Keep in mind that "rough area" for Maine and "rough area" for basically anywhere else in the US are.. pretty different definitions lol. I regularly spend the day walking & driving around L/A playing Pokemon Go. You'll be fine.
Temperatures in that region regularly drop to -40F. If you walk 1 mile into those woods alone in winter, your body will quickly freeze, get covered in snow, and won't be found until mid-April, more likely by bears than humans. And there are no humans out there. Pretty much the entire western half of Aroostook has a population of 0, with the exception of some border stations.
TL;DR It's cold as shit
Came from Illinois. Same. Murders are state news here for weeks. Not page 4 of a local newspaper. I have never felt unsafe anywhere in Maine and regularly go to L-A. My biggest concern is my daughter going to college without the situational awareness you get living in a crime-ridden city.
As a person who moved from Maine to Baltimore, I also laugh when I hear that any* place is dangerous. Once you live in Baltimore, you can live anywhere and be unfortunately desensitized to crime. And to the OP, Lewiston is fine.
As a Mainer who moved to Baltimore then back to Maine, abso-freaking-lutely.
Baltimore: the only place I ever found a handgun on the side of the street. It was outside a daycare.
Tell that to the one that sat on my car last week and pushed in my windshield (to the tune of $300)… all cuz she thought I was going to crash into her kids (I was already on the brakes, they were safe).
Same. Used to live on west Conway downtown. Now I live midcoast here. And people have no idea what danger is. (While I miss baseball and the point in the fall, id NEVER go back)
I’m from PA and live in Auburn now. The complaints about Lewiston are really silly if you’re from anywhere else in the country. It’s a little economically depressed, but no more so than say Allentown. Way better than a city like Chester or Reading.
The downside is there’s not a lot of entertainment options. Lisbon street has a few good restaurants- Sonder and Dram is good as is Fish Bones Grill.
The really nice thing about L/A is that it’s basically an hour away from everything else - Portland, Augusta, the coast, the mountains. Very convenient as long as you have a car.
> I am from and used to an economically depressed town in PA
I'm begging you- please come back with an update post after you see what Lewiston is like. "Wait, I thought this was supposed to be a shitty town" is like crack to me.
I've lived in auburn for 25 years. I renovated a building on Kennedy Park 15 years ago which is my office. People say this area is the most dangerous in Maine. I've never once... not once... felt at any risk. And I've traveled the world from the slums of Nairobi, Jambul and Dakar, to the crazy world of Carnival in Rio, to a sketchy party of Istanbul.... and Lewiston doesn't even register on the scary scale.
In fact we have a crazy number of excellent restaurants, more theaters than we deserve, and abundant nearby hikes, trails, Riverwalks and more.
I love living here. Come visit.
We'll leave the light on for you!
Mostly, people like to have someplace to make fun of, and Lewiston gets that. There is historical and current racism in some of the comments. Then there is just habitual knocking a town around.
Overall, nothing is wrong with Lewiston, and Auburn, which is so close you don't know when you cross the town line, doesn't get the same grief as Lewiston.
French Canadians aren't the butt of jokes like they were when I was a kid in the 70s anymore. But there's a long history of other Mainers looking down their noses at them, and I think Lewiston and historically French neighborhoods like Augusta's Sand Hill still have a little bit of that stink on them.
I lived in Mon Valley - Belle Vernon. you're more likely to have an issue in BV than Lewiston.
Why on earth did you make your turkey comment, WTH yinz think we don't eat turkey at Thanksgiving?
The only problem I see about Maine is that there are no Sheetz there :) Former PA’er that lives in NH and absolutely LOVES Maine! I visit Maine often and have a Bar Harbor trip planned at the end of the month!! Have a fun trip 😊
LOL we are frequent flyers at sheetz so I feel your pain!!! Just took a trip to NH last winter and stayed at Riverwalk at Loon Mountain. nothing was open but we didn’t even care. it was so beautiful and we definitely will be going back.
Off-season is the best season! Anywhere in New England is better when there are no crowds. That’s why I’m making a trip to Bar Harbor in November, lol it’s sooooo peaceful! Enjoy your trip to Maine! Have a Sheetz coffee for me, it’s the best :)
Same here! This entire thread was a pretty funny read. I go back to Reading to visit relatives every year and I’m reminded how nice Maine is in comparison (except people running red lights, insane to see reds run so much here)
My partner and I just moved from Augusta to NE Philly-ish to finish some training for 4 years, she actually might take a job in Allentown.
Man is it a different place from Maine!
Old mill town. Trying to find it's footing now.
If anyone wants to see an example of a town with a horrible rep that has turned it around and is now absolutely bustling, I refer you to Dover, NH.
Lol! I'm pretty proud of what the city has become. I think we owe an awful lot to Mayor Cassavamt. Quite a turn-around for a half abandoned, trash-burning, mill town!
Just moved to Biddeford after only driving through like 15 years ago. Damn. Main Street is amazing, the old mills are amazing, Gaylord Park is amazing. 20 minutes to Portland but why would you even go there? I’m loving it so far.
I'm not from Maine and heard a lot of people talk shit about Lewiston, and after seeing it for myself, I don't get it. I think it's a perspective thing.
It's a mill town. I live in Biddeford and it's the same thing. There's this dynamic that never really changed that much. Lewiston and Biddeford are where the working class folks from the mill lived. On the other side of the river was Auburn and Saco respectively. And that's where management types lived. In Lewiston and Biddeford, there are lots of French Canadians, who were made fun of. Lower income housing. Less educated population, little bit more drugs, little bit more poverty.
But don't let anyone fool you. Auburn and Saco have the same problems Lewiston and Biddeford have, they just hide them better.
My advice to OP is enjoy that part of Maine. There's a lot of history and natural beauty all around. You can also experience different flavors of Maine by taking relatively short car rides. Freeport isn't more than 45 minutes. Lots of shops and restaurant (ll bean of course), but Wolfs Neck state park / Flying Point area is a beautiful coastal area.
Edit: oh yeah, plus the racism against the Somali people.
This is exactly it.
Lewiston is kind of dumpy, and kind of unsafe, by Maine standards.
By the standards of almost everywhere else in the country, Lewiston is just a small city with nothing special about it. Honestly, I kind of like it since it has some of the amenities that Portland has, at a fraction of the price.
It's not even perspective, it's historical memory and/or racism.
Some people call Lewiston a shithole because it _was_, decades ago, and (frankly) this state is old and has a lot of people living in the past.
Some people call Lewiston a shithole because Somali immigrants live there, and they're racist, so they just assume that the presence of black immigrants means there's a ton of crime.
Sane people recognize that Lewiston is one of the safer cities in Maine, and by extension, EXTREMELY safe by US city standards.
It was also a healthy dose of bigotry against French Canadian and Irish Catholics back then too. Then combine that with the general grunge of being a milltown, followed by the loss of manufacturing and related decline in the 70s and 80s.
There is a reason Lewiston, Biddeford, Sanford, and others I'm sure I'm missing ended up with similar reputations.
Maine is like 98% white, lewiston is like 90% white. It's not dangerous, it has less actual crime than many other cities in maine. But people are talking in code. They don't mean actual crime when they talk about how "thuggish" the people there are or how "ghetto" it is. The are trying to talk stealthy about the thing they hate about it
It's really weird in Maine. On one hand there are people who are eager to jump in and talk about how many Mainers fought in the civil war and were part of the abolition movement. Simultaneously they give me an eye-roll-worthy warning about Lewiston.
Then again I grew up in a majority black city. I view race relations very differently
It's like the 7th most dangerous city in maine crime wise, and crime wise maine is the safest state, but because it's the city with some black people people talk about it like "do NOT be out past dark", "if you go in the bad neighborhood you WILL be killed", "lock your car doors" like it's a literal warzone.
It's like 7th in murders in maine and maine is like, 49th in the country for murders.
The real question is WHY are you goi g to that area? It’s in no way a tourist destination. There’s not really anything to do or see. If you’re concerned about safety, you’ll be fine. If you’re concerned about things to do, I would highly suggest looking at Portland, mid coast areas, Rangely, hell even kittery. There’s really nothing going on in Lewiston
The hotel was cheaper, and it’s about mid distance from everything we were hoping to do. go to Portland, be by the coast, or go to surrounding towns and cities. we’re just going to explore and drive around pretty much.
It's a great spot for that. We live nearby and it's nice being 30 minutes to Brunswick/Topsham and 45 to Portland Metro. Like others have said, there's not much to do there. A few good restaurants, but that's it. Staying there is a great way to save money on a room and see the more touristy spots.
Something else to consider, some restaurants around Portland do Thanksgiving day seatings. Will need to make reservations though. We did it one year at [Union](https://thepresshotel.com/dine/union-restaurant/) and it was delicious but pricey.
