Lewiston
Around Lewiston
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Maine · 115k people
Lewiston
Locals say L-A · “Twin Cities”
Lewiston · Auburn
Two cities, one river, a Franco-American heart.
Deep Maine BlueMill Brick RedFranco-American Gold
Welcome to L-A, where the Androscoggin runs through the heart of twin cities. You'll find friendly folks, great food, and a strong sense of community. Whether you're here for the river or the ballgame, you'll feel at home.
Clubs for Lewiston
No clubs for Lewiston yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lewiston. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA 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 Lewiston. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Androscoggin River The river that runs between Lewiston and Auburn
- Riverwalk Paved path along the river with views of the falls
- Bates College Historic liberal arts college with an open campus
- Androscoggin Bank Colisee Arena hosting concerts, hockey, and events
- Lewiston City Hall Beaux-Arts building in downtown Lewiston
- Auburn City Hall Historic municipal building in Auburn
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Androscoggin
- Outdoors Hiking Mount Apatite
- With kids Lost Valley Ski Area
- With kids Androscoggin Riverwalk
- Evenings Live music at the Colisee
- Evenings Pub trivia at downtown bars
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Diners
Through the year
- Great Falls Balloon Festival August Hot air balloons over the river, usually in August
- Androscoggin County Fair Summer Agricultural fair with rides, animals, and local food
- Lewiston-Auburn Art Walk Seasonal Downtown galleries and studios open to the public
- Auburn Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts in various parks
L-A has a classic Maine climate: cold, snowy winters and mild, pleasant summers. Best time to be out is from May to October. Best: Late spring to early fall for mild temps and outdoor events.
Talk like a local
- “L-A”
- Lewiston-Auburn as a combined area
- “the falls”
- The Great Falls on the Androscoggin
- “the riverwalk”
- The Riverwalk path along the river
- “the Colisee”
- Androscoggin Bank Colisee
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Portland Sea Dogs (AA, Red Sox affiliate), Maine Mariners (ECHL)
Eat and drink
- Poutine A French-Canadian staple with cheese curds and gravy, common in local diners
- Tourtière A meat pie traditionally served during the holidays
- Cretons A pork spread on toast, a Franco-American breakfast classic
- Whoopie Pie Maine's official state treat, found in bakeries and gas stations
- Fiddleheads Foraged fiddlehead ferns, a springtime delicacy
- Ployes
Where people go
- Old mill buildings Converted textile mills along the Androscoggin, now lofts and offices
- Riverside parks and the Riverwalk A paved path along the Androscoggin with views of the Great Falls
- Franco-American cultural centers
- Downtown brick streets Historic blocks with local shops and diners
Heritage and traditions
Lewiston-Auburn is proud of its Franco-American heritage, the historic textile mills along the Androscoggin, and the tight-knit community that celebrates its French roots, from poutine to the basilica.
This time of year in Lewiston
- Fall foliage drives October Leaf-peeping along the Androscoggin and nearby hills.
Say it like a local: “Bonjour” — A French greeting, sometimes used playfully by locals
Festivals
- La Kermesse June A French heritage festival celebrating Franco-American culture with music, food, and games.
- Festival of Trees November–December A holiday event in Auburn featuring decorated trees, crafts, and family activities.
- Bastille Day Celebration July A community picnic and events marking French national day, reflecting local Franco pride.
- Lewiston-Auburn Art Walk First Friday of each month A monthly art walk showcasing local artists in galleries and studios.
Landmarks with a story
- Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul A stunning Roman Catholic basilica built in the early 20th century, a symbol of Franco-American faith.
- Museum L-A Located in a former mill, it preserves the history of the textile industry and the workers.
- Bates Mill Complex The sprawling mill complex along the Androscoggin, now repurposed for commercial and cultural use.
- Franco-American Heritage Center A cultural hub celebrating French-Canadian heritage through exhibits and performances.
- Mount Auburn Cemetery A historic cemetery in Auburn with notable graves and Victorian-era design.
- Auburn City Hall A grand 1920s municipal building with a distinctive clock tower.
Food traditions
- Poutine French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, a Quebec import beloved locally.
- Tourtière A meat pie traditionally served at Christmas and New Year's, a Franco-Canadian staple.
- Cretons A pork spread with onions and spices, eaten on toast for breakfast.
- Whoopie Pie A chocolate cake with cream filling, a Maine favorite often made at home.
- Fiddleheads The curled fronds of young ferns, foraged in spring and sautéed as a seasonal side.
Music and arts
- Franco-American folk music Traditional fiddle and accordion tunes, often played at cultural gatherings and festivals.
- Public Theatre A professional theater in Lewiston presenting plays and musicals.
- Bates College Museum of Art A college museum with contemporary art exhibitions and a permanent collection.
A little history
- 1862 The Great Fire of 1862 destroyed much of downtown Lewiston, leading to rebuilding with brick.
- Mid-19th to early 20th century Textile mills along the Androscoggin River fueled the city's growth, attracting French-Canadian immigrants.
- Late 19th century onward The Franco-American population became the largest ethnic group, shaping the region's culture and religion.
- 20th century The Androscoggin River was heavily polluted by mills, leading to cleanup efforts in the 1970s and 1980s.
- 1950s–1970s The decline of the textile industry in the mid-20th century led to economic restructuring.
Rivalries
- Lewiston vs Auburn Friendly twin-city rivalry in sports and civic pride
- Lewiston High vs Edward Little High Long-standing football and basketball rivalry
- Game day High school hockey
- Game day Lost Valley ski races
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Androscoggin
- Outdoors Hiking Mount Apatite
- With kids Museum L-A
- With kids Franco-American Heritage Center
The local dialect is a blend of English with French-Canadian influences, especially among older generations. You'll hear Maine staples like 'ayuh' for yes, 'wicked' for very, and occasional French phrases like 'bonjour' or 'merci' in daily conversation.
Only here
- The Great Falls Balloon Festival fills the sky with hot air balloons each summer.
- The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is one of the largest churches in New England.
- The Androscoggin River was once among the most polluted in the US, now a success story of cleanup.
- The region has the highest concentration of Franco-Americans in the country.
New here? A few tips
- Winter is long and snowy—invest in a good coat, boots, and a snow shovel.
- The local nickname is 'L-A' (pronounced 'ell-ay'), and locals will know what you mean.
- Try poutine and a whoopie pie within your first week—they're local staples.
- Learn a few French phrases like 'bonjour' and 'merci'—it's appreciated.
- The Androscoggin River is much cleaner than it used to be, but don't swim in it; enjoy it from the Riverwalk.
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Lewiston-Auburn, 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.