'''Bangor''' [http://www.bangorcvb.org] is a relatively small city in the Highlands region of Maine. It only has 30,000 to 50,000 people (depending on who you ask), but has cultural facilities, including the University of Maine, that match or may even rival a much larger city.
Get in
By air
'''Bangor International Airport''', 287 Godfrey Boulevard ''(Exit 46 or 47 on Interstate 95)'', Phone: ''+1 207'' 947-0384, [http://www.flybangor.com/]. Passenger airlines: American Eagle, Continental, Delta, PanAm, US Airways, Finnair. There are non-stop flights to Bangor Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis St Paul, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington [http://flyhere.com/Bangor-Airport-BGR/].
By bus
'''Concord Trailways''', 1039 Union St. (across from airport), Phone: ''+1 207'' 945-4000, [http://www.concordtrailways.com/bangor_maine_bus_station.htm]. Express or local routes to Boston through Portland.
'''Greyhound Lines''', Main and Union Sts., Phone: ''+1 207'' 945-3000, [http://www.greyhound.com/]. Connections to Boston and Portland.
'''Cyr Bus Lines''', Phone: (800) 244-2335, [http://www.cyrbustours.com]. Service to northern Maine.
Get around
'''Bangor Area Transit (BAT)''', 481 Maine Av., Phone: ''+1 207'' 992-4670, [http://www.bgrme.com/cs_publictransit.php]. Bus service.
Downtown Bangor and the waterfront is easily explored by foot; the nearby Pickering Square parking garage offers the first two hours for free. Traveling to sites outside of downtown will require a car.
See
'''Penobscot Theatre Company''', 131 Main Street, Phone: ''+1 207'' 942-3333, [http://www.penobscottheatre.org].
'''Bangor Symphony Orchestra''', 51A Main Street, Phone: ''+1 207'' 942-5555, [http://www.bangorsymphony.com].
Do
The '''Thomas Hill Standpipe''', Phone: ''+1 207'' 947-4516, [http://www.bangorwater.org/whats%20new%20home/thsp.htm]. The 110-ft (34 m) tall water tower that gives the Queen City its "crown," is open seasonally for tours. From the observation deck you can see to Mt. Katahdin on a clear day; enjoy the famous Maine foliage in the autumn. This requires climbing 100 steps, and is not handicapped accessible.
Every summer, the '''River City Cinema Society''' shows free screenings of classic movies in Pickering Square. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show. [http://rivercitycinema.com/].
Festivals and events
'''The American Folk Festival''', [http://www.americanfolkfestival.com/]. Late August.
'''Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race''', [http://www.kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com/]. April.
'''Senior League World Series''', [http://worldseries.bangorinfo.com/]. Early August
Do with Kids
It simply doesn't get any better than this:
'''Maine Discovery Museum''' [http://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org] (formerly ''Bangor Children's Museum'')
74 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401, United States. (207) 262-7200. ''3 full stories of fun for kids. Ideal for preschoolers but is also stimulating and entertaining for kids of all ages.''
Buy
Downtown Bangor has a number of local stores.
Stop at Epic Sports to get geared up for your outdoor adventures elsewhere in Maine; they carry equipment for nearly every sport in every season.
Try the Grasshopper shop for funky clothes, cool toys, and kitchen wares.
Eat
'''Friars Bakehouse''', 21 Central St., Phone: ''+1 207'' 947-3770. Eat world famous fresh bread and other lunch offerings made by Fransiscan friars. It's small - you might have to share a table - but that's half the fun.
'''Bagel Central''', 33 Central St., Phone: ''+1 207'' 947-1654, [http://downtownme.com/bagelcentral]. The only kosher restaurant north of Boston. In addition to bagels, sandwiches, soups and baked goods are sold. The dining area has tall ceilings with full length windows and can be very bright.
'''Taste of India''', 68 Main St, Phone: ''+1 207'' 945-6865. Wow wow wow, and a little more wow. Fantastic Indian food at a decent/phenomenal price: $6.95 or so for lunch specials (buffet Wed.-Fri.) and $10-$12 for some good evening grub. Good Indian beer and (domestic?) wine selection as well. Good service. Centrally located, right next to Maine Discovery Museum.
Drink
'''Sea Dog Brewing Co.''', 26 Front St., Phone: ''+1 207'' 947-8004. [http://www.seadogbrewing.com].
Sleep
Unless you want to stay downtown, the "better cheap hotels" are concentrated in the "Odlin Road" area, which includes some of the following and a few more (such as an Econolodge, which consistently boasts free WiFi and breakfasts):
America's Best Inn. 70 Main Street. 1 207 942-1234. 1 207 942-1234. ttp://www.americasbestinns.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=1916.
Best Western White House Inn. 55 Littlefield Avenue. 1 207 862-3737. 1 207 862-3737. ttp://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=20001.
Fairfield Inn Bangor. 00 Odlin Road. 1 207 990-0001. 1 207 990-0917. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/BGRFI.
Holiday Inn. 04 Odlin Rd & 395 At Hermon. 1 207 947-0101. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/bgror.
Voted the best hotel in town by a local newspaper. The only hotel in this area with a hot tub. Breakfast not included. Internet terminal in foyer near hotel entrance. Use coupon's in McDonald's hotel coupon book for a discount. Regular prices hover around $100 but you can get a substantial discount ($69-$79).
Holiday Inn. 00 Main Street. 1 207 947-8651. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/bgrms.
Motel 6. 100 Hammond Street. 1 207 947-6921. 1 207 941-8543. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=4253.
Charles Inn" alt+". 0 Broad Street. 1 207 992-2820. hecharlesinn@aol.com. 1 207-992-2826. ttp://www.thecharlesinn.com.
Four Points by Sheraton Bangor Airport. 08 Godfrey Blvd. 1 207 947-6721. ttp://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=212. PM. 2 PM. Just completed a multimillion dollar renovation, only hotel connected directly to the Bangor Int'l Aiport via an enclosed skywalk.
Ramada Bangor. 57 Odlin Rd, I-95 - Exit 182-B, Bangor, Me 04401 . 66-523-3959. ttp://www.ramadanortheast.com/New-England-States/Bangor/Ramada-Bangor.aspx.
Get out