Plan Your Visit
36 Hours in the Kennebec River District
Day 1: Arrival + Settle In
Check In
Make your home base at Lockwood Hotel in Waterville or The Skowhegan by Kasa in downtown Skowhegan. Both put you close to restaurants, shops, and easy river access.
Coffee + First Look Around
If you arrive earlier in the day, ease into the trip with coffee and something sweet from The Bankery in Skowhegan or Holy Cannoli in Waterville.
New Balance Factory Store
If you want to add a quick, unexpected detour, the New Balance Factory Store is one of those only-here stops that helps round out the experience.
Lunch
Fuel up at a local lunch favorite, ZAAP Thai or the Old Mill Pub which offers an ever-changing list of food & drink related events to truly immerse you in the community.
Dinner
Kick off your evening with one of the area’s best meals. Front & Main is a great choice if you want something polished but approachable. If you are in the mood for something more casual, Silver Street Tavern (which boasts a delicious lobster roll) is a dependable local favorite. If you’re looking for cuisine that is a bit more adventurous, check out The Jewel of India or Mezza for delicious Lebanese cuisine.
Evening Walk at Head of Falls + Two Cent Bridge
Before turning in, take a walk through Head of Falls and across the Two Cent Bridge. It is one of the region’s quieter standouts and an easy way to experience the Kennebec up close. Stop by Jendi on your way back to the hotel for dessert (Waffle Sticks are a must try!).
Day 2: Art, Main Streets + Local Flavor
Breakfast at Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe in Skowhegan
Fuel up with breakfast and coffee before a full day of exploring.
Morning at Colby College Museum of Art
Spend the morning at the Colby College Museum of Art, one of the region’s most impressive cultural assets and one of its best surprises for first-time visitors (bonus: free admission!).
Explore the Paul J. Schupf Art Center
Continue downtown with a stop at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, home to film, arts programming, two art galleries, and creative energy in the heart of Waterville.
Lunch
For lunch try Wild Clover Cafe if you want something that feels a little more local. For a more casual midday stop, Selah Tea Cafe is another easy and satisfying option.
Afternoon: Browse + Discover
Spend the afternoon moving at your own pace through some of the district’s smaller, more personal stops:
- Oliver & Friends Bookshop
- River Roads Artisans Gallery
- Pink Crow Collective
- Main Street Provisions
- Old Soul Supply Co.
- Incense & Peppermints
Dinner
For dinner, plan ahead for The Miller’s Table at Maine Grains, one of the most regionally rooted meals you can have in The Kennebec River District. If you are staying closer to Waterville, OPA, which serves Greek & Mediterranean cuisine, is another strong option for a memorable night out.
Optional Evening Drink
If you are not quite ready to call it a night, head to Bigelow Brewing Company, Unwined, 18 Below, or The Biergarten for a drink before turning in.
Family Fun in the Kennebec River District
Day 1: Arrive + Keep It Easy
Check In
Settle into a convenient stay like The Skowhegan by Kasa, The Towne Motel, or another centrally located option that keeps you close to both downtown and outdoor stops.
Lunch
Start simple with Ken’s Family Restaurant, a longtime local staple that is relaxed, family-friendly, and easy when everyone is hungry. Other casual options include Sonny’s Pizza, Belanger’s Drive In & Dairy Bar, and The River Jack Tavern.
Afternoon at Coburn Park
Spend the afternoon at Coburn Park in Skowhegan, a beautifully designed public park with walking paths, open green space, and plenty of room for kids to run around. Bonus: walking distance from downtown!
Sweet Treat Stop
Add an easy win with a stop at:
Dinner
Keep dinner casual and low-stress with a stop at Mainely Brews or Lion’s Den Tavern, which offer something for a range of tastes with relaxed local atmospheres.
Day 2: Outdoor Time + Easy Exploring
Breakfast at Joe’s Flat Iron Cafe or The Miller’s Table (weekends only!)
Start the day with a low-key breakfast before heading outside.
Morning Adventure with Skowhegan Outdoors
This is one of the best family-friendly assets in the region. Skowhegan Outdoors offers free outdoor programming plus access to its free gear library, where visitors can borrow items like bikes, canoes, paddleboards, life jackets, and other outdoor essentials. It is an easy, low-pressure way to try something new without packing all your own gear.
