Overview
Pay a visit to picturesque Brunswick, Maine, and you'll discover something special, something greater than the sum of its parts. It's a classic New England charmer to be sure. Surrounded by pine forests and nestled into a crook of the Androscoggin River, natural beauty is in no short supply. History buffs will appreciate Bowdoin College and her several museums of note; while literature mavens will recognize Brunswick as the setting where Harriet Beecher Stowe penned Uncle Tom's Cabin, a 19th century clarion call for America's abolitionist movement.
Today, several talented chefs have chosen to call this town of 22,000 (2020) home. They've taken the areas already burgeoning food scene and iterated on it, serving up some truly extraordinary cuisine. When you combine the gastronomic offerings, retail options, and a proximity to nature—well, it just adds up to package that's hard to beat. Even if you can't extend your stay, the transit options and relative closeness to larger cities make it almost too easy to return.
Across the river to the north, Topsham is a sleepy town of 10,000 (2020). Along its riverbank, you'll find several fine eateries and a promenade with some great water views.
9 sights · 11 things to do · 14 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Brunswick
Androscoggin Swinging Bridge
This simple pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the Androscoggin River was built in 1892 for workers crossing from Topsham into Brunswick for their factory jobs. Crossing affords beautiful views of the placid river. Fi…
Bowdoin College
The oldest institute of higher education in Maine, founded in 1794. Often referred to as a "hidden Ivy", in 2019, the college was ranked as the fifth-best liberal arts college in the country by U.S. News & World Repo…
First Parish Church
This Gothic Revival church—dating from around 1845—bears a unique vertical board-and-batten panel exterior. Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose husband was a professor at Bowdoin College, was sitting here in pew 23 during a com…
Bowdoin College Museum of Art
Upper Park Row, Walker Art Building, at Bowdoin College.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
A National Historic Landmark, nearly 200 years old. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin here.
Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jul–Aug. Summer highs reach about 55°F; winter lows dip to about -3°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Jul. (climate data from nearby Mount Washington State 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.
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 25 mi away (major hub). Directions
- AUG Augusta State Airport, Augusta — 29 mi away. Directions
The only interstate running close-by to Brunswick is I-295. Well paved and graded, this two-lane highway branches off of I-95 just north of Portland. If you're approaching from the south, exit at US Route 1 or if you're coming from the north, watch for the US Route 201 exit instead. Both routes will run you straight into the city's center. It's about a 30 minute ride from Portland, 35 minutes from Lewiston, and 40 minutes from Augusta.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $30–$140 a night (typical $70), from 7 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$310.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, Eveningstar Cinema, The Theater Project
- Lunch Richard's Restaurant
- Afternoon The Skolfield-Whittier House, Pejepscot Historical Society Museum
- Dinner Enoteca Athena
- Evening Vessel & Vine
Day 2
- Morning Cox Pinnacle
- Lunch Brunswick Diner
- Afternoon Seaspray Kayaking Tours, Rentals & Guide Service
- Dinner Taverna Khione
- Evening Sea Dog Brewing Company
Day 3
- Morning Thomas Point Beach
- Lunch Wild Oats Bakery and Cafe
- Afternoon Mid Coast Hospital Nature Trails
- Dinner Gurnet Trading Co.
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Brunswick could be the perfect environment for experienced restaurateurs to branch out, try new things and follow their passions. Boston? Too expensive to take risks. Portland? Too much competition to expand. But here in Brunswick, chefs are finding a place to make all their own. You'll find a much wider variety of cuisines here than your average small town; French and Italian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and so on. The food scene here is really elevating here, and yes, that does mean prices are creeping up; but it doesn't mean the old standbys are going anywhere. The classic drive-in spots still get crowded, and their filling fare is still enjoyed by newcomer and stalwart alike.
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
History
It was first settled by the Abenaki people, then occupied by English colonists in 1628 as Pejepscot, meaning "the long, rocky rapids part [of the river]". Relations between the peoples were not good; the fledgling town would be burned during King Philip's War and remained generally abandoned until around 1717. Around this time settlers from Boston and Portsmouth purchased the land and decided to give it another go. Colonist-Native relations remained hostile, and after a decade of warring the Abenaki were no more. Thus, the town of Brunswick was established by 1739.
The towns judicious location by the Androscoggin River allowed for growth and prosperity by way of the sea. This newfound wealth afforded the creation of Bowdoin College in 1794. The river provided power for mills, and nearby forests were harvested for raw materials. Brunswick pumped out an increasing array of goods such as textiles, furniture, and foodstuffs throughout the 19th century.
