Region

Lakes & Mountains

Inland Maine at its widest — paddling on Sebago, hiking the Mahoosucs, and quiet lake-house weeks in towns like Bridgton and Bethel. The summer goes on the water; the winter goes on the snow.

Guides

Guides about Lakes & Mountains

All Guides

Destinations

Lakes & Mountains destinations

Bethel

Lakes & Mountains

Bethel

Sunday River skiing in winter, the Mahoosuc Range in summer - an all-season White Mountain foothills base camp.

a landscape with trees and mountains in the background

Lakes & Mountains

Rangeley

Six interconnected lakes, a dark-sky night, and some of Maine's best trout fishing, backcountry skiing, and moose spotting.

Bridgton

Lakes & Mountains

Bridgton

Sebago Lakes region hub - Shawnee Peak skiing, Highland Lake beaches, and the drive-in movie theater running since 1954.

Fryeburg

Lakes & Mountains

Fryeburg

The Fryeburg Fair every October - largest in New England - plus Mount Chocorua hikes and Saco River paddling all summer long.

Sebago Lake

Lakes & Mountains

Sebago Lake

Maine's second-largest lake - drinking water for Portland, sandy beaches at Sebago Lake State Park, summer camp country.

Auburn

Lakes & Mountains

Auburn

Twin-city of Lewiston - Pettengill Park, the Androscoggin River Greenway, and Mount Apatite's tourmaline-flecked trails.

Farmington

Lakes & Mountains

Farmington

University of Maine at Farmington, the annual Farmington Fair, and the drive up Route 27 to Sugarloaf ski country.

Lewiston

Lakes & Mountains

Lewiston

Twin-city of Auburn on the Androscoggin - Bates College, Kennedy Park, and Maine's most vibrant Somali-American community.

Poland

Lakes & Mountains

Poland

Poland Spring bottling country - Ricker Hill Orchards, the former Poland Spring Resort museum, and Range Pond State Park.

Raymond

Lakes & Mountains

Raymond

Tassel Top Beach on Sebago Lake, the Hawthorne House museum, and Crescent Beach Club - classic Maine cottage country.

Durham

Lakes & Mountains

Durham

Royal River Conservation District lands, Runaround Pond Preserve, and Freeport-border quarry swimming holes locals protect.

Greene

Lakes & Mountains

Greene

Rural Androscoggin County farmland - Sabattus Pond's north shore, the old Greene Road covered-bridge marker, a quiet commute.

Jay

Lakes & Mountains

Jay

Androscoggin River papermill town - Jay-Livermore Chamber, Spruce Mountain, and the old Riley Dam pier.

Lisbon

Lakes & Mountains

Lisbon

Moxie Festival every July - Maine's official soda - plus Worumbo mill ruins, Railroad Park, and the Androscoggin Greenway.

Norway

Lakes & Mountains

Norway

Oxford Hills village - the Norway-Paris Grange, Stephens Memorial Hospital, and the Butters Conservation Area on Norway Lake.

Oxford

Lakes & Mountains

Oxford

Oxford Plains Speedway NASCAR night races, the Oxford Casino, and quick access to Shepard State Park on Thompson Lake.

Paris

Lakes & Mountains

Paris

Paris Hill's white-clapboard common - Hannibal Hamlin's hometown - plus McLaughlin Garden and Oxford Hills foliage drives.

Rumford

Lakes & Mountains

Rumford

Androscoggin River mill town under Pennacook Falls - Mt. Zircon, Rumford Whitecaps, and Smallpox Island view from the bridge.

Sabattus

Lakes & Mountains

Sabattus

Sabattus Pond's shallow weedy shoreline - ice-fishing derbies, the Androscoggin County 4-H grounds, and cornfield drives.

Standish

Lakes & Mountains

Standish

Northwest shore of Sebago Lake - Sebago Lake State Park's Songo Lock, Standish Corner's white church, quiet country roads.

Turner

Lakes & Mountains

Turner

Nezinscot River farmland - Turner Center Cemetery's old stones, Turner Ridge's long views, and the Turner Gorge swimming hole.

All Destinations

Hotels

Where to stay in Lakes & Mountains

$$$

Hotel

Lovell

The Ell

Luxurious 2-bed suite in a historic Lovell home with free parking, mountain views, and direct access to White Mountain hiking.

$$$

Hotel

Harrison

Elegant and Quiet Maine Escape with Sauna and Deck

Seven-bedroom Maine holiday home with sauna, full kitchen, and game room. Perfect for families and groups seeking quiet space near White Mountains.

