Brunswick, ME Road Trips

It was first settled by the Abenaki people, then occupied by English colonists in 1628 as Pejepscot, meaning "the long, rocky rapids part [of the river]". Relations between the peoples were not good; the fledgling town would be burned during King Philip's War and remained generally abandoned until around 1717. Around this time settlers from Boston and Portsmouth purchased the land and decided to give it another go. Colonist-Native relations remained hostile, and after a decade of warring the Abenaki were no more. Thus, the town of Brunswick was established by 1739. The towns judicious location by the Androscoggin River allowed for growth and prosperity by way of the sea. This newfound wealth afforded the creation of Bowdoin College in 1794. The river provided power for mills, and nearby forests were harvested for raw materials. Brunswick pumped out an increasing array of goods such as textiles, furniture, and foodstuffs throughout the 19th century. Today many old mills and sea captains' mansions remain, the ornate structures have been repurposed and transformed into art galleries, restaurants, museums, inns, and boutiques. A modern visitor to Brunswick will find the memories of the past tastefully blended with the imagination of today. 1 Brunswick Visitors Center (Brunswick Station), 16 Station Ave, ☏ +1 207 721-0999. 9:30AM-6PM daily. Staffed by volunteers, this little space packs a big punch of information for new arrivals. They've got an array of pamphlets and local knowledge to help you find what you're looking for throughout the Southern Mid Coast region.

1 Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, Mill St & Cushing St. 24 hours daily. This simple pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the Androscoggin River was built in 1892 for workers crossing from Topsham into Brunswick for their factory jobs. Crossing affords beautiful views of the placid river. First constructed by the firm that built the Brooklyn Bridge, this incarnation has been rebuilt a few times; however, the cables you see today remain original. Parks have since been created on either end, and in 2004 the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Free. (updated Jan 2020) 2 Bowdoin College, 255 Maine St, ☏ +1 207 725-3000. The oldest institute of higher education in Maine, founded in 1794. Often referred to as a "hidden Ivy", in 2019, the college was ranked as the fifth-best liberal arts college in the country by U.S. News & World Report. There are dozens of interesting buildings and activities here supporting the 2,000 or so students and staff residing on campus. (updated Feb 2020) 3 First Parish Church, Maine St, ☏ +1 207 729-7331. This Gothic Revival church—dating from around 1845—bears a unique vertical board-and-batten panel exterior. Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose husband was a professor at Bowdoin College, was sitting here in pew 23 during a communion service when she had a vision of the death of a slave. This vision became the pivotal element in her book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. First Parish Church got an excellent and extensive restoration in 2004.

1 Brunswick Golf Club, 165 River Rd, ☏ +1 207 725-8224. 7AM-7PM daily. Public course. $25-45. (updated Jan 2020) 2 Eveningstar Cinema, 149 Maine St (Tontine Mall), ☏ +1 207 729-5486. Top first-run independent cinema operating here since 1979. Only one screen but you can bet something interesting is playing on it! $7-10. (updated Jan 2020) 3 The Theater Project, 14 School St, ☏ +1 207 729-8584. Community theater, June through August. (updated Jan 2020) 4 Thomas Point Beach, 29 Meadow Rd, ☏ +1 207 725-6009. 8AM-sunset daily. A clean, sandy beach that offers picnicking, a snack bar, playgrounds for the kids, volleyball, and softball areas. See "Sleep" for campsite rentals. $4. (updated Jan 2020) These trails often pull double duty as cross country skiing tracks during the colder months. 5 Androscoggin River Bicycle Path, ☏ +1 207 725-6656. 24 hours daily. Parking area at Water St open 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset. Between Grover Lane and Water Street, along the Androscoggin River. A 2.5 mile-long paved path along the River with trees, granite benches, restroom facilities, and designated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Great for walking, jogging, bicycling, roller-blading, or skateboarding. Managed by the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department. Free. (updated Oct 2021) 6 Bowdoin Pines Trail, 83 Federal St (Parking lot entrance is unmarked). 24 hours daily. Adjacent to Bowdoin College Campus.

Brunswick could be the perfect environment for experienced restaurateurs to branch out, try new things and follow their passions. Boston? Too expensive to take risks. Portland? Too much competition to expand. But here in Brunswick, chefs are finding a place to make all their own. You'll find a much wider variety of cuisines here than your average small town; French and Italian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and so on. The food scene here is really elevating here, and yes, that does mean prices are creeping up; but it doesn't mean the old standbys are going anywhere. The classic drive-in spots still get crowded, and their filling fare is still enjoyed by newcomer and stalwart alike. 1 The Gelato Fiasco, 74 Maine St, ☏ +1 207 607-4002. Open 11AM-11PM. Of all the things you can eat in Brunswick, this is easily the most delicious. Artisan-style gelato made daily from traditional Italian recipes. All natural and made from scratch. Espresso and coffee also served. (updated Jan 2020) 2 Fat Boy Drive-In, Route 24, ☏ +1 207 729-9431. The classic old drive-in lives here, and you can eat in your car. Lights on for service. Roll up your window a bit so the waitress can hang your tray on it. Good, inexpensive classic food like burgers and onion rings. (updated Jan 2020) 3 Brunswick Diner, 101 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 207 721-1134, [email protected]. W-Su 7AM-3PM. This classic New England diner has been cooking up all the standard fare for years now.

