MAINE - Western Lakes/Mountains

Bethel is an ideal place for walkers of all ages and abilities, from a leisurely stroll through the National Historic District to a more rigorous walk through the village up Paradise Road. For starters, the Bethel Recreational Path is a one-mile multi-use paved trail that begins at Davis Park and extends across the Androscoggin River on a multi-use bridge and out to the North Road. The path features an authentic scaled replica of the famous Artists’ Covered Bridge over the Sunday River. The Androscoggin River Recreational Walking Trail is a 1.5-mile trail from the Riverside Rest Area on Route 2, three miles east of Bethel, to the River View Resort. This trail provides the visitor an opportunity to see the river up close and enjoy the serenity of a wooded setting.

Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary on Highland Spring Road in Lewiston is a 357-acre wildlife preserve. At an elevation of 510 feet, the sanctuary is a forested oasis surrounded on three sides by urban and suburban Lewiston. The "Crag" is renowned as an excellent spot for birdwatching, and is the home base of the Stanton Bird Club. Other activities at the Crag include picnicking, hiking, walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, skating, nature photography. Thorncrag encompasses six wildlife habitats: upland wetlands, mixed forest, restored farm meadows, vernal pools, coniferous old growth forest, built environment (fireplaces, trails, foundations, walls, etc.). These habitats support large, diverse populations of wildlife, trees, and plants.

Maine’s only basilica towers over Lewiston’s downtown. The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 22 Ash Street is a must-see for its beautiful rose window and architecture that was modeled after the cathedral at Chartres in France. Founded in 1870, the basilica is the oldest parish for the French-speaking Catholics in Portland. The history of Saints Peter and Paul parish isn't just the chronicle of an old church, but of the faith of the French immigrants whose struggles, patience, and great generosity built it. The church received the title of basilica in 2005. The public is welcome to visit Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday Mass is held at 10 a.m. Phone: 207-777-1200.

Mount Blue State Park at 299 Center Hill Road in Weld covers 8,000 acres in two sections separated by Webb Lake. A campground in the Webb Beach section has 136 wooded sites a short walk from a sandy beach and picnic area. Visitors can swim, launch and rent boats, and walk on trails near the lake. During summer months, park staff routinely offer canoe trips, walks, and nature programs. A Nature Center features hands-on exhibits and displays. Across the lake from the Webb Beach section is the centerpiece of the Park, 3,187-foot Mount Blue, a popular day hike. Visitors also enjoy walks and picnics on Center Hill. Mountain bikers, equestrians, and ATV riders can use 25 miles of challenging trails. In winter, the park's extensive trail system supports snowmobiling, snowshoeing. and cross-country skiing. Phone: 207-585-2347.

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.