The best breakfast in Bridgton, full stop. A local institution with hearty portions, great coffee, and friendly service.
Excellent breakfast spot run by Nilfa, who used to cook at Beth’s. Also serves authentic Filipino food — a unique and delicious find in the Lakes Region. Portion sizes are generous.
A community coffee shop in the heart of Fryeburg housed in a beautifully repurposed old bank building. Lattes, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and Leavitt’s Donuts. Worth a stop on your way to North Conway or the Kancamagus.
One of our two absolute favorites — we come back every single visit. Wood-fired, locally sourced farm-to-table food done beautifully. The kind of restaurant that feels genuinely special every time.
On the pricier side but worth every penny for a special night out.
Our go-to for a proper sit-down Italian dinner. Fresh, well-crafted food in a warm setting — a real gem for a town the size of Bridgton.
A lodge family favorite — our brother’s family loves this place and comes back every visit. Casual, welcoming atmosphere with something for everyone. Great for families and groups.
Classic New England pizza shop. Great for a casual night in — pick up a pizza and subs and head back to the porch.
A new Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant in Bridgton getting excellent reviews. Worth checking out for something a little different.
The closest thing around to NY/New Haven style pizza — thin crispy crust, generously sized slices, right on the Naples Causeway. Two brothers chasing the perfect slice. Closed in winter at the causeway location.
Casual fine dining in a 1913 John Calvin Stevens building in the heart of Fryeburg. Chef-owner Jonathan Spak crafts seasonal contemporary American menus sourced from neighboring farms. Stunning sunset mountain views from the glassed-in back porch. Ranked the #1 restaurant in Fryeburg on Tripadvisor and a top-100 OpenTable pick.
Dinner Wednesday–Saturday only, 5–8 PM. Reserve ahead via their site or OpenTable.
Family-owned smokehouse in a renovated old Maine farmhouse barn in the heart of Fryeburg village. Slow-smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, plus burgers, salads and Maine lobster rolls. Casual, friendly, family hangout.
Excellent Asian cuisine and creative cocktails. A sophisticated spot that punches well above its weight for a Maine lake town.
Bridgton’s go-to spot for drinks and live music. Great energy, fun crowd. Check their schedule for live music nights.
One of our favorites — great beer selection, locally sourced food, and live music on weekends. A former gas station turned gastropub with real character.
The food is reasonably priced but the beer wall is a different story — floor-to-ceiling coolers, nothing labeled. Upper shelves most expensive. Ask before you grab. Drafts are always a safe bet!
Classic pub atmosphere with good food and pints. In summer, grab a table outside along Stevens Brook — a lovely casual spot downtown.
A cozy local tavern with a welcoming atmosphere and solid pub food.
The go-to ice cream spot in Bridgton. Great flavors right on Main Street — a must after dinner downtown.
Some of the best fried clams around, plus great seafood, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and ice cream. Perfect for a relaxed lunch or easy family dinner.
The fried clams are the real deal — a classic Maine summer meal.
Gifford’s ice cream in Harrison with fabulous outdoor water views. About 20 minutes from the lodge — a beautiful spot for an afternoon treat.
Fresh takeout lobsters. They’ll cook the lobsters for you for a small fee, wrap in foil, and provide melted butter. Bring them back to the lodge and eat on the porch with a view of the pond.
Call ahead to reserve — they sell out fast! Trailside doesn’t carry steamer clams — grab those at Hannaford on your way through town. Get the lobsters pre-cooked at Trailside and you’ve got a Maine lobster bake on the porch without the mess.
A very good fried clam and seafood shack in Oxford — classic Maine summer eating, a family-owned spot serving fresh Maine seafood inland from the coast. Note: the onion rings are the large, batter-dipped kind that look like onion donuts. You either love that style or don’t. Easy to combine with a stop at the New Balance Factory Store on nearby Industrial Way, or with a visit to Oxford Casino or the Oxford Plains Speedway, both also in town.
