.
(Within 20 miles)
Have you Considered:
?
Apples and Arts
Start in Augusta, the state capital and site of historic Old Fort Western, the beautiful Blaine House, which serves as the Governor’s residence, and the Maine State Museum. View Maine’s first inhabitants, like Mammoths, Mastodons and other ice-age creatures.
Take Route 27/201 south to Hallowell, home to a variety of antique shops and restaurants.
Take 201 to Richmond Corner, then head west on 197 to Litchfield Corners. Head north on a secondary road towards Litchfield to the junction of 126; take 126 west through Sabattus and on into Lewiston/Auburn—a thriving arts community fast making a name for itself in northern New England. With the Creative Photographic Arts Center of Maine, L/A Arts, and Maine Music Society among many others, you can be sure your creativity will be well fed during your visit.
Pick up Route 121 west through Mechanic Falls to Welchville to get an up-close and personal view of the foliage. If you’d like to stay over during your colorful diversion, there’s a B&B there that’ll take your breath away as fast as the fall views do.
From there, head south down Route 26 towards Gray. Those with a thirst for knowledge will want to stop off at Poland Spring’s Preservation Park for fascinating interactive science displays and bottling memorabilia. You’ll also want to check out Shaker Village in New Gloucester with its 17 white clapboard buildings, Shaker Store and more. In Gray, you’ll find the Maine Wildlife Park where you’ll see native as well as exotic animals in natural settings.
Head north, up Route 202 back through the Lewiston/Auburn area and further north. The opportunities to pick apples abound, as you pass a number of farms along the way offering many of the sweetest tasting varieties in the state. Don’t forget to watch fresh cider being pressed, and pick up a gallon or two.
Continuing on 41 you’ll pass Winthrop and Kents Hill, with crystal-clear views of surrounding lakes; then continue on 41 north to Mt. Vernon, go east on secondary road and bear left at the fire station in Mt. Vernon, continuing straight to 27.
Take a left on 27 to Rome Corner, the site of Blueberry Hill, a scenic outlook from which you can see all of the Belgrade Lakes. French’s Mountain, Mt. Phillip and The Mountain all offer short hikes and great vistas of this foliage-covered area.
Travel east on 225 to 137 into Waterville, home of historic Colby College and the Colby Museum of Art, where 13 galleries hold everything from permanent collections of American art to traveling exhibits of international acclaim.
.
.
