Bingham, the Halfway Point
The tiny historic village of Bingham is known for its abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and its position at 45 degrees Latitude. That puts it smack dab between the Equator and the North Pole.As you drive into Bingham, you'll cross exactly 45 degrees on Route 201. You can get supplies at Jimmy's Market on the south end of town or the Bingham General Store at the north end. That is what we call sensible Maine thinking.First settled in 1785, it was part of the Bingham Purchase. The still-standing Bingham Free Meeting House dates to 1835. By the mid-1800s, it had two water-powered sawmills and two grist mills. It also played an important role in the logging industry as a train loading point for logs floated as far as Wyman Dam. That role ended in the 1970s with the end of Kennebec log drives. Since then, it has maintained a steady stream of sportsmen and adventure seekers.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
DEW Haven | Maine Zoo & Rescue
Set in a moderately wooded spot in Mount Vernon, DEW (which stands for Domestic, Exotic, and Wild Animals) is a small, non-profit, family-run zoo and a haven for around 200 animals from all over the world. Once you enter, you can follow the loop path through the site once or as many times as you like. Watch as the big cats enjoy their enrichment toys and structures, or see what new babies have been born at the zoo. Stop by the gift shop before you go; all proceeds help with the animal's care. All the animals at DEW Haven have their own story as to how they ended up in the zoo's care. Their main goal is to provide space for animals who are in the most need of a forever homecoming from zoos that closed down or did not want/need the animals anymore, from people who had mistreated them, or owned them illegally, or owned them as a pet and could not take care of them anymore, were purchased/adopted from reputable USDA licensed facilities, or were born right here at DEW Haven.DEW Haven | Maine Zoo & Rescue is open seasonally. Check the website for hours.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Gardiner Common
Originally known as Brunswick Square, Gardiner's Common is one of Maine’s earliest designed landscapes. Robert Gardiner, who donated the property in 1824, sought to provide a public walk and parade ground. Stop by the Gazebo to enjoy some nostalgia.A shingle-style bandstand built in the 1920s was replaced in the mid-1970s. Numerous memorials have also been added, including a Civil War memorial from 1875, a monument to poet Edwin Arlington Robinson, and a war memorial honoring those lost between the Spanish-American and Vietnam wars. The current fountain, The Lady and The Bird, is a contemporary design that was installed in the 1970s.Today, the common is bordered by churches, Greek Revival-style homes, and a small commercial business. Its contemporary children’s playground, perimeter walking path, and open space for public events make it popular with locals and visitors alike.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Hallowell's High Water Mark
While the Kennebec River is known to flood from Skowhegan all the way south to Topsham and Merrymeeting Bay, Hallowell decided to lean into its major floods almost every forty years with a granite marker commemorating the four dates below. Head to the corner of Water Street and Wharf Street to see how high the water actually rose.March 13, 1936 - 36 FeetApril 1, 1987 - 34 FeetMarch 2, 1896 - 26 FeetFebruary 20, 1870 - 24 FeetIn December 2023, the Kennebec River flooded much of Water Street but didn't even reach the 1870 point on the marker. Every handful of years, the Kennebec floods enough to merit a name—the flood in April 2007 is referred to as the "Patriot's Day Flood."Hallowell, part of lands initially granted to the Plymouth Company, was deemed an excellent place to establish a settlement. It was highly navigable, and the powerful waters of the Kennebec power industry brought logs from the northern woods for trading and shipbuilding. In winter, ice harvested here was carried around the world by ships. Right next to the High Water Marker is a plaque placed by Mayflower descendants who found their way to Hallowell.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Hussey's General Store
The largest independent general store in the state of Maine, Hussey's has been serving customers since Harland Hussey opened his grocery business in October 1923. Today the store is home to over 30,000 square feet of groceries, sporting goods, clothing, formal gowns, hardware, and appliances.The charm of the store is the three floors packed full of everything one needs. No seriously. Spices, trapping supplies, fur pelts, knives, children's toys, gifts for friends, humorous decor, used books, vintage items, clothing, a full market, swimsuits, rain boots, interior home paint department, antiques, candles, jerky, Needhams...we could go on and on, and still not list it all.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Mount Kineo Summit
With 700-foot cliffs rising straight up from the water, Mt. Kineo is located on a 1,150-acre peninsula. Though connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, it has no road access. The only way to get there is the Kineo Shuttle, a ferry that runs across Moosehead Lake from Rockwood from May to October.Mt. Kineo State Park offers four hiking trails, each geared to a different hiking experience, all with spectacular views overlooking Moosehead Lake. For a somewhat easier climb, follow the 1.1-mile Bridle Trail. The hike follows the original fire warden trail, winding through the woods and connecting with the North Trail, which will bring you to an old fire tower, which you can climb to enjoy a fantastic 360-degree view.To learn more about the geological and indigenous significance of Mt. Kineo, we suggest you Google it.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Moxie Falls
