Home of Writer Stephen King

The major tourist attraction in Bangor, for many people, is the shopping deals. Bangor is home to most outlet stores, situated off Highway 95, Exit 186 or 187, on 663 Stillwater Avenue (Phone 207/947-7333, Itracy@kravco.com). The stores available are Target, Sears, Filenes, Wal-Mart, Eagle Outfitters, The Home Depot, Burlington Coat Factory, and many more. See a list of all the shops at http://bangor-me.mallsbycity.com/stores.htm.

Quick Tips:

Taking a walk along the Penobscot River and along the Kenduskeag Stream is highly recommended. But do so during summer; any other season will be gloomy and not as pleasant. The summer season also offers you a greater array of activities:
The Artisan Market, every Thursday between June 16 to July 21, offers you free music concerts.

Events at the Bangor Public Library include band concerts and plays.
The Sidewalk Art Festival is held every August 6 in downtown Bangor.
The American Folk Festival August 26 to 28 is a free multi-stage festival.

Best Way To Get Around:

Bangor was incorporated in 1791 by Pastor Seth Noble, who enjoyed the Irish hymn Bangor. The city was developed on the 1525 campsite of Estavan Gomez, a Portuguese mariner searching for the Northwest Passage to the Orient.

Early settlers were drawn to the area for the fur trading and fishing, and in the 19th century, by the wealth of shipbuilding, lumber, and naval stores. In the 20th century, with the shipbuilding industry in decline, the community concentrated on the pulp and paper business, which is still the dominant industry.

Look for the statue of Paul Bunyan, the world-famous lumberjack.

Take a walk through Bangor's historic downtown. You'll see quaint shops (coins, collectables, and antiques), ethnic restaurants, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra (where you can also purchase musical instruments and parts), and museums. People are friendly and helpful. Buildings are still being renovated by the city, but the elegance is present nevertheless. For more information about the local history, visit the Bangor Historical Society (at the Bangor Museum and Center for History on 6 State St.) They've been around for 140 years and have a vast collection of documents and articles from the Penobscot Valley. Another place to get information would be the Bangor Public library, 145 Harlow St., at 207/947-8336. They are known as the Area Research and Reference Center for Northern and Eastern Maine, as they hold over 500 000 volumes of books, periodicals, government recordings, and documents

As per museums, there's the children’s museum called Maine Discovery Museum on Main Street. There is also a Bangor Police Museum, but one can only view it by making an appointment by calling 207/947-7384, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. It has hundreds of police items, including a one-person cell chair.

The Museum of Art on the University campus (the University of Maine is situated in the neighboring town of Orono) holds regular exhibits. For a calendar of events, check www.umma.umaine.edu.

The Cole and Land Transportation Museum is home to many WWII articles, including a small replica of a helicopter and a tank. They are only open during the summer season, starting in May.

Most of the fast-food restaurants are situated by the mall area, but if you're up to more diversity, downtown is the place to go. There are many ethnic restaurants and fine-dining choices in this area. Before heading to one of the restaurants, do call in advance to check at what time they close, as some close at 3pm.

Taste of India Restaurant, 68 Main St., phone 207/945-6865
New Moon Cafe, 47 Park St., phone 207/990-2233
Thai Siam, 1 Main St., phone 207/262-9399
Bahaar Pakistani Restaurant, 23 Hammond St, 207/945-5979
Little Lad's Basket (vegetarian) 128 Main St., 207/942-5482. You must try the Strawberry Waffle desert and the Yam and Pineapples dish.
Seadog Brewing Co., 26 Front St., 207/947-8004