Explore Bangor Maine

Start Your Maine Vacation Here!

Bangor Maine is the third largest city in Maine and a great place to begin your Maine vacation on the way to Acadia National Park.

Photo credit: Lawrence_Whittemore/Flickr

Bangor, despite its relatively small size(34.7 sq. mi.), is a major cultural and commercial center for eastern and northern Maine. It has a population of 31,473 people and is 30 miles from Penobscot Bay up the Penobscot River.

Bangor, Maine has a rich history as well. The city served as the center for the anti-slavery movement in that part of the world before the outbreak of the American Civil War.

The University of Maine is located nearby Bangor. In terms of culture, Bangor Maine offers the Bangor Symphony Orchestra , which is the oldest continually operating symphony orchestra in the US, founded in 1896.

The Bangor International Airport serves this part of Maine and in the summer, a seasonal shuttle bus will bring you from there to Bar Harbor. Although there is a closer airport (the Hancock County-Bar Harbor airport), it doesn't serve all carriers and may be more expensive to fly into.

Bangor Maine is also the home of prolific science fiction writer, Stephen King, and he sets many of his novels in and around this general area.

Bangor is considered to be the gateway to Downeast Maine, and is only a 1 hr drive from Acadia National Park through lovely rolling hills and country scenes. Personally, we enjoy this ride every time we do it.

Things to See While in Bangor

Here are a few suggestions of things you may want to take in, if you decide to spend any time in Bangor, either on your way into or home from Acadia.

• Paul Bunyan Statue
• Bangor State Fair (if you time your visit right)
• American Folk Festival

Even if your ultimate destination is Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, Bangor Maine can be worth taking some time to experience too!

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