Brunswick (Maine)

Brunswick is a coastal city in Maine along the Androscoggin River. It is home to Bowdoin College.

Get in

By car

Approaching from either south or north on Interstate 95, take Interstate 295 and watch for the Brunswick exits. Alternatively, old US Route 1 runs right through the city.

By bus

• Concord Trailways, 162 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Vermont Transit Lines, 206 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. 

By train

• Maine Eastern Railroad, ☎ [phone]. Runs an excursion service between Brunswick and Rockland (via Bath and Wiscasset) with restored vintage railcars. Wednesday through Sunday. Summers only. 
• Amtrak Downeaster. Connects Brunswick to Portland, Boston and points south. 

By air

Portland International Jetport, is the nearest airport. 1001 Westbrook Street, Portland, Tel: [phone]. Less than an hour's drive from Brunswick.

Wiscasset airport , in Wiscasset or Merrymeeting field in Bowdoinham are the nearest public-use airports. They are less than 10 miles away from the city center of Brunswick. Personal air charter can be arranged into these airports, with Wiscasset having all-weather and 24/7/365 availability.

See

• Bowdoin College Campus. The oldest institute of higher education in Maine, founded in 1794. Many interesting buildings and activities. 
• Bowdoin College Museum of Art, ☎ [phone]. Upper Park Row, Walker Art Building, at Bowdoin College. 
• Bowdoin College Summer Music Festival, ☎ [phone]. Hosted at Bowdoin College. Classical concerts twice weekly plus student recitals during July and August. 
• First Parish Church, Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose husband was a professor at Bowdoin College, was sitting in Pew 23 of this church during a communion service when she had a vision of the death of a slave which became the pivotal element in her book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. 
• Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, 14 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Mill 3 - Fort Andross. 75 seat cinema, art gallery and cafe overlooking the Androscoggin River. 
• Growstown School (corner of Church Road and Woodside Road), ☎ [phone]. 1849 one-room schoolhouse. Visits by appointment only during July and August. 
• Harriet Beecher Stowe House, 63 Federal St, ☎ [phone]. A National Historic Landmark, nearly 200 years old. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin here. 
• Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, 2 Potter St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, ☎ [phone]. Hubbard Hall at Bowdoin College. 
• Pejepscot Historical Society Museum, 159 Park Row, ☎ [phone]. One of Maine's oldest historical organizations, maintaining three museums about the area and a extensive research collection. 
• The Skolfield-Whittier House, 161 Park Row, ☎ [phone]. Open during the summer only. 
• The Theater Project, 14 School St, ☎ [phone]. June through August. 

Do

• Androscoggin River Bicycle Path, ☎ [phone]. Between Grover Lane and Water Street, along the Androscoggin River. A 2.5 mile-long paved path along the River with trees, granite benches, restroom facilities, and designated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Great for walking, jogging, bicycling, roller-blading, or skateboarding. Managed by the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department. 
• Bowdoin Pines Trail, ☎ [phone]. Adjacent to Bowdoin College Campus. One of Maine's few remaining old-growth forests, 33-acre 'The Bowdoin Pines,' has a trail open year round for walking, jogging, bird-watching, picnicking and cross-country skiing. Dogs on leashes. No fires or camping. Information available from Bowdoin's 'Environmental Studies Program' 
• Brunswick Town Common. Starts at a parking lot in a pine grove about 2 miles south on Harpswell Road (Route 123) Comprises less than 100 acres of woodlands and bog with wide trails suitable for walking and cross-country skiing. Dogs are permitted on leash or under owners voice control. Comprises the far southwestern section of the original thousand acre "commonage" granted by the Pejepscot Proprietors in 1719. Managed by Brunswick Town Commons Planning Committee. 
• Cox Pinnacle, ☎ [phone]. Near Hacker Road, off Durham Road. 103-acre parcel with trails for walking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and horseback riding through wooded hills, rocky ledges, and wetlands. Includes the highest point of land in Brunswick, at 350 feet, with views of the White Mountains. The trail begins with a boardwalk across the wetlands and is marked in blue. 
• Crystal Spring Farm Reserve, Pleasant Hill Rd, ☎ [phone]. Trails are located on 160-acre farm owned and maintained by the 'Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust.' Forests, fields and blueberry barrens. (Maps can be found in a mailbox at the trailhead.) 
• Mid Coast Hospital Nature Trails, Medical Center Drive, off Old Bath Rd. Look for the trail entrance at the far end of the parking lot. More than 3300 feet of prepared walking paths through the forested wetlands areas between the Hospital and the protected estuary and salt water marshes of Thompson's Brook. More information at Hospital Information Desk. 
• Seaspray Kayaking Tours, Rentals & Guide Service, Old Bath Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: +1-888-349-SPRAY (77729). 
• Androscoggin River Fish Migration: Brunswick Hydro. W-Su from 1-5PM during the spawn. If you are planning on being in the Brunswick area between mid-May and late June, be sure to visit FPL Energy's Brunswick Hydro generating station on the Androscoggin River. Here you will find a glass wall viewing room to observe the annual spawning ritual of anadromous fish heading upriver. Species such as Herring, Salmon and Smallmouth Bass make their way up a 40 foot high, 570 foot long man-made fish ladder. The viewing room can accommodate up to 20 people. 
• Brunswick Golf Club. 
• 🌍 Thomas Point Beach. A clean, sandy beach that offers picnicking, camping, a snack bar, playgrounds for the kids, volleyball, and softball areas. 