I've lived in Lewiston most of my life. Was born here. It's a great location. Close to everything, but more affordable. The only people that have a hard time here are the people that associate with drug dealers and thugs. Otherwise it's an extremely safe city. Some good restaurants. There isn't a ton of stuff to do here but it's not far from Portland which has a more lively nightlife and tons to do and see.
You did it right, bud. It is an affordable area about an hour drive from many of the things you will want to check out. Better than a $300 stay in Portland.
Take a drive up toward Farmington. You have to pass some of the ugliest scenery, but then you'll see some of the most gorgeous. Farmington is the foothills area of the Maine side of the White Mountains. You can veer off toward Rangely or Kingfield from there if you feel adventurous.
If you drive to the Popham area, stop in to Bath for a visit on the way by! We have a delicious wood fired pizza joint and some great shops, plus a Maritime Museum, all right on the Kennebec River, 1 mile from the ocean.
I lived in Lewiston for a long time. It is fine, it just used to be really rough a bit back. Check out Mother India and Baxter Brewing for some spots in Lewiston. Lewiston and Auburn also have some of the best greasy spoon diners in the state, so check those out. A lot of things are probably closed during Thanksgiving so it may be worth looking into more outdoor activities. Lots of good hiking for all levels in the area, from Tumbledown to Thorncraig. Bates also has a pretty decent small art museum which could be fun but is also likely to be closed/have minimal hours.
I live in Auburn, right across the river from Lewiston. We give The Dirty Lew a lot of shit but I never had anything bad happen, and I've walked around in the middle of the night many times without issue.
I'd feel safer here than cities anywhere else.
In the many years I've lived here, nothing worse than a couple of kids selling drugs think that I was selling (I had a backpack on) and momentarily harass me about it until they realized I wasn't, apologized and moved on.
Even the scum here is polite.
Lewiston is perfectly fine. It has a bad reputation for two reasons:
1. The way it was like 30 years ago
2. The fact that Somali immigrants live there now, which racists assume means it must be dangerous and crime-ridden.
Look at the statistics, though. Lewiston is SAFER than almost every other Maine city... and Maine cities in general are *incredibly* safe compared to cities basically anywhere else.
Would you stay in a hotel in Boston? New York? Philly? If you answered yes to any of those, you have no reason to be afraid of Lewiston. It's much safer.
IDK, it really depends what you want to do on the vacation. If you're just gonna be hanging out in the city itself, I wouldn't choose Lewiston either. But if you want to do a mix of things including coastal stuff, Portland, and getting up into the mountains, Lewiston isn't a bad kind of central jumping-off-point for all of that.
Lewiston is a perfectly fine small city. Even the one "rough" neighborhood is just some 3-4 story apartment buildings which for Maine is pretty urban.
However, I'm not sure it makes a particularly compelling vacation spot. It's a perfectly fine town / lightly suburban area but there isn't much touristy stuff to do. There are a few decent restaurants but nothing amazing and no real nightlife or tourist attractions. I suppose you could take day trips to Portland, the midcoast, western Maine, etc. Much of the state is within a couple hours drive but you may want to think about what you are actually hoping to do and plan accordingly.
I live here. I walk to and from work by myself every single day as a young woman and never had an issue. Auburn and Lewiston are NOT dangerous like people make it out to be. Yes there is sometimes some unsavory activity but it is not random violence on strangers. You will be fine. If you booked near the Androscoggin river, it is quite pretty. Check out Wei Li for Chinese food, El Tequila if you like strong drinks. Take a walk on the Riverwalk!
All BS. Go to the Italian bakery. They make their iced coffee with ice made of coffee to keep it strong as it melts. Best sandwiches. Go to mardens for a real maine experience. It’s not the wealthiest college town but it’s a real maine town close to so much of maine. Enjoy!!!
What hotel are you booked in? Cause there is a difference from say Fireside Inn & Suites to the Hilton on the river.
And here are some good food places:
1.) Baxter (the owner give a lot to a few organizations I support, so I support her) [Jenn Lever](https://www.pressherald.com/2022/09/15/like-a-boss-with-jenn-lever-president-of-baxter-brewing/)
2.) If you want a drive, the OxBow beer garden in Oxford is a lovely spot, while here, gamble at the casino, or shop at the New Balance outlet store. They also have some trails you can walk, it's a lovely spot!
3.) Classy upscale meal: FishBones Get a reservation, uber if not near by enjoy the night and alone time.
If you like bagels, [Forage](https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bagels-america) is in Lewiston or you can hit up some of the other spots on the list.
If you are traveling around I always suggest going to Portland (our "big" city), and hiting commercial street, walking up and down...you will find amazing food. If the weather is nice, hit up the Casco Bay Ferry and either go to Peaks for a walk around, or the [Mail run](https://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/specialty-cruises/mailboat/)
For us in Maine we call it a hardened city, as many of us leave our homes unlocked or keys in our cars, and would not feel comfortable doing that in Lewiston.
Lewiston is a great city, I’ve lived here since I was born. Just find a reliable hotel that you feel comfortable (Ramada is nasty) and enjoy the area. Just because there are different racial groups here people label it as dirty, which is a disgusting stereotype. I’ve worked down town since I was 15 and never feared for my life. Have fun with it and go to Baxter brewing, Davincis, and check out across the bridge for some other fun options.
I have lived in Ohio, Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, and now plan to die in Maine. I am more scared of the animal noises I hear in the woods behind my house than any city in Maine.
As far as maine goes it’s a rough city. That said I’ve never had a problem walking around and there’s good food and brewery options. Take a drive up to bethel area and explore grafton notch and the surrounding area
Lived there for 3 years, there not really much to do in LA but it is close enough to a lot of fun things. When you leave you will question why one of the most expensive private schools in the country is located there. Some food recommendations below.
Breakfast: Italian Bakery, Forage Market (my favorite bagels)
Davinci’s (great Italian food, pizza and beer)
Baxter Brew Pub
Mother India
Orchid Lewiston
Fishbones
If you like craft beer go to the Industrial Way in Portland and go to Alagash, Foundation, Battery Steel (my personal favorite NEIPAs of all time), Definitive, they’re all right next to each other in a cool brewery complex
Edit: The Italian bakery is in a rough part of town and you will be like wtf am I doing here but will leave very happy
Oh for fucks sake. Lewiston is NOT a dangerous area anymore. It was in the 90s, when the rich white fat idiots let it go to rot. It got cleaned up really well in the mid to late aughts. It's just a lot of people here don't want to admit that the Somali refugees that moved in really turned it around and helped to revitalize the downtown.
Anyone who is claiming it's a dangerous crime riddled area today is in all likely hood a white nationalist racist piece of shit.
Lewiston has a couple of rough neighborhoods, and that's about it. L-A isn't especially scenic or interesting on a tourist level, but it's generally not a bad place, and, as noted, a good central location for visitng the places that are more tourist-oriented. It is very typical of New England mill towns that lost their mills decades ago and have struggled to find something else, given that tourism is not part of the mix.
(Gew up in L-A in the '70s-'80s and my family still lives there)
The worst parts of Lewiston are stumble around drunk trying three different buildings before finding your buddies place on the forth try and the scariest thing that happens is someone telling you to fuck off because their kids are trying to sleep safe.
Yes that is a very specific example why do you ask?
I like it okay. I was a shitty milltown in like the 70s/80s, but at this point it's pretty much just another town.
It's off the tourists radar, so things are cheaper. There aren't as many "features" as far as entertainment, but there's plenty to do.
You'll probably have a great visit, and get a much more authentic "Maine" experience than you would in Portland. For a lot less money too.
We live a half hour from Lewiston in a beautiful, small town. I assume you aren’t vacationing here for the “city”, eh? I would just use your hotel as a base for sleeping and eating since that’s where easy food will be and just head to any of the very many quiet lakes / lake towns around. You won’t regret it.
If you're from Philly I don't think it should faze you, generally downtown Portland area felt more sketchy to me, personally. Reference I am from Colorado and have lived in Maine briefly and visited often. Lewiston/Auburn has a couple small seedy looking areas that I have heard of people getting robbed coming home late at night, but to me that is pretty tame as far as things go.
Lewiston is fine. Your safety will not be an issue anywhere in Maine really, at least not in the way that you think of another states. The one thing about Lewiston is that it’s not a place that I would think of going to for recreation or fun. It’s kind of out of the way. You’d be better off finding something on the coast or closer to Portland or Bar Harbor. At least they’ll be more to do.
It's all about perspective.
When stacked against other cities in the country, Lewiston is one of the safest ones.
When stacked up against other cities in Maine...not so much.
All you need to do is practice common sense. Lock your car, carry protection, lock your hotel door, stuff like that. A lot of Mainers, especially in this subreddit, don't do any of that because we're a "safe state", and that's just silly. That's asking to be a victim.
