The oldest wooden fort in America, a world-class art museum, and the granite Capitol of the Pine Tree State — all within 25 miles of your porch.
Maine's capital city of Augusta is just 20 miles south, and it packs in more history and culture than most visitors expect. Combine a morning of sightseeing with lunch in Hallowell and you've got a perfect rainy-day itinerary that leaves the afternoon free for the lake.
The copper-domed capitol building completed in 1832 and expanded in 1910. Self-guided tours of the building and grounds are free and available year-round on weekdays. The Hall of Flags, the legislative chambers, and the formal portraits of Maine governors are all worth seeing.
Plan your visit ↗The oldest surviving wooden fort in the United States, built in 1754 on the banks of the Kennebec River. Costumed interpreters bring the colonial fur-trading era to life. Kids are fascinated; adults are surprised at how much is actually here. A genuine hidden gem.
Visit Old Fort Western ↗One of the finest college art museums in the country, with a permanent collection of over 10,000 works including Winslow Homer, Alex Katz, and a world-class American art collection. Admission is always free. The building itself, opened in 2013, is stunning.
Visit the museum ↗Four floors of Maine history, natural history, and industry — from pre-contact Native cultures through the industrial era and beyond. One of the best state museums in New England and almost entirely free. Allow two hours and you still won't see everything.
Visit the museum ↗A beautifully preserved 19th-century commercial district on the Kennebec River, just south of Augusta. Brick facades, independent restaurants, antique dealers, and the river walk make this one of the most appealing small-city strolls in Maine. Easy to combine with a State House visit.
A preserved 19th-century New England farm estate where interpreters live as Victorian-era residents year-round. Guided tours take you through a working farm, a one-room schoolhouse, and the Washburn family mansion. One of the most immersive historic sites in New England.
Visit Norlands ↗Spend a morning exploring Augusta's history and art, then trade pavement for water — the dock and the canoes are waiting back at the lake.