“There’s nothing to do!”

As a parent, how often do we hear those words come out of the mouths of our children? If you live in downtown Lewiston-Auburn or one the surrounding towns, or if you are a visitor from away, there are plenty of fun and, dare we say, educational activities to be found right here on the beautiful and historic banks of the Androscoggin River.

LA Trails

The mission statement of LA Trails, a program of the Androscoggin Land Trust, states: “To serve as a public advocate for trail development by bringing together groups and individuals to create and help maintain non-motorized recreational trails, connecting urban streets and rural trails in Lewiston-Auburn.”

From the longer trails, such as the Lake Auburn Loop on the outskirts of town, to shorter downtown walks, like the Riverwalk Trail connecting the Festival Plaza in Auburn with Railroad Park in Lewiston via the scenic railroad pedestrian bridge, LA Trails has something for everyone.

Likewise, the West Pitch Park path leads north from the Longley Bridge to the dramatic lookout point above the Great Falls, and several miles of trail at Mount Apatite Park afford opportunities for family hiking and mountain biking.

Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary

Also listed on the LA Trails Map & Trail Guide, Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary has been owned and managed by the Stanton Bird Club since 1921. According to bird club member Susan Hayward:

“Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary is a 372-acre gem in the city limits of Lewiston. At the height of land on the top of the hill, a visitor has reached the highest point in Lewiston at 520 feet. The view of Mt. Washington is spectacular on a clear day.”

Thorncrag as a forested nature preserve is unparalleled in its urban accessibility and safe, open trail system. The variety of habitats for wildlife range from vernal pools to support and protect the frogs and salamander, to open meadows for bluebirds and bobolinks. Stanton has a mission to keep the sanctuary habitats in prime condition for all wildlife, especially birds.

“The public is welcome every day between dawn and dusk, at no charge, to walk the three miles of trails and enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature there.”

Informational kiosks are located at both gate entrances, on Montello Street and East Avenue.

Museum L-A

In addition to the magnificent architecture sprinkled throughout the Lewiston-Auburn area, our historic mills — where once immigrant workers labored to make shoes and cloth — are being reclaimed as living and business spaces. Museum L-A makes its home in one such mill.

On June 15, Museum L-A will celebrate the opening of its newest exhibit. “From the Roaring 20s to Swing” is scheduled to run through April of 2015. Susan Beane of Museum L-A said:

“This exhibit will cover one of the most fascinating historical times in America, when jazz emerged as the first national, musical movement and spread through the country. The rise of jazz was bolstered by the concurrent evolution of music, technology and dance, while prohibition, World Wars I and II, and the 1918 influenza left significant imprints on American culture and its music.”

The museum space itself will be transformed into a 1920s speakeasy, transporting the viewer into an era when alcohol was illegal and the community’s rebellious life force was captured by its distinctive, American music.

During the day, the museum will function normally, treating viewers to an educational experience through the use of visually outstanding material and artifacts of the era.

Once a month, however, the museum will change into a “legitimate” speakeasy, complete with live music, authentic décor, a bouncer, a secret password and alcohol served in coffee mugs. There may even be a “police raid” when you least expect it! The speakeasy will be transformed as the exhibit progresses capturing the spirit of the roaring ’20s.

Museum L-A is located at 35 Canal Street in Lewiston and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition, Museum L-A will host other events this summer, including the second annual “Bands on the Run Half Marathon, 5K and Kids’ Fitness Course,” in June, and the second annual “Lewiston-Auburn Mini Maker Faire … a family-friendly celebration featuring do-it-yourself science and technology, robots, crafts, music, art and local food,” in September.

Great Falls Model Railroad Club

Across the river, in Auburn, the Great Falls Model Railroad Club makes it home at 144 Mill Street. According to club member Jerry Johnston:

“The Great Falls Model Railroad Club is the premier model railroad club in the state of Maine. About 50 percent of its 6,000-square-foot facility is devoted to three model railroad layouts in three scales of N, HO and G. All are in various building states and scenic work.

The club’s library is well stocked with books, slides, photos, magazines and various other railroad documents serving the modeler as well as the real railroad enthusiast. It’s a great place to visit and learn about railroads and model railroading.”

The club is open to the public every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning and special visits may be planned by contacting T.P. King at 207-576-3788.

Monthly meetings scheduled for the third Thursday of every month include videos and clinics as well as the club’s business meeting. In addition, the club will host several special events this summer including the Hobo Holiday in May and the Train Fest in August, during Balloon Festival weekend.

Add to these the events and performances hosted by our theatre, arts and athletic organizations, and with Lewiston-Auburn as your destination, there is something for everyone every day of the week.