Undiscovered Maine

Note – we put some scheduled times in here just to give you some ideas. You can pick and choose what you want to do. It would probably be a good idea to call any that you plan to visit just to be on the safe side.

A perfect weekend getaway to the Aroostook River Triangle

Visiting the Aroostook River Triangle is a way to experience and explore the authentic rural character of Maine. In this itinerary, you can escape the stresses of daily life with some unique, fun local activities and visits.

Friday evening

After a long drive, you will be ready for a comfortable bed in a clean, welcoming motel or B&B.

Caribou

If you are looking for something cozy and historic, the Old Iron Inn B&B has a 4.9/5 ranking on Google. 

A more tradition motel would be the Caribou Inn & Convention Center. 

Click here for other options in Caribou.

Presque Isle

Presque Isle has several traditional hotels. Please click here to see the options as well as AirBnB rentals.

Whether you stay in Caribou or Presque Isle, it would be worthwhile to visit Houlton Dairy Farms for their famous ice cream!
Caribou: 98 Bennett Drive, (207) 498-8911
Presque Isle: 786 Main Street, (207) 764-6200

Saturday

Breakfast

For a more local experience, try:

• the Greenhouse Restaurant  at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center.
• Or, try Teresa’s Corner Cafe & Bakery, 299 Main St, Presque Isle, ME 04769,  (207) 540-1500. From Google: “Sat at breakfast bar enjoyed huge portions of well classic cooked breakfast.”

Or you can always stop into one of these well-known restaurants.

Tim Hortons: 109 Bennett Dr, Caribou, ME 04736 or
Tim Hortons: 779 Main St, Presque Isle, ME 04769
Dunkin: 43 Bennett Dr, Caribou, ME 04736   or
Dunkin: 3 locations at 283 Main St., 770 Main St.,  or 781 Main St. or
Governors: 350 Main St, Presque Isle, ME 04769 | (207) 827-7630

Nordic Heritage Center 450 Fort Fairfield Rd, Presque Isle, ME 04769, (207) 762-6972

After a good breakfast, if the weather is good, head over to the world-class Nordic Heritage Center which offers excellent hiking, mountain biking, (cross country skiing in the winter) and even a 9-hole disc golf course. They have “over 35 miles (56 km) of maintained hiking trails that follow both our mountain bike and ski trails.”

After a nice hike, you can drive to Fort Fairfield. Right in downtown is the:  Fort Fairfield Blockhouse Museum

342 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742

The Fort Fairfield Blockhouse Museum was built in 1976 as a replica of the original Blockhouse, which served to prevent the transport of lumber into Canada during the 1839 “Bloodless Aroostook War.”

The Frontier Heritage Historical Society maintains the blockhouse and the historical artifacts displayed within it and welcomes the public to tour the blockhouse museum from 10am to 1pm on the second Saturday of each month. However, you can tour the grounds any time.

From the Blockhouse, it is a short walk (or drive) to lunch.

 Lunch 

Boondocks Grill: 294 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, Maine. 207-472-6074. Our Undiscovered Maine team had lunch there and it was absolutely incredible!  They have a state of the art smoker and make the most delicious smoked meats as well as ” signature Marinated Boonie Steak Tips, Steve’s Smoke Shack St Louis Style Pork Ribs and Smoked Half Chicken along with fresh seafood including Whole Clams, Scallops, Shrimp, Salmon and Haddock. Pasta Dishes, Burgers and Great Desserts, Apple Crisp, Cheesecake and Chocolate Lava Cake to name a few. We also offer a full bar serving 8 different Draft Beers from various micro brews and domestics along with your favorite cocktails and wine.”  Note- they are only open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. 

 Riverside Park Pavilion

49 Limestone Road, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742

Take a break at the Riverside Park Pavilion, located along the Aroostook River. The pavilion has bathrooms, large covered picnic areas, and a nice playground for the kids. 

If the weather is not great, you can visit this interesting historical site:  McIntosh One-Room Schoolhouse

Brown Street, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742

The McIntosh One-Room Schoolhouse was built in 1848 before any other public buildings in the area, so it was used for town meetings, social gatherings, church services, weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Today, the original layout of the schoolhouse remains in place and they host school groups and tours throughout the year.  

Or you can  Follow this map for a drive through the Amish community in Fort Fairfield.

The Amish community in Maine has been expanding over recent years, including in Fort Fairfield. The Amish run local businesses including a store, dairies, and schoolhouses. Many of the Amish recently moved up to Fort Fairfield for a fresh start, to begin a new settlement in Maine. If you would like to read more about one particular family’s experiences in moving, here is an interview with Noah Yoder, an Amish man discussing his journey and daily life. 

Alternatively, if you happen to have bicycles with you, here is a lovely ride through beautiful farm country. 

 Dinner 

• Canterbury Royale Gourmet 182 Sam Everett Rd, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742 | (207) 472-4910
  • A true fine dining experience in the most unlikely location, serving French-haute cuisine with luxurious service and décor and consistently earning rave reviews. 
  • From DownEast Magazine: “When I called for a reservation, I was told to await an email inviting my companion and me to select our entrées — a bit like a wedding reception RSVP. The email arrived with an attached “Edwardian Menu” (with zero design savvy and some avant-garde capitalization choices) featuring a long list of classic French entrées like beef bourguignon, filet mignon, and stuffed quail, plus other European dishes like osso bucco.” “We felt like we’d stepped into a fairy tale.”
  • “There is an amazingly-cute, “Hansel and Gretl” type cottage on the property which can be rented. They will bring you breakfast in the morning. I’m sure it is a wonderful place to stay. (Trip Advisor)