Welcome to the Maine Mountains!
Local Restaurant Scene
Inventive Lao American cuisine, very well executed. This is the business of a young family with real culinary cred.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Mu Eats
119 Main StInventive Lao American cuisine, very well executed. This is the business of a young family with real culinary cred.
Great burger place. Don't eat red eat meat? No worries, there are other options. And fries. Such good fries!
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Butcher Burger Bethel
188 Main StGreat burger place. Don't eat red eat meat? No worries, there are other options. And fries. Such good fries!
This is an old fashioned local's ski bar. Is it the best food in the world? No. But its good. After a day of hiking or skiing, the beer is cold, the nachos are hot, and the wait staff is surely!
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sud's Pub
151 Main StThis is an old fashioned local's ski bar. Is it the best food in the world? No. But its good. After a day of hiking or skiing, the beer is cold, the nachos are hot, and the wait staff is surely!
Diner food. Ice Cream! Closest place to The Commons open 6 days a week. It’s simple food but the family that runs it takes pride in their business.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bethel Sugar Shack
156 W Bethel RdDiner food. Ice Cream! Closest place to The Commons open 6 days a week. It’s simple food but the family that runs it takes pride in their business.
After a hiatus of two years the bakers (formerly of DiCocoa's Bakery) have opened The Gemini. Delicious baked goods and cafe items, really good coffee and espresso drinks. Arrive early for bagels, some of the best in Maine, or walk away disappointed.
(Note: if you prefer Dunks to this...we can't help you.)
Gemini Cafe & Bakery
After a hiatus of two years the bakers (formerly of DiCocoa's Bakery) have opened The Gemini. Delicious baked goods and cafe items, really good coffee and espresso drinks. Arrive early for bagels, some of the best in Maine, or walk away disappointed.
(Note: if you prefer Dunks to this...we can't help you.)
Great newcomer. Well executed casual dining, good cocktail selection. Not cheap. Recommend checking out happy hour for decent specials and an early nosh.
Mountain Social Kitchen & Bar
Great newcomer. Well executed casual dining, good cocktail selection. Not cheap. Recommend checking out happy hour for decent specials and an early nosh.
Probably the most refined of the local restaurants. We haven’t been yet but reports are good- people seem to go for special dinners. They have happy hour and Sunday brunch as well.
The Elizabeth Inn and Restaurant
Probably the most refined of the local restaurants. We haven’t been yet but reports are good- people seem to go for special dinners. They have happy hour and Sunday brunch as well.
This place is new. Located in the small cottage that formerly housed the Bethel Water District this is a place for Italian food and wood fired pizza. Staff of two working in a tiny kitchen. No reservations you just show up and see if you can get in! Have a back up plan ready in case you can’t.
Watershed Wood-Fired Kitchen
This place is new. Located in the small cottage that formerly housed the Bethel Water District this is a place for Italian food and wood fired pizza. Staff of two working in a tiny kitchen. No reservations you just show up and see if you can get in! Have a back up plan ready in case you can’t.
Local Brewpubs and Beer Retailers
This place started in cramped quarters in downtown Bethel with no food menu other than popcorn. Now, it's crushing it on the Sunday River Road as the choice for après ski. Solid selection of its own beers, a full bar, and really good gastropub food. Local success story worth a visit any time of year.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Steam Mill Brewing
96 Mechanic StThis place started in cramped quarters in downtown Bethel with no food menu other than popcorn. Now, it's crushing it on the Sunday River Road as the choice for après ski. Solid selection of its own beers, a full bar, and really good gastropub food. Local success story worth a visit any time of year.
A Maine brewery with a growing following. There are several outposts and the latest is at Sunday River. As they note, "On December 26, 2021 we opened Definitive Brewing Company featuring the Phoenix Kitchen just a few hundred feet from the South Ridge base lodge at Sunday River Resort. Whether it’s après ski, après golf, or après mountain adventure, we are the go-to place for craft beer and delicious American-style cuisine."
We haven't been yet but friends tell us it's terrific.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Definitive Brewing Company - Sunday River
8 Timberline DriveA Maine brewery with a growing following. There are several outposts and the latest is at Sunday River. As they note, "On December 26, 2021 we opened Definitive Brewing Company featuring the Phoenix Kitchen just a few hundred feet from the South Ridge base lodge at Sunday River Resort. Whether it’s après ski, après golf, or après mountain adventure, we are the go-to place for craft beer and delicious American-style cuisine."
