Bangor: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Maine · 156k people

Bangor

Locals say Penobscot Valley · “Queen City”

Where the river meets the pines

Maine BlueForest Green

Welcome to the Queen City of the North! Whether you're here for the Black Bears, the river, or just the friendly folks, you'll find plenty to love in the Penobscot Valley. Grab a Moxie and settle in.

Clubs for Bangor

No clubs for Bangor yet.

The room

Bangor Quiet now Where the river meets the pines

One room for everyone around Bangor. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Bangor. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Bangor Waterfront Riverfront park and concert pavilion along the Penobscot
University of Maine Flagship public university in Orono, home of the Black Bears
Maine Discovery Museum Hands-on children's museum in downtown Bangor
Cross Insurance Center Arena and civic center hosting concerts, sports, and expos
Bangor Public Library Historic Carnegie library with a distinctive clock tower
Penobscot River The river that runs through the valley, perfect for kayaking and fishing

Outdoors Walk the Bangor Waterfront
Outdoors Hike the Orono Bog Boardwalk
With kids Maine Discovery Museum
With kids Bangor Public Library
Evenings Concerts at the Bangor Waterfront
Evenings Bars on Main Street
Locals love Waterfront parks
Locals love College bars

Through the year

Bangor State Fair July–August Midway rides, livestock, and fair food every July–August
Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race April Spring paddle race down the Kenduskeag, a local tradition since 1966
Bangor Waterfront Concert Series Summer Summer concerts and festivals at the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion

Bangor has a classic northern New England climate: cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall when the riverfront and trails are at their finest. Best: Late spring through early fall (May–September) is ideal for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“Wicked”: Very or extremely (New England staple)
“Ayuh”: Yes (classic Maine affirmation)
“The County”: Aroostook County, the northernmost part of Maine
“Queen City”: Nickname for Bangor, the Queen City of Maine

Getaways

Acadia National Park Coastal hiking, carriage roads, and Cadillac Mountain sunrises
Baxter State Park Mount Katahdin and remote wilderness camping
Portland Food scene, Old Port, and waterfront
Fredericton Historic capital of New Brunswick with riverfront trails

Local flavour

Teams

Maine Black Bears NCAA Division I

Also rooting for Boston Red Sox (MLB), New England Patriots (NFL), Boston Bruins (NHL), Boston Celtics (NBA)

Eat and drink

Lobster roll Maine staple
Whoopie pie Official state treat
Blueberry pie Wild blueberries are iconic
Moxie Maine-born soda

Where people go

Riverfront Penobscot River walk
State parks Acadia, Baxter, and more
College town Orono and the University of Maine
Historic downtown

Heritage and traditions

Bangor and the Penobscot Valley are proud of their lumberjack history, the mighty Penobscot River, and a tight-knit community that values its cultural institutions like the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and the University of Maine.

This time of year in Bangor

Fall foliage drives Autumn Peak colors in October along scenic routes.

Say it like a local: “Lobstah” — Lobster

Festivals

Maine Celtic Celebration July Held in Belfast each July, celebrating Celtic music, dance, and heritage.
Northern Maine Fair July–August Agricultural fair in Presque Isle with rides, livestock, and local food.
Belfast Harbor Arts and Crafts Festival August August event showcasing local artists and craftspeople.

Landmarks with a story

Indian Island (Penobscot Nation) Home of the Penobscot people, with cultural center and historic buildings in Old Town.
Bangor Opera House A 19th-century theatre that hosts performances and events.
Hudson Museum at the University of Maine Holds an extensive collection of Native American and world artifacts.
Thomas A. Hill House (Bangor Historical Society) A preserved 19th-century home that tells the story of Bangor's lumber barons.

Food traditions

Bean hole beans Beans slow-cooked in a pit, a tradition from lumber camps and community gatherings.
Ployes Buckwheat pancakes from Acadian heritage, popular in Aroostook County (Presque Isle).
Lobster bake Summer tradition of steaming lobsters over seaweed on the shore, often with clams and corn.

Music and arts

Bangor Symphony Orchestra One of the oldest community orchestras in the US, founded in 1896.
Penobscot Theatre Company Regional theatre with a season of plays and musicals.
Contra dancing Traditional New England folk dance with live music, popular in the area.

A little history

1800s 19th-century lumber boom
1911 Great Fire of 1911 destroyed much of downtown Bangor
1865 University of Maine founded in Orono
1863 Joshua Chamberlain of Brewer led the 20th Maine at Gettysburg

Rivalries

Bangor vs. Brewer High school football and civic pride across the river
UMaine vs. UNH Hockey rivalry between the Black Bears and Wildcats
UMaine vs. BU Hockey matchups with Boston University

Game day University of Maine hockey games
Game day Ice fishing derbies
Outdoors Hike Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park
Outdoors Visit the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory
With kids Hudson Museum at the University of Maine
With kids Bangor Opera House

The Maine accent drops 'r' sounds and uses 'ayuh' for yes, 'wicked' for very, and 'pahk the cah' for park the car. It's a friendly, nasal twang with roots in English and French-Canadian influences.

Only here

The Paul Bunyan statue in Bangor stands 31 feet tall, one of the largest in the world.
The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is a quirky annual event where participants navigate a rocky stream.
Bangor is nicknamed the 'Queen City' for its historic status as a lumber capital.
The Penobscot River was once used for log drives, and you can still see remnants of that era.

New here? A few tips

Winter is long and cold (November–April); invest in a warm coat, boots, and layers.
Learn to say 'ayuh' for yes—it's the local way.
Try a whoopie pie and a bottle of Moxie, the state's official soft drink.
Watch for moose on the roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
The Penobscot River is the heart of the region; spend time on the waterfront.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

DowneastMaineWhere the sun rises first and the Atlantic meets the pines.SkowheganMaineWhere the rivers run quiet and the woods are deep.MidcoastMaineSalt air, pine, and the working sea.AugustaMaineRiver town charm, Maine style.FarmingtonMaineWhere the mountains meet the river LewistonMaineTwo cities, one river, a Franco-American heart.PortlandMaineWhere the sea meets the pines, and the welcome is warm.Saint-GeorgesQuebecAu cœur de la Beauce

Bangor, ME. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.