Bethel, Maine Vacations
Not only is Bethel,
Maine one of the most peaceful
villages to visit in
Maine's Western Lakes and Mountains Region, but it is also often
referred to as "Maine's most beautiful
mountain village"
Appropriately so, because...
...this picture perfect New England town is
located
in the
Androscoggin River Valley, in clear view of the Mahoosuc
Mountains...
...a northern extension of the White Mountains
that extend from New Hampshire to Maine, and in every direction the
views are absolutely fantastic.
In this town of only 2,500 people, it seems that no one is in a hurry.
But there
is no reason to be. This is where you come to get away from
it all.
But as laid back of an environment as it is, don't
be fooled, there are plenty of things to do, and activities and
events
in Bethel, Maine.
Attractions and Things to Do Bethel, Maine
Bethel, Maine vacations are perfect for the person
who loves outdoor activity.
With
gorgeous mountain peaks as a backdrop...
...hiking, biking,
fishing, skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rock-climbing, golf, and
sightseeing...
...are some of
the best things to do, in and around Bethel, Maine.
Just minutes from Bethel village, in Newry, is Sunday River Ski Resort.
Although the Sunday River ski area is best known
for its winter sports...
...alpine and cross country skiing, snowboarding,
ice-skating and tubing...
...this world-class resort also offers a large
variety of year-round activities and fun family events.
During summer, the mountain
biking
at Sunday River Resort is great. Over 30 trails offer 25
miles of
biking for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced rider.
For a less strenuous experience, during summer,
and
until Columbus Day weekend...
...lift rides on the Sunday River Chondola
(yes, Chohdola - half chairlift, half gondola) provide
awesome views of the Mahoonsuc Mountains and the valley below.
Both winter and summer, Sunday River Zip Line Tours
take you "flying through the woods and over a ravine and stream bed at
speeds of up to 25 miles per hour".
Have you heard of dual
zipping? They have at Sunday River!
Although you may never be part of
the Iditarod, in Bethel, Maine you can try to
recreate the experience. Dog
sledding
is available at Sunday River and through local vendors, such
as...
...Mahoosuc Guide Service and New England Dog
Sledding in Bethel, and White Journeys in Lovell.
And year-long, special events
at Sunday River, such as the...
...New England Forest Rally
and the
Annual Wife Carrying Championship, provide tourists and locals alike a
way
to totally relax and enjoy the area's natural beauty.
For a
Bethel, Maine vacation that includes a few holes...
Golf Magazine named the Sunday River Golf Club
as one of the "Top 100 Courses You Can Play", and it's no wonder with
its spectacular mountainside setting.
And behind Bethel common, the golf
course at Bethel Inn Resort
provides an 18-hole championship layout with relaxing mountain
views - for guests of the Inn, and the public.
For other Bethel,
Maine attractions...
Paddling enthusiasts can visit local outdoor
outfitters who will share professional expertise on canoeing and kayaking,
on the
Androscoggin River and other primary and secondary rivers
in the area.
 Scenic
drives, particularly gorgeous during the fall foliage in
Bethel, Maine...
...can be found on every road that leads into and
out of Bethel. Heading in a southwesterly direction, by way
of
the White Mountain
National Forest, you can visit Fryeburg, Maine,
enjoying awesome sights en route.
Route 26 takes you on a wonderful ride...
...into Grafton
Notch State Park,
past the often photographed Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls and
Speckled Mountain.
Continue onto Route 16 and you will travel along
miles of wonderful scenery that leads into the Rangeley
Lakes Region. In Rangeley, connect
with Route 17 as it heads south from Rangeley Lake...
...on the Rangeley Lakes
National Scenic Byway. Along the way you will
pass...
...Height
of Land, Maine's scenic "crown jewel". The road continues
toward
Mexico and Rumsford, bringing you to the intersection of Route 2, which
leads back to Bethel. Along Route 17...
...you may wonder why people are bent over
roadside streams. They are taking part of a generations old
ritual - panning for gold!
For a first-hand glimpse into the Bethel, Maine
heritage...
...you may want to visit the Bethel
Historical Society
Regional History Center, on Broad Street. The
Center feature exhibits, a library, and tours of the O'Neil
Robinson House and
the Dr. Moses Mason House.
As you are visiting Bethel, Maine historic sites,
you
won't want to miss...
 ...the
heavily weathered Sunday
River Covered Bridge (just past North Bethel).
Because it
is said to be the most photographed and painted of the Maine covered
bridges, this 1872 structure is fondly
known as the Artist's
Covered Bridge.
Unique shopping
opportunities also await you as
you explore Bethel, Maine...
...Maine made products - jewelry, gems (including
Maine tourmaline), gifts, gourmet foods, art work, furniture, clothing,
and
many other items...
...are for sale in the quaint shops along Main
Street in Bethel Village. And, keep your eyes open as you
drive around - tucked away on side roads are many other shops and
art
galleries that are well worth browsing.