We haven't been yet but friends tell us it's terrific.
You can pick up beer at the grocery store in downtown Bethel but if you are a beer aficionado and you want to curate a selection for home consumption...this is the place to go. Also carries some wine, bubbles, hard ciders and sake. Please drink responsibly.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bethel Beverage Company
284 Mayville RdYou can pick up beer at the grocery store in downtown Bethel but if you are a beer aficionado and you want to curate a selection for home consumption...this is the place to go. Also carries some wine, bubbles, hard ciders and sake. Please drink responsibly.
Love this place which is a great destination after a few hours off road biking. Great food and beer, outside dining available…and outside is dog-friendly!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Big Day Brewing
20 Glen RoadLove this place which is a great destination after a few hours off road biking. Great food and beer, outside dining available…and outside is dog-friendly!
Grab and Go Food Plus Groceries!
The Good Food Store is a market and take out spot. It tends on the "natural food store" end of the grocery spectrum. Its a great place to put together a picnic lunch to eat on the river or, to grab a prepared meal for the end of the day. It has a solid selection of beer, wine, cheese etc...
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Good Food Store
212 Mayville RdThe Good Food Store is a market and take out spot. It tends on the "natural food store" end of the grocery spectrum. Its a great place to put together a picnic lunch to eat on the river or, to grab a prepared meal for the end of the day. It has a solid selection of beer, wine, cheese etc...
Go to the HUB good quality, handmade food for breakfast, lunch, take out, or prepared (re-heat later) meals. It has a small selection of mostly Maine made groceries and food by local purveyors (like eggs, milk, greens etc...).
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Local Hub
224 N Main StGo to the HUB good quality, handmade food for breakfast, lunch, take out, or prepared (re-heat later) meals. It has a small selection of mostly Maine made groceries and food by local purveyors (like eggs, milk, greens etc...).
Indoor Diversions
A community gathering spot for many types of events, the Gem gets a great line up of movies all year long. You can't miss the building in the center of Town since it was converted into an art piece by muralist Ryan Adams (and community members). The multi-color, geographic design spells "We Go Together, We Grow Together"
The owners saved this theater; renovated, and revived it. It'd be hard to imagine the town without it now.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Gem Theater
48 Cross StA community gathering spot for many types of events, the Gem gets a great line up of movies all year long. You can't miss the building in the center of Town since it was converted into an art piece by muralist Ryan Adams (and community members). The multi-color, geographic design spells "We Go Together, We Grow Together"
The owners saved this theater; renovated, and revived it. It'd be hard to imagine the town without it now.
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure we needed bowling in Bethel. But I was wrong. This place is great when its rainy, when you have a group of friends that need an activity, or when you need a good (pub food) bite to eat and other places are closed. My young nieces had a blast here one rainy summer day...and they are better bowlers than I am.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
River Lanes
32 Cross StI'll be honest, I wasn't sure we needed bowling in Bethel. But I was wrong. This place is great when its rainy, when you have a group of friends that need an activity, or when you need a good (pub food) bite to eat and other places are closed. My young nieces had a blast here one rainy summer day...and they are better bowlers than I am.
Bethel sits in an area known for its gems and minerals and has a long history built around it. In particular mica mines and tourmaline deposits. A local philanthropist decided to to herald this heritage by building a world class museum and research center in the heart of town. You can read about it in the NY Times!
It holds one of the worlds most coveted collections of meteorites. Yup...in little old Bethel.
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Maine Mineral and Gem Museum
99 Main StBethel sits in an area known for its gems and minerals and has a long history built around it. In particular mica mines and tourmaline deposits. A local philanthropist decided to to herald this heritage by building a world class museum and research center in the heart of town. You can read about it in the NY Times!
It holds one of the worlds most coveted collections of meteorites. Yup...in little old Bethel.
