Bangor, Maine

The Queen City of the East

Overview

Bangor is the third largest city in Maine and serves as the economic and cultural center of the Downeast and Acadia region, as well as northern Maine. Historically a lumber and shipbuilding hub, it's now a vibrant city with a growing downtown, diverse dining options, and an international airport. It's also famously home to author Stephen King.

Key Facts

Population 31,760

Region Downeast & Acadia

County Penobscot

Founded 1791

Nearest City Portland (2 hours)

Town Office Visit official website

What Bangor Is Known For

Bangor Local Highlights

Stephen King's House

The iconic Victorian mansion of the legendary horror author, identifiable by its wrought-iron bat and spiderweb fence.

Paul Bunyan Statue

A towering 31-foot statue of the legendary lumberjack, symbolizing Bangor's history as the lumber capital of the world.

Bangor City Forest

A 680-acre preserve featuring miles of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching within the city limits.

Penobscot River

The mighty river that defined the region's logging industry, now a center for waterfront concerts and recreation.

Hollywood Casino

Maine's first casino, offering gaming, entertainment, and dining in the heart of the Queen City.

Things to Do

Take a selfie with the Paul Bunyan statue

Capture a memory with one of Maine's most famous and colossal roadside landmarks.

Walk the trails in Bangor City Forest

Explore the 'Roller Coaster' trail or the boardwalk through Orono Bog for a nature escape.

See a concert at the Maine Savings Amphitheater

Enjoy world-class live music at this premier outdoor venue on the Bangor Waterfront.

Take the SK Tours Derry tour

A narrated bus tour of the Bangor locations behind Stephen King's Derry. The King house itself is private and closed to the public.

Explore the Maine Discovery Museum

A fantastic interactive museum for children, featuring three floors of hands-on exhibits.

Living in Bangor

Bangor offers a balanced lifestyle with a lower cost of living than coastal cities, a growing job market in healthcare and education, and a strong sense of community. It's a good base for exploring Maine's wilderness and coast.

Weather & Seasons

summer

Warm and pleasant, 70-80°F

winter

Cold and snowy, 15-30°F

spring

Cool with rain, 40-55°F

fall

Crisp and colorful, 50-65°F

Local Wildlife & Nature

Bald Eagles (along the Penobscot River) White-tailed deer Red fox Migratory birds

How to Get There

Bangor is easily accessible via I-95. Bangor International Airport (BGR) offers flights to several major East Coast cities. It's a key entry point for travelers heading to Acadia and northern Maine.

Satellite preview shows the approximate town outline to help you get oriented before you arrive.

Satellite preview

Bangor outline

Trip Ideas Featuring Bangor

4 Days

The Haunted Coast: A Spooky Road Trip

Pack your flashlight and your courage. This 4-day road trip takes you to Maine's most legendary haunted sites, from the 'White Witch' of York to the Shadow Men of the North Woods.

5 Stops View Plan

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bangor near Acadia National Park?

Bangor is about an hour's drive from the main entrance to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, making it a convenient base for day trips.

Where is Stephen King's house?

The well-known red Victorian with the bat and spider ironwork is on West Broadway. It is a private property housing the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Stephen Edwin King Archives, and the Foundation says the archives are not open to the general public. There are no house tours. See our Stephen King tour guide before you plan a visit.

What is the Paul Bunyan statue?

It's a 31-foot tall fiberglass statue of the legendary lumberjack, a prominent landmark celebrating Bangor's logging heritage.