Maine winter activities for the cold-fearing soul
Across the wintry Androscoggin region, you can find an array of indoor activities —and a few worth bundling up for.
If you feel like you have more in common with a house cat in a sunny window than a husky with snow on its nose, you have no need to fear Maine winters. Generations of New Englanders have endured the cold months staying right by the fire, and luckily for you in today’s world, you’ll be able to find a lot more to do than darn socks for fun.
A note for locals: this article was written to help people considering a move to central Maine, or someone local who needs a few reasons to stay through the season. Please send your positively wintry ideas to info@lametrochamber.com.
Indoor adventures
You don’t need to become a skier, snowmobiler or snowshoer to stay active all winter. In Androscoggin County, 24-hour gyms can be found in Auburn, Lewiston, Turner and Poland. And while you could ice skate on dozens of ponds, rivers or lakes, you can keep your climate controlled during Public Skate Sundays at the Norway Savings Bank Arena or The Colisee.
A surprising full body workout is a one hour session at Splittin’ Wood Axe Throwing in Lewiston, where you can enjoy local brews and classic bar food while emulating the woodsmen and women who work Maine’s forests.
Roll up your sleeves at Moonstone Pottery and Elementals in Auburn, and take a class, hand paint pre-fired products and practice canvas painting or glass crafts. Look at any ceramicist’s forearms if you doubt the power of a wheel-throwing workout.
Get smarter
Maine MILL is the Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor. Located in the re-vamped Bates Mill Complex, the Maine MILL preserves the region’s connections to the textile industry that once powered it. As the museum has grown since 2001, it now includes exhibits on the region’s more recent industrial history.
The Franco Center in Lewiston and Woman’s Literary Union of Androscoggin County in Auburn have unique missions but align in preserving culture and historic buildings. The Franco Center is in the former St. Mary’s church, built in Gothic-revival style between 1907 and 1927, and located at the heart of Lewiston’s Little Canada neighborhood. Available as a year-round public and private event space, they also have an Escape Room that allows you to explore the church while cracking codes.
The Woman’s Literary Union is in the circa 1914 Horatio G. Foss House, or Foss Mansion, in Auburn. Their mission is the “intellectual, cultural, and educational” advance of the community, hosting mostly members-only events (membership being open to everyone with an annual fee) from tea tastings to crafting classes to holiday galas.
For social butterflies
Like many northern states, Maine has a robust drinking and eating culture. There are dozens of bars, restaurants and music venues across the region open way after dark.
Some noteworthy hangouts include Obscura Café & Drinkery, which has regular open mics, karaoke nights, poetry readings, movie screenings and LGBTQ+ events. Great Falls Comedy Club has a Wednesday open mic and programming every weekend—which is no mean feat for a comedy venue in central Maine.
And of course, breweries. Side By Each has trivia nights, jazz brunch, bingo and more. If you’re hanging with skiing or snowmobiling types, have them meet you at the Oxbow Beer Garden on their way back from whatever terrible thing they were doing.
Worth bundling up for
But a cold, hard fact of living in Maine in winter is that your neighbors love it, and they will be throwing cool outdoor parties you won’t want to miss. So, get a long down jacket, shearling lined Bean boots and hand warmers so you can join for at least an hour or two.
The Kora Shriners’ FEZtival of Trees, while not technically in winter, welcomes the cold weather through November 30 this year. The City of Auburn hosts a Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Holiday Shopping Village in one day, happening Sunday, Dec. 8 this year, and a big party on New Year’s Eve. The City of Lewiston’s Holiday in the Plaza on Dec. 7 and 8 offers kids activities, live reindeer, and hot cocoa for all.
Lisbon Winterfest in January includes dogsledding demonstrations and guided nature tours. Poland’s Winter Festival is a new tradition in February that you will have to take your kids to. It has fun competitions like cardboard sled racing, a snow obstacle course and snow painting. But you can park yourself at the chili, chowder or cocoa stations at these events too.
On the tail of end of winter in March, Maine Maple Sunday makes many people wake up early for traditional pancake breakfasts. With nearly a dozen producers in the Androscoggin region alone, you’ll have years of sweet, still sort of cold mornings.
So don’t be afraid of a winter up north! We’d love to welcome you to the land of four seasons. Discover LA Maine and all it has to offer with a trip for a day or a lifetime.
To discover more about the LA Region, click here.
Original article published in the Sun Journal on November 22, 2024.
