Bangor (Maine)

Incorporated as a town in 1791, it was sacked by the British during the War of 1812, was known for its strong anti-slavery stance in the Underground Railroad and US Civil War era and was heavily damaged by a 1911 fire. It is the closest town to Fort Knox State Historic Site, built from 1844-1869. As the first US landfall for arriving jetliners from Europe, its international airport is a welcome sight to pilots who want to throw drunkard passengers off inbound commercial flights. Its cultural facilities, including the University of Maine, rival much larger cities. As the home of author Stephen King, it appears often in fictional works, but travellers can be assured that as the city is relatively safe and peaceful they will not be eaten by mutant zombies.

By plane

• Bangor International Airport

  phone: +1 207 947-0384
  address: 287 Godfrey Boulevard
  Bangor has year-round non-stop service on Delta to New York-LaGuardia; American to New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Washington-National and Charlotte (seasonally); United to Newark and Chicago O'Hare (seasonally); and Allegiant to Orlando-Sanford and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida.

By bus

• Concord Coach Lines

  phone: +1 207 945-4000
  address: 1039 Union St (depot)
  Express or local routes from Boston through Portland.

• Greyhound Lines

  phone: +1 207 945-3000
  address: Dysart's Travel Stop @ 530 Coldbrook Road, Hermon
  Connections from Boston and Portland.

• Cyr Bus Lines

  phone: +1 207 827-2010
  address: 153 Gilman Falls Ave (office/depot), Old Town; (bus stops) Dysart's Travel Stop @ 530 Coldbrook Rd and Concord depot @ 1039 Union St
  Service from Caribou Fosters in northern Maine.

Downtown Bangor and the waterfront is easily explored by foot; the nearby Pickering Square parking garage offers the first two hours for free. Traveling to sites outside of downtown will require a car.

• Community Connector

  phone: +1 207 992-4670
  Provides public bus service in Bangor and some surrounding towns.

• Penobscot Theatre Company

  phone: +1 207 942-3333
  address: 131 Main St

• Bangor Symphony Orchestra

  phone: +1 207 942-5555

• Ten Bucks Theatre company

  phone: +1 207 884-1030
  Seasonal live theater at Eddington-Clifton Civic Center (Comins Hall)) at 1387 Main Road, Eddington, (10 miles from Brewer on Rt. 9). Summer performances of Shakespeare outdoors in Indian Trail Park and at Fort Knox in Prospect.

• Thomas Hill Standpipe

  phone: +1 207 947-4516
  110-ft (34 m) tall water tower that gives the Queen City its "crown," open seasonally for tours. From the observation deck you can see to Mt. Katahdin on a clear day; enjoy the famous Maine foliage in the autumn. This requires climbing 100 steps, and is not handicapped accessible.

• River City Cinema Society

  address: Pickering Square
  Free screenings of classic movies in summer, bring a lawn chair.

• Maine Discovery Museum

  phone: +1 207 262-7200
  address: 74 Main St
  Three-story Bangor Children's Museum, ideal for preschoolers but stimulating and entertaining for kids of all ages.

Festivals and events

• American Folk Festival

• Kenduskeag Stream Canoe RaceApril

• Senior League World SeriesEarly August

• Cool Sounds Music Series

  address: Pickering Square

• Bangor BandFree Tuesday night concerts around Bangor through the summer, as well as other performances throughout the year.

• Epic Sports

  phone: +1 207 941-5670
  address: 6 Central St
  Family-owned adventure outfitter; apparel and gear for hikers, paddlers, runners, sport and outdoor activity.

• Mexicali Blues

  phone: +1 207 990-4113
  address: 1 W Market Square
  Hippie clothing, women's bohemian fashions, tie dye clothing, hand-crafted jewellery, cool toys and kitchen wares.

• Bagel Central

  phone: +1 207 947-1654
  address: 33 Central St
  Kosher restaurant, bagels, sandwiches, soups and baked goods. Bright dining area with tall ceilings and full length windows.