Festivals

• Taste of Brunswick - June 19, 2010. The Second Annual Taste of Brunswick is a Brunswick Downtown Association event featuring up to 30 of Brunswick's finest restaurants, each offering two tasters to showcase their culinary skill and style. Saturday, June 19th highlights will include the music of Sly Chi, Dark Hollow Bottling Company & Swing A Cat. The Taste will also feature a Waiter's Race of favorite local waiters as they demonstrate their agility and compete for a "tip". The afternoon event will be located on the town green in beautiful downtown Brunswick. A beer and wine pavilion will be provided by Sea Dog Brewery. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program 
• Maine Highland Games - August 15, 2009, 29 Meadows Road (Route 24) (Thomas Point Beach), ☎ [phone]. 
• Brunswick Arts Festival - August 15, 2009. 3rd Annual, on the sidewalks of Maine Street in Downtown Brunswick. Numerous children's activities will line the streets; roving jugglers, face painting,art projects, dance, and music. Street performances will include theatre, dance and a variety of other artistic venues. This festival is designed to celebrate and foster an appreciation of the arts in downtown Brunswick that truly makes Brunswick a cultural destination. The Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival (BOAF) exemplifies the Brunswick Downtown Association's goals to promote cultural activities and other events that create, support, and maintain a healthy, friendly and vibrant downtown. 
• Bowdoin International Music Festival - June 27 - August 8, 2009. Founded in 1964 by Robert K. Beckwith and Lewis Kaplan, the Bowdoin International Music Festival brings renowned classical musicians from around the world to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine each summer for six weeks of instruction and performance. More than 250 highly talented young performers of graduate, college, and high school levels further their artistic development through a concentrated program of instrumental study and composition with the Festival's outstanding artist faculty. The Bowdoin Festival produces seven concert series three artists' concert series, two student concert series, and two series in which students and faculty perform together, EuroFest and the Gamper Festival of Contemporary Music. Through its concert presentations, the festival brings performers of international stature and a rich variety of musical programming to thousands of residents and summer visitors. 

Buy

• Estilo, 10 Pleasant st., ☎ [phone]. A unique consignment boutique for women featuring fashions by JJill, Flax, Eileen Fisher, Habitat, and many others. 

