Region
Maine Highlands
The Maine Highlands connect Bangor’s city services with lake country, forest routes and the Katahdin region. Choose the trip’s main outdoor focus before choosing a room. Greenville on Moosehead Lake and Millinocket near the southern Baxter approach support different plans, while Bangor provides a city leg before or after the time outdoors.
The state's wild north interior: Mount Katahdin, the 100-Mile Wilderness, Moosehead Lake. Bigger sky, fewer people, and the trailhead for the Appalachian Trail's last great push north.
For the Baxter day, the Baxter trailhead and camping planner brings the gate, hike and overnight decisions together. Use it to choose a summit outing or a shorter visit before settling the rest of a Highlands stay.
For a Moosehead stay, compare Greenville, Rockwood and Lily Bay in our Moosehead Lake base-and-season guide. Greenville suits a cruise departure, Rockwood the Kineo crossing, and Lily Bay shore camping; winter skiing and snowshoeing call for a different plan from summer boat trips.
Guides
Guides about Highlands
Downtown Bangor, Maine: A Local's Walking Guide
Bangor Waterfront Concerts: A Practical Guide
The Appalachian Trail in Maine: A Hiker's Guide
Things to Do in Bangor, Maine: A Ranked Guide
The Knife Edge, Maine: Katahdin's Hardest Mile
Paul Bunyan Statue in Bangor, Maine
Peaks-Kenny State Park: Sebec Lake Guide
Cole Land Transportation Museum, Bangor
Destinations
Highlands destinations
Highlands
Millinocket
The gateway town to Baxter State Park and Katahdin, and the southern end of the Appalachian Trail's 100-Mile Wilderness.
Highlands
Bangor
Hub of eastern Maine - Stephen King's hometown, a riverfront reinvention, and your jumping-off point for Moosehead and Acadia.
Highlands
Greenville
The town at the foot of Moosehead Lake, gateway to the North Woods and the 100-Mile Wilderness.
Highlands
Orono
Flagship University of Maine campus - Black Bears hockey, the Hudson Museum's Indigenous collections, and Orono Bog Boardwalk.
Highlands
Brewer
Across the river from Bangor - Chamberlain Freedom Park, the Waterfront trail, and Riverside Park overlooking downtown.
Highlands
Hampden
South of Bangor on the Penobscot - Leonard's Mills Living History Museum, Hampden Academy, and riverfront park access.
Highlands
Old Town
Old Town Canoe's birthplace on the Penobscot - the Indian Island tribal reservation and access to the Penobscot Experience.
Highlands
Dover-Foxcroft
Piscataquis shire town - Piscataquis River Grand Falls, Low's Covered Bridge, and a base for the 100-mile Wilderness.
Highlands
Glenburn
Pushaw Lake shoreline north of Bangor - Hirundo Wildlife Refuge trails and a quiet ice-fishing lake in winter.
Highlands
Hermon
Bangor bedroom community - Hermon Pond, Riverside campground, and the gateway drive west toward Moosehead on Route 2.
Highlands
Lincoln
Penobscot River lake chain, moose-and-fly-fishing country, and ATV access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Highlands
Newport
Sebasticook Lake beach, Newport Village Historic District, and the Moosehead Trail drive north from I-95 up Route 7.
Hotels
Where to stay in Highlands
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Hotel
Pittsfield
Cozy Home in Pittsfield
One-bedroom vacation home in Pittsfield, Maine with full kitchen, free parking, and WiFi. Walking distance to hospital and downtown. 9.9/10 rating.
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Hotel
Old Town
The Sovereign Suite
Spacious two-bedroom apartment near Bangor with home theater, full kitchen, and fireplace. Perfect for families and groups seeking a quiet retreat.
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Hotel
Greenville
Lakeside Chalet
Spacious lakeside holiday home in Greenville with private beach, fireplace, and full kitchen. Perfect for families and groups seeking Maine lake country.
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Hotel
Greenville
Bobcat Cabin
Private two-bedroom cabin on Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine. Beach access, full kitchen, fireplace, pet-friendly. Ideal for families and groups.
