Town of Norway, Maine

Norway is another one of a handful of Maine towns known because of its rather international name. Of course, that’s but one thing that makes this town of approximately 5000 residents unique. Another is that even though the center of Norway and its neighbor South Paris are often bustling with activity, they’re off the beaten path.

Now that doesn’t by any means imply that it’s boring around here. In fact, it’s quite interesting. The center of town has some eclectic shops where you can find artwork, crafts, gemstones, and antiques. There are places to stop when you’re hungry or getting a bit parched, as we often say on a hot summer day.

Even though city lights are only an hour or less away, the Norway area can be both a peaceful retreat and a place where fun and adventure are right at hand. Then again, as you read on, you’ll learn that there’s some rumble and roll just down the road that’ll give you some interesting tales to tell!

Exploring Norway Maine

Chances are you’ll be amazed with all the types of fun you’ll get to enjoy in and around Norway. Folks are always surprised to learn that this is not a sleepy little area at all. Are you ready to dig into all the fun that awaits you here? A good place to begin is with Dig Maine Gems, the brand for Maine Mineral Adventures that’s up the road 15 minutes in West Paris. Just think of it! You can be outdoors on a rock-hound adventure as you hunt for beautiful gems. Chances are you’ll find something special to take home, whether it’s large or small.

Now, don’t you worry as evenings around here can also be lively and quite entertaining. One place to go that’s far from dull is Oxford Plains Speedway that’s the setting for all kinds of racing. Take some time to poke around the website as it’s full of all kinds of info. The speedway and Oxford Casino Hotel are mere minutes south of Norway. At the casino you can try your luck at pocketing some extra change, pick it as your place to stay, or enjoy some local flavor.

At that point, it’s time to get ready for the winter sports scene! We have plenty of that right here or in one direction or another. If you’re into motorized sleds, check out the Norway Trackers Snowmobile Club. You’ll get to read their updates and special thanks to the country club for their support of the trail system. That’s one more sign of Norway neighborliness!

Mount Abram Ski Area & Bike Park is in the general locale, being a quick 30-minute drive. Take a peek at the quick video to view their border-to-border terrain, and the reasons why so many call it a family-friendly mountain.

The same goes for nearby Lost Valley where you get to enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or winter fat biking. My gosh, I get a tad worn out just thinking about all that action!

But wait, there’s even more in store for you at Sunday River, a mere 40 minutes away. This gorgeous spot offers you big mountain skiing with all kinds of terrain, some of it quite serious. As in, don’t go on some of those trails unless you really know what you’re doing.

Walk & Wade on the Wild Side!

Even though wild here can be quite true, one thing that’s sweet about all kinds of places in Maine is that you can ease into the wilderness gradually. Truth be told, that’s the safest way to do it. One step at a time, be it on the trail or by the shore. Here in Norway, we have both with the latter being freshwater. Of course, if you want to venture to our beautiful Maine seaside, you can do so in less time than it takes to wash and dry a load of laundry. It’s likely you can guess which one is more fun!

Well, since we’re talking about water and thinking of a nice refreshing swim, you’ll want to know about Lake Pennesseewassee Park and this lake that’s as long as its name. (Of course, we call it Norway Lake for short.) Along with trails and ball courts, you’ll find the Norway Town Beach. You’re in luck if you like to fish as there are so many options in the area. Remember too that you can find a Registered Maine Guide for fishing, hunting, and other activities. One thing they’ll do is make sure you know about licensing and have the right equipment.

Plus, they’ll give you tips for staying safe while you go exploring Maine’s wild side! One place to do so is the Mahoosuc Range that’s an hour and a half west and north of Norway. Some say the roughest section of the Appalachian Trail is up there. Yup, it’s wild for sure! If you’ve got something more on the mild side of wild in mind, then check out the places featured as part of the Western Foothills Land Trust. Just click on ‘preserves’ and ‘trail maps’ to get all the info you could want.

Lunch & Lodging

Well, you probably already figured out that the local casino has a hotel. There are also all kinds of motels, inns, and private places to stay, plus nearby campgrounds. The thing that’s nice is the variety, including space and fees. You’ll be pretty pleased with the variety of restaurants in the area. Plus, you remember me saying the big city lights are only an hour away.

Even though Portland has lots to offer, it’s hard to beat all of the high ratings of our local establishments. Some feature outside dining and takeout, offering you convenience and memorable settings. Most likely that’s why you came here to visit or pulled up stakes as you decided to come here to stay.

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