Top 10 Things to do in Orono & Bangor, Maine

While I don’t regret not leaving my Airbnb during my stay in Orono, Maine, there are a few things to do if you wish to venture out.

ORONO

HIKING

Orono being in the middle of the Maine woods, there are plenty of opportunities to hike and for cross-country skiing. I have zero understanding of skiing, so I won’t discuss those. Hiking, though, is more my style. (And maybe it’s all the same trails? This Tennessee girl wouldn’t know!)

The Orono Land Trust maintains several hiking trails around the area. This includes the Stillwater River Trail along an old rail bed, the Gould Landing Trail near Pushaw Lake, and several other parks and protected areas.

ORONO BOG WALK

One of the most popular walks in Orono is the Orono Bog Walk, an elevated boardwalk through a peat bog. This walk is easily accessible from the Bangor City Forest and is part of the University of Maine. The boardwalk is FREE to visit and has parking nearby. It is, however, closed in the winter months. Check their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

The University of  Maine has a few attractions, including the Fay Hyland Botanical Garden alongside the Stillwater River, and the Page Farm to preserve the farming history of Maine. Both locations are FREE to visit. (And you can get a few historic recipes from the farm website!)

BREWERY TOUR

There are three breweries in Orono proper, making for a nice craft beer scene. Marsh Island Brewing, Orono Brewing Company and Black Bear Brewery are all within a mile of each other.  That would make a nice beer crawl after a day of hiking…that sounds pretty good.

RESTAURANTS

A few other places to eat as well as drink might include the Woodman’s Bar & Grill, Thai Kitchen, The Family Dog and the Orono House of Pizza.

BANGOR

Orono is just outside of Bangor city limits, so visiting the larger city is easy. In fact, the Orono Bog Walk is part of the Bangor City Forest, just on the other side of the line.

HIKING

Speaking the Bangor City Forest, it has 10 miles of easy trails and none seem very long–they measure in feet, not miles, and it doesn’t look very hilly. There are several other trails to explore around the city, from acres of protected woods (with sledding hill!) to paved city walks along the river.

MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY

I am into cemeteries and the Mount Hope Cemetery looks beautiful! It’s the second-oldest garden cemetery in the United States and is on the register of historic places.

This I just learned: in 1831, Cambridge Massachusetts opened the first garden cemetery to alleviate overcrowding in the typical church cemeteries of the time. This solution provided a large area for burials in a park-like setting for the living to enjoy.

I *knew* I wasn’t crazy for liking cemeteries! They’re just public parks. With dead people in them. No biggie.

COLE LAND TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM

The Cole Land Transportation Museum is a cheap, surprisingly interesting museum full of big machines of all types. They have sections for farm equipment, fire engines, motorcycles, and snowplows. The cost is $7 for adults, $6 with AAA membership, and $5 for seniors. And the museum is FREE for 19 and under.

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE MUSEUM OF ART

The University of Maine Museum of Art features contemporary and modern art by local and national artists, including some works by Andy Warhol. Located downtown in an old department store. As far as I can tell, the museum is FREE to visit.

STEPHEN KING’S HOUSE

If you are a fan and want to be a bit stalkery, you can visit at least the gates of Stephen King’s House! I won’t print the address here, but I’m sure you can find it easily online. It’s impressively spooky-looking.

BREWERIES

The craft beer game is as strong in Bangor as it is in Orono. I count nine breweries in downtown Bangor, again all within about a mile of waterfront. A Bangor outpost of Orono Brewing and Black Bear, 2 Feet, Sea Dog, Blank Canvas, Mason’s, Geaghan Brother’s Brewing and pub with the pub on one side of the river, and the brewery and tasting room on the other. Stop in at the Northern Maine Distillery if you’d like to top off with some vodka.

To be sure, I’d be under the table halfway through the second brewery–I’m NOT advocating visiting these all in one go–but you definitely have options! A week of nightly beer tasting sounds like a great way to spend time.

RESTAURANTS

Some other recommended places to eat during your stay in Bangor include Eagles Nest Restaurant, The Fiddlehead, Blaze, The Grind House coffee shop, Timber Kitchen & Bar, and Novio’s Bistro.

Cheap Eats

Cheaper options include Verve Mexican, O’Donnell’s Sub & Deli, No. 1 Kitchen Chinese, Wicked Brew Coffee Bar, and Judy’s or Stone Sparrow for breakfast or brunch.