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Hotel
Greenville
Secluded Greenville Cabin on Moosehead Lake
Walk to Moosehead Lake from this spacious 3-bedroom cabin in Greenville. Perfect for groups. Free WiFi, fireplace, full kitchen. 9.7/10 rated.
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Hotel
Lee
Silver Lake Inn
Lakefront B&B in Lee, Maine with homemade breakfast, kayaks, and friendly hosts. Perfect for couples and families seeking a quiet retreat near Acadia.
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Hotel
Bangor
Spacious Home near Airport
Four-bedroom vacation home near Bangor Airport. Fully equipped kitchen, free parking, sleeps groups and families. Quiet neighborhood, 9.6/10 rating.
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Hotel
Greenville
White Lobster Cottage
Four-bedroom lake house in Greenville with private beach access, outdoor fireplace, and mountain views. Perfect for families and groups seeking outdoor activities.
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Hotel
Greenville
East Cove
Private four-bedroom lakefront home in Greenville with beach access, fireplace, and mountain views. Perfect for families and groups seeking space and nature.
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Hotel
Dexter
Labyrinthia Guest House
Intimate adults-only guest house near Dexter with exceptional breakfast, sprawling gardens, and a welcoming host. 9.4/10 from 83 guests.
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Hotel
Guilford
Guilford Bed and Breakfast
Gourmet breakfast and thoughtful hosts in a historic Guilford home. Central location for foliage season and lake getaways. 9.4/10 rating.
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Hotel
Orono
Hotel Ursa
Clean, recently renovated 3-star hotel on the University of Maine campus. Free parking, on-site café, and excellent value for visiting families and couples.
Restaurants
Where to eat in Highlands
$$$
Shawarma restaurant
Bangor
Dreamer food
Bangor's Lebanese shawarma food truck with creamy cheesecake and house-made baklava.
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Restaurant
Bangor
Korean Dad
Korean and rotating global cuisines in a Bangor kitchen that hosts pop-ups throughout the week.
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Fine Dining Restaurant
Bangor
The Tarratine
Local seafood and meat in a historic Bangor building where casual meets refined.
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Fine dining restaurant
Bangor
Novio's Bistro
Seasonal fine dining in Bangor with local seafood, meats, and a serious cocktail program.
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Restaurant
Bangor
The Lobstah Buoy
Bangor food truck slinging lobster rolls and hand-cut fries that regulars swear by.
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Thai restaurant
Old Town
Happy Thai Cuisine
Authentic Thai in Old Town with killer crab rangoon and curry dishes that draw crowds from neighboring towns.
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Brewery
Orono
Orono Brewing Company - Tasting Room & Kitchen
Orono Brewing's tasting room in Orono serves house IPAs and creative food in a sprawling industrial space.
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Pizza restaurant
Millinocket
Knife Edge Brewing
Hand-tossed pizza and house-brewed beer in Baxter State Park's backyard.
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American restaurant
Brewer
Southern Spoon
Southern comfort cooking in Brewer: shrimp and grits, po'boys, and sweet tea that tastes like home.
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Bagel shop
Bangor
Bagel Central
Bangor bagel shop with real onion chunks, blueberry cheesecake, and staff who'll hold your everything bagels.
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American restaurant
Bangor
The Butcher The Baker
Creative American cooking in downtown Bangor with playful cocktails and standout pork belly.
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Bar & grill
Bangor
Benjamin's Restaurant & Pub
Bangor bar and grill with creative comfort food, late-night kitchen, and a downstairs pool area with arcade games.
Common questions
Should you choose Greenville or Millinocket?
Choose Greenville for a Moosehead Lake focus and Millinocket for a Katahdin-region plan. They are separate bases, so compare the actual activity and access point before booking.
Is a Katahdin summit hike essential to a Highlands trip?
No. Lake trips, lower walks, city time and other guided activities can form a full visit. Choose the level of preparation and terrain that suit your group.