7 Most Beautiful College Towns In Maine

The largest New England state is roughly the same size as the other five combined. Maine's rugged tidal shoreline, including all bays, inlets, and islands, totals 3,478 miles. And despite a small population—it is the ninth least populated in the nation—Maine has 29 accredited, degree-granting institutions of higher education.

The state's charming coastal communities feature lighthouses, waterfront dining, and boardwalks, like the lobster HQ on Mount Desert Island. Meanwhile, inland towns brim with opportunities for adventure. With adventures at the doorstep and Maine lobster for dinner, can a scholarly soul desire more?

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor captures the essence of tiny coastal town living. It is home to the College of the Atlantic, a private liberal arts school that is top-rated among environmentally conscious institutions and ranks seventh in the state, according to US News. Vessels of every master dot the harbor, and there's a sailing school. The beautiful campus, shaped like a castle, is near the pier and the Bar Harbor Land Bridge at low tide. Students mingle with professors at local bars, as well as their dentist and the town mayor. It is an intriguing dynamic to experience, only enhanced by the moody coastal nature.

Millions who visit to explore the rugged shoreline and trails of Acadia National Park enjoy mingling downtown. “Leaf peepers” surge in with almost the same force as the summertime tourists for swimming, hiking, kayaking, sailing, and cycling. Beauty finds you along the Bar Harbor Shore Path, particularly at sunrise or sunset behind the historic Egg Rock Lighthouse. During winter, locals enjoy a quieter feel and a serene holiday season of ice skating, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing until frogs announce the arrival of spring through their nightly chorus.

Biddeford

Tucked between the touristy Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach, a nostalgic retreat, Biddeford is like a mosaic of modern pieces in a quiet throwback atmosphere. The University of New England enhances its weighty presence among the fun neighbors. Hip businesses downtown reflect the student pool among centuries-old mill buildings and ornate storefronts. Maine's largest independent university graduates top healthcare professionals in the state, including those in dental medicine, nursing, social work, and science and health-related fields.

Ideally situated along the Maine coast, the beautiful campus is right at the Saco River mouth, laced by Hills Beach Road, with Freddy Beach across and two more a stroll away. The beloved Biddeford Pool is a quick drive or bike ride to a little peninsular sanctuary, centered around an actual sanctuary, a historic chapel, and East Point Audubon Sanctuary, tipping off with a short trail that opens up to the beautiful coastal scenery. There's no better place to unwind on a breezy bike ride and a beachfront picnic or take out a kayak to explore historic little islands.

Brunswick

Just 30 minutes out of Portland, this quintessential college town lines beside the Androscoggin River. Its former residents include sea captains, with one's home turned into a museum, and a member of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Beecher Stowe, who authored Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The Battle of Gettysburg hero, Joshua Chamberlain, was a local professor at Bowdoin College, a top-rated liberal arts institution. Founded in 1794, this scenically landscaped campus is part of the historic downtown at the heart of the Main Street community.

Students enjoy doorstep access between studies and their favorite places to shop and dine. Lined by bakeries, boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants, it is also minutes from Atlantic beaches and coastal parks. The Town Mall presents free summer concerts on a grassy lawn and a twice-weekly farmers’ market from May to November. Visitors enjoy free entry to the over 30,000-piece permanent collection at Bowdoin College Museum of Art, one of the nine museums that make up the Maine Art Museum Trail.

Farmington

As famous as Maine lobster is, the other side of Maine is Farmington, responsible for its agricultural fame. The town's charmingly nostalgic downtown is home to the University of Maine, a nationally recognized, affordable liberal arts school. The Sandy River parallels part of Main Street, which surges with student energy and programs open to the public, like concerts and lectures.

Students enjoy quick access to the year-round world-class outdoors, including a local ski hill or the 14-mile multi-use trail in West Farmington that follows the former section of the Androscoggin Railroad to the towns of Jay and Wilton. It is just 35 minutes to Mount Blue State Park, Maine's largest, with hiking and biking trails, swimming, and camping. The hillsides transition into the western mountains, which link to Sugarloaf, the state's third-highest peak in Carrabassett Valley, with extensive Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and challenging mountain biking.

Lewiston

Settled in the late 1700s, Lewiston and Auburn are the Twin Cities in the Maine Lakes and Mountains region north of Portland. Lewiston, the epicenter for Maine’s rich Franco-American heritage, is home to Bates College. Students enjoy the proximity to Lake Andrews and the nearby Thorncrag Meadow flat hiking area for a sunny-day nature stroll among historic landmarks. The native Patrick Dempsey often visits in the fall for the Dempsey Challenge.

Split by the Androscoggin River, the mile-long paved Auburn Boardwalk is a real highlight. It connects Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston to the Great Falls in Auburn and is a perfect vantage point during the Liberty Festival on July 4th and the Great Falls Balloon Festival in August. In addition to the Bates College Museum of Art, a sizable stadium, and a library, there are 33 Victorian houses, including some dormitories. The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is Maine’s only basilica in downtown Lewiston, modeled after the cathedral at Chartres in France, with a rose window.

Orono

Tangled within two rivers, it doesn't get better in the Maine countryside than Orono on Pushaw Lake. The University of Maine is the cultural hub on Marsh Island. From an ice hockey stadium to the sizable Collins Center for the Arts, visitors enjoy concerts and films, plus a museum and cafe. Students enjoy the riverfront trails and study in the fresh air along the banks. Adjacent to campus, Piney Knoll Conservation Area is popular for cross-country skiing, hiking, and birdwatching along the Penobscot River.

Thousands visit the sprawling riverfront campus, and many return to a favorite outdoor playground. Campus is at the doorstep of Bangor City Forest, a 650-acre recreational area offering hiking and cross-country ski trails. The 4,200-foot-long Orono Bog Boardwalk meanders to the lake across the northern peat bog, open May 1st through the last Sunday of November. The Bangor region is also a gateway to Acadia National Park. Learn more about Orono's humble history at the outdoor Maine Forest and Logging Museum, with a covered bridge.

Waterville

Waterville is home to two private colleges. Colby College offers various undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, and Thomas College is known for its business, education, computer science, and criminal justice programs. Dotted by nostalgic landmarks, riverside beauty takes the front stage. The Two Cent Bridge is a scenic crossing framed in foliage for a crisp air stroll along a gentle river flow with creaking wooden planks and iron framework.

Just north of Augusta, Waterville remains a destination in its own right for waterfront dining and the arts, including Waterville Rocks, a summer concert series on the lawn of the Waterville Opera House. Railroad Square Cinema draws thousands to the Maine International Film Festival. And the Colby College Museum of Art features American and contemporary art collections.

China Lake and Messalonskee Lake are just a quick trip away from Waterville. Whether opportunity or heritage brings you in, Waterville is like a blank notebook to write a riverfront story on the banks of the Kennebec River.

Why Maine’s College Towns Stand Out

There's no better place to soak up some New England vibes while attending college than in the Pine Tree State. Small college towns built on thriving textile mills and factories blend historical charm and maritime heritage. In addition to the rugged coastline that stretches on forever, Maine's natural beauty encompasses mountains and dense forests, including Acadia National Park. Whether you're drawn by outdoor adventure, academic excellence, or a tight-knit community, Maine offers a college experience like no other.