Janet Mitchko moved from New York City to the Lewiston-Auburn area 33 years ago when she took a job at The Public Theatre.
Decades into being a Mainer, she shared some of the places she loves in the twin cities.
Where do you like to eat?
Forage originated in Lewiston, and it’s hard to walk by this cool hangout spot. It’s great to meet a friend or read a book undisturbed while grabbing one of their award-winning bagels, breakfast sandwich or a slice of their chocolate vegan cake.
For lunch, I often go to a quiet local spot called She Doesn’t Like Guthrie’s, where every day they offer two homemade soups, homemade muffins, chocolate chip zucchini cookies, chocolate chip pumpkin bread and chickpea donuts. They also have a great selection of smoothies, fresh coffees, sandwiches, wraps and paninis, including an excellent chicken cranberry walnut salad.
Mac’s Downeast Seafood in Auburn has excellent fried clams, fish and chips and onion rings when you need a noncoastal seafood fix.
Where do you like to get a drink?
Baxter beer is brewed in Lewiston, and The Pub in the renovated Bates Mill complex is their very cool home. Given that they have over 20 of their beers on tap, buying a beer flight is always a fun way to sample them.
Where do you like to connect with nature?
The Riverwalk Trail between Lewiston and Auburn along the Androscoggin River and crossing over the pedestrian bridge (the best view to watch the balloon festival from) is always a nice thing to do, especially if the falls are running. We also have Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary to walk through and the Bates College campus is very pretty to walk around. But one of the nicest views, especially in the fall, is up at Wallingford’s Orchard in Auburn. Plus, their apple cider donuts are the best I’ve had in Maine.
Where do you like to shop locally?
Lewiston has the original Marden’s, and it’s hard to resist a bargain.
The Vault is a really nice wine and specialty store.
Quiet City Books is a tiny local used and independent bookstore with unusual things.
Ellard Studios houses over 30 different local artists if you’re looking to buy something original and fun.
What’s a hidden gem in town?
Mancini’s Italian Deli is a very tiny hidden gem storefront offering gigantic (bring a friend to share) homemade Italian-inspired sandwiches on fresh baked focaccia bread. I always enjoy their hot honey burrata arugula salad.
Recognized for its artistic excellence and affordable prices, The Public Theatre is an award-winning professional Equity theater located in downtown Lewiston where you can see plays and actors from Broadway and beyond performing in Maine.
In Auburn, there’s a very pretty hidden walking/biking path that runs 4 miles round trip alongside Lake Auburn called Spring Road Trail .
Another place is the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1936. It’s gorgeous and was designed by architects Noel Coumont and Timothy G. O’Connell.
Five Things is a feature in which locals give our readers suggestions for exploring the state of Maine, town by town. Have a city or town you think we should explore in the future? Tell News & Culture Editor Katherine Lee at [email protected].
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