Today many old mills and sea captains' mansions remain, the ornate structures have been repurposed and transformed into art galleries, restaurants, museums, inns, and boutiques. A modern visitor to Brunswick will find the memories of the past tastefully blended with the imagination of today.
Visitor information
Place Brunswick Visitors Center (Brunswick Station)
Staffed by volunteers, this little space packs a big punch of information for new arrivals. They've got an array of pamphlets and local knowledge to help you find what you're looking for throughout the Southern Mid Coast region. The space is also the waiting area for Amtrak's Downeaster service, Brunswick is the end of the line.
Get in
By car
The only interstate running close-by to Brunswick is I-295. Well paved and graded, this two-lane highway branches off of I-95 just north of Portland. If you're approaching from the south, exit at US Route 1 or if you're coming from the north, watch for the US Route 201 exit instead. Both routes will run you straight into the city's center. It's about a 30 minute ride from Portland, 35 minutes from Lewiston, and 40 minutes from Augusta.
To the east, Route 1 also provides access to the dozens of quaint Mid-Coast communities scattered along the shoreline. Two minor roads; ME-123 and ME-24, provide connections to Harpswell and the Harpswell Islands respectively.
By bus
By train
- Route stopping at Brunswick:
- Downeaster operating five or six trains in each direction daily between Brunswick and Boston with stops Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach (seasonal), Saco, Wells, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Haverhill, and Woburn. Travel time to Brunswick from Portland is 45 min ($3), and from Boston is 3.25 hours ($30).
By plane
Get around
Once in town, you'll find many of Brunswick's amenities concentrated along Maine Street, which basically runs you from the Androscoggin River in the north to Bowdoin College in the south. As such, the majority of all shops, restaurants, and museums can be accessed on foot.
If you want to get away from Maine Street and hit up nearby trails, having a car will really help out. You'll find a few options along Bath Road, which connects the modern and traditional city centers. On the off chance you didn't bring your own vehicle, rent one at the airport or use ride-hailing apps. Waiting times for pick-ups are a few minutes longer here than in the big city, but generally not a problem. Be wary of going too far into the sticks in a ride-hail; you could wind up without enough signal to request the return ride!
The only public transit to speak of is a single bus called The Brunswick Link. It runs once an hour during daylight hours and costs $2 a ride. The route is erratic, and it doesn't go anywhere interesting or particularly far; so for most visitors it's not recommended bothering with. It could be worth investigating, however, if you have mobility issues and don't have private transport.
There's little cycling infrastructure here to speak of, but on the plus side Maine's harsh winters afford wide shoulders on most roadways, and the traffic isn't that bad. Anyone with a modicum of road-riding experience should find themselves capable of navigating the streets of Brunswick.
See
See Androscoggin Swinging Bridge
This simple pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the Androscoggin River was built in 1892 for workers crossing from Topsham into Brunswick for their factory jobs. Crossing affords beautiful views of the placid river. First constructed by the firm that built the Brooklyn Bridge, this incarnation has been rebuilt a few times; however, the cables you see today remain original. Parks have since been created on either end, and in 2004 the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
See Bowdoin College
The oldest institute of higher education in Maine, founded in 1794. Often referred to as a "hidden Ivy", in 2019, the college was ranked as the fifth-best liberal arts college in the country by U.S. News & World Report. There are dozens of interesting buildings and activities here supporting the 2,000 or so students and staff residing on campus.
See First Parish Church
This Gothic Revival church—dating from around 1845—bears a unique vertical board-and-batten panel exterior. Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose husband was a professor at Bowdoin College, was sitting here in pew 23 during a communion service when she had a vision of the death of a slave. This vision became the pivotal element in her book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. First Parish Church got an excellent and extensive restoration in 2004.
Museums
The Arctic Museum and Pejepscot Historical Society are perhaps the two most worth your time. The Harriet Beecher Stowe House is also worth tacking on. It's rarely open, so most folks just breeze by to read a plaque or two while they take in the structure and its quaint neighborhood surroundings.
Do
Outdoors
These trails often pull double duty as cross country skiing tracks during the colder months.
Do Androscoggin River Bicycle Path
Between Grover Lane and Water Street, along the Androscoggin River. A 2.5 mile-long paved path along the River with trees, granite benches, restroom facilities, and designated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Great for walking, jogging, bicycling, roller-blading, or skateboarding. Managed by the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department.
