Roadside attractions were created when long-distance travel began to grow in popularity during the 1920s and ’30s. They were a way to grab the attention of people driving by and convince them to stop and stay for a while before continuing on their way. Nowadays they have evolved to become the reason for a trip, or at least an added bonus to the place you’re visiting. So if you’re in the state of Maine and looking to get the most roadside bang for your road trip buck, head to the City of Bangor where there are a ton of great little roadside detours to make. Here are just a few of the city’s attention-grabbing attractions.
Maine’s claims of being the birthplace of Paul Bunyan may be disputed, but no one can argue that this statue of the famous folk-legend isn’t an impressive sight. Erected in 1959 to celebrate Bangor’s logging history, the steel and concrete statue is a favorite landmark of the city’s residents. It’s also one of the more photogenic Paul Bunyan statues in America, though getting a good angle for a selfie might be a little tricky.
Explore the vast array of land transportation equipment used to develop the wilds of Maine beyond its coastline. From trains and military vehicles to earth-movers and even sleighs, anything that can be labeled "land transportation" has a place of honor in this museum. Though the most revered section is probably Snowplow Alley. You are in the snowy state of Maine after all, and no one would have gotten very far without these fine machines clearing the roads for everyone.
For fans of the macabre, the home of one of the most famous horror-story novelists is a must-see. Why wouldn’t you stop and snap a selfie in front of the house where so much amazing literature was written? And even if you’re not a fan, it’s still a lovely home in a very beautiful neighborhood, so you can at least enjoy the historic 1850s architecture and unique lawn decorations.
But if you are a fan of Stephen King, this civic construction from 1897 should interest you. A wooden structure built around a riveted iron water tank that holds almost two million gallons of water, it is quite a marvel on its own. So when you realize it’s the supposed inspiration for the standpipe in King’s famous novel "It", your appreciation should only grow. Time your visit right and you could get a guided tour up the enclosed staircase to take in the lovely vistas at the top.
The USS Maine was the first US Navy ship named for the state of Maine. In 1898 an explosion onboard caused it to sink in the Havana Harbor of Cuba, setting off the Spanish- American War. In 1912 the wrought-iron scroll and shield were recovered from the wreckage and used in this monument to the sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the war. The monument is designed to look like the bow of a ship, helping to give visitors a little impression of how imposing the cruiser was while it still sailed the seas.
And that’s only a few of the interesting detours you can find in Bangor, Maine. Have you seen any of these already? Do you have a favorite roadside attraction in Bangor you didn’t see on this list? Please tell us all about it in the comments!
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