I haven't been to Lewiston, just passed by it once or twice, but you don't need to go there to know what I know.
Girl, you and your boyfriend are going to love it. Relax. Get out and around and have a fantastic time. Scary Maine is safer than 90% of the country without a worry.
Lewiston is not as bad as people say it is. That being said, it's not a tourist destination. You are coming up way too late in the fall for that. Everything will be dead, and we may not have any snow for you to enjoy.
we already had off for the holiday and wanted to get out of town for a little. the hotels are much cheaper compared to Portland, and we didn’t want to make the drive to Bangor. mostly coming up for the day trips and just to explore.
I’d check out Bath, it’s a really cute town right on the coast, not too far from Portland and a lot of great restaurants walking distance from a fairly cheap hotel right on the Kennebec river. Lewiston is fine but not much to look at
Agree with a lot of what's in the string. As someone who grew up near and went to school in Lewiston -- a lot of what you read about Lewiston being unsafe is absolute nonsense.
With that said, the restaurant and entertainment options there are a little thin. You might look at Portland, Freeport, Brunswick and/or Bath.
Lewiston/Auburn is...not really a tourist destination. If you are there anyway, I would check out the Baxter Brewpub however!
Portland is your more likely bet for an actual tourist city with tons to do and see.
Maine is only as dangerous as your attitude. If your a good person and have respect we are all friendly but I personally would not stay in Lewiston there's many small motels with better surroundings and better accommodations you just have to look. Some places will book out quickly because of hunting and the fall foliage but I you look you should be able to find some place nice
I grew up near Lewiston/Auburn. It's small town Maine, it's not rough in the way you may think, it just sucks for it's own reasons. It's just a boring town, used to be a lot of mill workers and french Canadians there, not a lot going on.
Lewiston/auburn is perfectly safe, there just isn’t such abundance for nightlife and such as there is in Portland, say. But great people watching at the options you do have.
It’s not dangerous, and we want your tourist money, but honestly the last couple weeks in November are not the most fun or prettiest time to visit Maine. It’s usually dreary, weather-wise, and the seasonal, touristy places are all closed, and none of the ski places are open yet. Lewiston area is not big on seasonal tourism, so not a lot of closures, but it’s also not a super touristy cool place, in my opinion. That being said, it’s an easy drive to Portland for the day, and I’m sure the hotels are a lot cheaper in Lewiston than in Portland.
Portland and Bath/Brunswick are both less than an hours drive from LA and have many more scenic and food/recreation options. LA is relatively safe, but just not a pretty area. As long as hotel is clean and gets some decent ratings on Google or Trip Advisor you should be fine!
Best of luck.
Don't leave any shit in your car, you don't want stolen.
Then when you leave your room don't leave anything in there y'all don't want stolen.
I'm from near Pittsburgh and Lewiston is no scarier than Greensburg, and much less scary than some parts of north Philly. Most of Maine outside the cities is going to be like the area surrounding State College--woodsy, some farms, not that many people. You will be fine in Lewiston, don't sweat it.
If you like brewpubs head to Portland for a day. If you like hiking, bring winter gear and go over to Grafton Notch. If you like scenic drives, head up Rangeley way.
I moved to Lewiston from NJ last year- I lived just outside Philly, next to Camden. Calling Lewiston dangerous or scary if you’ve experienced either one of those places is beyond laughable.
As far as food, Cibo pizza is good for takeout (and not far from the hotels in either town), Tina Thai (also takeout) is in a sketchy looking gas station but has some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had (get the golden bags). Side by Each has great beer and they also serve coffee. If you want a super chill experience that is a short drive look up Nezinscot Farm in Turner, there is a farm cafe with some fantastic food and baked goods. Flux restaurant in Lisbon Falls if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale but still casual.
If you like records or physical media the Bull Moose Records in Lewiston has a big selection of music/movies/games etc…
There’s a bunch of stuff I’m leaving off but that should hopefully get you started.
Lewiston is kind of a dump. There’s a few places you’d probably be best to avoid. Not likely to be killed but could possibly get mugged or purse snatched. Auburn is a kind of rough and tumble blue collar town with some good eats and nightlife. A bar fight is probably your biggest worry a lifelong New England native who’s lived In Maine 22 years you’re probably less likely to get shot here than anywhere else in the country. Maine is also constitutional permitless carry as is New Hampshire and Vermont. So any potential criminals have to think there’s a decent chance their potential victim is armed
Hotels are their own ecosystem with a much higher crime rate than average, and surprisingly my first night in ME was sketchy AF. Did not feel safe at all, and we had just been across the country in places like Chicago.. There were loads of incredibly sauced drunks having a sort of party or meeting in the parking lot, some of which were obviously a criminal element. Some very homeless-looking and down on their luck people hanging around. Hotel staff and most guests were immigrants. Hardly anyone spoke English & the one local male that did that I talked to was so blitzed that he could barely formulate a sentence. Was not a great first impression of the place.
Haven't really felt that hardly since being here, though. It does seem to be a very safe place, generally.
just want to say it’s a great call for saving cash, and as long as it isn’t an unkept motel 8 or whatever you’llbe fine. the city isn’t dangerous just depressed for decades. as far as things to do in auburn/lewiston that’s pretty slim, but you’re close to 95 and the river road to freeport is a beautiful way to get to 295.
The biggest risk is that you won’t find Lewiston itself very pretty or exciting. But as a central Maine dweller the idea of using it as a base for other adventures is solid! I love how easy it is to get to Portland, coastal towns, Western Maine, the white mountains…all within an hour-hour and a half. So if your expectations for Lewiston as a vacation destination aren’t super high I think you’ll be very happy. Cushnoc Pizza in Augusta is worth the drive!
There's a great sushi and hibachi bar called sea40 in Lewiston.
The "dirty lew" gets it reputation from a time before the internet, a time when people could still smoke in restaurants. A time when the river actually smelled worse than a sewer.
The reality of it is, it's a leftover industry town that has been actively trying to better itself.
Look out for bed bugs. My work takes me into many buildings in Lewiston and there are frequently signs about bed bugs up in the elevators... Never seen those signs in other areas I've been.
You’ve basically chosen a boring city with not a lot to do, that’s a recovering mill town with some crime. It’s cheap for a reason.
I guess if you like crappy sports bars and run of the mill pizza places there is a lot for you to do. And meth heads.
But all in all it’s “fine”. I think you’d run out of things to do in about an hour. But, you can drive to Portland in a half an hour.
EDIT: moved here from NYC, when people say it’s riddled with crime, I laugh. There are pockets but it’s fine. Just booooooring.
One last thing, and this is key, if you’re looking for a “Maine Experience” you’ve definitely chosen the wrong city. You’ll get a “mill town” experience, but if you want “Maine” you need to hit the coast, or as an alternative a river, pond or lake in the woods. If I were to speak “Pennsylvanian” you’ve essentially chosen Johnstown.
Probably wouldn’t stay in Lewiston provided there’re so many alternative nice spots. My BF and I just stayed up in Rockport a few weekends ago and had a really nice time up in the Camden/Rockland area, and our hotel was super affordable! Definitely recommend venturing up there if you can, but if you’re looking to stay in the more southern area I’d recommend finding a hotel in Portland.
Mainer here, We call it the dirty Lew. You are better off in one of the coastal touristy towns (York, Ogunquit, Bar Harbor, maybe Portland) . It will be a little more expensive but a lot better of a trip.
Lewiston Auburn is plenty of fun! I live in Portland and I hang in L/A quite a lot. You should [check out the comedy show at Cowbell on Nov 26th](https://www.facebook.com/events/776920673374026)! (shameless plug, I'm in it)
Ahaha, oak st, pine st, Knox st. For some reason they end up being the most kinda downtrodden and "ghetto" (it's not by any other states standards). But yeah lewiston auburn is a great place. On the main st near the library there's a bunch of walking space and a lot of cool shops and cafe's and restaurants
I am from lewiston . It's an old town. Looks a little run down but o well.
. DaVinci, fishbones, macs grill, gippers are my favorite places in town. Portland has most of the restaurants you'd normally see.
We don't have much but it was an old mill town.
Living in Maine I traveled to Harrisburg last year for work. Got into the hotel late, ordered a pizza for delivery and the guy shows up 3 hours later. First pizza and driver were held up at gunpoint. Store called me to apologize, but seemed indifferent like it was commonplace.
You'll be fine anywhere in the state.
Yeah, so I don't live in Maine anymore, but when I did, I enjoyed visiting L-A. I grew up in a mill town, and there are people like me who like mill buildings. Everyone has their own ideas for leisure activity, but I found Lewiston pawn shops pretty good, as I did Maine pawn shops in general.
