Overview
Waterville is a small city (16,000 in 2020) on the Kennebec River, home to Colby College. Because of its location along a former migration corridor between Quebec and New England (now the Kennebec-Chaudière International Corridor), Franco-American culture is evident here.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Waterville
Colby College Campus
Student-led campus tours available from the Office of Admissions. A small liberal arts college founded in 1813. Stroll around the tree-studded hilltop campus with its fine Neo-Georgian architecture. The view from the ste…
Colby College Museum of Art
Maine's largest art museum, containing important works by John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Richard Serra.
Perkins Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
A 128zacre forest with almost two miles of hiking trails.
Two Cent Bridge
The 1903 Ticonic footbridge crosses the Kennebec between Waterville and neighboring Winslow, once allowing factory workers access to mills on either side of the river, now an interesting site to visit.
Redington Museum
Maintained by the Waterville Historical Society, this house contains 18th- and 19th-century artifacts from its original inhabitants and other local families.
Maine International Film Festival
In mid-July, this festival showcases independent American and international film and highlights New England and Maine filmmakers.
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 — 18 mi away. Directions
- RKD Knox County Regional Airport, Rockland — 43 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 71 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Portland: Take US Interstate I-295 North through Brunswick; this becomes I-95 North in Gardiner; follow signs for Augusta, then Waterville; Exit 127 for the Kennedy Memorial Drive which leads downtown; trip is seventy-five miles and takes seventy-five minutes.
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 Colby College Campus, Colby College Museum of Art, Perkins Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
- Lunch Gifford's Ice Cream
- Afternoon Maine International Film Festival, Railroad Square Cinema
- Dinner Waterville Farmers' Market
- Evening Mainely Brews
Day 2
- Morning Two Cent Bridge, Redington Museum
- Afternoon Colby College, Waterville Opera House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Aside from these recommendations, fast-food and other chain restaurants as well as supermarkets can be found along Main Street and the Kennedy Memorial Drive between I-95 and downtown.
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.
Get in
By car
From Portland: Take US Interstate I-295 North through Brunswick; this becomes I-95 North in Gardiner; follow signs for Augusta, then Waterville; Exit 127 for the Kennedy Memorial Drive which leads downtown; trip is seventy-five miles and takes seventy-five minutes.
From Bangor: Take I-95 South; Exit 130 for Main Street; continue south on Main Street past the strip malls to downtown; trip is 56 miles and takes about an hour.
From Quebec City: Take Autoroute 73 South to end; Continue on Route 273 (Route du President Kennedy) following signs for St. Georges/Frontier; Jackman border crossing is open 24 hours/day 7 days/week; continue south on US201 to downtown Waterville; trip is 200 miles and takes about four hours.
By bus
- Greyhound, 320 Kennedy Memorial Dr (by the local airport three miles southwest of downtown).
Get around
By bus
Taxis
- TRI County Cab, +1 207 692-4029
Rental cars
Place Enterprise
See
The city center's architecture reflects the city's textile mill past. Several large mills remain standing but are closed.
See Colby College Campus
Student-led campus tours available from the Office of Admissions. A small liberal arts college founded in 1813. Stroll around the tree-studded hilltop campus with its fine Neo-Georgian architecture. The view from the steps of Miller Library (or from the library's tower during the few times the tower is open) stretches across the Kennebec River valley, particularly beautiful during fall foliage.
Do
Buy
Eat
Aside from these recommendations, fast-food and other chain restaurants as well as supermarkets can be found along Main Street and the Kennedy Memorial Drive between I-95 and downtown.
Eat Gifford's Ice Cream
Waterville location of a Maine ice cream chain headquartered in nearby Skowhegan. Unique local flavors include Moose Tracks, Whoopie Pie, and Grape-nuts.
Eat Waterville Farmers' Market
Farmers' featuring a variety of locally grown, raised, or crafted products.
Drink
Drink Mainely Brews
Bar popular with both locals and college students.
Sleep
Most accommodations (chain hotels and motels) are found along the Kennedy Memorial Drive and Main Street between I-95 and downtown. In addition to the following recommendations, other country inns and bed and breakfasts are nearby in Belgrade Lakes.
Go next
Without a car, options are limited to the bus line north to Bangor or south to Augusta and Portland. With a car, there are more possibilities:
- Waterville is a stepping-off point for the Belgrade Lakes and China Lake, two major lake areas with swimming, fishing, boating, and comfortable accommodations.
- Explore north along the Kennebec River (passing Skowhegan, The Forks, and Jackman, crossing the Appalachian mountains into the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec en route to Quebec City.
- Head east to Belfast or Camden on the Mid Coast.
Nearby
Winslow
City / town · 4 listings · 1 mi away
Fairfield
City / town · 3 listings · 3 mi away
Oakland
City / town · 5 mi away
China
City / town · 1 listings · 8 mi away
Belgrade
City / town · 1 listings · 12 mi away
Skowhegan
City / town · 17 listings · 15 mi away
Augusta
City / town · 16 listings · 18 mi away
Hallowell
City / town · 4 listings · 20 mi away
My experience
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