Town of Dexter, Maine

Dexter is one of those Maine towns you could say is perfectly located. At least that’s what some of its 4,000 Penobscot County residents relate about their homeplace. They’ll let you know they’re within an hour of vast Moosehead Lake in one direction and Bangor International Airport in the other. Yet the town’s only just over an hour’s drive to the capital city of Augusta.

Along with Dexter having its own special features and attributes, including its terrain and welcoming downtown, it has past fame that makes it what it is today. You know the adage about needing to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to learn about their life, that applies here.

While you’re out walking or hiking, you may be doing so in a pair of Dexter-labeled shoes. Once upon a time, those shoes were made here, hence the name. Now they’re simply footwear made elsewhere with the town’s name on the label. The central point of that little tale is that this handsome town was literally built on the shoulders of the wondrous Maine shoe industry.

Some of that manufacturing ardor is being revitalized here and there in the state. There’s your head’s up of interesting things to learn about Maine during any idle moments. Now it’s time to hear more about all of the special spots you’ll find in and around Dexter, as well as the pride and welcoming you’ll receive. Dexter offers you settings that are made for true relaxation and others absolutely perfect for awesome adventures.

Exploring Dexter Maine

Let’s talk about where to rest and relax, including doing so in grand style. There are inns that welcome you to tastefully fashionable older homes amidst surroundings made for unwinding. Each offers complimentary breakfasts and special features that add to your comfort.

Lodging and Restaurants

The Brewster Inn sits on a hillside just up from the center of town. It refers to itself as “a touch of England,” adding to the enchantment of each tranquil day spent here. The Taylor Edes Inn is also near the center of town, featuring a hot tub and a fun room called “The Man Cave.”

About 20 minutes away in different directions there are two other delightful places, both being bed and breakfasts. Guilford Bed and Breakfast is located west of Dexter in its namesake town. The Freedom House Bed & Breakfast is in Dover-Foxcroft, a fairly short drive north and east of Dexter.

Along with the tasty breakfasts, you’ll have where you lodge, there are other flavorful and fun places for good eating. One is the Our Fambily Restaurant that’s name is a play on a Maine term. Check out their menu as there are so many options, it may mean you have to go back another time or two.

The Lakeshore Restaurant serves up hearty food options right on the shore of Lake Wassookeag. Dexter House of Pizza serves up that crusty delight, along with wings, onion rings, and more. Then there’s Old Soles Pub with a name that harkens back to Dexter shoe history, while serving you tasty beverages and grub.

Speaking of tasty beverages, Anthony Lee’s Winery is a small operation devoted to producing special Maine wines. The list of varieties is nye on poetic! Plus the individual attention to vinting makes this a select place to visit where you’ll find blueberry and other fruit wines plus various flavors of mead.

Time for Dexter Area Adventures

Since we were just talking about the joys of eating while out and about, let’s begin this section with more of the same! Even though we know that the official Maine dessert is blueberry pie there are plenty of the opinion it should be whoopie pies. That’s one reason to visit during the summer and head over to Dover-Foxcroft for the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. You can eat them to your heart’s delight and take a batch home for gifts or to squirrel away. Or perhaps you want them to keep your energy up while paddling or fishing nearby.

Lake Wassookeag is just over 1000 acres with a maximum depth of 86 feet. The lake offers visitors and residents alike year round pleasure in Maine’s great outdoors. It’s close to town, as is the Dexter Municipal Golf Course, a nine-hole course dedicated to community and camaraderie. If your passion is getting out on an ATV, then you might want to check in with the Dexter Rail Riders, as they can share their favorite rides with you.

If you’re looking for hunting and fishing adventures, there are guides, camps and outfitters right here. Johnson Sporting Camp and Grove Hill Outfitters are two places ready to show you all the area has to offer. If you’re in the market for gear there are sporting goods stores. Plus, right in the center of town there’s dependable Reny’s that sells all kinds of gear and interesting things, all while giving you with a genuine Maine shopping adventure. There’s also a full service grocery store and markets for picking up snacks, beverages, or something to throw on the grill if your catch of the day is still in the water.

Now if you’re in for some wet and wild adventure that’s as all-out thrilling as it is memorable, gift yourself with a white water rafting trip. Going out from North Country Rivers in Bingham is one option, only 45 minutes from here. Another option is Three Rivers plus there are others, along with options for rafting different rivers and overnight rafting trips. Yippee!

Of course, you might be inclined to have a more sedate camping adventure, complete with your own RV or cozy tent setup. You’ll find Sebasticook Lake Campground ½-hour south of here in Newport. There are tent and RV sites, cottages, lake access, a pool, and a nice setting for your getaway. Or, with a ½-hour drive headed north to Abbot, you’ll find Spacious Skies Balsam Woods Campground that has travel trailer, RV, tent, and cottage accommodations in beautiful wooded surroundings.

There’s plenty to do locally or quite nearby during the winter too. The Wassookeag Snowmobile Club is actively involved in keeping local trails groomed in tiptop condition for your riding pleasure. Skiing, boarding, and tubing are all available at Hermon Mountain, a 40-minute scenic ride from here. There’s also Big Squaw Mountain an hour away up by Greenville. It’s a good idea to check the days and hours of operation of these local ski areas.

As you can see Dexter is a good place to visit with plenty to occupy your time, either right here or nearby. Visit for a few days or a week and you may just find you want to linger longer.

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