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
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