8 min read
Things to Do Near Holden, Maine – Local Trails, Eats & Ice Cream
One of the best things about staying at Holden Family Campground is that you don’t have to travel far to find something worth exploring.
Some days on vacation call for a big adventure. Other days, you just want to wake up, enjoy a slow cup of coffee, take a walk, find a great meal, and finish the day with ice cream before heading back to the campground. Those are some of our favorite Maine days.
We are fortunate to have some wonderful local restaurants, walking trails and ice cream spots within an hour of the campground. So if you’re looking for a few ideas for your next Maine adventure, here are some of our favorites…the places we enjoy ourselves and love recommending to our campers.
Good Food, Maine Style
Mason’s Brewing Company — Brewer
If you’re looking for a restaurant with a unique and delicious menu full of favorites with a little something different, Mason’s Brewing Company in Brewer is one of our go-to spots.
Our favorites? The Butter Burger and the Steak & Cheese. Both are delicious, satisfying choices after a day of exploring Maine.
But one of the things we really enjoy about Mason’s is what you can do after your meal. The restaurant sits right near the Brewer Riverwalk, making it easy to enjoy a nice walk along the river after dinner.
Good food followed by a relaxing walk beside the water? That’s a pretty great Maine evening.
Eagles Nest Restaurant — Brewer
If you’re craving Maine seafood, put Eagles Nest Restaurant on your list. Their lobster roll is the kind where you need a fork to get started. And their haddock dinner and seafood platter are overflowing with the kind of seafood that satisfies that Maine craving you’ve been waiting for.
But for me, there is another reason Eagles Nest feels special. Dessert.
Their Grape-Nut Custard Pudding is a simple Maine dessert that takes me right back to childhood. My mom used to make it, and having it slightly warm with real whipped cream brings back those memories of home and simpler days.
Sometimes the most memorable foods aren’t the fancy ones. They’re the ones that remind you of someone you love. And that’s exactly what this dessert does for me.
Timber — Bangor
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale with a Maine flare, make your way to Timber in Bangor.
It’s a great choice when you’re looking for a little bit of a dress-up night during your vacation. Their menu offers tasty options with a Maine influence, making it a wonderful place to enjoy a nice dinner while still feeling connected to the area you’re visiting.
Sometimes vacation calls for shorts and flip-flops. And sometimes it calls for finding yourself a table at Timber and enjoying a little something extra.
Because Ice Cream Is a Maine Summer Requirement
Let’s be honest. Ice cream is a must during the summer. We don’t make the rules. And fortunately, there are some great places nearby to satisfy that craving.
Fielder’s Choice — Bangor
Fielder’s Choice in Bangor is a go-to for us. They have generous portions and a huge menu of choices, so whether you’re a traditional vanilla-and-chocolate person or someone who wants to pile on the toppings, there’s something waiting for you.
The staff is always friendly, and watching them build your creation is part of the fun.
One of my frequent choices is blueberry ice with chocolate sprinkles. But if I’m feeling nostalgic, they also have Grape-Nut custard ice cream.
And when I can’t decide? I get both! Because vacation calories don’t count, right?
There are several outdoor areas where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream, making it a great place to slow down and savor the evening. And if you want to turn dessert into a little adventure, Fielder’s Choice also has a miniature golf course.
Ice cream + mini golf = a pretty perfect simple vacation evening.
Jimmie’s Ice Cream & Grill — Brewer
Another local favorite is Jimmie’s Ice Cream & Grill in Brewer.
My husband has his own favorite order: a cherry flurry with the hard chocolate shell mixed in. As the chocolate hardens, it creates little chunks of chocolate throughout the ice cream. If you’re a chocolate enthusiast like we are, you understand why that’s a good thing.
But Jimmie’s isn’t just about dessert. They also have a quick, casual dinner menu with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and plenty of options for those who want to fill up on more Maine seafood.
Everything comes simply served in a basket with fries or onion rings, and you can sit outside and enjoy your meal.
It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for a quick lunch, an easy dinner or—let’s be honest—a dessert run.
Lace Up Your Walking Shoes
Not every Maine adventure needs to involve getting in the car and driving for hours. Sometimes the best way to experience Maine is simply to slow down and walk through it.
Here are a few places close to our camoground to stretch your legs and enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors.
Fields Pond Audubon Center — Holden
Just a few miles from Holden Family Campground is Fields Pond Audubon Center, making it an especially convenient choice when you want to get out and enjoy nature without spending the entire day driving.
The trails are open from dawn to dusk daily and are free to explore. The approximately 1.3 mile trail begins in an open field before leading into the woods alongside a brook. From there, the trail drops into a ravine with rock steps before eventually winding back through a field toward the main parking area.
There are a few steeper sections, so you’ll want to be prepared for some elevation changes, but it’s a wonderful little hike for those looking to experience the natural beauty of Maine.
And if you’re a bird lover, there’s another reason to visit. More than 130 species of birds have been seen in the area.
You never quite know what you’ll discover when you take the time to slow down and look around.
Bangor City Forest — Bangor
For a family-friendly outing with several options, Bangor City Forest is another great choice.
There are six different trails to choose from, giving you the opportunity to pick a walk that fits your family and your energy level for the day.
It’s a wonderful place to get outside, breathe in some fresh Maine air and enjoy a fairly easy hike without needing to make an entire day of it.
Sometimes you don’t need a big destination. You just need a trail.
Mariaville Falls — Mariaville
If you’re looking for something easy, scenic and family-friendly, Mariaville Falls is your place for a nearby day of Maine exploration.
The trail follows the Union River and is extremely well maintained, with some stairs and wooden walkways along the way.
There are some elevation changes, but nothing too strenuous, making this a great option for families and kids.
And one of our favorite ideas? Pack a picnic.
Take your time walking along the river, find a spot to sit, enjoy your lunch and let the kids explore.
It’s simple. It’s peaceful. And it’s exactly the kind of low-key Maine experience that makes a vacation feel like a vacation.
Make Your Own Maine Memories
We could give you a list of places to visit as long as your campground stay, but we don’t think you need to see everything to have a great Maine vacation.
Sometimes the best days are the simple ones.
A morning walk through the woods.
A leisurely lunch.
A plate overflowing with Maine seafood.
A stop for ice cream.
A little mini golf.
A sunset drive back toward the campground.
And then, at the end of the day, settling into your campsite with a campfire, talking about everything you saw, tasted and experienced. Those are the moments we hope you’ll remember. Because when you stay at Holden Family Campground, we want you to do more than just find places to go. We want you to experience Maine.
Taste it.
Walk through it.
Listen to it.
Explore it.
And slow down enough to enjoy it.
Whether your perfect vacation day includes a hike through the woods, a lobster roll, a bowl of Grape-Nut custard pudding, a blueberry ice cream with chocolate sprinkles, or maybe all of the above, we hope you enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Maine while spending your nights with us.
And when you finally settle into your campsite, feet tired from the day’s adventures, gathered around your campfire talking about everything you did that day, we hope you’ll look around and realize that Holden Family Campground has become part of the story, too. Because the places you visit are wonderful. But the memories you make along the way? Those are the ones you’ll cherish for years to come.
