From the top of the falls to the feet of Muhammad Ali, there’s a path along the Androscoggin River that brings you to multiple parks, sights and local history in Auburn and Lewiston.

One recommended way to take it all in is to start at West Pitch Park in Auburn, travel south along the Riverwalk following the Androscoggin River and through downtown, cross over into Lewiston and end at Veterans Memorial Park beside Main Street.

Along the way you can learn about history, hit up some shops and eateries, visit some storied buildings and take in local art. Remember to follow all park rules and take great care when crossing high-traffic roads, including Court Street in Auburn and Main Street in Lewiston. 

Though there is no official Riverwalk in Lewiston, the route takes you over a delightful footbridge between the two cities and you will return to your starting point over the Longley Memorial Bridge.

Look for some of the Museum in the Streets historical markers along the way to learn more about the two cities’ heritage, in both English and French, along with 16 display cases, part of Auburn’s Storywalk, holding local art and culture pieces May-November.

GREAT FALLS VIEWPOINT

You can start the Auburn Riverwalk at Great Falls Plaza. A sidewalk that runs behind The Hilton Garden Inn and Auburn Esplanade housing building leads to the top of the falls and the Great Falls Viewpoint, after a short hike through West Pitch Park. The view overlooks the falls. From there you can see downriver toward the downtowns and the Longley Memorial Bridge and upriver toward other dams that helped power the mills, some of which are long gone now.

KNIGHT HOUSE IN WEST PITCH PARK

While you’re in the park, plan to visit the historic Knight House, located at the park entrance. It’s among the oldest frame-houses in the area, built in 1796, along with a small shoe shop housing tools and equipment from that time. Tours of the house are offered by appointment.

FESTIVAL PLAZA

Then travel south along the Riverwalk, behind the Hilton Garden Inn, crossing Court Street and past Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub and Nutty Nettie’s Cafe to reach Festival Plaza, where Auburn holds many of its public events, including the Lobster Festival and free summer concerts.

There is a unique canopy over the area, which is situated downtown among the city’s historic buildings. The park itself is public art. There is also a “shoe fountain,” paying homage to the city’s shoemaking history.

While you’re there you can hit up some of the city’s downtown shops and eateries before accessing the Riverwalk via Festival Plaza and continuing south along the Riverwalk.

BONNEY PARK

Bonney Park is the next stop on the Riverwalk trail. It was named after Auburn police officer Rodney (Rocky) Bonney, who died in 1981 while trying to rescue a teen from the cold Androscoggin River.

While you’re in the area, take a detour up to Main Street and check out the Auburn Art Wall, which is along the east side of Main Street heading away from the downtown toward New Auburn. There are nine murals by local artists hanging on the cement wall down the road from Bonney Park.

Back at Bonney Park, take the John T. Jenkins Memorial Footbridge across the Androscoggin River to Lewiston.

SIMARD-PAYNE MEMORIAL PARK

Simard-Payne Memorial Park is the first park you’ll encounter when crossing into Lewiston. Its name honors police officers Paul J. Simard and David Payne, who were killed in the line of duty about 30 years apart.

Native Americans used the area for fishing, hunting, canoeing and trading before European colonization. Then the mills came, and a rail yard was constructed over part of the current park.

Now it’s used for recreation and community events, such as the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival and the annual Dempsey Challenge.

RAYMOND PARK

Travel north along the paved path at the north side of Simard-Payne Memorial Park that leads back to Main Street in Lewiston, take a right, and cross busy Lincoln Street to come to Raymond Park, a small park with some seating and a water fountain. Be careful; the park is at a busy intersection with Main Street.

If you walk a little farther up Main Street you can view the city’s iconic Muhammad Ali statute, with the colorful Hopeful sign on the Bates Mill #5 behind it.

If you’re hungry or thirsty, head up to Lisbon Street for more eateries (and Lisbon Street’s many shops) or head back and down adjacent Mill Street and Lincoln Street, which offer more eateries.

VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

Across busy Main Street from Raymond Park is Veterans Memorial Park. Thirty-four stone monuments honor men and women who served in the military. The park includes a monument to the USS Maine with an actual projectile shell from the ship, a Vietnam-era A-7D Corsair II airplane, a military jeep, a 5-inch Navy gun, and a ship anchor. The park is used often for ceremonies on national holidays to honor those who served.

It is also a good place to take in views at the bottom of the Great Falls on the Androscoggin River.

From there, cross the Longley Memorial Bridge back to Auburn to Great Falls plaza and return to your starting point.