Lewiston & Auburn

Historic, walkable riverfronts, and rural surroundings

Lewiston and Auburn, twin cities on the revitalized Androscoggin River, are home to a number of parks and walking trails, along with natural gems such as Lake Auburn and the 357-acre Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary.

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The tapestry of L-A

Former mill towns in the midst of a renaissance, the Lewiston-Auburn area (known as L-A) is home to a first-rate professional theater, a symphony orchestra, several art galleries and colorful celebrations like the Great Falls Balloon Festival.

Daily life in L-A has a distinctly French accent owing to the thousands of French Canadian immigrants who came to work in textile mills powered by the Androscoggin River in the mid-19th century.

More recently, Lewiston has seen the arrival of new residents, including a vibrant Somali and Togolese population.

Lewiston/Auburn in brief

Population

107,552 in the Lewiston-Auburn Metro Area; 58,893 in the twin cities; second-largest metropolitan area in Maine.

Location

40 minutes north of Portland; one hour from the ocean or mountains.

Arts

Galleries and museums; a historical society; performing arts groups, including a classical music society and Equity theater.

Shopping/Dining

A downtown shopping area and several shopping centers; two multiplex cinemas; more than 80 restaurants, offering a wide variety of styles and cuisines.

Outdoor Recreation

Four golf courses, 2,260-acre Lake Auburn, the Androscoggin River, several natural parks, freshwater beaches, and ski areas. Ranked the 31st healthiest community in the country by Business/Development Outlook, a trade magazine.

Job Opportunities

Included among the major employment fields are health care, printing and graphics, banking, telemarketing and developing technologies.

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Impressions

In focus

Things to see and do in L/A
- Take the Riverwalk. Visit Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica. Explore Museum L-A. Attend a theater production, play, or concert. See a MAINEiacs hockey game. Take in some history. More
Get outdoors
- You can be in the second largest community in Maine, yet still get the quintessential Maine experience, from biking and walking along the Androscoggin River to enjoying the tranquil surroundings of a nature preserve. More

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Voices

"Students enjoy monitoring the water quality of the Androscoggin because it pertains to the health of their watershed and their community and adds relevance to the science that they are learning." — Beverly Johnson, Associate Professor of Geology

Facts

The highest point on the Bates campus is the summit of Mount David (379.6 feet), from which one may see a magnificent panoramic view of Lewiston/Auburn and the surrounding communities

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