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
Destinations
Lakes & Mountains destinations
Lakes & Mountains
Bethel
Sunday River skiing in winter, the Mahoosuc Range in summer - an all-season White Mountain foothills base camp.
Lakes & Mountains
Rangeley
Six interconnected lakes, a dark-sky night, and some of Maine's best trout fishing, backcountry skiing, and moose spotting.
Lakes & Mountains
Bridgton
Sebago Lakes region hub - Shawnee Peak skiing, Highland Lake beaches, and the drive-in movie theater running since 1954.
Lakes & Mountains
Fryeburg
The Fryeburg Fair every October - largest in New England - plus Mount Chocorua hikes and Saco River paddling all summer long.
Lakes & Mountains
Sebago Lake
Maine's second-largest lake - drinking water for Portland, sandy beaches at Sebago Lake State Park, summer camp country.
Lakes & Mountains
Auburn
Twin-city of Lewiston - Pettengill Park, the Androscoggin River Greenway, and Mount Apatite's tourmaline-flecked trails.
Lakes & Mountains
Farmington
University of Maine at Farmington, the annual Farmington Fair, and the drive up Route 27 to Sugarloaf ski country.
Lakes & Mountains
Lewiston
Twin-city of Auburn on the Androscoggin - Bates College, Kennedy Park, and Maine's most vibrant Somali-American community.
Lakes & Mountains
Poland
Poland Spring bottling country - Ricker Hill Orchards, the former Poland Spring Resort museum, and Range Pond State Park.
Lakes & Mountains
Raymond
Tassel Top Beach on Sebago Lake, the Hawthorne House museum, and Crescent Beach Club - classic Maine cottage country.
Lakes & Mountains
Durham
Royal River Conservation District lands, Runaround Pond Preserve, and Freeport-border quarry swimming holes locals protect.
Lakes & Mountains
Greene
Rural Androscoggin County farmland - Sabattus Pond's north shore, the old Greene Road covered-bridge marker, a quiet commute.
Lakes & Mountains
Jay
Androscoggin River papermill town - Jay-Livermore Chamber, Spruce Mountain, and the old Riley Dam pier.
Lakes & Mountains
Lisbon
Moxie Festival every July - Maine's official soda - plus Worumbo mill ruins, Railroad Park, and the Androscoggin Greenway.
Lakes & Mountains
Norway
Oxford Hills village - the Norway-Paris Grange, Stephens Memorial Hospital, and the Butters Conservation Area on Norway Lake.
Lakes & Mountains
Oxford
Oxford Plains Speedway NASCAR night races, the Oxford Casino, and quick access to Shepard State Park on Thompson Lake.
Lakes & Mountains
Paris
Paris Hill's white-clapboard common - Hannibal Hamlin's hometown - plus McLaughlin Garden and Oxford Hills foliage drives.
Lakes & Mountains
Rumford
Androscoggin River mill town under Pennacook Falls - Mt. Zircon, Rumford Whitecaps, and Smallpox Island view from the bridge.
Lakes & Mountains
Sabattus
Sabattus Pond's shallow weedy shoreline - ice-fishing derbies, the Androscoggin County 4-H grounds, and cornfield drives.
Lakes & Mountains
Standish
Northwest shore of Sebago Lake - Sebago Lake State Park's Songo Lock, Standish Corner's white church, quiet country roads.
Lakes & Mountains
Turner
Nezinscot River farmland - Turner Center Cemetery's old stones, Turner Ridge's long views, and the Turner Gorge swimming hole.
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.
$$$
Hotel
Bethel
Holidae House Bed & Breakfast
Award-winning B&B in downtown Bethel with homemade breakfast, period decor, and hosts who go the extra mile. Perfect for ski trips and foliage season.
$$$
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.
$$$
Hotel
Rangeley
Outta Range
Spacious log home retreat in Rangeley with full kitchen, fireplace, and garden. Steps from Rangeley Town Cove Park Beach. Pet-friendly. Free parking & WiFi.
$$$
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.
$$$
Hotel
Bethel
Our Home on a Hill
Comfortable 3-bedroom home near Bethel skiing and hiking. Game room, fireplace, and full kitchen. Exceptional 9.6/10 rating.
$$$
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.
$$$
Hotel
Rangeley
Airy Studio, Lake Access & Views, AC, 5min to Downtown
Modern studio in Rangeley with lake & mountain views, full kitchen, free parking & EV charging. 5 min to downtown shops and restaurants.
$$$
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.
$$$
Hotel
Newry
Sunday River Ski-In/Ski-Out Condo
Four-bedroom ski-in/ski-out condo steps from Sunday River. Pool, hot tub, full kitchen. Perfect for families and groups seeking slopeside Maine skiing.
$$$
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.
Restaurants
Where to eat in Lakes & Mountains
$$$
Italian restaurant
Bethel
Watershed Wood-Fired Kitchen
Wood-fired Italian in Bethel with personal pizzas and homemade pasta. Show up early, it fills fast.
$$$
Mexican restaurant
Bethel
Romero's
Scratch-made Mexican in Bethel with birria tacos, burritos, and salsa that actually has heat.
$$$
Hamburger restaurant
Bethel
The Bethel Sugar Shack
Burgers, sandwiches, and Gifford's ice cream in a year-round Bethel standby with old-school charm.
$$$
Asian Restaurant
Bethel
Le Mu Eats
Southeast Asian spot in Bethel with spicy noodles, pork bowls, and creative cocktails.
$$$
Coffee shop
Bethel
Gemini Cafe & Bakery
Bethel's sourdough-and-pastry beacon draws pilgrims for hand-shaped bagels and naturally leavened bread.
$$$
Italian restaurant
Bethel
Dolce Amici
Italian spot in Bethel with house-made gelato, fresh pasta, and eggs benedict that skiers and shoppers rave about.
$$$
Bed & breakfast
Bethel
Mayville Union House
Luxury B&B in Bethel with chef-prepared breakfasts, spa, and meticulously restored rooms.
$$$
Restaurant
Bethel
The Elizabeth Inn and Restaurant
Victorian inn in Bethel with a serious kitchen turning out four-course dinners that stick with you.
$$$
Restaurant
Bethel
Oxbow Brewing Company - Oxford (Beer Garden)
Oxbow's Bethel beer garden pairs fresh house brews with wood-fired pizza and free cross-country ski trails.
$$$
Coffee shop
Bethel
The Local Hub
Bethel coffee shop serving excellent espresso, homemade breakfast sandwiches, and local goods.
$$$
Movie theater
Bethel
The Gem Theater
Historic Bethel movie house with live events, craft cocktails, and house-made popcorn seasonings.
$$$
Breakfast restaurant
Bethel
Dick’s Restaurant
Casual diner in Bethel serving hearty breakfasts and burgers at prices that won't hurt.