Have you ever wanted to live in the White House?
How about the White House in Maine?
One is possible…the other is probably not worth the effort.
So let us focus on the Best White House Inn in Maine. The best part of a road trip is when you arrive somewhere and immediately say to yourself, “My friends will never believe this.” And that’s exactly what I said as we pulled up to the Best Western White House Inn, located right on the outskirts of Bangor, Maine.
Want a simple, clean and comfortable hotel room, that’s clean and comfortable? No problem!
Oh, now you want a room that looks like you are actually staying at the White House? No problem either.
Would you settle for a room that looks like you are staying in a wooden cabin? Problem solved!
When I say this hotel has a room for every type of vacationer, I mean it. Not only are some of the rooms dog-friendly, but you’ll also find a wide variety of rooms and suites that will make your stay a memorable one.
Our room was called The Lincoln Bedroom and featured real furniture by Abe’s Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. The room was quite large and we felt like we were staying in a place of importance! I expected there to be a room like this at the White House Inn, but I am glad there is!
As a bonus, the Best Western White House Inn has a dog walking trail, perfect for those travelling with dogs who do not want to waste time looking for a dog park. This hotel has one right outside the front door.
Now that you have checked in, it’s time to go exploring.
If you have never been to Maine, it is like an Americanized version of Canada’s East Coast. Quaint towns, friendly people, delicious seafood, and interesting sights in every direction. Not to mention that there are so many ways to get there, including by ferry from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
To me, downtown Bangor is as American as apple pie. There are stunning brick buildings, countless courtyards and restaurants, and pretty parks. There is also an incredible river walk that makes exploring the area a breeze. I was very surprised to see how many independent stores are thriving downtown.
On the outskirts of downtown, you’ll find the Bangor Farmers Market, which offers another opportunity to discover the abundance of independent vendors and food in the city. Here you’ll have the opportunity to purchase fresh vegetables, hot meals and unique finds.
A must-see is the former home of Steven King, which looks exactly like you’d imagine it would, with wrought-iron bats, three-headed creatures and spiders on the gate. You cannot visit it, although that would be very cool, but it’s fun to see his house and know that many of our favourite books were written within these undoubtedly haunted walls.
About an hour south of Bangor is Camden, Maine, a place I am convinced is the reason postcards exist. Camden was founded in 1791, but the Penobscot people have lived in the area for thousands of years – a town with a long history. As a coastal town, it is simply breathtaking. Behind every little nook and cranny of the city is a beautiful store, a delicious restaurant, or a view that will drain your phone battery because you cannot stop taking photos. I could have easily spent a few days there, just wandering the streets, dreaming of what it would be like to live in oceanfront homes and pretending to be a local. But the problem with road trips is that you always have to move on.
There are so many coastal towns and islands to explore. Bangor, Maine, is a great place to settle down and explore.