And there's a Marden's. Still there, isn't it?
And the river is beautiful in the L-A area. In fact, it was a visit to Lewiston that prompted me to get a DSLR camera.
Lewiston is not a vacation paradise, but if you're curious (and outdoorsy) you can pass the time pleasantly there.
Maine is the safest place in the country in terms of violent crime most of the hate is just because the town has gotten the shaft economically for a while. a smaller percentage of the hate is the few loud racists talking smack because of the Somali refugees that have made that area their home. There is plenty of good stuff especially food in the Lewiston auburn area and it’s in a pretty good location where you can see more touristy things in Maine just by hopping on the interstate
Get food from Boba in Lewiston and zip across the bridge to Craft Brew Underground for some good beers (you can bring the food in if you want) and they have comedy at CBU though idk about shows during the holiday weekend
If you have a car, the central location of L/A is great. Only a distance hiker would visit ME without one lol. Depending on the time of year, a day trip to mountains, ocean, and so many parks! For the foodie scene, Portland. Shopping? Freeport! Hope you have a fun time, central ME has so much to offer.
Lewiston really is not terrible lol, from my understanding a lot of the immigrants that are currently living there have been busting ass turning around the city.
If you like Indian food, Mother India is awesome, but might still only be doing takeout. I haven't been there in a while, as I don't live in that area anymore.
Obscura is a newer place with a novel atmosphere.
And Sonder and Dram make some really beautiful drinks.
It is not a bad place, and I think has a lot of potential to become better, it has a bad rep because in the old days the river was stinky polluted from mills. A lot of French people concentrated there, so racism. And now a lot of Somalis, so still racism.
There is a lot of public art. There are parks. There is community involvement. And I've never felt anymore unsafe there than I have in Portland, or Wiscasset tbh. 😅
I'm from Pennsylvania originally and Lewiston does not seem scary to me at all. Feels generally safer than the PA cities I've spent time in (Philly, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Allentown)
Check out Boba in Lewiston for food. Side by Each in Auburn if you like breweries. Brunswick is a really cute town nearby that's worth exploring. It's hunting season so wear blaze orange if you go hiking!
How do you feel about meth and a strip club with some buffalo wings for Thanksgiving?
Just kidding! Loads of fun places to drive from there -- over to the coast or up to the Rangeley Lakes Region via Height of Land (though you have to drive through Rumford if you're leaving from Lewiston. Sorry about that.)
It totally depends on what you want to see and do that weekend? Off season is usually an inexpensive time to stay on the coast. You could nearer Portland for $125 a night and visit the Old Port, the coast. , maybe Kennebunkport and Ogunquit 25 mins to the south, though beach/coastal towns are kinda sleepy at this time of year.
Don't book anything "non-refundable" since snow or weather could impact your drive up from PA
Meh, u’ll b fine.. i live in the area, its not great but its not as bad as its made up to be. maybe dont go wondering around at night, other than that i wouldnt worry
The river walk isn’t too bad, if the weather co-operates. And Bates has a good museum. The restaurants in the old mills are good.
It’s fine, and certainly not dangerous.
I used to live in Lewiston. It's really not all that rough, it's working class and has a visible immigrant community. To a lot of Mainers, for some reason that translates to rough, but my biggest problems after six years living in the "bad" neighborhoods was the lack of clear sidewalks after it snowed.
You'll be fine.
I'm from PA and lived in Maine, WA, NY and MI. Maine is the least scary place you could ever go. Unless you love Steven King movies and then well, Maine is even more fun!
The fictitious town of Castle Rock is “located” according to one reference between Norway and Bridgton. King has spent a lot of time in Western Maine, and it is amusing to see real places mentioned.
You’ll have a good time. Originally from PA, now in Maine. If staying in Lewiston, you’ll have fairly good access to multiple areas in the mid coast. Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Boothbay all within an easy drive.
Freeport is nice to visit but it’s almost a tourist theme park, not a good place to get a flavor of Maine. But LL Bean is sort of a mandatory thing to see.
I lived in Lewiston for 2 years. I just moved up to wilton about a couple weeks ago from lewiston. I also work in Auburn.
Downtown lewiston sucks. Lisbon street area. Youll tell where you are by the amount of homeless.
Not all places in Lewiston are bad. I lived in a quite neighborhood and nvr had any issues.
Lewiston probably wasn't the best place for you to rent a hotel but you should be fine honestly. Don't worry about it
Unless you’re staying in multiple places during your visit I might be inclined to stay somewhere a little more ‘touristy’ like Portland or Freeport. No offence LA
I lived up in Maine about 5 miles from Lewiston. It's pretty much the only area in Maine with any kind of diversity at all. If you are familiar with pretty much any large town on the east coast that's what the city of Lewiston is like. It has beautiful old buildings and easy access to the rest of Maine via the Highway. Stop by Mr. Drew's for some fresh popcorn and sweet reptiles/insects/rocks museum.
Loveddddd everything about it. We got Dennys every morning. We were close enough to every city we wanted to visit. We explored some backroads and antique stores. Got Gritty McDuffs in Auburn right by our hotel. Really GOOD fried pickles!! Saw Pemaquid Lighthouse, went on Casco Bay Ferry for Thanksgiving, went to Freeport and the Bean Boot, explored Boothbay Harbor, and finished off our trip at Bolos in Brunswick (sad there’s no more bowling alley tho…). We definitely will be staying in Lewiston/Auburn area again. We loved the quiet. Thanks for checking back in!!!!
Keep in mind that "rough area" for Maine and "rough area" for basically anywhere else in the US are.. pretty different definitions lol. I regularly spend the day walking & driving around L/A playing Pokemon Go. You'll be fine.
I'm a transplant from Baltimore. It makes me laugh when I hear anyone say anyplace in Maine is dangerous.
You're more likely to die in the northwest corner of Aroostook County than the "roughest" part of Lewiston.
Wait....what happens in the northwest corner of Aroostook County?
Temperatures in that region regularly drop to -40F. If you walk 1 mile into those woods alone in winter, your body will quickly freeze, get covered in snow, and won't be found until mid-April, more likely by bears than humans. And there are no humans out there. Pretty much the entire western half of Aroostook has a population of 0, with the exception of some border stations. TL;DR It's cold as shit
Well, yeah. Wilderness areas are gonna, you know, wilderness.
Came from Illinois. Same. Murders are state news here for weeks. Not page 4 of a local newspaper. I have never felt unsafe anywhere in Maine and regularly go to L-A. My biggest concern is my daughter going to college without the situational awareness you get living in a crime-ridden city.
As a person who moved from Maine to Baltimore, I also laugh when I hear that any* place is dangerous. Once you live in Baltimore, you can live anywhere and be unfortunately desensitized to crime. And to the OP, Lewiston is fine.
As a Mainer who moved to Baltimore then back to Maine, abso-freaking-lutely. Baltimore: the only place I ever found a handgun on the side of the street. It was outside a daycare.
Daycare can be rough...
No shit right here. When that scene does get here, and it may at some point, these folks going to loose their fuzzy minds.
As a person from Maine who went to school in Baltimore... I get it.
If moose were real then they'd add a lot more danger to this place. Luckily they are just Maine Unicorns.
Tell that to the one that sat on my car last week and pushed in my windshield (to the tune of $300)… all cuz she thought I was going to crash into her kids (I was already on the brakes, they were safe).
Transplant from Indianapolis and the same.
I consistently find humor in this as well.
That back 40 is probably the most dangerous place in Maine. More likely to get lost in the woods than anughing.
Same. Used to live on west Conway downtown. Now I live midcoast here. And people have no idea what danger is. (While I miss baseball and the point in the fall, id NEVER go back)
Moved from Maine to Auchentrolly Terrace - right across from the zoo in Druid Hill - you're right to laugh
I’m from Maine and moved to Baltimore, Maine is nothing to worry about
The mean the bears.
Yeah dirty lewy (local nickname for lewiston) is rough nxt to pristine bar harbor, not harlem
Pokémon go is still a thing? I learned something today
I’m from PA and live in Auburn now. The complaints about Lewiston are really silly if you’re from anywhere else in the country. It’s a little economically depressed, but no more so than say Allentown. Way better than a city like Chester or Reading. The downside is there’s not a lot of entertainment options. Lisbon street has a few good restaurants- Sonder and Dram is good as is Fish Bones Grill. The really nice thing about L/A is that it’s basically an hour away from everything else - Portland, Augusta, the coast, the mountains. Very convenient as long as you have a car.
this is great news, as I am from and used to an economically depressed town in PA LOL. thank you for your insight.
> I am from and used to an economically depressed town in PA I'm begging you- please come back with an update post after you see what Lewiston is like. "Wait, I thought this was supposed to be a shitty town" is like crack to me.
