📌 Planning a Downeast trip? Read our Downeast Maine Road Trip Itinerary — five days from Ellsworth to Eastport covering Acadia, Schoodic, Machias, Lubec, and Eastport.
A fan of Stephen King? See Stephen King’s Bangor for tours and places to visit.
Planning your visit? See our guide to things to do in Bangor.
Upcoming Events in Bangor
- Maine Harvest Festival — Nov 7, 2026
- Bangor State Fair 2027 — Jul 29, 2027
Bangor is Maine’s third-largest city and the undisputed hub of northern and eastern Maine. Sitting at the confluence of the Penobscot and Kenduskeag rivers, Bangor serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and the vast wilderness of northern Maine. The city has a rich history as a lumber and shipping center, and today offers a growing arts and dining scene alongside its role as a regional commercial hub.
Bangor at a Glance
- Size: about 32,000 people at the 2020 census, Maine’s third-largest city
- County: county seat of Penobscot County, the third most populous county in Maine
- Rivers: the Penobscot and the Kenduskeag meet here
- Airport: Bangor International Airport (BGR)
- Nearby: Bar Harbor is about 50 miles (an hour) east, and Millinocket and Baxter State Park are about 70 miles (an hour and a quarter) north to Millinocket
- Next door: Orono and the University of Maine are about 10 minutes north
A Short History of Bangor
Bangor grew in the 1800s as a lumber and shipping center on the Penobscot River. We tell that story in more depth in our history of Bangor.
On April 30 and May 1, 1911, the Great Fire destroyed much of downtown Bangor. According to the historical record, 285 residences, 100 businesses and six churches were lost, with about $3.2 million in damage, though only two people died. The city rebuilt quickly, and in 1984 a group of 43 buildings was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Great Fire of 1911 Historic District.
Best Restaurants in Bangor, Maine
Bangor’s dining scene has grown considerably in recent years. Pat’s Pizza is a Maine institution that started in nearby Orono and has been serving its distinctive pizza to generations of Mainers. The Hollywood Casino complex includes several dining options ranging from casual to upscale. The city’s downtown has seen a revival with new restaurants and bars opening along Central Street and the waterfront, making Bangor an increasingly vibrant dining destination for northern Maine.
Best Hotels in Bangor, Maine
Bangor offers a solid range of accommodations for all budgets. Bangor Inn and Suites provides comfortable accommodations convenient to I-95 and the airport. The Hollywood Casino hotel offers full-service amenities with the added entertainment of a casino and live music venue. Bangor’s central location makes it an excellent base for exploring northern, eastern, and Downeast Maine.
Things to Do in Bangor, Maine
Bangor has more to offer than many visitors expect. The city is famous as the hometown of Stephen King — his distinctive Victorian mansion on West Broadway is a pilgrimage site for fans, and the Paul Bunyan statue downtown is one of Maine’s most photographed landmarks. Hollywood Casino Bangor offers gaming, live entertainment, and dining. The Cross Insurance Center hosts concerts, sporting events, and shows year-round. The Maine Savings Amphitheater on the waterfront is a popular outdoor concert venue in summer.
Downtown and the Bangor Public Library
The Bangor Public Library is worth a stop even if you are not a reader. Its roots go back to 1830, and the 1911 fire destroyed the earlier building. The current building, designed by the Boston firm Peabody and Stearns, opened in 1913. A 1997 wing was funded by Stephen and Tabitha King, and a glass atrium was added in 2014. The library also displays the couch on which Vice President Hannibal Hamlin died in 1891.
Music, Theater and Festivals
Bangor is a strong live-entertainment city for its size. The city-owned Cross Insurance Center opened in late 2013 and hosts concerts and events. The waterfront concert series began in 2010, and the American Folk Festival has filled the waterfront with free music each August. Penobscot Theatre Company stages plays downtown, and the University of Maine’s Collins Center for the Arts in nearby Orono brings in touring performers.
Bangor as a Base for Exploring Maine
Bangor’s greatest asset may be its location. Situated at the crossroads of I-95 and Route 1A, it puts you within easy reach of some of Maine’s greatest destinations. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are just one hour east. Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin are about two hours north. Bangor International Airport makes it a convenient arrival point for visitors flying into Maine.
Getting to Bangor
Bangor International Airport (BGR) is the main airport for the region. By car, Bangor sits on I-95, about 130 miles (around 2 hours 15 minutes) from Portland and about 50 miles (an hour) from Bar Harbor. See our Maine driving distances guide for more routes.
Day Trips from Bangor
Ellsworth is just 30 minutes east and serves as the last major shopping stop before heading to Bar Harbor. Moosehead Lake is about 90 minutes northwest — Maine’s largest lake and one of the state’s premier wilderness destinations. The college town of Orono, home of the University of Maine, is just 10 minutes north.
Bangor, Maine — Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bangor Maine known for?
Bangor is known as the gateway to northern and eastern Maine, the hometown of author Stephen King, and a major hub for outdoor recreation. The city is home to Bangor International Airport — the most convenient arrival point for visitors heading to Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and the North Woods. The Paul Bunyan statue downtown, the Hollywood Casino, and the Cross Insurance Center concert venue are among the city’s most recognized landmarks.
What are the best things to do in Bangor Maine?
Top things to do in Bangor include visiting the Stephen King house on West Broadway, seeing the Paul Bunyan statue, seeing a summer concert at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, catching a show at the Cross Insurance Center, and dining at Fiddlehead Restaurant or Nocturnem Draft Haus. Bangor is also an excellent base for day trips to Acadia National Park (1 hour east), Baxter State Park (2 hours north), and Moosehead Lake (1.5 hours northwest).
How far is Bangor Maine from Bar Harbor?
Bangor is approximately 50 miles from Bar Harbor — about a one-hour drive via Route 1A east through Ellsworth and then Route 3 south onto Mount Desert Island. Bangor International Airport is the closest commercial airport to Acadia National Park.
What county is Bangor Maine in?
Bangor is the county seat of Penobscot County, the third most populous county in Maine (152,187 people at the 2020 census). Penobscot County encompasses much of central and northern Maine including the Bangor metro area, the Penobscot River valley, and communities extending north toward Millinocket and Baxter State Park.
Is Bangor, Maine worth visiting?
Yes, especially as a base. Bangor has a historic downtown, the Stephen King house, live music, and a short drive to Acadia, Baxter State Park and Moosehead Lake. Many visitors stay a night or two on the way.
How big is Bangor, Maine?
About 32,000 people at the 2020 census, making it Maine’s third-largest city after Portland and Lewiston.
How far is Bangor from Portland, Maine?
About 130 miles, or around 2 hours 15 minutes by car on I-95.
What happened in Bangor in 1911?
The Great Fire of April 30 and May 1, 1911 destroyed much of downtown, including 285 residences, 100 businesses and six churches. The city rebuilt, and part of downtown is now the Great Fire of 1911 Historic District.
Looking for work in Bangor? Browse Jobs in Bangor on JobsInMaine.com.
Comparing destinations? See our Bangor vs Portland comparison guide for the honest differences.
Thinking of moving here, not just visiting? See our Living in Bangor, Maine relocation guide — cost of living, the real job market, and neighborhoods.
Related: Explore the History of Bangor, Maine – from Kenduskeag Plantation and the hymn tune that named the city, to the Lumber Capital of the World and the Great Fire of 1911.
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- Moving to Maine: A guide to relocating