L.C. Bates Museum
The L.C. Bates Museum, located on the campus of Good Will-Hinckley in Fairfield, is an early 20th Century museum full of unique cabinets of curiosities and Maine wildlife dioramas. Explore exhibits of art, Maine Native American baskets, minerals, and Maine history and archaeology, and experience Maine’s natural beauty firsthand on our forest walking trails. The National Endowment for the Humanities recently featured the L.C. Bates Museum in its 50 States of Preservation project.The museum offers Family Discovery Activities, such as nature activity kits and scavenger hunts, Fern Walk & Butterfly Garden, Arboretum, and Gift Shop. Open April to Mid-November, Wednesdays through Sunday. Check website for hours.14 Easler Rd, Hinckley, ME 04944
Downtown Skowhegan
Skowhegan attracts artists, outdoorsmen, and foodies. What more could you want out of a four-season destination in the middle of one of the most beautiful spots in Maine?In just a few short years, Skowhegan has become an agricultural food hub, established a year-round farmers’ market, became home to an organic grain purveyor (Maine Grains), the Kneading Conference and Maine Artisan Bread Fair, two craft breweries, one of New England’s best orchards, numerous farms, a CSA, and restaurants that serve locally harvested foods. It’s also the seat of Somerset County—the nation’s leading maple syrup producer. Now, combine this bountiful table of delight with a thriving cultural scene and Skowhegan's access to the great outdoors and you get an unparalleled experience.
Margaret Chase Smith Library and Museum
Senator Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman to be nominated by her party for the presidency (in 1964). But Smith, born in Skowhegan in 1897, was far more than that. At the time of her retirement, she was the longest-serving American female state senator, Maine's first female member of the House of Representatives and the US Senate.The Margaret Chase Smith Library is a congressional research library whose resources are made available to qualified scholars, but with reservations, it is also open to the public. The museum serves many purposes and is made available by a guided tour. The 5,000-piece collection allows visitors to interpret the life and career of Senator Smith (1897-1995) in the context of her time.56 Norridgewock Ave, Skowhegan, ME 04976
South Solon Meeting House
Built in 1842 as a place for religious and community activities, the founders of the South Solon Meeting House assured that “the house opened freely on weekdays when requested, for conference meetings, and lectures and addresses on all religious, benevolent, moral and scientific subjects.” This spirit has continued to animate the South Solon Meeting House to the present day.Visitors who venture inside will become enveloped by the floor-to-ceiling frescoes painted by contemporary artists from the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Fellowships were offered to young, professional artists under the school’s supervision. Artists were given only the following guidance: “There shall be no limitation of subject matter; however, bearing in mind the religious character of the building, which has been non-sectarian from its inception, it’s suggested that the New and Old Testaments offer rich and suitable subject matter. This material should be interpreted in imaginative terms, allowing complete freedom to develop symbols, associations, or legends.”
The Pines in Old Point and Sebastian Rasle Monument
In 1724, the British massacred an entire Abenaki village at Old Point in Norridgewock (now part of Madison). A Jesuit Missionary, Father Sebastian Rasle, had been living with the Abenaki for nearly 30 years and was slaughtered alongside the people he chose to serve. The monument, erected in 1833, is part of the Historic Pines Trail, which gives visitors a glimpse into the area's extensive history.The one-mile-long trail follows a ridge along the Kennebec River, while unique site markers offer a brief history of the site. There is ample Kennebec River access for wade-in trout fishing as well.
Robbins Hill Scenic Overlook
Robbins Hill Scenic Overlook is the southern terminus of the 78-mile-long Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. This corridor between Solon and the Canadian International border covers 78 beautiful miles of history, adventure, and four seasons views. From Robins Hill, visitors can see follow the foothills of central Maine as they roll into the towering range that forms a spine along the western part of the state.The overlook takes its name from Ruell Robbins, the original property owner, as shown in the 1883 Somerset County Atlas. The property was acquired in 2003 by the MaineDOT to establish a place for multi-season public recreation and education relating to the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway and is now home to the Wes Baker Trails and some of the region's most breathtaking views.
Lakewood Theater
Located amidst stately pines and white birch on the western shore of Wesserunsett Lake, Lakewood is the State Theater of Maine and America's oldest and most famous summer theater.Lakewood Theater's tradition is long in years, deep in sentiment, and steadfast in endurance. Now entering its 121th Season, Lakewood offers exceptional performances of comedies, dramas, musicals, and children's shows from late-May through mid-September. Should you find yourself in the neighborhood, we invite you to experience the excitement of live theater.
Houston Brook Falls
Bingham's Houston Brook Falls is the perfect spot to cool down. You'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trailhead is easy to get to, and it is a short hike with a big payoff in the beautiful 32′ waterfall with a swimming hole. There are many exposed roots along the trail; and many slippery rocks once you arrive at the falls. Watch your footing, and be safe! At high water, it can be a dangerous task to walk around and swim. The out-and-back hike is about 15 minutes and the trail is open year-round; dogs are welcome.PLEASE NOTE: This is on PRIVATE property, but open to the public. As with any trail, please respect the land and landowners, so we can continue to enjoy this wonderful place. Carry in, carry out!
