Small Town Charm
Experience a slower pace of Life
As you drive on the backroads and byways in Maine’s Kennebec Valley, you will suddenly find yourself at the four corners of small towns dating back to the country’s early days. These charming communities, set in and around the region’s many lakes, provide the perfect backdrop to a classic Maine summer vacation.
madison and Anson
Set to the west of Skowhegan along the Kennebec River, the town of Madison boasts broad, tree-lined streets and brick buildings reminiscent of its industrial past. When its mills closed , the town came together to create an outdoor recreation destination. Across the river to the west, the small town of Anson’s is broad agricultural lands.
Anglers will find excellent trout fishing off the Historic Pines Trail. Stop by the Father Rasle Monument to learn about the Norridgewock Indians, a French Jesuit priest, and early English settlers. The Weston Woods & Waters Trails, running along the banks of the Kennebec, are a lovely place to stretch your legs with a walk to the historic Weston House, one of the oldest existing in the area.
North Star Orchards is an ideal destination for a family apple-picking trip in the Fall. Enjoy an evening of entertainment at the Somerset Abbey Supper Club in a beautiful restored historic church built in 1892. Stay in a family-run Inn or at one of several local campgrounds.
Lakewood Village
Six miles north of Skowhegan on the shores of Lake Wesserunsett sits a special place where every summer city living is left behind. Lakewood Village is a place that offers days filled with golf, paddling, and trail walks, followed by evenings filled with top-notch dining and theater, often performed by stars of stage and screen. Since 1901, the Lakewood Theater, Lakewood Inn and Restaurant, and the magnificent 18-hole Lakewood Golf Course have welcomed visitors to partake in the beloved
traditions of summering in Maine.
Canaan
Rural Canaan offers visitors an abundant variety of outdoor recreation. An excellent trail system on the north side of town that connects to many other regional and statewide trails and is ideal for ATV and snowmobile riding.
Lake George Regional Park is the perfect place to spend the day. The whole family can enjoy swimming on a sandy beach, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, or a relaxing picnic under the trees.
If guided hunting or sport shooting is your style, try pheasant hunting with Silverton Sporting Ranch. In classic Maine hospitality style, they also offer lodging and some of the best BBQ in the state — all homemade right down to the sauce.
Oakland and Fairfield
On the northern shore of beautiful Messalonskee Lake, the small town of Oakland is a genuine lakeside retreat. Play golf at the Waterville Country Club, paddle the afternoon away, or hike the Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. Explore nearly 50 miles of well-maintained year-round trails to hike, bike, ski, snowshoe, and even sled.
Main Street in Oakland bustles with local activity, charming boutiques, antique shops, and cafes.
Just off I-95, heading north on Route 201, sits the Fairfield Antiques Mall. Explore 5 five levels and 30,000 square feet of quality antique and vintage goods from over 100 dealers.
hinckley
In 1889, Rev. GW Hinckley founded Good Will Farm, a home for boys on a farm owned by Fairfield’s Chase Family. It would later be known as Good Will-Hinckley Homes for Boys and Girls. Good Will-Hinckley remains committed to giving children and young adults the inspiration and tools they need to succeed.
Visitors are welcome on the school’s grounds to visit the LC Bates Museum, which has impressive natural history exhibits, interactive programming all year, and fun summer camp experiences. Hike the 5 miles of nature trails dotted by stone monuments, including Stetson’s Stone Throne, constructed in 1921 to honor President Theodore Roosevelt.
The Belgrade Lakes
The Belgrades comprise seven lakes: Long Pond, East Pond, North Pond, Great Pond, Messalonskee, McGrath Pond, and Salmon Lake, which provide a nearly endless variety of water-based recreation and activities. But the small towns that dot the area around and between the lakes offer visitors much more. Explore the local shops, galleries, roadside farmstands, and various dining choices, many with waterside views in the good weather.
On the lake in Sidney is one of Maine’s grandest outdoor venues—Snow Pond Center for the Arts Bowl in the Pines amphitheater. They host a concert series with local and top-name national performers every summer. The rural town of Rome, which includes the northern part of Long Pond and Great Pond, has several traditional Maine cottage resorts.
Readfield, Mount Vernon, and Wayne
These quaint central Maine towns are nestled among the region’s numerous lakes and ponds, making them popular outdoor recreation and wildlife-watching destinations.
Readfield is home to Kents Hill, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating college preparatory schools. Mount Vernon, incorporated in 1792, was named after George Washington’s Virginia home. Enjoy the beauty of Echo Lake and Flying Ponds, known for the many Summer Camps that dot their shores.
On the north end of Androscoggin Lake—known for excellent bass fishing—Wayne boasts a quintessential general store, ice cream shop, trails, and even a pottery studio.
Manchester, Winthrop, and MonmoutH
The small towns of Manchester, Winthrop, and Monmouth sit on the shores of the beloved Cobbosseecontee Lake. Known for its excellent fishing, the lake is also home to the Ladies Delight Lighthouse, the only active inland waters lighthouse in Maine.
Just a few minutes outside Augusta, Manchester and Monmouth are known for their apple orchards, rolling hills, and fields. In the center of Monmouth is the architecturally significant Cumston Hall, home to the Theater at Monmouth. The building’s style combines the Romanesque and Queen Anne periods.
Winthrop wraps around both Maranacook Lake and Annabessacook Lake, as well as Cobbossee, luring folks from far and wide to boat, swim, water ski, paddle, and fish. The center village area boasts a variety of quaint local shops and a monthly vintage event called The Vault. Nearby, Mount Pisgah and its fire tower yield grand views of the region, mountain ranges, and to the coast on a clear day.