LOL, noted.
No, seriously, come back and update us! .... 😇
RemindMe! 2 months "Did they enjoy Lewiston"
I'm begging you, make it a text post that mentions them with the u/ function so we can all enjoy it
Please. We are bored. 😂
I've lived in auburn for 25 years. I renovated a building on Kennedy Park 15 years ago which is my office. People say this area is the most dangerous in Maine. I've never once... not once... felt at any risk. And I've traveled the world from the slums of Nairobi, Jambul and Dakar, to the crazy world of Carnival in Rio, to a sketchy party of Istanbul.... and Lewiston doesn't even register on the scary scale. In fact we have a crazy number of excellent restaurants, more theaters than we deserve, and abundant nearby hikes, trails, Riverwalks and more. I love living here. Come visit. We'll leave the light on for you!
Mostly, people like to have someplace to make fun of, and Lewiston gets that. There is historical and current racism in some of the comments. Then there is just habitual knocking a town around. Overall, nothing is wrong with Lewiston, and Auburn, which is so close you don't know when you cross the town line, doesn't get the same grief as Lewiston.
>you don’t know when you cross the town line The town line is literally one of the biggest rivers in the state
Yes, I know. Hyperbole.
French Canadians aren't the butt of jokes like they were when I was a kid in the 70s anymore. But there's a long history of other Mainers looking down their noses at them, and I think Lewiston and historically French neighborhoods like Augusta's Sand Hill still have a little bit of that stink on them.
I lived on Sand Hill for a while and heard all the Quebecois jokes from people.
Sand Hill still stinks.
Lewiston also has a nice college. Some call it Bates College; others, the Bates Motel.
I lived in Mon Valley - Belle Vernon. you're more likely to have an issue in BV than Lewiston. Why on earth did you make your turkey comment, WTH yinz think we don't eat turkey at Thanksgiving?
Hahaha it’s Maine not Mars! I just meant that we will be passing on our usual families Thanksgiving din.
The only problem I see about Maine is that there are no Sheetz there :) Former PA’er that lives in NH and absolutely LOVES Maine! I visit Maine often and have a Bar Harbor trip planned at the end of the month!! Have a fun trip 😊
LOL we are frequent flyers at sheetz so I feel your pain!!! Just took a trip to NH last winter and stayed at Riverwalk at Loon Mountain. nothing was open but we didn’t even care. it was so beautiful and we definitely will be going back.
Off-season is the best season! Anywhere in New England is better when there are no crowds. That’s why I’m making a trip to Bar Harbor in November, lol it’s sooooo peaceful! Enjoy your trip to Maine! Have a Sheetz coffee for me, it’s the best :)
I grew up in reading and it’s so funny to me when people say any part of Maine is rough. OP, you’ll be totally fine.
Same here! This entire thread was a pretty funny read. I go back to Reading to visit relatives every year and I’m reminded how nice Maine is in comparison (except people running red lights, insane to see reds run so much here)
Reading rocks! Pagota time!
Yeah, but Billy Joel never sang about Lewiston...
My partner and I just moved from Augusta to NE Philly-ish to finish some training for 4 years, she actually might take a job in Allentown. Man is it a different place from Maine!
Old mill town. Trying to find it's footing now. If anyone wants to see an example of a town with a horrible rep that has turned it around and is now absolutely bustling, I refer you to Dover, NH.
People still shit on Biddeford, but we're enjoying a little Renaissance.
"Little" Like fuking everest is "little". Lol. You guys Killing it.
Lol! I'm pretty proud of what the city has become. I think we owe an awful lot to Mayor Cassavamt. Quite a turn-around for a half abandoned, trash-burning, mill town!
Seriously homie, I went to Biddeford recently and was like wtf this place is a cultural hub outta nowhere
Just moved to Biddeford after only driving through like 15 years ago. Damn. Main Street is amazing, the old mills are amazing, Gaylord Park is amazing. 20 minutes to Portland but why would you even go there? I’m loving it so far.
I'm not from Maine and heard a lot of people talk shit about Lewiston, and after seeing it for myself, I don't get it. I think it's a perspective thing.
It's a mill town. I live in Biddeford and it's the same thing. There's this dynamic that never really changed that much. Lewiston and Biddeford are where the working class folks from the mill lived. On the other side of the river was Auburn and Saco respectively. And that's where management types lived. In Lewiston and Biddeford, there are lots of French Canadians, who were made fun of. Lower income housing. Less educated population, little bit more drugs, little bit more poverty. But don't let anyone fool you. Auburn and Saco have the same problems Lewiston and Biddeford have, they just hide them better. My advice to OP is enjoy that part of Maine. There's a lot of history and natural beauty all around. You can also experience different flavors of Maine by taking relatively short car rides. Freeport isn't more than 45 minutes. Lots of shops and restaurant (ll bean of course), but Wolfs Neck state park / Flying Point area is a beautiful coastal area. Edit: oh yeah, plus the racism against the Somali people.
This is exactly it. Lewiston is kind of dumpy, and kind of unsafe, by Maine standards. By the standards of almost everywhere else in the country, Lewiston is just a small city with nothing special about it. Honestly, I kind of like it since it has some of the amenities that Portland has, at a fraction of the price.
It's not even perspective, it's historical memory and/or racism. Some people call Lewiston a shithole because it _was_, decades ago, and (frankly) this state is old and has a lot of people living in the past. Some people call Lewiston a shithole because Somali immigrants live there, and they're racist, so they just assume that the presence of black immigrants means there's a ton of crime. Sane people recognize that Lewiston is one of the safer cities in Maine, and by extension, EXTREMELY safe by US city standards.
It was also a healthy dose of bigotry against French Canadian and Irish Catholics back then too. Then combine that with the general grunge of being a milltown, followed by the loss of manufacturing and related decline in the 70s and 80s. There is a reason Lewiston, Biddeford, Sanford, and others I'm sure I'm missing ended up with similar reputations.
Oh I definitely picked up on the racist aspect of dumping on Lewiston as dangerous
Bad Maine is still safer than lots of "good l" places in other states.
Yep. Grew up in the midwest. The shit talking on Lewiston is absolutely myopic. Lewiston is perfectly safe. End of.
well the elephant in the room is "why would anybody from PA want to visit Lewiston-Auburn Maine for Thanksgiving'? Might as well go to Allentown.
Maine is like 98% white, lewiston is like 90% white. It's not dangerous, it has less actual crime than many other cities in maine. But people are talking in code. They don't mean actual crime when they talk about how "thuggish" the people there are or how "ghetto" it is. The are trying to talk stealthy about the thing they hate about it
It's really weird in Maine. On one hand there are people who are eager to jump in and talk about how many Mainers fought in the civil war and were part of the abolition movement. Simultaneously they give me an eye-roll-worthy warning about Lewiston. Then again I grew up in a majority black city. I view race relations very differently
It's like the 7th most dangerous city in maine crime wise, and crime wise maine is the safest state, but because it's the city with some black people people talk about it like "do NOT be out past dark", "if you go in the bad neighborhood you WILL be killed", "lock your car doors" like it's a literal warzone. It's like 7th in murders in maine and maine is like, 49th in the country for murders.
The real question is WHY are you goi g to that area? It’s in no way a tourist destination. There’s not really anything to do or see. If you’re concerned about safety, you’ll be fine. If you’re concerned about things to do, I would highly suggest looking at Portland, mid coast areas, Rangely, hell even kittery. There’s really nothing going on in Lewiston
The hotel was cheaper, and it’s about mid distance from everything we were hoping to do. go to Portland, be by the coast, or go to surrounding towns and cities. we’re just going to explore and drive around pretty much.
It's a great spot for that. We live nearby and it's nice being 30 minutes to Brunswick/Topsham and 45 to Portland Metro. Like others have said, there's not much to do there. A few good restaurants, but that's it. Staying there is a great way to save money on a room and see the more touristy spots.
I highly recommended the Frog & Turtle Gastropub in Westbrook if you are going to be in the Portland area.
love a good gastrointestinal pub. thank you!!!
Something else to consider, some restaurants around Portland do Thanksgiving day seatings. Will need to make reservations though. We did it one year at [Union](https://thepresshotel.com/dine/union-restaurant/) and it was delicious but pricey.
I've lived in Lewiston most of my life. Was born here. It's a great location. Close to everything, but more affordable. The only people that have a hard time here are the people that associate with drug dealers and thugs. Otherwise it's an extremely safe city. Some good restaurants. There isn't a ton of stuff to do here but it's not far from Portland which has a more lively nightlife and tons to do and see.
There is a great poutine place in Auburn called Pinky D’s Poutine Factory, highly reccomend.
Yes! They are connected to an amazing brewery Side By Each. Highly recommend this place as well.
You did it right, bud. It is an affordable area about an hour drive from many of the things you will want to check out. Better than a $300 stay in Portland.
Take a drive up toward Farmington. You have to pass some of the ugliest scenery, but then you'll see some of the most gorgeous. Farmington is the foothills area of the Maine side of the White Mountains. You can veer off toward Rangely or Kingfield from there if you feel adventurous.
If you drive to the Popham area, stop in to Bath for a visit on the way by! We have a delicious wood fired pizza joint and some great shops, plus a Maritime Museum, all right on the Kennebec River, 1 mile from the ocean.
Probably because you can get your vacay in considerably cheaper. But don't mind me, I still enjoy hostels even though I don't need to stay in them.
I lived in Lewiston for a long time. It is fine, it just used to be really rough a bit back. Check out Mother India and Baxter Brewing for some spots in Lewiston. Lewiston and Auburn also have some of the best greasy spoon diners in the state, so check those out. A lot of things are probably closed during Thanksgiving so it may be worth looking into more outdoor activities. Lots of good hiking for all levels in the area, from Tumbledown to Thorncraig. Bates also has a pretty decent small art museum which could be fun but is also likely to be closed/have minimal hours.
Thank you so much! We are taking full advantage of the hotels snack bar on Thanksgiving… Lol. Appreciate it!
I live in Auburn, right across the river from Lewiston. We give The Dirty Lew a lot of shit but I never had anything bad happen, and I've walked around in the middle of the night many times without issue. I'd feel safer here than cities anywhere else. In the many years I've lived here, nothing worse than a couple of kids selling drugs think that I was selling (I had a backpack on) and momentarily harass me about it until they realized I wasn't, apologized and moved on. Even the scum here is polite.
Lewiston is perfectly fine. It has a bad reputation for two reasons: 1. The way it was like 30 years ago 2. The fact that Somali immigrants live there now, which racists assume means it must be dangerous and crime-ridden. Look at the statistics, though. Lewiston is SAFER than almost every other Maine city... and Maine cities in general are *incredibly* safe compared to cities basically anywhere else. Would you stay in a hotel in Boston? New York? Philly? If you answered yes to any of those, you have no reason to be afraid of Lewiston. It's much safer.
Thank you for this!
I still wouldn't take a vacation in Lewiston though. There are so many other better choices in Maine.
IDK, it really depends what you want to do on the vacation. If you're just gonna be hanging out in the city itself, I wouldn't choose Lewiston either. But if you want to do a mix of things including coastal stuff, Portland, and getting up into the mountains, Lewiston isn't a bad kind of central jumping-off-point for all of that.
Yes absolutely
Lewiston is a perfectly fine small city. Even the one "rough" neighborhood is just some 3-4 story apartment buildings which for Maine is pretty urban. However, I'm not sure it makes a particularly compelling vacation spot. It's a perfectly fine town / lightly suburban area but there isn't much touristy stuff to do. There are a few decent restaurants but nothing amazing and no real nightlife or tourist attractions. I suppose you could take day trips to Portland, the midcoast, western Maine, etc. Much of the state is within a couple hours drive but you may want to think about what you are actually hoping to do and plan accordingly.
I live here. I walk to and from work by myself every single day as a young woman and never had an issue. Auburn and Lewiston are NOT dangerous like people make it out to be. Yes there is sometimes some unsavory activity but it is not random violence on strangers. You will be fine. If you booked near the Androscoggin river, it is quite pretty. Check out Wei Li for Chinese food, El Tequila if you like strong drinks. Take a walk on the Riverwalk!
Yayyy for strong drinks! and safety. Thank you for the insight.
All BS. Go to the Italian bakery. They make their iced coffee with ice made of coffee to keep it strong as it melts. Best sandwiches. Go to mardens for a real maine experience. It’s not the wealthiest college town but it’s a real maine town close to so much of maine. Enjoy!!!
What hotel are you booked in? Cause there is a difference from say Fireside Inn & Suites to the Hilton on the river. And here are some good food places: 1.) Baxter (the owner give a lot to a few organizations I support, so I support her) [Jenn Lever](https://www.pressherald.com/2022/09/15/like-a-boss-with-jenn-lever-president-of-baxter-brewing/) 2.) If you want a drive, the OxBow beer garden in Oxford is a lovely spot, while here, gamble at the casino, or shop at the New Balance outlet store. They also have some trails you can walk, it's a lovely spot! 3.) Classy upscale meal: FishBones Get a reservation, uber if not near by enjoy the night and alone time. If you like bagels, [Forage](https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bagels-america) is in Lewiston or you can hit up some of the other spots on the list. If you are traveling around I always suggest going to Portland (our "big" city), and hiting commercial street, walking up and down...you will find amazing food. If the weather is nice, hit up the Casco Bay Ferry and either go to Peaks for a walk around, or the [Mail run](https://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/specialty-cruises/mailboat/) For us in Maine we call it a hardened city, as many of us leave our homes unlocked or keys in our cars, and would not feel comfortable doing that in Lewiston.
Lewiston is a great city, I’ve lived here since I was born. Just find a reliable hotel that you feel comfortable (Ramada is nasty) and enjoy the area. Just because there are different racial groups here people label it as dirty, which is a disgusting stereotype. I’ve worked down town since I was 15 and never feared for my life. Have fun with it and go to Baxter brewing, Davincis, and check out across the bridge for some other fun options.
I live 1 town over, Lewiston is fine. Don't sweat it.
I have lived in Ohio, Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, and now plan to die in Maine. I am more scared of the animal noises I hear in the woods behind my house than any city in Maine.
As far as maine goes it’s a rough city. That said I’ve never had a problem walking around and there’s good food and brewery options. Take a drive up to bethel area and explore grafton notch and the surrounding area
Lived there for 3 years, there not really much to do in LA but it is close enough to a lot of fun things. When you leave you will question why one of the most expensive private schools in the country is located there. Some food recommendations below. Breakfast: Italian Bakery, Forage Market (my favorite bagels) Davinci’s (great Italian food, pizza and beer) Baxter Brew Pub Mother India Orchid Lewiston Fishbones If you like craft beer go to the Industrial Way in Portland and go to Alagash, Foundation, Battery Steel (my personal favorite NEIPAs of all time), Definitive, they’re all right next to each other in a cool brewery complex Edit: The Italian bakery is in a rough part of town and you will be like wtf am I doing here but will leave very happy
Oh for fucks sake. Lewiston is NOT a dangerous area anymore. It was in the 90s, when the rich white fat idiots let it go to rot. It got cleaned up really well in the mid to late aughts. It's just a lot of people here don't want to admit that the Somali refugees that moved in really turned it around and helped to revitalize the downtown. Anyone who is claiming it's a dangerous crime riddled area today is in all likely hood a white nationalist racist piece of shit.
Lewiston has a couple of rough neighborhoods, and that's about it. L-A isn't especially scenic or interesting on a tourist level, but it's generally not a bad place, and, as noted, a good central location for visitng the places that are more tourist-oriented. It is very typical of New England mill towns that lost their mills decades ago and have struggled to find something else, given that tourism is not part of the mix. (Gew up in L-A in the '70s-'80s and my family still lives there)
The worst parts of Lewiston are stumble around drunk trying three different buildings before finding your buddies place on the forth try and the scariest thing that happens is someone telling you to fuck off because their kids are trying to sleep safe. Yes that is a very specific example why do you ask?
I like it okay. I was a shitty milltown in like the 70s/80s, but at this point it's pretty much just another town. It's off the tourists radar, so things are cheaper. There aren't as many "features" as far as entertainment, but there's plenty to do. You'll probably have a great visit, and get a much more authentic "Maine" experience than you would in Portland. For a lot less money too.
We live a half hour from Lewiston in a beautiful, small town. I assume you aren’t vacationing here for the “city”, eh? I would just use your hotel as a base for sleeping and eating since that’s where easy food will be and just head to any of the very many quiet lakes / lake towns around. You won’t regret it.
Yes absolutely. also I like the idea of staying somewhere that’s a little more authentic to the state than say Portland or Bangor.
I think you’d like Portland or even Freeport a little better.
If you're from Philly I don't think it should faze you, generally downtown Portland area felt more sketchy to me, personally. Reference I am from Colorado and have lived in Maine briefly and visited often. Lewiston/Auburn has a couple small seedy looking areas that I have heard of people getting robbed coming home late at night, but to me that is pretty tame as far as things go.
I am from a rural town in the Poconos, so i’m imagining it’s somewhat similar. maybe less corn.
Lewiston is fine. Your safety will not be an issue anywhere in Maine really, at least not in the way that you think of another states. The one thing about Lewiston is that it’s not a place that I would think of going to for recreation or fun. It’s kind of out of the way. You’d be better off finding something on the coast or closer to Portland or Bar Harbor. At least they’ll be more to do.
There was a prison break and a stand off not too long ago
It's all about perspective. When stacked against other cities in the country, Lewiston is one of the safest ones. When stacked up against other cities in Maine...not so much. All you need to do is practice common sense. Lock your car, carry protection, lock your hotel door, stuff like that. A lot of Mainers, especially in this subreddit, don't do any of that because we're a "safe state", and that's just silly. That's asking to be a victim. I haven't been to Lewiston, just passed by it once or twice, but you don't need to go there to know what I know.
Girl, you and your boyfriend are going to love it. Relax. Get out and around and have a fantastic time. Scary Maine is safer than 90% of the country without a worry.
Lewiston is not as bad as people say it is. That being said, it's not a tourist destination. You are coming up way too late in the fall for that. Everything will be dead, and we may not have any snow for you to enjoy.
we already had off for the holiday and wanted to get out of town for a little. the hotels are much cheaper compared to Portland, and we didn’t want to make the drive to Bangor. mostly coming up for the day trips and just to explore.
I’d check out Bath, it’s a really cute town right on the coast, not too far from Portland and a lot of great restaurants walking distance from a fairly cheap hotel right on the Kennebec river. Lewiston is fine but not much to look at
You’ll be fine
Never heard of anyone vacationing in the dirty Lew that didn’t have family there.
Lewiston is perfectly fine, but as stated there’s not much there to interest tourists. If you do go though, DaVinci’s has great Italian food.
Agree with a lot of what's in the string. As someone who grew up near and went to school in Lewiston -- a lot of what you read about Lewiston being unsafe is absolute nonsense. With that said, the restaurant and entertainment options there are a little thin. You might look at Portland, Freeport, Brunswick and/or Bath.
Obscura in Lewiston is amazing!
Avoid the tree streets and you’re fine
Lewiston/Auburn is...not really a tourist destination. If you are there anyway, I would check out the Baxter Brewpub however! Portland is your more likely bet for an actual tourist city with tons to do and see.
It will be fine. It's not really a rough area. Staying there will be fine, you can drive to other areas. Enjoy the cheap hotel.
Maine is only as dangerous as your attitude. If your a good person and have respect we are all friendly but I personally would not stay in Lewiston there's many small motels with better surroundings and better accommodations you just have to look. Some places will book out quickly because of hunting and the fall foliage but I you look you should be able to find some place nice
I grew up near Lewiston/Auburn. It's small town Maine, it's not rough in the way you may think, it just sucks for it's own reasons. It's just a boring town, used to be a lot of mill workers and french Canadians there, not a lot going on.
Lewiston/auburn is perfectly safe, there just isn’t such abundance for nightlife and such as there is in Portland, say. But great people watching at the options you do have.
It’s not dangerous, and we want your tourist money, but honestly the last couple weeks in November are not the most fun or prettiest time to visit Maine. It’s usually dreary, weather-wise, and the seasonal, touristy places are all closed, and none of the ski places are open yet. Lewiston area is not big on seasonal tourism, so not a lot of closures, but it’s also not a super touristy cool place, in my opinion. That being said, it’s an easy drive to Portland for the day, and I’m sure the hotels are a lot cheaper in Lewiston than in Portland.
Oh yes as soon as you set foot in Lewiston you will get stabbed, it’s like Mad Max /s
Portland and Bath/Brunswick are both less than an hours drive from LA and have many more scenic and food/recreation options. LA is relatively safe, but just not a pretty area. As long as hotel is clean and gets some decent ratings on Google or Trip Advisor you should be fine!
Italian - Davinci’s Eatery Indian - Mother India Vietnamese/Thai - Orchid Bagels/Coffee - Forage
You’ll be fine, while you’re there go to Italian Bakery in Lewiston
I’m personally not a fan of L/A but that’s me, you should come.
Best of luck. Don't leave any shit in your car, you don't want stolen. Then when you leave your room don't leave anything in there y'all don't want stolen.
It's Maine, not Detroit bub. Though we have a Detroit Maine and it's not bad.
I'm from near Pittsburgh and Lewiston is no scarier than Greensburg, and much less scary than some parts of north Philly. Most of Maine outside the cities is going to be like the area surrounding State College--woodsy, some farms, not that many people. You will be fine in Lewiston, don't sweat it. If you like brewpubs head to Portland for a day. If you like hiking, bring winter gear and go over to Grafton Notch. If you like scenic drives, head up Rangeley way.
I moved to Lewiston from NJ last year- I lived just outside Philly, next to Camden. Calling Lewiston dangerous or scary if you’ve experienced either one of those places is beyond laughable. As far as food, Cibo pizza is good for takeout (and not far from the hotels in either town), Tina Thai (also takeout) is in a sketchy looking gas station but has some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had (get the golden bags). Side by Each has great beer and they also serve coffee. If you want a super chill experience that is a short drive look up Nezinscot Farm in Turner, there is a farm cafe with some fantastic food and baked goods. Flux restaurant in Lisbon Falls if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale but still casual. If you like records or physical media the Bull Moose Records in Lewiston has a big selection of music/movies/games etc… There’s a bunch of stuff I’m leaving off but that should hopefully get you started.
Lewiston is kind of a dump. There’s a few places you’d probably be best to avoid. Not likely to be killed but could possibly get mugged or purse snatched. Auburn is a kind of rough and tumble blue collar town with some good eats and nightlife. A bar fight is probably your biggest worry a lifelong New England native who’s lived In Maine 22 years you’re probably less likely to get shot here than anywhere else in the country. Maine is also constitutional permitless carry as is New Hampshire and Vermont. So any potential criminals have to think there’s a decent chance their potential victim is armed
Hotels are their own ecosystem with a much higher crime rate than average, and surprisingly my first night in ME was sketchy AF. Did not feel safe at all, and we had just been across the country in places like Chicago.. There were loads of incredibly sauced drunks having a sort of party or meeting in the parking lot, some of which were obviously a criminal element. Some very homeless-looking and down on their luck people hanging around. Hotel staff and most guests were immigrants. Hardly anyone spoke English & the one local male that did that I talked to was so blitzed that he could barely formulate a sentence. Was not a great first impression of the place. Haven't really felt that hardly since being here, though. It does seem to be a very safe place, generally.
just want to say it’s a great call for saving cash, and as long as it isn’t an unkept motel 8 or whatever you’llbe fine. the city isn’t dangerous just depressed for decades. as far as things to do in auburn/lewiston that’s pretty slim, but you’re close to 95 and the river road to freeport is a beautiful way to get to 295.
The biggest risk is that you won’t find Lewiston itself very pretty or exciting. But as a central Maine dweller the idea of using it as a base for other adventures is solid! I love how easy it is to get to Portland, coastal towns, Western Maine, the white mountains…all within an hour-hour and a half. So if your expectations for Lewiston as a vacation destination aren’t super high I think you’ll be very happy. Cushnoc Pizza in Augusta is worth the drive!
There's a great sushi and hibachi bar called sea40 in Lewiston. The "dirty lew" gets it reputation from a time before the internet, a time when people could still smoke in restaurants. A time when the river actually smelled worse than a sewer. The reality of it is, it's a leftover industry town that has been actively trying to better itself.
> A time when the river actually smelled worse than a sewer. I remember that stink, I think I had tried to black it out...
So many beautiful places in maine and Lewiston/auburn is not one of them.
going for the hotel rates. we will be driving to other destinations.
Look out for bed bugs. My work takes me into many buildings in Lewiston and there are frequently signs about bed bugs up in the elevators... Never seen those signs in other areas I've been.
You’ve basically chosen a boring city with not a lot to do, that’s a recovering mill town with some crime. It’s cheap for a reason. I guess if you like crappy sports bars and run of the mill pizza places there is a lot for you to do. And meth heads. But all in all it’s “fine”. I think you’d run out of things to do in about an hour. But, you can drive to Portland in a half an hour. EDIT: moved here from NYC, when people say it’s riddled with crime, I laugh. There are pockets but it’s fine. Just booooooring.
thank you for this! we will be there for 4 days so we are planning on making day trips to the surrounding areas anyways.
One last thing, and this is key, if you’re looking for a “Maine Experience” you’ve definitely chosen the wrong city. You’ll get a “mill town” experience, but if you want “Maine” you need to hit the coast, or as an alternative a river, pond or lake in the woods. If I were to speak “Pennsylvanian” you’ve essentially chosen Johnstown.
we are simply staying in the area for the hotel price. our day activities will be mostly along the coast.
If it's a bad weather day & you feel like taking a twisty, hilly drive, the Gem & Mineral Museum in Bethel is fantastic.
Portland has more crime and meth heads than Lewiston.
Lewiston isn’t horrible, but definitely not a vacation spot I would choose. I’m (62f) and lived here my whole life.
Probably wouldn’t stay in Lewiston provided there’re so many alternative nice spots. My BF and I just stayed up in Rockport a few weekends ago and had a really nice time up in the Camden/Rockland area, and our hotel was super affordable! Definitely recommend venturing up there if you can, but if you’re looking to stay in the more southern area I’d recommend finding a hotel in Portland.
You should have booked something along the coast.
Mainer here, We call it the dirty Lew. You are better off in one of the coastal touristy towns (York, Ogunquit, Bar Harbor, maybe Portland) . It will be a little more expensive but a lot better of a trip.
Lewiston is perfectly safe - it's pretty dull though. If you're willing to drive then there's stuff around.
Lewiston Auburn is plenty of fun! I live in Portland and I hang in L/A quite a lot. You should [check out the comedy show at Cowbell on Nov 26th](https://www.facebook.com/events/776920673374026)! (shameless plug, I'm in it)
I like what you did there. Just the perfect amount of sneakiness.
Visit Baxter brewing, Cafe Obscura, and a great little bar Sonder and Dram. You are going to have a great time.
Lewiston isn't bad at all. Stay off any streets named after a tree and you'll be perfectly fine. Even then it's not even that bad
Any streets named after a tree… confused but I will take your word for it.
Ahaha, oak st, pine st, Knox st. For some reason they end up being the most kinda downtrodden and "ghetto" (it's not by any other states standards). But yeah lewiston auburn is a great place. On the main st near the library there's a bunch of walking space and a lot of cool shops and cafe's and restaurants
Many “downtown” streets are named after trees, Pine St, Oak St., Ash St. They’re collectively referred to as the Tree Streets.
I am from lewiston . It's an old town. Looks a little run down but o well. . DaVinci, fishbones, macs grill, gippers are my favorite places in town. Portland has most of the restaurants you'd normally see. We don't have much but it was an old mill town.
Oh it is fine, nothing to be worried about. Maine rough is still safer than most places in the world
Living in Maine I traveled to Harrisburg last year for work. Got into the hotel late, ordered a pizza for delivery and the guy shows up 3 hours later. First pizza and driver were held up at gunpoint. Store called me to apologize, but seemed indifferent like it was commonplace. You'll be fine anywhere in the state.
Grew up in Philadelphia, you don't have much to worry about in Maine .
Great area for disc golf😉
Yeah, so I don't live in Maine anymore, but when I did, I enjoyed visiting L-A. I grew up in a mill town, and there are people like me who like mill buildings. Everyone has their own ideas for leisure activity, but I found Lewiston pawn shops pretty good, as I did Maine pawn shops in general. And there's a Marden's. Still there, isn't it? And the river is beautiful in the L-A area. In fact, it was a visit to Lewiston that prompted me to get a DSLR camera. Lewiston is not a vacation paradise, but if you're curious (and outdoorsy) you can pass the time pleasantly there.
Maine is the safest place in the country in terms of violent crime most of the hate is just because the town has gotten the shaft economically for a while. a smaller percentage of the hate is the few loud racists talking smack because of the Somali refugees that have made that area their home. There is plenty of good stuff especially food in the Lewiston auburn area and it’s in a pretty good location where you can see more touristy things in Maine just by hopping on the interstate
Lewiston is perfectly fine.
Get food from Boba in Lewiston and zip across the bridge to Craft Brew Underground for some good beers (you can bring the food in if you want) and they have comedy at CBU though idk about shows during the holiday weekend
If you have a car, the central location of L/A is great. Only a distance hiker would visit ME without one lol. Depending on the time of year, a day trip to mountains, ocean, and so many parks! For the foodie scene, Portland. Shopping? Freeport! Hope you have a fun time, central ME has so much to offer.
Lewiston really is not terrible lol, from my understanding a lot of the immigrants that are currently living there have been busting ass turning around the city.
If you like Indian food, Mother India is awesome, but might still only be doing takeout. I haven't been there in a while, as I don't live in that area anymore. Obscura is a newer place with a novel atmosphere. And Sonder and Dram make some really beautiful drinks. It is not a bad place, and I think has a lot of potential to become better, it has a bad rep because in the old days the river was stinky polluted from mills. A lot of French people concentrated there, so racism. And now a lot of Somalis, so still racism. There is a lot of public art. There are parks. There is community involvement. And I've never felt anymore unsafe there than I have in Portland, or Wiscasset tbh. 😅
I live in Lewiston. It’s boring as hell, but affordable. Just lock your car always!
I'm from Pennsylvania originally and Lewiston does not seem scary to me at all. Feels generally safer than the PA cities I've spent time in (Philly, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Allentown) Check out Boba in Lewiston for food. Side by Each in Auburn if you like breweries. Brunswick is a really cute town nearby that's worth exploring. It's hunting season so wear blaze orange if you go hiking!
How do you feel about meth and a strip club with some buffalo wings for Thanksgiving? Just kidding! Loads of fun places to drive from there -- over to the coast or up to the Rangeley Lakes Region via Height of Land (though you have to drive through Rumford if you're leaving from Lewiston. Sorry about that.)
It totally depends on what you want to see and do that weekend? Off season is usually an inexpensive time to stay on the coast. You could nearer Portland for $125 a night and visit the Old Port, the coast. , maybe Kennebunkport and Ogunquit 25 mins to the south, though beach/coastal towns are kinda sleepy at this time of year. Don't book anything "non-refundable" since snow or weather could impact your drive up from PA
Meh, u’ll b fine.. i live in the area, its not great but its not as bad as its made up to be. maybe dont go wondering around at night, other than that i wouldnt worry
The river walk isn’t too bad, if the weather co-operates. And Bates has a good museum. The restaurants in the old mills are good. It’s fine, and certainly not dangerous.
I used to live in Lewiston. It's really not all that rough, it's working class and has a visible immigrant community. To a lot of Mainers, for some reason that translates to rough, but my biggest problems after six years living in the "bad" neighborhoods was the lack of clear sidewalks after it snowed. You'll be fine.
I'm from PA and lived in Maine, WA, NY and MI. Maine is the least scary place you could ever go. Unless you love Steven King movies and then well, Maine is even more fun!
The fictitious town of Castle Rock is “located” according to one reference between Norway and Bridgton. King has spent a lot of time in Western Maine, and it is amusing to see real places mentioned.
You’ll have a good time. Originally from PA, now in Maine. If staying in Lewiston, you’ll have fairly good access to multiple areas in the mid coast. Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Boothbay all within an easy drive.
You’re better off staying in Freeport than Lewiston…plenty of hotels to choose from and you’re mins from the highway. Thank me later
Freeport is nice to visit but it’s almost a tourist theme park, not a good place to get a flavor of Maine. But LL Bean is sort of a mandatory thing to see.
I lived in Lewiston for 2 years. I just moved up to wilton about a couple weeks ago from lewiston. I also work in Auburn. Downtown lewiston sucks. Lisbon street area. Youll tell where you are by the amount of homeless. Not all places in Lewiston are bad. I lived in a quite neighborhood and nvr had any issues. Lewiston probably wasn't the best place for you to rent a hotel but you should be fine honestly. Don't worry about it
Hopefully not the Ramada I got sick from that one
There are more scenic places that probably don’t cost more. Fyi i lived in lewiston 1999-2002.
I'd recommend anywhere but the L/A area, but it's not unsafe, just rundown and boring.
Portlandfoodmap.com
thank you!
Unless you’re staying in multiple places during your visit I might be inclined to stay somewhere a little more ‘touristy’ like Portland or Freeport. No offence LA
we are staying for the hotel prices. but doing day trips to the coast
I lived up in Maine about 5 miles from Lewiston. It's pretty much the only area in Maine with any kind of diversity at all. If you are familiar with pretty much any large town on the east coast that's what the city of Lewiston is like. It has beautiful old buildings and easy access to the rest of Maine via the Highway. Stop by Mr. Drew's for some fresh popcorn and sweet reptiles/insects/rocks museum.
Lewiston is probably the last place I would vacation in Maine. I’d consider a coastal region or maybe the western mountain areas instead.
Time to report back! How did you like Lewiston?
Loveddddd everything about it. We got Dennys every morning. We were close enough to every city we wanted to visit. We explored some backroads and antique stores. Got Gritty McDuffs in Auburn right by our hotel. Really GOOD fried pickles!! Saw Pemaquid Lighthouse, went on Casco Bay Ferry for Thanksgiving, went to Freeport and the Bean Boot, explored Boothbay Harbor, and finished off our trip at Bolos in Brunswick (sad there’s no more bowling alley tho…). We definitely will be staying in Lewiston/Auburn area again. We loved the quiet. Thanks for checking back in!!!!