downtown, the "better cheap hotels" are concentrated in the "Odlin Road" area, which is near I-95 and the airport.
Go next
Nearby
Orono
City / town · 8 listings · 7 mi away
Bucksport
City / town · 12 listings · 16 mi away
Orland
City / town · 16 mi away
Ellsworth
City / town · 48 listings · 21 mi away
Swanville
City / town · 3 listings · 22 mi away
Surry
City / town · 5 listings · 25 mi away
Newport
City / town · 6 listings · 25 mi away
Searsport
City / town · 7 listings · 25 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.