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.

Understand

Tourist information.

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

• 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. 

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
Waterville ← Belgrade ←	N  S	→ Monmouth → Lewiston–Auburn
Mexico ← Dixfield ←	W  E	→ Whitefield → Rockland
Victoriaville ← Belgrade ←	N  S	→ Hallowell → Boothbay Harbor
Bangor ← Winslow ←	N  S	→ Monmouth → Lewiston–Auburn