Inns, B&B's, Motel and Hotels in
Bethel,
Maine
There are many great places to stay in
Bethel, Maine - including family owned, and meticulously
cared
for - historic
inns, country bed and breakfasts, and cozy motels.
Would sleeping in a haunted house
excite you?
The
Chapman Inn Bed and Breakfast, one of the
oldest structures in Bethel, is the "only officially 'Certified
Haunted' inn in western Maine".
The Chapman Inn B&B, which sits at the top
of
Bethel Village, adjacent to the Bethel Commons, has been named by New
England
Travel Guide as "The Best Family B&B in New
England".
Just on the other side of the Bethel
Village Commons,
is the lovely Bethel Inn
Maine
Resort - a 200 acre property that include
an 18-hole golf course.
Perfect for year-round activities, the Bethel Inn and Country Club
was voted by the New
England Travel Magazine, as the
2011 Best
Resort in Maine for Outdoor Sports.
Guest accommodations at this popular Bethel, Maine
inn include traditional rooms and
townhouses, 105 of which have fireplaces.
Year-round
activities
are available in "country elegance", as are two restaurants, a Health
Club with an outdoor swimming pool (heated to 92
degrees in
mid-winter)...
...a fitness center complete with a whirlpool,
saunas and hot
tub, and tennis courts for summer enjoyment.
At the Bethel Sudbury
Inn, lodging, fine dining, and Suds Pub, await you.
From
standard size rooms, to two bedroom suites, to a three bedroom
apartment...
...the Sudbury Inn Bed and Breakfast can
accommodate you
AND your family. With a Main Street location, the Inn is
a short walk to Bethel restaurants and shops...
...as is the Victoria
Inn, with "décor and antiques of the romantic Victorian
period".
This historic Bethel inn also has family size rooms available.
Nearby, is Bethel
Village Motel...
The immaculately clean and nicely decorated guest
rooms are
located on the second floor,
above Ruthie's Boutique, and provide peaceful views of the distant
mountains.
The list of Bethel,
Maine lodging accommodations is long, and includes many
properties just off Main Street or on the outskirts of town.
Regardless, places such as the...
...Norseman Inn and Motel, The
Inn at the
Rostay, Rivendell House Bed and Breakfast, Briar Lea Inn, Crocker Pond
House Bed and Breakfast and other welcoming accommodations, are all
very convenient to the numerous Bethel, Maine attractions.
Will you be visiting Bethel when the Maine
weather
is warm? If so, Bethel,
Maine
campgrounds may be an option for you.
The Bethel
Outdoor Adventure and Campground is located in Bethel,
and...
...in West Bethel, Pleasant River Campground
has "75 sites in a beautiful pine grove" with full hook-ups and large
pull-thru sites available.
The nearby White Mountain National Forest also has
public camping in five campground, and camping at Grafton Notch
Campground can be done at one of 14 wooded sites.
Dining in Bethel, Maine Restaurants
Considering it is a small town, there are a lot of
places to eat
in Bethel, Maine.
If gourmet
restaurants appeals to you, a visit to one of the Bethel inns, or bed
and breakfasts, may satisfy your craving.
The Victoria
Inn and Restaurant invites you to join them for a fine
dining experience in one of their "three intimate dining rooms".
The Bethel
Inn Resort, offers award winning fine dining in the Main
Dining Room and also serves casual fare downstairs in the Millbrook
Tavern and Grill.
Visitors to the Sudbury Inn can
enjoy dinner in the Dining Room, or "pizza, hearty sandwiches, 29
draught beers and live music" in Suds
Pub.
For other dining in Bethel, Maine, you may want to
try...
...The
Jolly Drayman at the Briar Lea Inn, where the menu
consists of "Jolly Good Stuff", with everything from Starting Stuff
to
Sweet Stuff.
Or, a "touch of Tuscany in Maine" and a wide
selection of Italian food at 22
Broad Street restaurant, in the Gideon Hastings House.
The Rooster's
Roadhouse Restaurant and Pub can seat 100 people (ideal
for large groups and families) and has a varied menu of...
..."Maine Seafood, Char-Grilled Steaks &
Chops, Italian Specialties, a selection of Dinner Salads, as well as a
great Kid's Menu".
Don't let the name of Bethel's Best Pizza and Dairy Bar
fool you...
...they also serve the 'best' 100% Lobster Rolls
with a 'whole lobster in every roll!".
Or, you can select from 50 Chinese, Szechuan, and
Hunan
cuisine lunch and dinner combinations that are on The Kowloon
Village Chinese Restaurant menu.
And if you are on the run, tourists AND locals
frequent Cafe diCocoa
Bakery
and the Good Food Store,
for quick meals, snacks and beverages.
Throughout Bethel, Maine you will find other
restaurants, pubs, delis, cafes and specialty food stores, nightly
entertainment, and during the ski season - lots of aprés skiing fun.
Stop in and
enjoy!
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