8 Best Things to Do in Bethel, Maine

By VacationIdea Staff on August 6, 2022 - Updated

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The town of Bethel in Maine is commonly called the “jewel of Oxford County” due its beautiful location in the mountains. It’s a scenic and tranquil place for either a peaceful getaway or outdoor adventures. Originally a logging and farming settlement, the town has become a tourist spot popular for its recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, and skiing. An ideal destination for anyone looking to enjoy some time in the mountains, Bethel offers more than nature to visitors, such as a walkable and charming downtown, art galleries, unique museums, and delicious food.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Sunday River Ski Resort

The Sunday River Ski Resort is considered by many to be the place to go in the Bethel area in Maine for winter sports. The resort offers opportunities for snowboarding and skiing throughout the entire year, along with a number of other winter activities. Guests can hit the slopes on their own or take a lesson at the Sunday River Ski Resort, which offers a good ski school for kids. Along with the year-round winter activities thanks to the resort’s snow making facilities, visitors will also find summer activities as well, such as rock climbing, ziplines, hiking, and biking.

15 S Ridge Rd, Newry, ME 04261, Phone: 800-543-2754

2.Grafton Notch State Park, Bethel, ME

Grafton Notch State Park is a beautiful parkland spread across a vast amount of land, providing visitors with outdoor recreation opportunities in abundance, particularly backcountry hiking along part of the Appalachian Trail. Day hikes in the park are well signposted, including the Old Speck summit and the Table Rock Trail. These shorter walks guide hikers to gorges and impressive waterfalls. Longer hikes can take a couple a days, such as the Grafton Loop Trail, and offer more chances to see spectacular natural scenery and wildlife. During the winter months, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers visit Grafton Notch State Park.

1941 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261, Phone: 207-824-2912

3.Sunday River Covered Bridge, Bethel, Maine

The Sunday River Covered Bridge is a historic bridge known by locals as the Artists Bridge. Built back in the year 1872, the covered bridge is one of the last surviving covered bridges from the nineteenth century in Maine and was added in 1970 to the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge is located adjacent to the Sunday River Road crossing over the Sunday River, northeast of Bethel’s Sunday River Ski Resort. Open today to pedestrian traffic, the Sunday River Bridge is approximately twenty feet wide and one hundred feet long, with a height totaling twenty-two feet.

Bethel, ME

4.Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, Bethel, Maine

A good place to spend an hour or two in the town of Bethel, the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum is home to an excellent collection of the state’s geological history, featuring exhibits including an array of rocks and minerals from the local area, as well as “extra-terrestrial rocks.” The Perham Collection, however, is perhaps the most famous of the permanent exhibits. This collection of rocks have been viewed by the public for generations, originally located at a local mineral store that was around for ninety years. Pieces at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum vary in structure and size.

99 Main St, Bethel, ME 04217, Phone: 207-824-3036

5.Elements Art Gallery, Bethel, Maine

The Elements Art Gallery is housed inside of a renovated cattle barn dating back to the 1800’s. This art gallery, as well as store, was originally opened as a way for the towner to showcase her artworks, as well as an outlet for her artistic development. Over time, the Elements Art Gallery has expanded and is now home to works of art and other creations by more than fifty crafts masters and artists from across the local area. Other items include those offered by Community Sports, Little Bits Children’s Consignment, Slope side Rentals, and Bethel Toys and Trendz.

162 Main St, Bethel, ME 04217, Phone: 207-357-0189

6.Gourmet in a Pinch, Bethel, Maine

Gourmet in a Pinch is a place in the beautiful mountain town of Bethel, Maine that believes in superior ingredients being the foundation for any “well prepared meal.” The variety of soups, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts are carefully prepared by a skilled culinary staff, specializing in creating delicious meals that customers can enjoy at home without having to deal with any of the mess and fuss of cooking. Gourmet in a Pinch focuses on making upscale meals available to everyone, as well as helps customers pair specialized beers or a bottle of wine with their choice of meals.

312 Mayville Rd, Bethel, ME 04217, Phone: 207-824-6000

7.Deepwood Farm

Equestrians know that there is no better way to explore the scenic Maine landscape than on horseback. Deepwood Farm is waiting to offer you the opportunity to spend some quality time in the beautiful White Mountains. The farm has been offering horseback riding lessons, trail rides and summer camps for more than 30 years, as well as offering an equine boarding facility. Even if you have never been in the saddle before, you can join a beginners’ lesson which will soon have you ready to join a trail ride. Enthusiastic young equestrians can come and join a summer camp where they will be surrounded by horses, learn all about their care and hone their riding skills.

Deepwood Farm, 84 Parsonage Hill Road, Albany Township, ME 04217, 207 824 2595

8.Steam Mill Brewing

Like many other craft breweries all over America, Steam Mill Brewing is the result of a long-time passion for home brewing and a determination to create perfect small-batch craft beers. Steam Mill Brewing opened to the public in 2018 and today you can choose from a range of palate-pleasing brews on tap. These include a Belgian-style wheat beer, pale ale, red ale, several IPA’s, a chocolaty porter, lagers and a Czech-style pilsner. They also serve some delicious food to enjoy alongside your beer, and cocktails for non-beer drinkers. On Sunday they offer their popular Sunday Brunch. Steam Mill Brewing is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Steam Mill Brewing, 96 Sunday River, Bethel, ME 04217, P 207 824 1149