Despite its non-descript name, few places more fully encapsulate Maine’s spirit and history than Old Town. First inhabited by the Abenaki tribe of the Penobscot Nation, it gained a French mission in the 1680s. It was settled by English settlers in 1774 after English victory in the French and Indian War. At the epicenter of the Maine logging industry, its rapids powered mills that processed timber floated down the river and created a boat-building industry visited by Henry David Thoreau. Visit Old Town for history, but stay enchanted by the surrounding wilderness, offering opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts including hunters and fishers.
Rent a canoe or a kayak. Like many generations of Old Town residents, paddle along the Penobscot River, watching for the rapids and calmer waters of the Stillwater River.
Relax on the lawns and trails of Sewall Park and learn about the area’s natural and human history at the Old Town Museum. View the region from the air by hopping on a plane at Dewitt Field.
Tour Old Town’s historic sites. The Old Town Canoe Company has been building canoes and kayaks here for over 100 years. Spot the remains of the Georgia-Pacific Paper Mill that is currently being renovated for the new age. On Indian Island, tour St. Anne’s Church and Mission Site, dating from 1668, with its historic cemetery and charming 19th-century church. Closer to the center of town, admire the elegant spires of the Gothic Revival St. James Episcopal Church.
Old Town is in central Maine, just outside Bangor. Drive here in 20 minutes from Bangor’s downtown. Bangor has a large airport, with connections to destinations in the U.S. and Canada. The University of Maine is a 7-minute drive away in Orono. Drive from Portland in about 2 hours. Bridges connect Old Town to other islands in the vicinity. Limited public transportation is available in the area, so private vehicles are best. Rent a car at the Bangor Airport or several locations in the city.
