In case you’ve been absent from the community, new to the area or just in town for a visit, you may not know that the Twin Cities has undergone – and continues to undergo – a cultural and economic renaissance. Here is a list of must-sees and must-dos for your enjoyment if you are in the area.

Take a walk on the Riverwalk, which meanders along the Androscoggin River and connects Auburn’s Festival Plaza with Lewiston’s Simard Payne Memorial Park, formerly Railroad Park.

Enjoy some peace and quiet at Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, the largest bird sanctuary in northern New England, and a 357-acre wildlife preserve that is also the highest point in Lewiston.

Go to a performance at The Public Theatre, Community Little Theatre, or the Franco-American Heritage Center. Visit LAarts.org for a schedule of events.

Visit Sts. Peter & Paul Basilica on Bartlett Street. If you’re fortunate, you can get a personal tour if you call ahead at 777-1200.

Museum L-A, located at the Bates Mill Complex and dedicated to telling the story of work and community in L-A; its focus is primarily on the community’s textile, shoe, and brick-making heritage. For more info, call 333-3881.

Eat at one of our many fabulous restaurants, including Fish Bones American Grill (seafood), Gritty McDuff’s (great pub food), Fuel (French bistro), Mac’s Grill (steak and beef), DaVinci’s Eatery (Italian), Marco’s (Italian), Pedro O’Hara’s (Mexican/Irish) and Marche (French/American) just to name a few.

If you’re fortunate, your visit might coincide with many local summer festivals, including Festival FrancoFun (June 3-4), the Great Falls Balloon Festival (Aug. 19-21), Moxie Festival (July 8-10), Bates College Dance Festival (July 1-August 13), Liberty Festival (July 4), and the Greek Festival (Sept. 8-10).

Paddle down the Androscoggin River. Many people don’t know there’s a boat launch along Lincoln Street, heading away from the downtown.

Take a walk to the top of the Great Falls via a partially paved trail behind the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch. From there, you’ll get to West Pitch Park.

Visit our many parks and walking trails. For a trail guide, visit www.latrails.org.

Visit the Bates College Museum of Art, with intriguing, world-class, and sometimes quirky exhibits, always tastefully done. Visit www.bates.edu/museum for hours and details.

Want a few places that are uniquely L-A? How about a visit to the Androscoggin Historical Society, located in the Androscoggin County Building on Court Street in Auburn and check out a huge collection of Civil War artifacts, American Indian tools, maps, Revolutionary War paraphernalia, and so much more. Hours are limited, so visit www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~meandrhs for details. Orphan Annie’s on Court Street in Auburn for antiques and curios. Mini-golf at Taber’s near Lake Auburn. Lost Valley for family skiing in the winter, or paint ball in the off-season.

If you want to shop, Auburn has its share of big-box stores in the Mount Auburn Avenue and Turner Street areas including Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Lowes, Home Depot, Long Horn Steakhouse, T.G.I. Friday’s, Starbuck’s, and more.

If it happens to be fall or winter, go see a Lewiston MAINEiacs game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Birch Street in Lewiston. It’s exciting hockey and features the only U.S.-based Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team.

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