activities
There is no place like Maine in the summer. From the iconic lighthouses nestled into rocky coves, to Portland’s cobblestone streets, Maine offers myriad experiences for our students and faculty. While studying at the Festival, you can visit art museums, experience popular productions at Maine State Music Theatre, enjoy the tastes of fresh seafood at coastal lobster shacks, and relish fine dining in downtown Brunswick at James Beard nominated restaurants. The great outdoors is never far, the region has ample opportunities for day hikes through wooded paths or overnight stays on imposing mountains, white water rafting, ocean cruising on island ferries, and biking through miles of uninterrupted farm lands. A summer in Maine is truly the way life should be.
Maine’s beaches, parks, and coastal towns, and Bowdoin’s libraries, museums, athletic complex, and playing fields provide many recreational opportunities. Freeport, a renowned shopping destination, is just a few miles from campus.
Past activities have included:
- Popham Beach
- Freeport Shopping
- Movie Nights
- Tie Dye Activities
- Lobster Dinners at Estes
- Cliff Trail
- Bradbury Mountain State Park
- Reid State Park Beach
- Hiking Trips
- Whale Watching
- Downtown Dining
- Peaks Island
- Monhegan Island
- Paddle Board Excursions
- Soccer Games
- Bath Heritage Days Carnival
- 4th of July Fireworks
- Weekly Yoga Instruction
- Pizza Parties
- Ice Cream Socials
- Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
bowdoin College Campus
Students are housed in Bowdoin College dorms and apartment buildings and have access to Bowdoin’s libraries, museums, athletic complex, and playing fields. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided by the award-winning Bowdoin College dining hall — which students describe as “exceptional” and “amazing.”
Sports – Athletic facilities include a 16-lane pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, squash courts, a fitness center, and more.
Libraries – The Hawthorne-Longfellow Library and the Beckwith Music Library contain a large collection of scores, records, compact discs, and books.
Museums – The Bowdoin College Museum of Art and Arctic Museum are open throughout the summer.
Theatre – Maine State Music Theatre presents a summer season from June through August of four fully staged musicals, two children’s musicals, and related special events.
Brunswick & midcoast Maine
Brunswick, home to about 20,000, includes many great restaurants, coffee shops (make sure you check out Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe), and stores within a short walk of campus. Residence life trips take students to Freeport, a popular shopping destination, and many students enjoy trips to Portland, which was Bon Appétit’s 2018 Restaurant City of the Year.