• Taste of India

  phone: +1 207 945-6865
  address: 68 Main St
  Indian food, lunch specials, buffet Wed.-Fri. Good Indian beer and (domestic?) wine selection, Beside Maine Discovery Museum.

• Dysart's Restaurant

  phone: +1 207 942-4878
  address: 530 Coldbrook Road, Hermon
  Truck stop with repair garage, reasonably-priced family food, travel store, event facilities for 10-200+, deli and bakery, Greyhound bus stop.

• Sea Dog Brewing Co.

  phone: +1 207 947-8004
  address: 26 Front St

Unless you want to stay downtown, the "better cheap hotels" are concentrated in the "Odlin Road" area, which is near I-95 and the airport.

• Best Western White House Inn

  phone: +1 207 862-3737
  address: 155 Littlefield Ave
  Continental breakfast, restaurant adjacent. Outdoor pool, seasonal walking path, exercise room, business center, lounge, guest laundry. Some theme rooms available with fireplace and Jacuzzi tub.

• Charles Inn

  phone: +1 207 992-2820
  address: 20 Broad St
  Art gallery hotel. Morning meal included, wi-fi in lobbies and café.

• Courtyard by Marriott

  phone: +1 207 262-0070
  address: 236 Sylvan Rd
  Bistro on-site for breakfast and dinner. Wired and wireless Internet.

• Fairfield Inn Bangor

  phone: +1 207 990-0001
  address: 300 Odlin Rd
  Wi-fi, refrigerator, breakfast included, near airport.

• Fireside Inns & Suites

  phone: +1 207 942-1234
  address: 570 Main St
  Beside casino, pet-friendly and fireplace rooms available. Wi-fi, lobby computer, 24 hour coffee bar. Geaghan's Restaurant & Pub +1 207 945-3730.

• Four Points by Sheraton Bangor Airport

  phone: +1 207 947-6721
  address: 308 Godfrey Blvd
  Connected directly to the Bangor Int'l Airport via an enclosed skywalk. Wi-fi, Godfrey's Lounge on-site.

• Hilton Garden Inn Bangor

  phone: +1 207 262-0099
  address: 250 Haskell Rd.

• Holiday Inn

  phone: +1 207 947-0101
  address: 404 Odlin Rd
  208 non-smoking rooms with microwave and refrigerator. Lounge and restaurant on site, Full-Fitness Gold's Gym on property. Hot tub. Internet terminal in foyer near entrance. Breakfast not included.

• Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway

  address: 500 Main St
  Wi-fi, airport shuttle, fitness centre, restaurants, bar and lounge.

• Howard Johnson's

  phone: +1 207 942-5251
  address: 336 Odlin Rd
  Outdoor pool, wi-fi in public areas, microwaves, refrigerators, extra charge for pets. Hotel remains open but the restaurant (one of the last two in the once-huge Howard Johnson restaurant chain) is closed, effective September 2016.

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 207 947-6921
  address: 1100 Hammond St
  Wi-fi, coin laundry, two-story pet-friendly motel with exterior corridors.

• Ramada Bangor

  address: 357 Odlin Rd
  Barnaby's Grill, wifi, business and fitness centres, indoor pool. 118 rooms, five meeting/banquet rooms with A/V facilities. Breakfast and newspaper included with room.

• Residence Inn Bangor

  phone: +1 207 433-0800
  address: 22 Bass Park Blvd.
  Free Wifi; Breakfast; Close to Downtown, Casino, Concerts; excellent restaurant (Timber) attached.

• Rodeway Inn

  phone: +1 207 945-0111
  address: 327 Odlin Rd
  Free WiFi, breakfast.

• TownePlace Suites Bangor

  phone: +1 207 262-4000
  address: 240 Sylvan Rd.
  Free WiFi, Breakfast, Pet-Friendly

Radio

Radio stations serving the Bangor area include:

• News/Talk: WMEH 90.9 FM (NPR), WVOM 103.9 FM (conservative)

Television

Television stations serving Bangor include:

• WLBZ Channel 2: NBC.
• WABI Channel 5: CBS.
• WVII Channel 7: ABC.
• WMEB Channel 12: PBS.

Acadia National Park