With Portland rising in popularity due to its food and beer scene, travelers are heading north from New York and Boston to explore what Maine has to offer. But a tour of the state shouldn’t end “downeast”.
Bangor, located two hours north of Portland, has Maine’s history deeply rooted in its streets. Once touted as “The Lumber Capital of the World”, today Bangor’s visitors enjoy a vibrant arts and culture scene, wander streets lined with locally-owned shops and restaurants and explore the surrounding outdoor recreational opportunities.
Get Outdoors
While Bangor is located within a few hour’s drive of Maine’s tallest peak and Acadia National Park, visitors don’t have to leave the city for outdoor recreation. The 680-acre Bangor City Forest is located just north of downtown and has over four miles of access roads and nine miles of trails designated for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. In the summer, rent a bicycle from The Ski Rack, which is just a few minutes from the park and can be accessed via the Stillwater Avenue route of the Community Connector.
Eat and Drink in Bangor, Maine
A trip to Bangor is not complete without a stop at Mason’s Brewing Company, which is a short walk from downtown and offers a diverse beer list and food menu (think gose and jackfruit tacos). Try “The Philly” — a Mainer’s take on Philadelphia’s beloved cheesesteak. Be sure to wash it down with one of the brewery’s many IPAs or a sour beer. From here, continue your beer tour by heading over to Orono Brewing Company for an unfiltered double IPA and the locally-owned 2 Feet Brewing for a jalapeño and ghost pepper saison. If you’re looking for a more upscale experience with a casual atmosphere, check out the Timber Kitchen and Bar, which offers traditional American fare in an industrial setting.
Where to Stay in Bangor
While there are many hotels in the Greater Bangor region, the eclectic décor’ of The Charles Inn coupled with its location in the heart of downtown’s West Market Square makes it the perfect place to base yourself during you stay. The Charles Inn boasts multiple themed rooms, including the Stephen King-themed “King Room”, and is within walking distance of much of the city’s attractions. Thanks to the attached Artisan Coffee House, you don’t even have to walk outside to get your cup of joe before starting your day.
Explore the City
Stephen King fans will find themselves right at home while wandering the streets of the author’s hometown. Make sure you get a lay of the land by booking yourself a spot with Stephen King Tours of Maine, which highlights classic sites such as the filming location of Pet Cemetery. If you prefer reading history books over horror, head to the Thomas A. Hill House, which is a historic house that is now home to the collections of The Bangor Historical Society as well as an American Civil War collection. Before you leave, catch a show at the Penobscot Theater, and don’t miss the iconic Paul Bunyan statue, which marks the birthplace of the mythical woodsman!
Public Transit to Bangor
Greyhound offers service from New York to Bangor with a transfer in Boston (approximately 12 hours). Once in Bangor, the Community Connector offers bus service around the city.
Images by Josh Laskin (@joshlaskin).
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram