Augusta is the state capital of Maine in
the United States. It is also the county seat of the state's Kennebec
County.
Get In
By Plane
• Augusta State Airport (Airport Code: AUG). 75 Airport Road (about 1/2
mile west/northwest out Western Ave [US-202/ME-17/ME-100/ME-1] from
roundabout/rotary nearest the State Capitol). +1 207-626-2306 (Fax:
+1 207-626-2309). Small regional airport with regular US Airways Express
flights to Boston's Logan International Airport.
By Car
• From Portland: take US Interstate I-295 North toward Falmouth; this
becomes I-95 North; follow signs for Augusta. Exit at Augusta/Western Ave,
and turn right, east, into Augusta; trip is under 60 miles, about one hour
total in reasonable traffic.
• From Bangor: Take I-95 South to Augusta/Western Ave, and turn left,
east, into Augusta; trip is about 80 miles, a bit under 1 1/2 hours in
reasonable traffic.
• From Belfast: Take Maine State Route 3 South (really west/southwest);
trip is about 47 miles, or about one hour in reasonable traffic.
Attractions
• State
Capitol Building, State Street, +1 207-287-2301. The west entrance is
open to the public M-F, 8 AM-5 PM. Free guided tours are offered M-F 9 AM-1
PM. Free.
• Maine State Museum, State
House Complex, State Street (across the parking lot from the State
Capitol Building), +1 207-287-2301 (TTY: +1 207-287-6740, Fax: +1
207-287-6633). Tu-F 9 AM-5 PM. Sa 10 AM-4 PM. Closed Su, Mo, and State
holidays. Exhibits focus on Maine-specific: natural history; prehistory and
archaeology; natural resources and agricultural and industrial history;
working people and manufacturing; and identity. Of particular interest is
the reassembled two-story woodworking mill. $2 ($1 for children aged 6-18
and senior citizens aged 62 and over, free for children under 6, $6 family
maximum).
• Old Fort Western, 16 Cony
Street, +1 207-626-2385 (Fax: +1 207-626-2304). Hours vary depending
on season: Memorial Day weekend to July 3: every day 1-4 PM; July 4-Labor
Day: M-F 10 AM-4 PM, Sa, Su 1-4 PM; Labor Day-Columbus Day: Sa, Su 1-4 PM;
November-May: first Su of the month only, 1-3 PM. Built in 1754, this is the
oldest surviving wooden fort in North America (the main house is original).
It is a National Historic Landmark. Near the rebuilt stockade overlooking
the Kennebec River is a 1912 marker recording the September 1775 departure
from the fort of an expedition under Benedict Arnold for the capture of
Quebec. $5 ($4 for seniors aged 55 and over, $3 for children aged 6-16,
free for children under 6 and residents of Augusta).
Links
Augusta Official Site |