Maine is known for its craft brews, and Brunswick certainly does its part to uphold that tradition. Sea Dog has by far the biggest name and widest distribution of the "varietals" in the area. However, 1 Black Pug along Bath Road and 2 Flight Deck out by the executive airport are generally considered to brew for more elevated palates. If you don't want to drive to your watering hole, you'll find 3 Moderation Brewery nuzzled right in with the rest of the shops along Maine Street. 4 Sea Dog Brewing Company, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island (Topsham), ☏ +1 207 725-0162. 11AM-1AM daily. Pub food and Maine microbrews. (updated Jan 2020) 5 Vessel & Vine, 4 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 207 721-3000. W Th 2-10PM, F Sa 2PM-1AM. Wine bar with a vintage aesthetic. Also serves beer and small plates. (updated Jan 2020)

1 Thomas Point Beach Campground, 29 Meadow Rd (9ff Route 24 at Cook's Corner), ☏ +1 207 725-6009. Snack bar, gift shop, sportsground. Open May - Oct, 9AM - sunset. $30. (updated Jan 2020) 2 Days Inn - Brunswick, Maine, 224 Bath Rd, ☏ +1 207 725-8883, [email protected]. At the Walmart near Cooks Corner Mall. All rooms with refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary Continental Breakfast. Car needed. $70. (updated Jan 2020) 3 Comfort Inn, 199 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 207 729-1129. Free continental breakfast, free local calls. Wireless internet. Exercise room. Car needed. $70. (updated Jan 2020) 4 Travelers Inn, 130 Pleasant St, ☏ +1 207 729-3364. $70. (updated Jan 2020) 5 New Meadows Motel, 393 Bath Rd (Harding), ☏ +1 207 443-9591. (updated Jan 2020) 6 Best Western Plus, 71 Gurnet Rd, ☏ +1 207 725-5251. $90. (updated Jan 2020) 7 The Brunswick Hotel, 4 Noble St, ☏ +1 207 837-6565. Full-service tavern open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 52 spacious rooms offering complimentary wireless internet and in-room coffee. Function space for up to 120 people. Pet-friendly rooms available. $140. (updated Jan 2020) 8 OneSixtyFive, 165 Park Row, ☏ +1 207 729-4914. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Bed and breakfast with 15 rooms, most in the charming 19th-century house. There is some additional space in cottages on the property. Tons of period detail, antique furniture, and working fireplaces. Staff is quite friendly and helpful, and the included breakfast is chef prepared. Close to Bowdoin College, train station, and the downtown area.

The only interstate running close-by to Brunswick is I-295. Well paved and graded, this two-lane highway branches off of I-95 just north of Portland. If you're approaching from the south, exit at US Route 1 or if you're coming from the north, watch for the US Route 201 exit instead. Both routes will run you straight into the city's center. It's about a 30 minute ride from Portland, 35 minutes from Lewiston, and 40 minutes from Augusta. To the east, Route 1 also provides access to the dozens of quaint Mid-Coast communities scattered along the shoreline. Two minor roads; ME-123 and ME-24, provide connections to Harpswell and the Harpswell Islands respectively. Concord Coach Lines (Visitors Center), 16 Station Ave, toll-free: +1-800-639-3317. 10AM-6:30PM daily. Handicap accessible. $16 one way from Portland (35 min), $32 from Boston (3 hr). Also connects with Bangor ($27 one way, 3 hr 25 min) and offers connections with all points between. One bus daily. (updated Feb 2023) Metro Breez (Visitors Center), 16 Station Ave, ☏ +1 207-774-0351. 6AM-9PM. About 12 buses a day run between Brunswick and Portland and take around an hour to make the trip. Stops at Freeport and Yarmouth along the way. $2-4. (updated Feb 2023) 1 Brunswick station (Visitors Center), 16 Station Ave. 9:30AM-6PM daily. (updated Feb 2023) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America.

Once in town, you'll find many of Brunswick's amenities concentrated along Maine Street, which basically runs you from the Androscoggin River in the north to Bowdoin College in the south. As such, the majority of all shops, restaurants, and museums can be accessed on foot. If you want to get away from Maine Street and hit up nearby trails, having a car will really help out. You'll find a few options along Bath Road, which connects the modern and traditional city centers. On the off chance you didn't bring your own vehicle, rent one at the airport or use ride-hailing apps. Waiting times for pick-ups are a few minutes longer here than in the big city, but generally not a problem. Be wary of going too far into the sticks in a ride-hail; you could wind up without enough signal to request the return ride! The only public transit to speak of is a single bus called The Brunswick Link. It runs once an hour during daylight hours and costs $2 a ride. The route is erratic, and it doesn't go anywhere interesting or particularly far; so for most visitors it's not recommended bothering with. It could be worth investigating, however, if you have mobility issues and don't have private transport. There's little cycling infrastructure here to speak of, but on the plus side Maine's harsh winters afford wide shoulders on most roadways, and the traffic isn't that bad. Anyone with a modicum of road-riding experience should find themselves capable of navigating the streets of Brunswick.