Do Brunswick Town Commons
Starts at a parking lot in a pine grove about 2 miles south on Harpswell Road (Route 123) Comprises less than 100 acres of woodlands and bog with wide trails suitable for walking and cross-country skiing. Dogs are permitted on leash or under owners voice control. Comprises the far southwestern section of the original thousand acre "commonage" granted by the Pejepscot Proprietors in 1719.
Do Cox Pinnacle
103-acre parcel with trails for walking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and horseback riding through wooded hills, rocky ledges, and wetlands. Includes the highest point of land in Brunswick, at 350 feet, with views of the White Mountains. The trail begins with a boardwalk across the wetlands and is marked in blue.
Do Mid Coast Hospital Nature Trails
Look for the trail entrance at the far end of the parking lot. More than 3300 feet of prepared walking paths through the forested wetlands areas between the Hospital and the protected estuary and salt water marshes of Thompson's Brook. More information at Hospital Information Desk.
Tours
Events
- Brunswick Fishway If you are planning on being in the Brunswick area between mid-May and late June, be sure to visit FPL Energy's Brunswick Hydro generating station on the Androscoggin River. Here you will find a glass wall viewing room to observe the annual spawning ritual of anadromous fish heading upriver. Species such as Herring, Salmon and Smallmouth Bass make their way up a 40-foot-high, 570-foot-long man-made fish ladder. The viewing room can accommodate up to 20 people.
- Bowdoin International Music Festival Founded in 1964 by Robert K. Beckwith and Lewis Kaplan, the Bowdoin International Music Festival brings renowned classical musicians from around the world to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine each summer for six weeks of instruction and performance. More than 250 highly talented young performers of graduate, college, and high school levels further their artistic development through a concentrated program of instrumental study and composition with the Festival's outstanding artist faculty. The Bowdoin Festival produces seven concert series three artists' concert series, two student concert series, and two series in which students and faculty perform together, EuroFest and the Gamper Festival of Contemporary Music. Through its concert presentations, the festival brings performers of international stature and a rich variety of musical programming to thousands of residents and summer visitors.
- Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival Along the sidewalks of Maine Street in Downtown Brunswick in mid- to late August numerous children's activities will line the streets; roving jugglers, face painting, art projects, dance, and music. Street performances will include theater, dance and a variety of other artistic venues. This festival is designed to celebrate and foster an appreciation of the arts in downtown Brunswick that truly makes Brunswick a cultural destination. The Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival (BOAF) exemplifies the Brunswick Downtown Association's goals to promote cultural activities and other events that create, support, and maintain a healthy, friendly and vibrant downtown.
- Maine Highland Games Come to see the clans gather and compete in three areas in mid- to late August: Highland dancing, individual piping and drumming, and athletics. Tons of Scottish food, vendors, and live music.
Buy
It's tough for brick and mortar stores to stay open in this day and age, but more than a few hold their own here in Brunswick. Foot traffic is their savior, so of course you'll find almost all the town's shops scattered along Maine Street. This is a college town don't forget, so you'll find a surprising number of bookstores as you wander and browse. If you just can't seem to find your genre, pay a visit to the Bowdoin Bookstore located on campus.
If you just need the basics, drive to the modern amalgamation of chain stores at the intersection of Bath and Gurnet Roads. Here you'll find a Walmart, McDonald's, car repair shops and the like.
Shop Fort Andross (The Mill Complex)
Stop in at this massive renovated old mill building. During the colder months there's an indoor farmer's market every Saturday. There's also an antique store, restaurant, coffee shop, and theater space. It's hard to come here and not find at least something you like.
Shop Twice-Told Tales Book Store
Well organized used bookstore, friendly staff and a wide selection of books to choose from.
Eat
Brunswick could be the perfect environment for experienced restaurateurs to branch out, try new things and follow their passions. Boston? Too expensive to take risks. Portland? Too much competition to expand. But here in Brunswick, chefs are finding a place to make all their own. You'll find a much wider variety of cuisines here than your average small town; French and Italian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and so on. The food scene here is really elevating here, and yes, that does mean prices are creeping up; but it doesn't mean the old standbys are going anywhere. The classic drive-in spots still get crowded, and their filling fare is still enjoyed by newcomer and stalwart alike.
Budget
Eat The Gelato Fiasco
Of all the things you can eat in Brunswick, this is easily the most delicious. Artisan-style gelato made daily from traditional Italian recipes. All natural and made from scratch. Espresso and coffee also served.
Eat Fat Boy Drive-In
The classic old drive-in lives here, and you can eat in your car. Lights on for service. Roll up your window a bit so the waitress can hang your tray on it. Good, inexpensive classic food like burgers and onion rings.
