Undiscovered Maine

Overview

Western Maine hosts unique history including that of the first American woman to achieve international stardom during the “Golden Age” of opera and the region’s farming past. Follow this two-day historic itinerary to learn all about Western Maine while enjoying the scenic drives through the lakes and mountains along the way.

Itinerary Note

Note – we put some scheduled times in here just to give you some ideas. You can pick and choose what you want to do. Be sure to look at when they are open and if there are any COVID restrictions. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to call any that you plan to visit just to be on the safe side.

DAY 1

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Crossroads Diner

24 Mayville Road, Bethel, ME 04217

Start your day off at the Crossroads Diner for fresh, homemade meals; this is “where locals meet and visitors feel like locals.”

15 min drive to the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum

10:15 AM – Maine Mineral and Gem Museum

99 Main Street, Bethel, ME 04217

The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum showcases the state’s geological history and displays renowned mineral and rock collections. The museum has a meteorites section, a rock garden, a store, and research and educational projects.

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM | Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM | Tuesdays closed

1 min drive to Butcher Burger

11:30 AM – Lunch at the Butcher Burger

188 Main Street, Bethel, ME 04217

Stop at the Butcher Burger for lunch where you can find delicious burgers, sandwiches, and snacks with a unique twist.

10 min drive to the Artist’s Bridge

12:40 PM – “Artist’s Bridge” (Sunday River Bridge)

Sunday River, Newry, ME 04261

Here is one of Maine’s most picturesque bridges. Built in 1872, it is a 100-foot structure that goes across the Sunday River. The “artist” of the bridge is John Enneking, one of America’s first impressionists, who was seen at this bridge so often that the locals began referring to the bridge as the “Artist’s Bridge.”

1 hour 20 min drive to the Nordica Homestead

2:00 PM – The Nordica Homestead

120 Nordica Lane, Farmington, ME 04938

The Nordica Homestead was the home of Lillian Nordica (1857 – 1914), a famous opera singer. She had highly successful careers in both Europe and the United States and was the first American woman to achieve international stardom during the “Golden Age” of opera. The Nordica Homestead was built in 1841 and now features photos of Nordica throughout her life, as well as her jewelry, furniture, a gift shop, and a scale model of a Boston concert hall.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | closed Mondays

20 min drive to Nowetah’s Indian Store

3:20 PM – Nowetah’s Indian Store & Museum

Colegrove Road, New Portland, ME 04961

Nowetah’s Indian Store & Museum is an American-Indian owned and operated museum that opened in 1969. Its purpose is to preserve their culture through the teaching of educational programs, research, dancing, and spiritual awareness and respect for Mother Earth.

Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily

5 min drive to the Wire Bridge

4:25 PM – Wire Bridge

Wire Bridge Road, New Portland, ME 04961

This wire-supported bridge stretching across the Carrabassett River may be the last of its kind in the world. At the time of its creation in 1866, there were four in Maine, but the others have since been destroyed. The bridge features timber-on-granite tower structures on the ends, a wooden plank road in the middle, and cable “wires” holding it all up.

10 min drive to Longfellow’s Restaurant

5:35 PM – Dinner at Longfellow’s Restaurant

247 Main Street, Kingfield, ME 04947

Longfellow’s Restaurant is a popular spot among locals and where tourists feel at home, with a cozy atmosphere and excellent food. They are able to accommodate dietary needs and offer gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Hotel Recommendations

Herbert Grand Hotel

246 Main Street, Kingfield, ME 04947

The Herbert Grand Hotel orginates from the Prohibition-era and today continues a tradition of providing lodging and drinks to snowmobilers, skiers, hikers, and general visitors. 

Packing Checklist

The weather in Maine can be unpredictable. Therefore, here are some ideas to be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers, Maine is very casual, so you probably will not find any restaurants that require formal attire.

 

Spring/Summer/Fall: clothes, comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes for walking, sun hat, sunscreen, sweater or jacket, insect repellent, toiletries, and phone/camera

Winter: clothes (layers), ski pants highly recommended, winter boots, jacket, hats, scarves, gloves, warm socks, toiletries, and phone/camera. Please pack a helmet if you are participating in snowmobiling, skiing, or snowboarding.

Fun Facts

• Franklin County was named after Benjamin Franklin
• Some of Farmington’s earliest settlers included soldiers from the Revolutionary War
• The current location of Bethel was granted to Josiah Richardson of Sudbury, MA for his services in the Battle of Quebec in 1690, and at the end of the war in 1796, the Sudbury-Canada Plantation was officially incorporated as Bethel.