Bingham–Half Way between N.Pole and Equator
The 45th Parallel is a line of latitude that encircles the globe at the midpoint between the Equator and the North Pole. Some also refer to this geological marker as the northern halfway point. For those seeking the great beauty, outdoor adventure, limitless clean air, and from what I have heard, excellent trout fishing in and around the islands in the Kennebec below Gadabout Gaddis airport. Bingham is worth making the stop. It’s location north of the region’s more populated communities and easy access hiking, camping, fishing, and whitewater rafting; as well as numerous fall and winter sporting activities also give credence to its other nickname: Gateway to Recreation
Wyman Dam and Lake
In 1929 the construction of the dam at Moscow was one of the most significant civil engineering undertakings in the history of the state of Maine. The project, headed up and eventually named for Walter Wyman, impounded the Kennebec River forming a 12-mile-long and 1-mile-wide beautifully forested lake that follows the course of the Kennebec River north from Moscow almost to the village of Caratunk—replacing naturally occurring rapids 140 feet high.The nearly 3,000-foot-long dam provides 88 megawatts of hydroelectric power annually. While the lake is officially an impoundment, it is also a spectacular natural resource for outdoor pleasure seekers. There is a public dock at the Moscow landing; a nearby island in easy reach for paddlers also has a picnic area and a well-constructed rope swing.
Route 201 Birdhouses
The retaining wall across from Lake Wyman is about a third of a mile long. This stretch of the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway (Route 201) sits to the east of Wyman Lake and is, for the most part, unremarkable. But for the better part of a decade, the grey planks of the wall have become home to a colorful, often whimsical, and sometimes oddball collection of birdhouses. What really makes for a great story is that they have come out of thin air, as no one knows (or is willing to share) who has put them up or when the first one was hung up. Some belive it was a tiny blue one that showed up in 2011. But it's more fun to guess, and maybe pick out a favorite one of your own.If you do plan to stop, please be careful, as there is a great deal of truck traffic, and there is really no good spot to pull off the road.
Attean Overlook
If the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway gives travelers 78 miles of unmatched views, the Attean Overlook may be its crowning glory, especially around sunset. Situated just south of Jackman, the overlook provides a sweeping view of the Moose River Valley, Attean Pond, the Canadian border mountains, and miles of connecting rivers and streams flowing to the border.In addition to the view, the Attean Overlook comes furnished with picnic tables, portable rest facilities, and access to the Owl’s Head Trail, a 1.5 mile easy to moderate hike which expands upon the views from the overlook (all for the investment of some effort and 30 minutes). While not closed in winter, seasonal snow makes it hard to access the overlook.
Wood Pond, Jackman
No conversation about Jackman can be had without mentioning Wood Pond and vice versa. Also known as Big Wood, the pond sits directly to the west of Jackman and makes for a serene and peaceful contrast to the whitewater that made the region famous.Anglers, birders, and paddlers will all find a reason to celebrate spending time on Wood Pond. For those who have brought their rod and reel (and license), the inlet from the Moose River into Wood Pond is a well-known fishing spot. Birders should watch for eagles and listen for loons. And those looking simply to paddle into the beauty of northern Maine should get paddling right from shore.The boat landing and parking for boaters are on Mill Road just south of Spruce Street, which intersects with Route 201.
Mt. Kineo, Rockwood
Rising nearly 1800 feet from Moosehead Lake, Mount Kineo creates one of the world's most prominent outcroppings of volcanic granite rhyolite. Views are nothing short of spectacular—the fire tower at its summit offers a 360º view that is beyond belief. From the base, there are two trails: Indian Trail and Bridle Trail, with Indian Trail being the more strenuous and offering better views. A round-trip hike takes about 2-2.5 hours; add 2 hours if you take the North Trail down from the top.Catch the hourly ferry from Rockwood (on SR 6/15); it runs every hour on the hour and returns every 15 minutes before the hour. The trip takes 10 minutes, and a round trip costs $14 (cash, 2022), paid once on board. Children under five and dogs are free. The park also features an 18-hole golf course.
Moxie Falls
Moxie Falls is one of Maine's highest waterfalls, including a single vertical drop of nearly 90 feet. An easy round-trip trail, amounting to just under one mile brings visitors to this scenic destination with series of wooden stairs and boardwalks providing access over the rugged terrain surrounding the falls, including several wooden observation platforms for views of Moxie Stream's plunges.This is a busy attraction, especially on weekends between 9 AM-4 PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods.
New Portland Wire Bridge
One of the last of its kind, the historic New Portland Wire Bridge travels over the fast-flowing Carrabassett River on the western edge of Somerset County. It is just one lane wide and can carry a maximum load of 3 tons; it is 188 feet (57 m) long and 12 feet (3.7 m) wide. Its towers are 25 feet high (7.6 m). The wood-shingled towers are constructed of 12 inches (30 cm) beams. The main steel cables are about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and connected to the wooden bridge decking by 204 steel girders.Some believe that the bridge was built by a local named Colonel F. B. Morse, a retired army engineer who had the cables shipped from England, a stunt which led the bridge to be called "Morse's Fool Bridge." Officially, it was built in 1864-66 by David Eider and Captain Charles Clark. The bridge joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and became a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1990.