Choose Your Family Adventure
Depending on your crew, spend the morning:
- biking a beginner-friendly route
- taking a short paddle
- enjoying a riverfront walk
- heading to Lake George Regional Park for swimming, picnicking, fishing, and space to spread out
Don’t forget to check out Mid-Maine Fun for daily activities in the area!
Lunch
For lunch, keep it easy with something casual downtown. Erica’s is a great option for burgers, sandwiches and comfort food, while The Proper Pig delivers a contemporary pub and smokehouse experience.
Afternoon: Books, Browsing + Local Finds
Spend the afternoon keeping it flexible with a few easy stops:
These are the kinds of places that help a family trip feel memorable without needing a packed schedule.
Dinner
For dinner, try Bigelow Brewing Company if you want something laid-back and family-friendly with a little more personality. If you are looking for something simple and dependable, Al’s Pizza is another easy choice.
Outdoor Adventure in the Kennebec River District (Summer)
Day 1: Arrive + Get Outside Fast
Check In + Drop Your Bags
Choose a central base, then head outside as quickly as possible.
Stop by Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp
Kick off the trip with a stop at Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp, where you can take advantage of the organization’s free gear library. Borrow bikes, paddleboards, canoes, life jackets, and other outdoor essentials to make your trip easier and more spontaneous.
Afternoon Paddle on the Kennebec
Use the afternoon to get out on the river. The Kennebec is the district’s defining outdoor asset, and time on the water is one of the best ways to experience it firsthand.
Dinner
fter you clean up, head to 122 Corson for a slightly elevated meal after a day outdoors. It’s a Saturday-only experience with a prix fixe menu, and reservations are required. For something more casual, Front & Main is a great post-adventure option, while low-key spots in Fairfield, like The Purple Cow, help keep things easy after a long day outside.
Optional Evening Drink
Looking for one last stop before turning in for the night? Unwined, Lion’s Den Tavern, and Silver Street Tavern are all worth a final stop, each with its own take on atmosphere, drinks, and late-night energy.
Day 2: Trails, Water + Hidden Gems
Start the Day at Selah Tea & Cafe
Fuel up for the day ahead at Selah Tea Café. Grab a great cup of coffee, a fresh pastry, and ease into the morning before heading out on the water or the trail
Morning: Quarry Road or Kennebec Messalonskee Trails
Start your day at Quarry Road Trails, one of the district’s premier outdoor destinations, with miles of well-maintained paths for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. If you’re looking to go further, the Kennebec Messalonskee Trail network offers more than 50 miles of scenic routes connecting communities across the region.
Midday Reset at Lake George Regional Park
Head to Lake George Regional Park to swim, picnic, fish, or simply slow down for a bit. It is one of the region’s most underrated summer spots and a perfect mid-day cool-off.
Lunch
Keep lunch easy and outdoors-friendly. Pick up something to go from Wild Clover Cafe & Market and bring it with you for a picnic-style break.
Afternoon Hidden Gem: Colby Perkins Arboretum
If you want a quieter outdoor experience, spend part of the afternoon at the Colby Perkins Arboretum, where wooded trails and a more tucked-away feel offer a different pace from the region’s more active recreation spots.
Optional Add-On: Mill Island Park
If you still have time and energy, add a stop at Mill Island Park for another easy riverside moment.
Dinner
Reward the mileage with dinner at Front & Main or Heritage House if you are ready for a proper sit-down meal, or head to Jin Yuan for authentic Chinese or Mezza, a charming restaurant specializing in authentic Lebanese cuisine.
Where to Stay
Packages & Specials
- Five American Painters book by Sharon Corwin
- 15% OFF purchases at the museum café and shop
- Souvenir tote bag
- $50 dining credit for use at Front & Main
- 10% OFF Accommodations
- Daily Breakfast (up to a $50 value, non-refundable, no cash value)
- 10% Off Your Stay
- Must present proof of membership at check-in.
- Post Stay Cleaning Fee
- Complimentary plush toy, lobster doggie cookies, travel bowl, Lockwood pet bandana and waste bags
- Map detailing nearby dog-friendly hikes, restaurants and stores
- Discount card to Loyal Biscuit Co. across the street
- Dog beds are available to borrow upon request