If you get to the area before SnowCon starts and have some downtime, or if you’re staying a little longer, there are many great things to do in the area! (This list is also great for those loved ones who may not be into gaming for two days as well.)
Close to the Venue
A short walk from the venue, there’s a small shopping plaza where Spotlight Cinema is located, along with a few restaurants and a trampoline park.
In Nearby Orono and Old Town
The campus of the University of Maine is a couple of miles away, with all you’d expect – a large library, modern fitness center with a pool, sauna, and hot tub*, MaineBound’s rock climbing wall*, and the Hudson Museum in the Collins Center, which is open daily to the public. *Day passes are available.
In Orono proper, The Store Ampersand is worth a visit; if you’re hungry, the area around Mill Street is the place to be. Orono has a downtown guide online available here.
Old Town has a main street with a few interesting shops, including the very nerd-centric Sewing and More, handmade gifts and crafts at Pastries d’Amor. Just over a bridge is the nearby Penobscot Nation on Indian Island. It has a museum dedicated to the art and culture of the Wabanaki People (call before you visit.)
In Bangor
The Zillman Art Museum is a modern and contemporary art museum in the heart of Bangor’s downtown. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5 pm; there is no admission fee.
The Bangor Public Library boasts beautiful architecture and ever-changing artwork, as well as a cafe and a small display of historic objects.
Historic Mount Hope Cemetery is a great place for a winter walk on plowed and maintained paved pathways.
Downtown Bangor offers a variety of interesting dining options and shops, including Bangor’s independent bookstore, The Briar Patch. (We’re partial to the Art and Rock Shop ourselves and love a good Bagel Central snack!) You’ll find antiques, clothing, Maine crafts, artisanal foods, artist studios, and more.
Cultivate your curiosity at the Maine Discovery Museum. Great for a family, but also pretty fun for a child at heart!
Get jumping at the Urban Air Adventure Park, with climbing walls, ropes, a warrior course, trampolines, and a zipline – all indoors.
Visit the Duck of Justice at the Bangor Police Station (and before you go, make an appointment to see the police museum!)
Try axe throwing and get some great BBQ at Smoke and Steel.
G-Force Entertainment has an arcade, axe throwing, laser tag, and more.
See what’s happening at the Cross Insurance Center, Penobscot Theatre, Bangor Arts Exchange, or other performing arts venues in the area.
Play to win…literally…at the Hollywood Slots Casino. It has slot machines, live poker, table games, and broadcast racing as well as restaurants.
Eat your way through town! Bangor has tons of great food options and also many microbreweries.
Take a hint from our friends at #LoveMaineAdventures and create your own photography tour of the area or head out cross-country skiing (if there’s snow!)
A little further afield
The Maine Forest and Logging Museum (mostly outdoors, so dress for winter)
Mount Desert Island is a beautiful day trip, about 1.5 hours from the venue. (Park passes for Acadia National Park are required year-round. However, there are many beautiful areas accessible without entering the park formally.)
Get in some skiing or tubing at Hermon Mountain — they even supply the tubes!
Check the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website for more!