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Hotel

Bethel

Holidae House Bed & Breakfast

Award-winning B&B in downtown Bethel with homemade breakfast, period decor, and hosts who go the extra mile. Perfect for ski trips and foliage season.

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Hotel

Fryeburg

The White Gables Inn

Historic inn in Fryeburg with mountain views, homemade breakfast, and attentive hosts. Perfect base for White Mountains and foliage season.

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Hotel

Rangeley

Outta Range

Spacious log home retreat in Rangeley with full kitchen, fireplace, and garden. Steps from Rangeley Town Cove Park Beach. Pet-friendly. Free parking & WiFi.

$$$

Hotel

Livermore Falls

Cozy Retreat with Private Backyard Oasis

Spacious two-bedroom apartment with full kitchen, private backyard, and mountain views in Livermore Falls. Perfect for couples and families.

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Hotel

Bethel

Our Home on a Hill

Comfortable 3-bedroom home near Bethel skiing and hiking. Game room, fireplace, and full kitchen. Exceptional 9.6/10 rating.

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Hotel

Auburn

Penley House Bed & Breakfast

Restored 1889 Victorian B&B in downtown Auburn with homemade breakfast, river views, and gracious hosts. Perfect base for Maine day trips.

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Hotel

Rangeley

Airy Studio, Lake Access & Views, AC, 5min to Downtown

Modern studio in Rangeley with lake & mountain views, full kitchen, free parking & EV charging. 5 min to downtown shops and restaurants.

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Hotel

Bridgton

The ShackHilton at Dancing Light Farm

Unique farm cottage in Bridgton with meadow views, free WiFi, and private entrance. Perfect for solo travelers and couples seeking quiet escape near hiking and water sports.

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Hotel

Newry

Sunday River Ski-In/Ski-Out Condo

Four-bedroom ski-in/ski-out condo steps from Sunday River. Pool, hot tub, full kitchen. Perfect for families and groups seeking slopeside Maine skiing.

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Hotel

Rumford

Swift River Suites

Spacious rooms with mountain views near Black Mountain skiing. Couples love the quiet location. 9.3/10 from 188 guests in Rumford, Maine.

All Hotels

Restaurants

Where to eat in Lakes & Mountains

Watershed Wood-Fired Kitchen

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Italian restaurant

Bethel

Watershed Wood-Fired Kitchen

Wood-fired Italian in Bethel with personal pizzas and homemade pasta. Show up early, it fills fast.

Romero's

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Mexican restaurant

Bethel

Romero's

Scratch-made Mexican in Bethel with birria tacos, burritos, and salsa that actually has heat.

The Bethel Sugar Shack

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Hamburger restaurant

Bethel

The Bethel Sugar Shack

Burgers, sandwiches, and Gifford's ice cream in a year-round Bethel standby with old-school charm.

Le Mu Eats

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Asian Restaurant

Bethel

Le Mu Eats

Southeast Asian spot in Bethel with spicy noodles, pork bowls, and creative cocktails.

Gemini Cafe & Bakery

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Coffee shop

Bethel

Gemini Cafe & Bakery

Bethel's sourdough-and-pastry beacon draws pilgrims for hand-shaped bagels and naturally leavened bread.

Dolce Amici

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Italian restaurant

Bethel

Dolce Amici

Italian spot in Bethel with house-made gelato, fresh pasta, and eggs benedict that skiers and shoppers rave about.

Mayville Union House

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Bed & breakfast

Bethel

Mayville Union House

Luxury B&B in Bethel with chef-prepared breakfasts, spa, and meticulously restored rooms.

The Elizabeth Inn and Restaurant

$$$

Restaurant

Bethel

The Elizabeth Inn and Restaurant

Victorian inn in Bethel with a serious kitchen turning out four-course dinners that stick with you.

Oxbow Brewing Company - Oxford (Beer Garden)

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Restaurant

Bethel

Oxbow Brewing Company - Oxford (Beer Garden)

Oxbow's Bethel beer garden pairs fresh house brews with wood-fired pizza and free cross-country ski trails.

The Local Hub

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Coffee shop

Bethel

The Local Hub

Bethel coffee shop serving excellent espresso, homemade breakfast sandwiches, and local goods.

The Gem Theater

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Movie theater

Bethel

The Gem Theater

Historic Bethel movie house with live events, craft cocktails, and house-made popcorn seasonings.

Dick’s Restaurant

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Breakfast restaurant

Bethel

Dick’s Restaurant

Casual diner in Bethel serving hearty breakfasts and burgers at prices that won't hurt.

All Restaurants