Town of Brunswick, Maine

A city with the feel of a town, Brunswick is home to over 20,000 people along with the esteemed Bowdoin College. Because of the college, such luminaries as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Joshua Chamberlain have walked the city’s streets.

Located about halfway between Portland and Augusta, and with easy access to Lewiston to the west, Brunswick is a perfect commuter town as well as a bustling hub of activity in its own right.

Exploring Brunswick Maine

As you drive into town from the south, you hit the eminently walkable downtown area. As you drive down Maine Street, it’s important to be constantly aware as cars pulls out from the parking spots that line the street and students and shoppers are frequently trying to cross to the other side.

Shopping and Dining

Local shops dot either side of Maine Street, and in the summer the town green is filled with food trucks or farmer’s market vendors as people relax on benches to enjoy their food or stroll through the park. Shopping options downtown range from Gulf of Maine Books to the Cool As A Moose gift shop to Bull Moose Records. Hatch on Maine and Nest offer unique finds for the home and Discover on Maine is a well-stocked and well-organized consignment shop.

Walgreens, Hannaford, and other chains are interspersed among the local options on Maine Street, providing easy access to essentials without overpowering the village feel of the downtown.

Local dining choices abound on Maine Street and on the side streets off of the main drag. Enjoy Japanese at Little Tokyo, some Italian at The Great Impasta, some Indian at Shere Punjab, or settle in with a beer and a pizza at Portland Pie. Need a quick bite on your lunch break? The Bigtop Deli or the Taco the Town food truck are great options.

Further out towards Bath is Cooks Corner, another concentrated area of shops and restaurants. In Cooks Corner you’ll find largely national and chain options, including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Find deals at Goodwill or TJ Maxx and get your grocery shopping done at the nearby Shaw’s.

As far as restaurants go in Cooks Corner, Fat Boy Drive-in is a local favorite for burgers and nostalgia while Cameron’s Lobster House serves up Maine seafood favorites.

Cultural Attractions

As a college town, it’s no surprise that Bowdoin is chock full of cultural attractions. In the heart of downtown, you’ll find the Pejepscot Historical Society, the Curtis Memorial Library, and the Maine State Music Theatre. All three provide locals and visitors alike with programming and entertainment to help people improve their knowledge and enjoy the arts.

The Bowdoin Museum of Art is located on the college’s campus, but is still easily accessible as it is right off of Maine Street. The Walker Art Building where it is located has a distinctive dome and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Housed in the museum are collections ranging from antiquities to American art, along with many other beautiful and fascinating pieces.

Education

Brunswick has three public elementary schools, a public middle school and a public high school. One of the elementary schools, the REAL School, is a therapeutic day school for students in grades 5-12. Region 10 Technical High School is also located in Brunswick.

No discussion of education in Brunswick would be complete without a mention of Bowdoin. A four-year liberal arts college, Bowdoin is a highly-respected institution of higher education whose campus and influx of students and professors has been a cornerstone of Brunswick’s identity since its founding in the 18th century.

Recreation

Residents and visitors have plentiful recreation choices in Brunswick. From the ocean to the river to the woods, there’s something for everyone to do outdoors.

Thomas Point Beach is a great spot for a swim in the ocean or to sunbathe on a towel while your kids build a sandcastle nearby. The campground provides a spot for visitors to stay for an extended period while enjoying the Brunswick area. At the end of August, the beach closes to the public for a few days while it hosts the Thomas Point Blues Festival.

Many other beaches, including Popham Beach State Park, are just a short drive from Brunswick.

Coffin Pond is a swimming hole the kids will love. It has a water slide, a playground, and lifeguards are always on duty. The surrounding area is forested and has great trails for walking.

The Androscoggin River Bicycle Path gives bikers a scenic place to ride, and the Maquoit Bay Conservation Land is a beautiful spot for hikers and cross-country skiers to enjoy nature. Wear your orange if you’re walking through Maquoit Bay Conservation Land trails – hunting is allowed on the 124-acre preserve.

You can take a kayak out on the Androscoggin, or fish from its shores. Brunswick is full of hidden gems for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.

For organized sports events and other programs, Brunswick residents can turn to the Parks & Recreation Department. They even put on regular pick-up games so adults can participate in sports without having to commit to a full league schedule.

Playgrounds, skating and hockey rinks, and plenty of parks also mean that there are ways to enjoy the outdoors in every season and at every age in Brunswick.

Healthcare

Healthcare is easy to find right in Brunswick. Primary care options include Martin’s Point, Brunswick Primary Care, and the Midcoast Medical Group.

Midcoast Hospital is right in Brunswick and has two locations – its main building and its Parkview campus. Larger hospitals aren’t far off – Portland, Augusta, and Lewiston are all just 30-45 minutes away and each has a hospital.

Dr. Bob’s Family Dentistry, Pleasant Street Dental, and Aspen Dental are just some of the options for taking care of your teeth in Brunswick. Eye doctors include Maine Optometry and Brunswick Eye Associates.

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