Guidebook to Western Maine
City/town information
Voted the "Best Ski Town", Bethel is the quintessential charming Maine ski town, down to its gingerbread-trimmed facades and Nordic trails wending through the village.
It offers a variety of restaurants such as Butcher Burger right in town or Steammill Brew Pub right by Sunday River. Also in town you can entertain yourself and the family at River Lanes Bowling, restaurant, pool and bar, the Gem movie theater, the Gem Museum which hosts the world's largest collection of moon rocks in addition to featuring beautiful gems from Maine and all over. You can also find plenty of cute boutique shopping in downtown Bethel.
53 locals recommend
Bethel
Voted the "Best Ski Town", Bethel is the quintessential charming Maine ski town, down to its gingerbread-trimmed facades and Nordic trails wending through the village.
It offers a variety of restaurants such as Butcher Burger right in town or Steammill Brew Pub right by Sunday River. Also in town you can entertain yourself and the family at River Lanes Bowling, restaurant, pool and bar, the Gem movie theater, the Gem Museum which hosts the world's largest collection of moon rocks in addition to featuring beautiful gems from Maine and all over. You can also find plenty of cute boutique shopping in downtown Bethel.
Food scene
Steam Mill's new location right on the Sunday river access road offers great atmosphere, pub food and beer after a long day on the slopes!
41 locals recommend
Steam Mill Brewing
96 Mechanic StSteam Mill's new location right on the Sunday river access road offers great atmosphere, pub food and beer after a long day on the slopes!
Butcher offers creative and delicious burgers along with a variety of mostly local beer!
36 locals recommend
Butcher Burger Bethel
188 Main StButcher offers creative and delicious burgers along with a variety of mostly local beer!
Bethel Beverage Co is the best place to find the biggest variety of delicious local Maine, Vt, and NH beer and wine selection!
8 locals recommend
Bethel Beverage Company
284 Mayville RdBethel Beverage Co is the best place to find the biggest variety of delicious local Maine, Vt, and NH beer and wine selection!
Le Mu Eats is now a recently opened brick and mortar restaurant that is booming and a huge fan favorite of any local. Get there early to enjoy their amazing take on sunday brunch.
42 locals recommend
Le Mu Eats
119 Main StLe Mu Eats is now a recently opened brick and mortar restaurant that is booming and a huge fan favorite of any local. Get there early to enjoy their amazing take on sunday brunch.
Bowling, bar, restaurant fare with lane-side service, pool tables, arcade and more! All available for family fun (and fun for all ages!).
29 locals recommend
River Lanes
32 Cross StBowling, bar, restaurant fare with lane-side service, pool tables, arcade and more! All available for family fun (and fun for all ages!).
X Vault offers sushi Thursday through Sunday, and offers a refreshing take on a asian inspired menu combined with traditional Americana eats. Their cocktails are to die for!
23 locals recommend
X Vault Pub & Provisions
10 Market SquareX Vault offers sushi Thursday through Sunday, and offers a refreshing take on a asian inspired menu combined with traditional Americana eats. Their cocktails are to die for!
Head to Daddy O's for delicious breakfast and lunch any day of the week! Try their eggs Benedict!
8 locals recommend
Daddy O's
1570 Main StHead to Daddy O's for delicious breakfast and lunch any day of the week! Try their eggs Benedict!
Sightseeing
A unique Geology museum located in the gorgeous foothills of western Maine!
The Gem museum is truly unique - with the world's largest collection of lunar rocks, it also hosts cut and uncut gems from Maine and all over the world. Kids will love the exploratory room where they can open drawer upon drawer to touch and feel and examine the most beautiful gems. The entire museum is a rich and informative geology experience that is a must see, can't miss experience.
54 locals recommend
Maine Mineral and Gem Museum
99 Main StA unique Geology museum located in the gorgeous foothills of western Maine!
The Gem museum is truly unique - with the world's largest collection of lunar rocks, it also hosts cut and uncut gems from Maine and all over the world. Kids will love the exploratory room where they can open drawer upon drawer to touch and feel and examine the most beautiful gems. The entire museum is a rich and informative geology experience that is a must see, can't miss experience.
Find hikes for all ages and abilities in Grafton Notch just outside of Bethel, ME. Enjoy a gorgeous panoramic view of Sunday River as you drive into the park, as well as countless views of the surrounding mountain sides on any of the hikes that you choose! Open and available every season!
80 locals recommend
Grafton Notch State Park
Find hikes for all ages and abilities in Grafton Notch just outside of Bethel, ME. Enjoy a gorgeous panoramic view of Sunday River as you drive into the park, as well as countless views of the surrounding mountain sides on any of the hikes that you choose! Open and available every season!
Tubing, kayaking, river access, camping and picnic ground.
31 locals recommend
Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground
121 Mayville RdTubing, kayaking, river access, camping and picnic ground.
Ski with friends or the whole family on the most open terrain in Maine!
200 locals recommend
Sunday River Resort
15 S Ridge RdSki with friends or the whole family on the most open terrain in Maine!
Enjoy a family mountain experience with the locals, or a beer at the Loose Boots bar with live music Friday and Saturday nights.
75 locals recommend
Mt Abram Family Resort
308 Howe Hill RdEnjoy a family mountain experience with the locals, or a beer at the Loose Boots bar with live music Friday and Saturday nights.
a local favorite, BMOM offers discounted tickets on Thursdays and Fridays thanks to their LL Bean sponsorship.
28 locals recommend
Black Mountain of Maine
39 Glover Rd a local favorite, BMOM offers discounted tickets on Thursdays and Fridays thanks to their LL Bean sponsorship.
Try Shawnee Peak for a different mountain experience then head into Bridgeton for some quaint views of another little Maine ski town with pizza, sushi, and more!
165 locals recommend
Shawnee Peak
119 Mountain RdTry Shawnee Peak for a different mountain experience then head into Bridgeton for some quaint views of another little Maine ski town with pizza, sushi, and more!