If you are a history buff, you'll find plenty to peruse at the Bethel Historical society. This small but mighty non profit holds some key properties in town, hosts lectures, and a rotating calendar of exhibits. You might even learn about the storied history of the Pleasant Valley Grange Hall no. 136! Or about the famed indiginous healer Mollyocket, "...an Abenaki Indian of the Pigwacket tribe whose lifetime (ca. 1740-1816) spans an important and particularly tumultuous period in this region's past." Each July the town holds a community festival in her honor.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museums of the Bethel Historical Society
10 Broad StIf you are a history buff, you'll find plenty to peruse at the Bethel Historical society. This small but mighty non profit holds some key properties in town, hosts lectures, and a rotating calendar of exhibits. You might even learn about the storied history of the Pleasant Valley Grange Hall no. 136! Or about the famed indiginous healer Mollyocket, "...an Abenaki Indian of the Pigwacket tribe whose lifetime (ca. 1740-1816) spans an important and particularly tumultuous period in this region's past." Each July the town holds a community festival in her honor.
Musical Performance
If you don't mind an hour's drive to Brownfield, Maine then this performance center and its calendar of national acts is worth checking out.
53 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stone Mountain Arts Center
695 Dugway RdIf you don't mind an hour's drive to Brownfield, Maine then this performance center and its calendar of national acts is worth checking out.
Outdoor Recreation!
The local resource for our impressive trail system in Bethel. Whether its cross country or skate skiing, fat tire mountain biking, or hiking...IWT can set you up with gear, maps, and a pass to access the bounty of the area.
Inland Woods + Trails Trail Center
14 Main StreetThe local resource for our impressive trail system in Bethel. Whether its cross country or skate skiing, fat tire mountain biking, or hiking...IWT can set you up with gear, maps, and a pass to access the bounty of the area.
Our local land trust is a wealth of information. Their stewardship of local lands for public enjoyment is truly impressive.
Mahoosuc Land Trust maintains four boat launches on the Androscoggin River. One is within a half mile of The Commons.
The HQ of MLT is Valentine farm which hosts an array of programs, walks etc. Valentine Farm also has an accessible interpretive trail, a pollinator garden, and hosts children's events.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mahoosuc Land Trust Valentine Farm Conservation Center
162 N RdOur local land trust is a wealth of information. Their stewardship of local lands for public enjoyment is truly impressive.
Mahoosuc Land Trust maintains four boat launches on the Androscoggin River. One is within a half mile of The Commons.
The HQ of MLT is Valentine farm which hosts an array of programs, walks etc. Valentine Farm also has an accessible interpretive trail, a pollinator garden, and hosts children's events.
The local spot for bikes, bike gear, and bike repair. They can also advise on trails for every level.
Barker Mountain Bikes
53 Mayville RdThe local spot for bikes, bike gear, and bike repair. They can also advise on trails for every level.
During the winter they rent ski gear, in the summer they rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
https://www.sportthoma.com/demosrentals/boat-rentals
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sport Thoma
288 Mayville RdDuring the winter they rent ski gear, in the summer they rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
https://www.sportthoma.com/demosrentals/boat-rentals
Our "Happy Place" for skiing. As season's pass holders we may be biased but in the years when natural snow is scarce...the snowmaking is on point.
200 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunday River Resort
15 S Ridge RdOur "Happy Place" for skiing. As season's pass holders we may be biased but in the years when natural snow is scarce...the snowmaking is on point.
Sweet local ski area. Not as big as Sunday River but nice terrain with a sweet vibe. Families particularly like it...its more "wallet friendly". They have also really pushed to green their operations especially with solar.
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mt Abram Family Resort
308 Howe Hill RdSweet local ski area. Not as big as Sunday River but nice terrain with a sweet vibe. Families particularly like it...its more "wallet friendly". They have also really pushed to green their operations especially with solar.
Black Mountain in Rumford, ME is notable for its family friendly vibe as well as encouraging uphill travel and back country skiing in bounds. Affordable, accessible, and just a short drive away.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Black Mountain
Black Mountain in Rumford, ME is notable for its family friendly vibe as well as encouraging uphill travel and back country skiing in bounds. Affordable, accessible, and just a short drive away.
Services and Essentials
Walgreens
28 Mayville RdPharmacy and other essentials.
Hope you never need it, but Stephens Memorial is the closest hospital in the area. It takes about 40 minutes to get there. If necessary call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stephens Memorial Hospital
181 Main StHope you never need it, but Stephens Memorial is the closest hospital in the area. It takes about 40 minutes to get there. If necessary call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
United States Postal Service
737 West Bethel Road
Railroad Street
Railroad Street
Norway Savings Bank
1 Parkway RoadThere are several ATM's in Bethel. The one at Norway Savings may be the closest.