Augusta

Augusta is the capital of Maine, but at 19,000 (2020), it is one of the least populous state capitals in the United States.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Augusta State Airport (AUG  ^IATA), 75 Airport Rd (Located about 1/2 mile west/northwest out Western Ave (US-202/ME-17/ME-100/ME-1) from roundabout/rotary nearest the State Capitol), ☏ +1 207 626-2306. Small regional airport with regular Cape Air flights to Boston's Logan International Airport.  
• Maine Instrument Flight, ☏ +1 888 643-3597. Air charter and private aircraft, 123.00 MHz 

By car

• From Portland: take US Interstate I-295 North toward Falmouth; this becomes I-95 North; follow signs for Augusta. Exit at Augusta/Western Ave, and turn right, east, into Augusta; trip is under 60 miles, about one hour total in reasonable traffic.
• From Bangor: Take I-95 South to Augusta/Western Ave, and turn left, east, into Augusta; trip is about 80 miles, a bit under 1 1/2 hours in reasonable traffic.
• From Belfast: Take Maine State Route 3 South (really west/southwest); trip is about 47 miles, or about one hour in reasonable traffic.

By bus

• Concord Coach Lines. Service from Boston, Portland, and Bangor.

See

tourist information.

• 1 State Capitol Building, State St, ☏ +1 207 287-2301. The west entrance is open to the public M-F, 8AM-5PM. Free guided tours are offered M-F 9AM-1PM. Free.  
• 2 Maine State Museum, 83 Maine 27 (Across parking lot from the State Capitol Building), ☏ +1 207-287-2301. Tu-F 9AM-5PM. Sa 10AM-4PM. Closed Su, Mo, and state holidays. Exhibits focus on Maine-specific: natural history; prehistory and archaeology; natural resources and agricultural and industrial history; working people and manufacturing; and identity. Of particular interest is the reassembled two-story woodworking mill. Entrance $2, $1 for children aged 6-18 and senior citizens aged 62 and over, free for children under 6.  
• 3 Old Fort Western, 16 Cony St, ☏ +1 207 626-2385. Jul-Aug 10AM-4PM, Sep-Oct F-M 10AM-4PM. Built in 1754, this is the oldest surviving wooden fort in North America (the main house is original). It is a National Historic Landmark. Near the rebuilt stockade overlooking the Kennebec River is a 1912 marker recording the September 1775 departure from the fort of an expedition under Benedict Arnold for the capture of Quebec. $10/adult, $8/concession, $6/child, $25/family. (updated Aug 2019)

Do

• 1 Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital St., ☏ +1 207 626-7989. Daily, Dawn-dusk. Office staffed M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Free. (updated Jan 2018)
• 2 The Colonial Theater, 139 Water St. Historic movie theater which is listed on the national register of historic building. The current building dates back to 1926. After being abandoned for a long time, the theater now once again hosts shows and events. (updated Sep 2022)

Buy

Street view

Eat

There are a number of restaurants and bars located along the historic Water St.

• 1 Riverfront Barbeque & Grill, 300 Water St, ☏ +1 207 622-8899. 
• 2 Lisa's Restaurant and Lounge, 15 Bangor St, ☏ +1 207 621-0599. Good food, great drinks, American food with Mexican items too! Prime rib, rib eyes, etc. 
• All Steak Hamburgers, 225 Hospital St. Extremely good all steak hamburgers for less than $2, hot fries, all the food cooked to order. Very reasonable prices. 

Sleep

Augusta riverfront

• 1 Quality Inn, 65 Whitten Rd, ☏ +1 207 622-3776, fax: +1 207 622-3778. 
• 2 Senator Inn and Spa, 284 Western Avenue @ Turnpike 95, ☏ +1 207 622-5804, toll-free: +1-877-772-2224, fax: +1 207 622-8803. 
• 3 Best Western Plus Civic Center Inn, 110 Community Dr, ☏ +1 207 622-4751. 
• 4 Days Inn by Wyndham Augusta, 18 Edison Dr, ☏ +1 207-579-1839, fax: +1 207 622-1048. 
• 5 Comfort Inn Civic Center, 281 Civic Center Dr, ☏ +1 207 623-1000. 

Go next

Routes through Augusta

Bangor ← Waterville ←	N  S	→ Gardiner → Lewiston–Auburn
Quebec City ← Winslow ←	N  S	→ Hallowell → Brunswick
Lewiston–Auburn ← Monmouth ←	W  E	→ China → Bangor
END ←	W  E	→ China → Ellsworth
Mexico ← Dixfield ←	W  E	→ Whitefield → Rockland