The Kennebec Explorer 2018 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 28

Get a taste of events Waterville A city with some of everything. The Waterville of today is a diverse hub of activity for year-round visitors: education, the arts, outdoor recreation, and a downtown humming with dining and nightlife. Add in the city’s proximity to other recreational standouts like The Forks for white water rafting and the Capital Area for other cultural offerings, and there is little more needed to make Waterville an ideal destination city. A cultural extravaganza As home to Colby and Thomas Colleges, Waterville gets a big boost in attracting a plug-and-play audience for many of its cultural events and offerings. The Waterville Opera House welcomes dozens of national and traveling musical, dance, and theatrical acts all year long. During the summer the Maine International Film Festival takes over Castonguay Square, the Opera House, and other venues. Art, sculpture, and murals adorn the open spaces, making the city a feast for the eyes as well. Here, art overflows from sidewalks and walls, filling galleries with avant- garde showings, while on the campus of Colby College, Maine’s largest gallery and one of the nation’s most expansive collections of American art continues to amaze at no cost to visitors. Food and drink par excellence This vibrant city also does a great job at keeping your belly full and your thirst quenched. Dozens of excellent restaurants offer the region’s best tables. Perfected classics—like Italian, Mexican, steaks, and chops—line up next to trendy cuisine to delight. Brewpubs, bars, coffee shops, and teahouses round out the picture, offering something for us all at the With a full calendar of community events, there are a few standouts, to be sure. With such a robust food scene, the winner in this category goes to “The Taste.” Each August, the city sets the table for greatness with the region’s only dining-focused festival, and this isn’t fair food, it’s great food. Street cuisine served up with style. From iconic Maine lobster rolls to classic New England entrées and hip comfort food, The Taste alone is worth the trip. During the holidays the city is transformed into Kringleville where to the delight of families from all over Santa Clause holds court for nearly the entire holiday season listening to the wishes of children young and old. Step outside Not to be outdone by in-town doings, there is more than enough to keep you busy if you have a yen for the outdoors. In summer, hike trails at Quarry Road or the Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. Then ski and snowshoe all winter long. No matter what kind of fun you seek, Waterville is where great outdoor and indoor experiences easily converge. beginning and end of each day. Dining in Waterville ©Heidi Kirn/Waterville Creates 26 Make a Plan: KennebecValley.org KennebecValleyExplorer @kennebecexplorer # explorerofmaine