Location: Bridgton
Top Things to do in Bridgton
Top 6 Things to do in Bridgton, United States
Bridgton is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,210 at the 2010 census. A resort area in Maine's Lakes Region, Bridgton is home to Bridgton Academy, a private preparatory school, and the Four on the Fourth Road Race.
Restaurants in Bridgton
1. Pondecherry Park
2. Shawnee Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Shawnee Peak Ski Area is All About Family Fun! Maine's largest family-owned ski area features 40 trails & glades, two terrain parks, 19 trail lit for night skiing, 5 lifts and 98% snowmaking. Great kids learning programs for kids ages 3-12. Learn-to-ski or snowboard programs offered every day of the season.
Reviewed By Cindy N - Bridgton, United States
Shawnee Peak for most of the summer is open on Thursday nights for Thirsty Thursdays. Great food, drink, and entertainment on the deck. This past week had an excellent hand made Bacon Cheese Burger with extra crispy fires. Both were cooked to perfection. Great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a summer night
3. Highland Lake Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By mainemountainbear - Texas Gulf Coast, Texas
Tucked into a cove of Highland Lake, a short walk from Bridgton’s village center, were a small beach and a boat landing. Parking lots of compact earth and gravel were on both sides of Highland Road. The park had picnic tables and a short wooden dock. A pine grove offered shade. Rustic split rail fence ran along the road, Ducks were abundant in the cove; swimmers may get a rash from water having so many ducks. We liked most the Park’s superb vistas of Mount Washington and the White Mountains.
4. Rufus Porter Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Judy A - Delray Beach, Florida
Rufus Porter (circa 1850) invented the revolver of which the Colts bought the rights from him. He published the "Scientific American", a magazine still sold today, was a teacher, mural painter, author, and invented an airship/blimp that he hoped would carry '49ers to the Calif. Gold Rush, and was the Martha Stewart of his day - doing it all! This teensy museum is devoted to him and his many accomplishments and has seasonal exhibits on the "rustic arts" where classes can be taken. The highlights are murals painted by him and his son that are displayed on the very walls from historic homes. A move to a larger, more stable building in town is planned for 2014(?) .Gift shop. No photos. Allow 1 hour minimum. $10.00 Adm. fee
5. Holt Pond Preserve
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By JeanBerkoG - Cambridge, MA
Holt Pond Preserve is in South Bridgton, on the Grist Mill Road (previously called Mosquito Roost Road, for good reason.) The road is a challenge--narrow, rutted dirt, with some additional features such as fallen trees. If you have a small, all wheel drive vehicle you'll feel better. The sign for the preserve is pretty small, too. There is a parking area and some information at the head of the trails, showing the longer and shorter routes you can take. Entrance is free. Dogs are not allowed.
Some of the local environmental organizations hold nature walks at Holt Pond, but you can have a pleasant time yourself, especially if you remember your hat and insect repellent, and a bottle of water. The shorter trails, which is what we took, lead to the Muddy River and to Holt Pond itself. There are board walks through the marshier areas, and you may find highbush blueberries tempting you as you go. There are a couple of places that require some athletic ability, one being a narrow, rocky passage early on, and a fallen tree that is barring the trail to Holt Pond a couple of feet off the ground. You need to pay attention to the route you have taken--there are some markings on the trees, but in a couple of places you would do well to look back and see how you got where you are.
Great blue herons are known to nest on the pond, but recently eagles have eaten all the babies. We saw some ducks, and ran into the only other people who were there, a led group that was on a dragonfly trip with big nets. They were catching them to see them up close, and then letting them go. We took some pictures of a variety of interesting mushrooms.
6. Civil War Monument
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 3 reviews
A memorial to the Civil War.
Reviewed By alxm13 - Boston, Massachusetts
The monument is the center of an almost-roundabout connecting Route 302 and South High Street. The first time I drove by it I didn't even notice it. I was driving downtown about a month ago and I noticed it for the first time. It's pretty large but is surrounded by power lines. If you're not a lover of monuments I wouldn't waste a trip to see it. If you're driving by just take a quick glance up at it.
