15 Best Things to Do in Lewiston, Maine

By VacationIdea Staff on May 19, 2022 - Updated

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The city of Lewiston, Maine is one half of “L/A” or the “Twin Cities” of Maine, with the other half being Auburn. The two cities are separated by the Great Falls and the Androscoggin River they flow into, with people able to walk between the two cities along the river by way of the Auburn Riverwalk. While often linked together with Auburn, the city of Lewiston itself offers numerous things to do in its own right. The city is home to museums, outdoor recreation activities, historic sights, live entertainment, delicious food, and more.

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

1.Museum L-A, Lewiston, Maine

The Museum L-A is situated at the historic Bates Mill on Canal Street in Lewiston, Maine and shares the story of community and work in the state’s “Twin Cities” of Auburn and Lewiston. Visitors to the museum can discover the area’s rich history of cultural influences, community expansion, industrial commitment, and labor, through a number of special programs and engaging exhibits that encourage learning across generations and family fun. The Museum L-A also features a Museum Shop.

35 Canal Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-333-3881

2.Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Lewiston, ME

The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul of Lewiston is one of New England’s largest churches. This massive Gothic-style, stone structure features turrets that soar towards the sky and was constructed during the late 19th century to early 20th century for Roman Catholic French Canadians who had immigrated to the area for work in Maine’s mills. Inside of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, visitors will find stained-glass, intricately detailed windows, as well as an organ made by Casavant Frères, as the French Canadians wanted to have a high quality instrument since music being an integral part of worship for them.

122 Ash St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-777-1200

3.Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, Lewiston, Maine

The Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary is owned and operated by the Stanton Bird Club and has been an active part of conservation efforts within the area of Androscoggin County for more than eighty years. This nature sanctuary in the city of Lewiston, Maine encompasses approximately 450 acres of wildlife preserve and has been the bird club’s primary focus throughout the years. Located at the city’s highest point at 510 feet, the Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary is set as a “green capstone,” providing a forest oasis in the middle of urban life. The area offers activities like nature photography, hiking, birdwatching, and more.

360 Montello St, Lewiston, ME 04243, Phone: 888-363-0007

4.The Public Theatre, Lewiston, Maine

The Public Theatre has been voted by the readers of Down East Magazine as the “Best Theater in Maine” for five consecutive years, as well as the “Number One Gem” in the Lewiston-Auburn area by the readers of the Sun Journal. This local theater in Lewiston is a professional Equity theater that puts on Broadway-quality theater productions for both local residents and tourists alike the Maine, but at a more affordable ticket price. The Public Theatre produces a variety of contemporary plays from the month of October through the month of May, performed by talented, professional actors.

31 Maple St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-782-3200

5.Androscoggin River, Lewiston, Maine

The Androscoggin River, which extends from Brunswick/Bath to the border of New Hampshire, has transformed from one of the Northeast region’s most polluted rivers to a year-round outdoor recreation area. Anglers divide the Androscoggin River in two as the "Lower Androscoggin" and the "Upper Androscoggin," and fishing is allowed throughout all four seasons down the whole length, with some regulations at different sections. The Lower Androscoggin travels through the Auburn/Lewiston area downstream to the Merrymeeting Bay, combining with the waters of Kennebec River. This section is popular among boaters and shoreline anglers, particularly fishing for northern pike and smallmouth bass.

6.Bates College Museum of Art, Lewiston, Maine

The Bates College Museum of Art is located on the campus of Bates College and is home to a variety of art mediums showcasing the state of Maine, as well as the greater area of America. The collection at this local art museum provides an overview of contemporary and modern art, with a primary focus for the main collection on work on paper, which includes photographs, prints, and drawing of both contemporary and modern artwork. The Bates College Museum of Art also publishes several art publications and art collections each year and offers many workshops, artist symposiums, and lectures.

75 Russell St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-786-6158

7.Franco Center, Lewiston, Maine

The Dolard and Priscilla Gendron Franco Center in the Lewiston-Auburn area is the premier event and performance center in Central Maine. The center believes that heritage and history are action verbs, the same as neighbor and community, and practices these through engaging the members of the local community, both old and young, to share their traditions and experiences so everyone may benefit from them. The Franco Center serves as an organization for the performing arts, celebrating the Franco-American culture and heritage, as well as cultures from other parts of the world, including presenting symphonic and folk music, Broadway, choirs, and more.

