Skowhegan, Maine travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Skowhegan is a village of 8,600 people (2020) on the banks of the Kennebec River in Maine.

2 sights · 4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

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

Best things about Skowhegan

Skowhegan History House

An early area house that hosts a museum of local history.

Eaton Mountain

Ski and snowtubing facility.

Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture

Has a 9-week program every summer. If you are a young artist, you can apply, and if you're an art-lover, you can check on whether there are any shows while you're in town.

Skowhegan Indian Sculpture

Skowhegan Fair

Strand Cinema

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.
AUG Augusta State Airport, Augusta — 31 mi away. Directions
BGR Bangor International Airport, Bangor — 44 mi away. Directions
PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 83 mi away (major hub). Directions

The nearest large airport is in Portland, which is 90 mi (145 km) away.

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 Skowhegan Indian Sculpture, Strand Cinema, Skowhegan History House
Lunch The Bankery
Afternoon Skowhegan Fair, Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture
Dinner Gifford's Ice Cream and Mini Golf Course
Evening Southside Tavern

Day 2

Morning Eaton Mountain
Lunch Alice's Restaurant
Evening Old Mill Pub

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

History

Skowhegan is a name given to this place by the Abenaki, who used to live there before they were attacked and dispossessed by the white man. It means "watching place" in their language, and referred to the good fishing there was on the Kennebec River.

Skowhegan became a flourishing mill town with a big shoe factory. But unlike many deindustrialized cities in the Northeast, it still has a shoe factory — for New Balance — and a functioning paper mill.

Get in

The nearest large airport is in Portland, which is 90 mi (145 km) away.

Skowhegan is:

about 55 mi (85 km) west of Bangor on State Highway 2
about 49 mi (69 km) north of Augusta on Interstate 95 and Route 104

The nearest bus terminal is in Waterville, about 16 mi (27 km) away.

Get around

Skow Town Taxi, +1 207 431-7379

See

See Skowhegan Indian Sculpture

⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Skowhegan History House

An early area house that hosts a museum of local history.

📍 66 Elm St☎ +1 207 474-6632⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do

Do Eaton Mountain

Ski and snowtubing facility.

📍 89 Lambert Rd☎ +1 207 474-2666⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture

Has a 9-week program every summer. If you are a young artist, you can apply, and if you're an art-lover, you can check on whether there are any shows while you're in town.

📍 39 Art School Road, Madison☎ +1 207 474-9345⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website