Eat Brunswick Diner
This classic New England diner has been cooking up all the standard fare for years now. With stools and a formica countertop along one wall and short booth tables along the other, the narrow path separating them provides that vintage dining-car ambiance that keeps customers coming back.
Mid-range
Eat Wild Oats Bakery and Cafe
Fantastic baked goods, specialty sandwiches, freshly baked bread, healthy snacks, take home dinners, cookies & cakes & pies, coffee & espresso, homemade soups. The works, really. Delivers to Bowdoin College. Prices are pretty high but quality is high too, so expect some crowding around meal times.
Eat The Great Impasta
Italian food. Lunch and dinner six days. Closed Sundays.
Eat Cameron's Lobster House
Family owned institution with old school feel, serving breakfast lunch and dinner for dine in or drive-thru. Quality lobster rolls at fair prices.
Eat Richard's Restaurant
German and American cuisine. German dishes include wienerschnitzel and sauerbraten. German beer on tap. Children's menu. Live piano Saturday nights.
Eat Little Tokyo Restaurant
Nice selection of true Japanese staples alongside other dishes Americans are sure to recognize. Flavors are good and staff is friendly and accommodating. Decor is cheery and thoughtful, although starting to feel a bit dated.
Eat Gurnet Trading Co.
Fantastic seafood is always on the menu in this rustic family restaurant. The folks behind the counter are friendly, and you might even save a buck compared to the offerings in town. Setting can't be beat.
Splurge
Eat Frontier (The Mill Complex)
Outstanding cuisine from around the globe, set in a refurbished old mill overlooking the river. Go during the day for the best views, or go during the night to check out the art gallery, filmhouse, and performance space. A Brunswick original.
Eat Tao Yuan
Unexpectedly decadent Asian fusion restaurant. The creativity on display throughout the tasting menu will be remembered long after the plates are cleared away. The cocktails are also excellent, try the beet yuzu martini.
Eat Taverna Khione
Authentic Greek fare featuring one of the largest all Greek wine lists in the United States. Casually elegant, they go above and beyond to try to replicate a traditional Grecian tavern. Opened for business in April 2015.
Eat Enoteca Athena
Quality rustic Italian and Italian-American cuisine from chef Tim O’Brien. Mainly locally sourced ingredients means a variety of menu changes throughout the seasons. Opened May 2013, this is a great spot to find anything from an aperitif to creative small plates to a filling dinner. Service is very friendly and flexible. You may want to make reservations during the warmer months.
Drink
Maine is known for its craft brews, and Brunswick certainly does its part to uphold that tradition. Sea Dog has by far the biggest name and widest distribution of the "varietals" in the area. However, Black Pug along Bath Road and Flight Deck out by the executive airport are generally considered to brew for more elevated palates. If you don't want to drive to your watering hole, you'll find Moderation Brewery nuzzled right in with the rest of the shops along Maine Street.
Drink Sea Dog Brewing Company
Pub food and Maine microbrews.
Drink Vessel & Vine
Wine bar with a vintage aesthetic. Also serves beer and small plates.
Sleep
Budget
Stay New Meadows Motel
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay OneSixtyFive
Bed and breakfast with 15 rooms, most in the charming 19th-century house. There is some additional space in cottages on the property. Tons of period detail, antique furniture, and working fireplaces. Staff is quite friendly and helpful, and the included breakfast is chef prepared. Close to Bowdoin College, train station, and the downtown area. Rebranded and updated in 2023.
Go next
- Don't miss the Maine Maritime Museum, premier maritime museum with working exhibits just off Route 1 in Bath.
- Phippsburg's salt-water beach at Popham Beach State Park is renowned for its wide, sandy beach, beautiful views and excellent swimming.
- If L.L. Bean and their associated retailers in Freeport don't do it for you, turn instead to the woodsy trails bounded by ocean at Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.
- Way out on rural Georgetown island; visit Reid State Park’s 800-acre expanse, or Josephine Newman Sanctuary’s miles of winding trails.
- Visit the unparalleled Eagle Island State Historic Site in scenic Casco Bay. If you can make it here, you'll never forget your trip.
Nearby
Bath
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
Freeport
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Lisbon
City / town · 1 listings · 10 mi away
Bailey Island
City / town · 6 listings · 13 mi away
Yarmouth
City / town · 5 listings · 13 mi away
Chebeague Island
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Richmond
City / town · 15 mi away
Wiscasset
City / town · 5 listings · 16 mi away
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