46 Cedar St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-783-1585

8.Androscoggin Bank Colisee, Lewiston, Maine

The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in the city of Lewiston, Maine measures approximately sixty-seven thousand square feet and is a multi-use facility capable of seating more than 4,500 people for concerts and over 3,600 for hockey games. The multi-purpose Androscoggin Bank Colisee hosts a wide array of different events throughout the year that both local residents and tourists alike can enjoy, such as hockey games, theatrical productions, ice shows, rodeos, trade shows, basketball games, and boxing matches. The facility has positioned itself as the main recreation and entertainment venue in the state’s Androscoggin County and the surrounding area.

190 Birch St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-783-2009

9.Marsden Hartley Cultural Center - Lewiston Public Library

Established in 2005, the Marsden Hartley Cultural Center has aided in transforming the perception people have of a library for the city’s residents from a “passive repository of knowledge” to a vibrant center for the community, providing a wide variety of cultural resources and programming. The center gets its name for Marsden Hartley, native of Lewiston and renowned poet and artist. Hartley was one of the twentieth century’s top American painters, with his work being displayed in museums throughout the world. Callahan Hall in the Marsden Hartley Cultural Center hosts numerous cultural enrichment activities, such as dance programs, concerts, and films.

200 Lisbon St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-513-3004

10.Italian Bakery Products Co

Founded back in 1960 by Frank Chiaravelotti, The Italian Bakery has been operated by the Chiaravelotti family for three generations. The bakery offers freshly baked breads, tasty pastries, more than forty flavors of doughnuts, made-from-scratch deep dish pies, desserts like tiramisu and cannolis, bagels, and gluten-free options. There are also daily specials like salmon pie, chicken pot pie, burgers, coleslaw, and red hot dogs, as well as some local favorites.

225 Bartlett St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-782-8312

11.Things to Do in Lewiston, Maine: Boba

The mission of Boba is to bring the authentic flavors of Asia to the city of Lewiston, Maine and the surrounding area. The local eatery serves authentic Asian cuisine rooted in family tradition that started in the early 1980’s in Northern Thailand, but with a bit of a local twist. Boba, which gets its name from the tapioca pearls found in bubble tea drinks, has been a part of the Lewiston-Auburn community since 2015 and prides itself on being a testament to family tradition by providing Asian-themed dishes with influences from the best of China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand.

97 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-689-3105

12.Grant's Bakery, Lewiston, Maine

While Grant's Bakery boasts a long standing reputation for providing some of the Lewiston-Auburn area’s best decorated cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions, it also offers great cupcakes, pastries, pies, and breads. Customers will also find daily special hot meals available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as well as microwave/oven-ready meals to-go and roasted nuts. The family-owned and operated Grant’s Bakery has been serving the area since the year 1956 and started out as a small store below the family’s home, where many of the customers and recipes came from, and still serves many of the same products.

525 Sabattus Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-783-2226

13.Things to Do in Lewiston, Maine: Sonder & Dram

Sonder and Dram strives to pay respect to days gone by, while still looking towards the future, operating in the downtown district of Lewiston, Maine as a modern neighborhood bar. The bar combines local beer, inventive cocktails, and fresh elevated New American fare to provide a memorable bar experience for guests. The food menu includes a variety of dishes, such as fish tacos, burgers, fish and chips, Parisian gnocchi, clams and noodles, and more. Sonder and Dram is socated on the basement level of Lewiston’s historic McGillicuddy building.

12 Ash St, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: 207-330-3021

14.Baxter Brewing Co.

It isn’t hard to see the excitement and passion behind the Baxter Brewing Co. Founded in 2011, they are known for their deep love for beer and their home state of Maine. Putting these two loves together resulted in crafted beers for the typical Maine-native— “people with a little extra passion, determination, and grit.” All their beers are brewed in the renowned Lewiston Bates Mill, with Baxter Brewing Co. becoming the first New England brewery to can all its beer. They offer a wide variety of beers perfect for any season, weather, and adventure including year-round beers, limited release beers, seasonal beers, and passion project beers wherein a portion of its proceeds go to a good cause. The brewing company also offers fun events such as live music at The Pub and other outdoor events.

130 Mill Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240, Phone: 207-333-6769

15.FunZ Trampoline Park

Get ready for loads of fun at the FunZ Trampoline Park in Lewiston Mall. Whether visiting with family, friends, or even officemates, there’s a lot to do and experience in this carefree and lively attraction. While filled with many fun trampolines to jump on, the park is jam-packed with other activities such as foam pits, a ninja course, bumper ball and basketball courts, zip lines, and an arcade. Younger children can also enjoy a foam block puzzle court, playground obstacle course, and a sectioned-off trampoline area specially reserved for toddlers and their parents. Aside from casual bonding amongst family and friends, FunZ Trampoline Park also welcomes birthday parties, office parties, and school trips.

40 East Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240, Phone: 207-783-3888