Lewiston & Auburn

Together, the “Twin Cities” of Lewiston and Auburn have a population of nearly 60,000. Split by the Androscoggin River and its Great Falls, both cities have walkable downtowns that are the focal point for community celebrations throughout the year. 

Lewiston’s Bates Mill Complex once employed thousands at textile, shoe and brick manufacturers, and has been redeveloped with restaurants, a micro brewery and Museum L–A which shares the story of the people and industries that made the city a manufacturing force from the late 1800s to mid 1900s.

Maine’s only basilica towers over Lewiston’s downtown. The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is a must-see for its great rose window and architecture that was modeled after the cathedral at Chartres in France. Away from the downtown Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary is the city’s best spot for bird watching, walking or jogging on trails through forest and fields.

The Androscoggin River Walk is a mile-long paved path that stretches from a small park beside the Great Falls in Auburn to a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river to Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The River Walk is a popular place for looking skyward during the Liberty Festival each July 4^th, and the Great Falls Balloon Festival each August.

At 60 square miles, Auburn is a popular bicycling destination. Lake Auburn is a favorite fishing hole for bass and lake trout, and Mount Apatite Park is where rock hounds discover minerals like feldspar and tourmaline.

The city’s Festival Plaza beside the Androscoggin is home to a free summer concert series, and performances by the Auburn Community Band. The popular Auburn Winter Festival is held each January at Lost Valley ski area – the only city ski mountain in Maine.