7 Best Things to Do in Waterville, Maine

By VacationIdea Staff on May 10, 2022 - Updated

Richard Semik/stock.adobe.com

The pretty coastal town of Waterville is a great destination for a weekend getaway. Outdoor enthusiasts can have hours of fun at the Quarry Road Trails, which offer excellent hiking in summer and a full list of fun winter sports including downhill skiing. History buffs will enjoy admiring 7 historic building in the well-preserved downtown, which is also home to many interesting shops, boutiques and eateries. The Colby College Museum of Art is one of the finest art museums in the country, with vibrant collections to thrill all art lovers. After a busy day of exploring, visitors can look forward to a pint or two of craft ale at Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brewhouse.

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

1.Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, Maine

The Colby College Museum of Art is a must-visit destination for all art lovers visiting Colby. Located on the campus of Colby College, the art museum is home to a diverse collection of over 10,000 works of art, with an emphasis on contemporary works and American artists. In addition to showcasing a large permanent collection, the museum also hosts regularly rotating special exhibitions. Highlights of the permanent collection include the 76 works which make up the American Heritage Collection and the prized Lunder Collection. Visitors can admire important works by artists such as John Singleton Copley, Georgia O’Keeffe and Fairfield Porter, to name but a few. The museum is free to visit and everyone is welcome.

Colby College Museum of Art, 5600 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, ME 04901, Phone: 207-859-5600

2.Two Cent Bridge, Waterville, Maine

Every visitor to Waterville should take the time to walk across the Two Cent Bridge, which has an interesting history. The bridge links the two towns of Waterville and Winslow, which lie on either side of the Kennebec River. The original bridge was built in 1901 to provide access for workers from Waterville who were employed in the mills in Winslow. Each person had to pay one cent at the toll booth or take the long way around. The bridge you see today was built in 1903, when the original structure was washed away and eventually the toll price was raised to 2 cents, which gave the bridge its common name. Over the years the bridge has been renovated and refurbished several times and the toll has been abolished.

Two Cent Bridge, Waterville, ME 04901

3.Quarry Road Trails, Waterville, ME

The Quarry Road outdoor recreational facility attracts visitors from all over Maine and beyond. Back in the 1930, groups of locals started experimenting with skiing on the site. With little infrastructure, the site did not reach its full potential until around 2007, when volunteers and enthusiastic skiers once again rallied around to develop the site. Today visitors can come to explore the Quarry Rd Trails all year round. In winter you can enjoy down-hill skiing, cross-country, sledding, snow-shoeing and fat-biking. In summer the area is a paradise for walking, hiking, trail-running, cycling and paddling on the beautiful Messalonskee Stream. The site hosts exciting outdoor events and competitions all year round.

Quarry Road Trails, 300 Quarry Rd, Waterville, ME 04901, Phone: 207-314-0258

4.Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brewhouse, Waterville, Maine

Located in the historic Post Office building in the heart of Waterville, Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brewhouse brings the fine art of micro brewing to central Maine. The attractive old building has been completely renovated to include a family-friendly dining area (also perfect for private parties) called the Vault. The spacious bar and lounge area is the perfect place to enjoy a great meal, a delicious craft beer and listen to some live music. On the menu you will find a substantial selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, wraps and sides. The beer menu features a selection of ales, porter and stout, all freshly brewed in the on-site brewhouse.

Mainely Brews, 1 Post Office Square, Waterville, ME 04901, Phone: 207-873-2457

5.Cappza’s Pizza, Waterville, Maine

Pizza has been a part of Chad Partridge’s life since he was a small boy. His parents have always owned a pizza restaurant and the young Chad spent many hours learning how to make a perfect pizza from the experts. Today Chad is the owner of Cappza’s Pizza in Waterville, where the age old pizza traditions that he learnt from his parents are continued. The menu offers a large selection of pizza choices from make-your-own concoctions to specialties like their Cheeseburger Pizza. In addition to pizza you can enjoy appetizers, sandwiches, wraps and desserts. Guests are welcome to eat in or call for a takeaway.

Cappza’s Pizza, 255 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901, Phone: 207-873-7770

6.Waterville Opera House and City Hall

Hosting more than 100 events each year, the Waterville Opera House brings the joy of live performance theatre to Waterville. This beautifully restored Colonial-Revival style Opera House has been thrilling audiences for 120 years and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Not restricted to operatic performances, the Opera House stages all kinds of wonderful shows including dance productions, community theatre, music concerts and comedy shows. They also host school shows and theatre camps for aspiring young performers as well as presenting the popular Waterville Rocks annual outdoor concerts. Visitors can check their website to see what’s on and book your tickets online.

Waterville Opera House and City Hall, 1 Common Street, Waterville, ME 01901, 207-873-7000

7.Mainely Escapes

Conveniently located in downtown Waterville, Mainely Escapes invites you to step inside and see if you can beat the clock in order to escape your worst nightmare. Mainely Escapes has three themed escape rooms to choose from, each of which provides your team with 60 minutes of nail-biting, adrenaline-boosting fun. Each team must work together to solve the riddles and puzzles which will enable you to escape your chosen room within the 60 minute time limit. You should book your preferred room in advance to avoid disappointment. The experience is perfect for birthday parties, team building events or even as a date night surprise.

Mainely Escapes, 90 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901, 207-314-8828