The best breakfast in Bridgton, full stop. A local institution with hearty portions, great coffee, and the kind of friendly service that makes you want to come back every morning.

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.

One of the most unique spots around — don’t miss the Filipino specials.

Our go-to for a proper sit-down dinner. Fresh, well-crafted Italian food in a warm setting — a real gem for a town the size of Bridgton.

One of our two absolute favorites in Bridgton — 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 and keeps getting better.

One of the pricier spots in Bridgton but worth every penny for a special night out.

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 looking for a relaxed, easy night out.

Excellent Asian cuisine and creative cocktails. A sophisticated spot that punches well above its weight for a Maine lake town.

Authentic Mexican food in Bridgton — and by authentic, we mean it. Reviewers from cities with great Mexican food say this place holds its own. A hidden gem on Portland Road.

243 Portland Rd, Bridgton · Tue–Thu noon–8pm · Fri–Sat noon–9pm · Mon 4pm–9pm · (207) 803-8370

One of our favorites — great beer selection, locally sourced food, and live music on weekends on their outdoor patio. A former gas station turned gastropub with real character.

The food is very reasonably priced — but the beer wall is a different story. They have floor-to-ceiling coolers stocked with an enormous selection. The beers towards the top tend to be the most expensive, and nothing is labeled with a price — that includes cans, not just the high-end quart Belgian tripels. Ask before you grab anything off the upper shelves. The drafts are always a safe bet!

Bridgton’s go-to spot for drinks and live music. Great energy, fun crowd, and the perfect way to end a day on the water. Check their schedule for live music nights.

A great night out — especially when there’s live music on.

The go-to ice cream spot in Bridgton. Great flavors, right on Main Street — a must after dinner downtown.

Don’t let the casual setting fool you — The Gazebo has some of the best fried clams around, plus great seafood, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and ice cream. Perfect for a relaxed lunch, family dinner, or a sweet finish to a day at the beach.

The fried clams are the real deal — a classic Maine summer meal right here in Bridgton.

Fisherman-owned, fresh off the boat every single day. Trailside is the real deal — lobster caught that morning, steamed right there in ocean water to perfection. They sell out. That's how fresh it is. Bring them back to the lodge and eat on the porch with a view of the pond — it doesn't get more Maine than that.

📞 (207) 803-8805 · 25 Home Run Road, Bridgton · Open noon–6pm daily · Seasonal — call ahead to confirm they're open and to reserve your lobsters. They sell out fast — don't skip this step.

Pro tip from your hosts: get the lobsters already cooked at Trailside. For steamer clams, swing by Hannaford — Trailside doesn't carry them. Trailside will steam the lobsters in ocean water so they're perfect. They're just down the road and everything will still be hot when you get back. Melt some butter, crack everything open on the porch, and enjoy the view. 🦞

Employee-owned downtown grocery with a surprisingly great array of local Maine brands including Squire cheese, an excellent craft beer selection, and a full liquor section. Excellent — don’t overlook it in favor of the chain store.

Pick up some Squire cheese, a six-pack of Maine craft beer, and head back to the Adirondacks. That’s a perfect evening right there.

Put in below the Swans Falls dam in Fryeburg, drift 3.8 lazy miles past the Fryeburg Fairgrounds, and take out at the Canal Bridge on Route 302 — about 3–4 hours on the water. Saco River Canoe & Kayak is right at Swans Falls and handles tubes and shuttle service. Bringing your own tubes? You can put in below the dam yourself and take out at the fairgrounds or float all the way to the 302 bridge.

~25 min from the lodge · Book ahead in July and August — fills up fast on hot weekends.

Bringing your own tubes? Park at Swans Falls Campground on Canal Road. Put in below the dam. Take out at Fryeburg Fairgrounds (shorter) or float all the way to the Canal Bridge on Route 302 (3.8 miles, ~3–4 hrs). Have your second car waiting at the bridge.

One of Maine’s last remaining drive-in movie theaters. A true classic — grab snacks, tune your radio to the movie frequency, and catch a double feature under the stars. Kids and adults love it equally.

Check their schedule online before you go — they show double features on weekends all summer long.

The L.L.Bean flagship store is open 24 hours and is a Maine institution — plus dozens of outlet shops nearby for serious shopping. While you’re there, stop at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster for fresh lobster rolls right on the water. Cash only — they do have an ATM on site. One of the best casual lobster spots in Maine.

Cash only — but there’s an ATM right on site. Gets busy in summer so go early or late. The lobster roll is legendary.

A New Hampshire institution since 1954 — our daughter loved it and we went as kids ourselves. Fairy tale-themed rides, shows and characters in Glen, NH, right in the heart of the White Mountains. About 1 hour from the lodge. Book tickets online in advance.

A full day out the whole family will remember. Kids go absolutely wild for it.

One of the most celebrated scenic drives in the world — a 34-mile highway through White Mountain National Forest. No traffic lights, no commercial development, just pure mountain wilderness. Waterfalls, covered bridges, swimming holes and mountain overlooks. A bucket-list fall foliage drive every October.

Fill up on gas and snacks in North Conway before you start — no gas stations or services along the 34-mile highway. Don’t miss: Albany Covered Bridge, Rocky Gorge, Lower Falls (great swimming hole), and Sabbaday Falls. Drive west toward Lincoln for the full experience.

Just over the border into New Hampshire — North Conway has it all. Outlet shopping, great restaurants, the famous Mt. Washington Cog Railway, zip lines, kayaking, and stunning White Mountain scenery. A perfect full-day trip for the whole family.

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is a bucket-list experience — book tickets in advance especially in peak summer and fall foliage season.

A new Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant in Bridgton getting excellent reviews. Worth checking out for something a little different.

Gifford’s ice cream in Harrison with fabulous outdoor water views at their picnic tables. About 20 minutes from the lodge — a beautiful spot for an afternoon treat.

The Bolsters Mills United Methodist Church in Harrison sells their famous chicken pies on the third Saturday of the month, May–September. Flaky crust, white meat chicken, gravy — no vegetables. $15 per pie. Fully cooked and can be frozen.

Call (207) 583-9024 Saturday morning 9–10:30 AM only — do not leave a message. Pick up at the church (664 Bolsters Mills Road, Harrison) between 1–2 PM. These are the real deal.