The city of Bangor, Maine is not so much a destination as it is a gateway to the many other places to go within Maine and Canada. Seemingly smack dab in the center of the State, Bangor is the third largest city with plenty of fresh air, endless stars and beautiful scenery among a simple life of combined suburbs and businesses. Other sister cities lie within the outskirts and surrounding area to encompass the population, like: Old Town; Brewer; Hermon; Hampden; Holden; and the college town of Orono.

In fact, twenty-one communities make up the Bangor region… each with something special to offer the visitors. Nature is abundant on the outskirts for an all-day hiking or mountain biking trek, while multiple waterways offer kayakers and canoeists an opportunity to see things from a wet perspective. In town there is a vast choice of dining and shopping, drawing visitors from Northern counties and as far away as Canada to take day trips and just get away from it all.

The “Gateway” term is because Bangor is so perfectly centered as a place to stop or stay when the tourists flock to Acadia National Park on the scenic coast, or to visit Baxter State Park which is a vast wilderness of abundant forests and wild animals. If heading south, people stay in Bangor on their way from Canada or Northern Maine as a halfway mark en route to Portland, New Hampshire and Boston. The “down-home” feel of Bangor is a great escape from the busy rat race of metropolitan life.

Things are not too hurried in Bangor. It’s a family place -- with plenty of small festivals and parades in the summer; a giant park built by famed author Stephen King (who is probably the most famous resident of the community); thriving arts and college blend; and plenty of specialty stores for the casual shopper. For those seeking the “laid-back” lifestyle, Bangor captures a nice mix of work and play.

The Penobscot River runs through Bangor and was once the staple for the city’s economy. Originally this was a mill town and a place to launch timber to cities in Southern regions of the state. Bangor was once the lumber capitol of the world. The river is now used more for recreational purposes. If one were to follow the Penobscot to its Eastern spout, it would eventually lead to the Penobscot Bay region and coastal Maine, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

People who enjoy the four seasons will enjoy an excursion to the Bangor area. As summer gives way to autumn, the leaves begin their annual festival of colors, drawing “leaf peepers” from afar to take pictures or enjoy the mountainous landscape. Fall is also a fun time for pumpkin plucking, corn mazes, apple picking, sightseeing and craft fairs. Antiquing is a popular hobby because of the area’s rich historical prevalence as one of the originally settled towns in colonial America.

The snowfall begins typically in early December. Snowmobiling and skiing enthusiasts find great trails and plenty of white winter sports. This is a time that families take their children sledding or ice skating. The State of Maine University is right in Orono, only 20 miles away. This college is nationally recognized for its championship hockey players.

Since winters are so long, the residents live for spring and summer. The surrounding areas of Bangor offer beautiful golf courses and several bike paths for cyclists. The hundreds of lakes and ponds nearby lure families to small beaches. These bodies of water have plenty of boats and jet skis on any nice sunny day.

The arts attract large audiences from all over the state. The Maine Center for the arts has visiting performances from name-act entertainers, comedians and the Opera. Penobscot Theatre Company presents talented thespians and thought-provoking plays and skits. The Shakespeare and Folk Festivals come to life under the big bridge along the Penobscot River, drawing thousands of people each summer for a long weekend of entertainment. The Bangor State Fair is a tradition as old as the city itself. And who would miss a performance by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra? As dramatic, yet serene, the Symphony's concerts have a history as the oldest community orchestra in America.

Bass Park brings harness racing fans to watch horses trot around the track for on and off-track betting. Several area casinos create entertainment for bored people who want to take a chance on big winnings or who want to pass the time pumping quarters in the slot machines. Bass Park is also home to the Bangor Auditorium, where many trade shows, concerts and live acts thrive on a monthly basis to host such events like: the Lipizzaner Stallions; the Barnum & Bailey Circus; the annual Spring Home & Garden Show; the Harlem Globetrotters; and more famous traveling shows that frequent the city.

Bangor is a great place to raise a family or to own a business. Whether it’s a tour of the great museums and historical landmarks or just a fun day at the lake, Bangor is a quintessential inland community with much diversity and backyards to Maine’s natural resources. This is a friendly Maine town that welcomes people from all walks of life and greets visitors as if they had lived here all along.