Considered one of Maine's highest waterfalls, Moxie boasts 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 a 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. Becuase of the ease of this hike/walk, it is an extremely popular destination, especially on hot summer days.Honestly one cannot call themselves a true Kennebec Valley Explorer and not visit Moxie Falls. Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Mt. Pisgah Fire Tower
Visitors and locals alike have enjoyed hiking and blueberrying on Mount Pisgah for generations. The forested summit of Mount Pisgah features the former Maine Forest Service fire tower, which was in use from 1949 to 1991. The Tower Trail is a 0.7-mile moderate hike/walk to the 60-foot tower, which is open to the public. The tower provides spectacular 360-degree views where, on a clear day, those who climb to the top can see Mount Washington to the west and the Camden Hills to the east. Read the information plaque at the tower's base.The lands around Mt. Pisgah and nearby Wilson Pond and Androscoggin Lake were important pre-historic passageways for Abenaki's crossing between the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers. In the 19th century, before the fire tower was constructed, the summit of Pisgah was an open pasture that provided panoramic views.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Sandy Bay Falls
When you reach Jackman, keep going. The Falls Rest Area, a small marked parking area off of US Route 201, is a good place to stop for a pause before crossing the Canadian border or turning around and heading back down the region.The Falls, which have also been called Jim Mac Falls in the past, drop 45 feet in a series of twisting horsetails. Access is extremely easy. Beginning at the north end of the parking lot, you will start to see the falls ahead as the path leads to the brook below. For those with mobility issues, the falls can be enjoyed directly from the pavement of the rest area.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Skowhegan History House Museum
Learn more about the history of Skowhegan some 150 years ago, just as local school kids have for generations. The Greek Revival cottage that Louise Helen Coburn bought and began to restore in 1936 sits on property that had previously been important to the Abnaki people, who gathered here seasonally to fish and plant crops. In that way, the museum and research center represent not only Skowhegan's history after European settlers arrived but also that of the original inhabitants.Visitors can enjoy the gardens year-round. On the property's riverside, the gardens showcase examples of plant materials available to New England gardeners during the middle 1800s. They include five plants common to old-fashioned gardens: Peonies, Iris, Day Lilies, Phlox, and Hostas. Garden signage lists each plant’s botanical and common name.Come and see their current exhibition Living Legacy: Remembering Louise Helen Coburn—writer, botanist, philanthropist, historian, and founder of History House Museum—in the newly renovated research space.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
South Solon Meeting House
Constructed 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.Venture inside and find yourself 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.”Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Ticonic Footbridge
Located right next to Head of Falls, and more popularly known as the Two Cent Bridge or the Two Penny Bridge, this suspension bridge spans the Kennebec River between the city of Waterville and the town of Winslow. It is one of the oldest surviving wire-cable steel suspension bridges and is also considered to be the last known extant toll footbridge in the country. It was initially built to let local workers in the early 1900s walk across the river to and from the mills, which it did until well into the 1950s. The years that followed were rocky for New England mill towns, and the bridge was closed more than it was open. However, in 2012, it was rehabilitated and opened for toll-free pedestrian use.A walk across the bridge and back provides wide views up and down the river to the Ticonic Falls, train trestle, Head of Falls, Two Cent Bridge Park in Winslow, and the restored historic buildings of Downtown Waterville.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
Great Pond Boat Ramp
Great Pond is the largest of the Belgrade Lakes and is a popular spot for a variety of recreational activities by visitors and locals year-round. An excellent state-owned boat launch and parking facility provide access to the pond. When you arrive at the ramp, take a little stroll on the point to view the lake.Bring your own boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard to enjoy the area's beauty from the water. Head out for a day of some of the best Bass fishing in the state. Visitors from further away may want to rent a watercraft. Nearby, Great Pond Marina rents power boats and pontoons for a weekend, week, or more.But if you want to try something new or more adventurous, Central Maine Surf Company offers Wake Surfing, Hydrofoiling, eFoiling, and Sunset Cruises. With world-class coaches and state-of-the-art equipment, they provide you with a unique and exclusive experience like nothing else in the Belgrade Lake area.Answer the Quiz Question at the bottom of the screen to earn a badge.