Employee-owned grocery with a great array of local Maine brands including Squire cheese, an excellent craft beer selection, and a full liquor section.
Pick up some Squire cheese and a Maine craft beer and head back to the Adirondacks. Perfect evening.
Full-size supermarket for all your grocery needs. Also carries beer, wine and liquor — good for stocking up on arrival. They usually have steamer clams at the seafood counter — perfect to pair with lobsters from Trailside.
A Maine retail institution — eclectic mix of clothing, housewares, tools and more at great prices. If you haven’t been to a Reny’s, you haven’t done Maine. Always worth a browse.
Small family-friendly brewery just outside Bridgton with 10+ taps, cider, and fresh dough pizza. Fire pits and a great vibe. Just a few miles away.
Family-owned microbrewery with locally sourced food and a beer garden. Beautiful little town worth visiting.
Rustic outdoor brewery in the woods near Oxford. Farm-style beer and pizza in a beautiful setting.
World-class craft beer scene. Don’t miss Maine Beer Company and Allagash Brewing. Most offer tours and tastings.
Locally recommended dispensary. Maine has legal recreational cannabis.
Veteran discount available.
Another locally recommended option with Maine-sourced products.
Veteran discount available.
Saturday mornings on Depot Street in summer. Fresh produce, flowers, and local vendors.
Live local music downtown on summer weekends with food trucks. A great casual evening out.
Downtown bookstore with a resident cat and a great selection of new and used books.
A fun little shop with all kinds of neat local stuff.
Bridgton has several great little antique stores worth poking through, plus a wonderful yarn shop. Just walk Main Street and follow your eye — the kind of browsing you can’t do online.
Float the Saco River on tubes — one of the best summer days in Maine. Outfitters nearby handle tubes and shuttles.
Book ahead in July and August — fills up fast on hot weekends. sacorivertubing.com
One of Maine’s last remaining drive-in movie theaters — open since 1957. Double features under the stars, summer nights, pure magic. In fall, watching a movie surrounded by peak foliage is an unforgettable experience. Check their schedule before you go.
The L.L.Bean flagship (open 24hrs) plus dozens of outlet shops. While there, stop at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster for legendary lobster rolls right on the water. Cash only — ATM on site.
A New Hampshire institution since 1954 and a genuine bucket-list experience for kids — our daughter loved it and we went as kids ourselves. Fairy tale-themed rides, shows and characters in the heart of the White Mountains in Glen, NH. About 1 hour from the lodge.
Book tickets in advance online to save time. A full day out the whole family will remember.
One of the most celebrated scenic drives in the world — a 34-mile highway through White Mountain National Forest between Conway and Lincoln, NH. No traffic lights, no commercial development, just pure mountain wilderness. Pull over at waterfalls, covered bridges, swimming holes and mountain overlooks. A bucket-list fall foliage drive every October.
No services along the highway — fill up with gas and snacks in North Conway before you go. The Albany Covered Bridge and Rocky Gorge are not to be missed.
Outlet shopping, great restaurants, the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, zip lines, kayaking and stunning White Mountain scenery. Book the Cog Railway in advance for peak season.
Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church in Harrison. Third Saturday of the month, May–September. Flaky crust, white meat chicken, gravy, $15/pie. Fully cooked, can be frozen.
Call (207) 583-9024 Saturday 9–10:30 AM only — no messages. Pick up 1–2 PM at 664 Bolsters Mills Road, Harrison.
On Route 302 west heading toward Fryeburg — part general store, part pizza/sandwich joint, part Asian-inspired tapas, part bar. A quirky and fun stop.
Award-winning restaurants, the Old Port waterfront, Portland Head Light. Try Holy Donut for Maine potato donuts, Two Fat Cats for whoopie pies, Nura Falafel for a great sandwich. Catch a Sea Dogs game — bring sunscreen for day games!