Eat

• 111 Maine, 111 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Lunch Tu-F. Dinner on Friday night. Brunch Saturday and Su 10AM-3PM. Catering available. 
• Amato's, 148 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Asian Grill, 164 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. Thai, Japanese, Korean, and other Asian cuisines. 
• Back Street Bistro, 11 Town Hall Pl (Just off Maine Street), ☎ [phone]. Hand cut steaks, fresh local and exotic seafood, creative salads and vegetarian dishes. Wines, cocktails and local beers on tap. Open daily from 5PM until late. 
• Bombay Mahal, 99 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Indian food. 
• Brunswick's House of Pizza, 85 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Captain Mike's, 32 Bath Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• China Rose Restaurant, 42 Bath Rd, ☎ [phone]. Caters for special diets. No MSG used. Full bar. 
• El Camino Cantina, 15 Cushing St, ☎ [phone]. California-style Mexican food. Quesadillas, nachos, soft tacos and salads. 
• Fat Boy Drive-In, Route 24, ☎ [phone]. The classic old drive-in lives here, and you can eat in your car. Lights on for service. Roll up your window a bit so the waitress can hang your tray on it. Good, inexpensive classic food like burgers and onion rings. 
• Henry and Marty's, 61 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Richard's Restaurant, 115 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. German and American cuisine. German dishes include wienerschnitzel and sauerbraten. German beer on tap. Children's menu. Live piano Saturday nights. 
• Scarlet Begonias, Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Specialty sandwiches and pizzas. 'A bistro & catering establishment.' Lunch and dinner, M-Sa. 
• Star Fish Grill, 100 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. Fresh seafood. 
• The Gelato Fiasco, 74 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Open 11AM-11PM. Artisan-style gelato made daily from traditional Italian recipe. All natural and made from scratch. Espresso and coffee also served. 
• The Great Impasta, 42 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Italian food. Lunch and dinner six days. Closed Sundays. 
• Wild Oats Bakery and Cafe, 149 Maine St, ☎ [phone]. Breakfast baked goods, special sandwiches, fresh baked bread, healthy snacks, take home dinners, cookies & cakes & pies, coffee & espresso, homemade soups. Delivers to Bowdoin College. 
• No. 10 Water, 10 Water St, ☎ [phone]. 5PM-CLOSE. Open Tu-Sa for dinner, then Brunch Buffet Only on Su 10AM-2PM (No Dinner) and closed Mondays. Delicious mixture of upscale and traditional American, infused with a bit of European style. 

Drink

• Sea Dog Brewing Company, 1 Main St, ☎ [phone]. Topsham (adjacent to downtown Brunswick). Pub food and Maine microbrews. 

Sleep

• Brunswick Inn, 165 Park Row, ☎ [phone]. Bed and breakfast with 15 rooms. Antique furniture and fireplace. Close to Bowdoin College. 
• Captain Daniel Stone Inn, 10 Water St, ☎ [phone]. Guest fitness centre, hot tub & sauna facility and free wireless internet in each room. Breakfast. 
• Comfort Inn, 199 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. Free continental breakfast, free local calls. Wireless internet. Exercise room. 
• Days Inn - Brunswick, Maine (At the Cooks Corner Mall - walk to shopping and dining. All new rooms with refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary Continental Breakfast.), 224 Bath Rd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Econo Lodge, 215 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Maineline Motel, 133 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. 
• New Meadows Motel, 393 Bath Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• Parkwood Inn, 71 Gurnet Rd, ☎ [phone]. Indoor pool. Guest lounge with fireplace. Broadband in rooms; wireless internet in public areas. 
• Thomas Point Beach Campground, 29 Meadow Rd, ☎ [phone]. Off Route 24 at Cook's Corner. Snack bar, gift shop, games arcade, sportsground. 
• The Inn at Brunswick Station, 4 Noble St, ☎ [phone]. Full Service Tavern opened seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 52 spacious rooms offering complimentary wireless internet and in-room coffee. Function space for up to 120 people. Pet friendly rooms available. 
• Travelers Inn, 130 Pleasant St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Viking Motor Inn, 287 Bath Rd, ☎ [phone]. Both motel-style and efficiency-style units available. Free wireless internet. 

Go next

• Maine Maritime Museum, premier maritime museum with working exhibits off Route 1 in Bath. Tel: [phone]. Open year round.
• Reid State Park and Beach, 800 acres with 1.5 miles of sandy salt-water beach in Georgetown.
• Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, woods trails on the ocean only five minute drive from the center of Freeport.
• Popham Beach State Park, spacious sandy salt-water beach in Phippsburg. Renowned for its wide, sandy beach, beautiful views and excellent swimming. Kids will love exploring the ruins of the adjacent historic Fort Popham.
• Mast Landing Sanctuary - Upper Mast Landing Road, off Flying Point Road, in Freeport, Tel: [phone]. Marked trails on 100 acres.
• Josephine Newman Sanctuary, Route 127 in Georgetown, Tel: [phone], . 2 miles of nature walks through a 119-acre preserve that is bounded by a salt marsh. Trails wind through a marsh and secluded woods along exposed ledges, ocean inlets, and a pond.
• Morse Mountain Sanctuary, Phippsburg.
• Thomas Point Beach
• Eagle Island State Park (Casco Bay)
• The Olde Stone Schoolhouse at Georgetown
• Elijah Kellogg Church

Routes through Brunswick

END ←	N  S	→ Freeport → Portland
Augusta ← Richmond ←	N  S	→ Freeport → Portland
Ellsworth ← Bath ←	N  S	→ Freeport → Portland
Augusta ← Richmond ←	N  S	→ END
Lewiston ← Lisbon ←	W  E	→ END