Fort Kent - town in Maine, USA

Fort Kent is a small town in the Aroostook region of Maine along the USA border with Canada. It is at the end of U.S. Highway 1.

Get in

There are only 2 roads into Fort Kent from the American side; The most scenic and practical way is likely to take you through the scenic and winding road that is Route 11, taken off Interstate 95 at exit 264. You can follow Route 1 all the way to the end anywhere from Key West Florida to Fort Kent, which historically ends in downtown Fort Kent. You can take the Cyr Bus line out of Old Town, Maine right into town.

Get around

In addition to the roads there is a public snowmobile/walking trail called the "Heritage Trail" that starts in the McDonald's parking lot and ends on the other side of town by traveling 'behind' the town for the entire length of the town. Often you will see locals with snowshoes on and others snowmobiling. In the summer it is a leisurely way to go around town

See

Fort Kent has amazing country sides with beautiful rolling fields used for potato farming. Do not be afraid to take side roads as they often lead to these. Some of the nicer ones are Charette Hill Road (Half is closed NOV-MAY), North Perley Brook Road, and South Perley Brook road. They all end up back in town one way or another so ride them until the end and take in the scenery.

• University of Maine, 23 University Dr, 47.25°, -68.5875°. Campus at Fort Kent.

Do

Outdoor activities include canoeing down the beautiful St. John River (May - Sept.), snowmobiling (Dec. - Mar.), cruising to the Allagash and watch for moose along the way.

• Ployes Festival.
• Scarecrow Festival.
• Muskie Derby.
• Can-Am Dogsled Races. Held in March and they bring thousands to the town.
• Fort Kent Blockhouse.
• Fort Kent Country Club, Route 161 (3 miles West of town). Golf.
• Lonesome Pine Trails. Skiing.

Buy

• Paradis Stop 'n' Shop. The main grocery store in town and is located in the plaza with TD Bank
• Miller's Department Store. An excellent shop to visit. With everything you need and more Miller's is the place to get a Fort Kent T-shirt during your visit
• Family Dollar.
• UMFK. Has a bookstore that sells collegiate clothing and Fort Kent knick-knacks

Eat

Chain restaurants include Subway and McDonalds.

• Rock's Diner.
• China Garden.
• Swampbuck Bar & Restaurant.
• Al's Tastee Freeze.
• Java Joes.
• John's Shurfine Subshop.
• Rosette's. Make sure to try a ploye, some baked beans, chicken stew, and a poutine (mix) while you're here!

Drink

If you cross the bridge to Claire, New Brunswick there is a bar that just opened in January 2012 that caters to a younger crowd. They also have a bowling alley that is under construction.

• BJs Tavern. Thursday is NICKEL DRAFT night. But call ahead for what hours as they vary. Live Performances by local bands.
• Swampbuck. The most elite restaurant in town. Has a great full bar with a function hall upstairs.

Sleep

There are several motels in Madawaska, Maine but that is close to 35 minutes away and does not offer the same small town feeling as Fort Kent does.

• The Northern Door Inn. Located in Downtown Fort Kent across from the Customs border. The obvious choice for those wishing to stay right 'in town'.
• The Overlook Motel. Located about 25 minutes out of town in Eagle Lake, Maine but offers private lakeside cabins in addition to regular motel style rooms.

Go next

Route 11, Route 161 -> Route 1, and over the international bridge to Clair, NB are your options for departure.