Gardiner ME – A Small Town With a Big HeartGardiner ME – A Small Town With a Big Heart
Gardiner ME,a small city with lots of culture and history,is an interesting place to visit. Its downtown is a beautiful place to visit and shop. The shops are mostly locally owned,and they offer a wide range of products.
Hanna Carlson is 8 years old and loves to draw – on paper or her tablet. She has hypermobility syndrome,a disorder that causes joint pain and fatigue.
Historic Downtown
Downtown is a National Historic District,and the main focus of the Main Street Program. The thriving downtown has unique local restaurants,shops,breweries,and is the home to Johnson Hall,which hosts musicians and art events.
Located on Water Street,the Gardiner Public Library is Queen Anne and Romanesque in style. The building was added to numerous times to expand its collection of books which include works by Laura Richards and Pulitzer Prize winning poet Edwin Arlington Robinson.
A1 Diner is located on the same block and has been a local favorite for many generations. The diner is on stilts because of its location by the Kennebec River which frequently flooded the town,and was originally named Al’s Diner until new owners decided to drop the “l” and call it A1. Gardiner’s favorite diner for breakfast,dinner and lunch.
Kennebec River Rail Trail
Kennebec River Rail Trail is a 6.5-mile trail that welcomes visitors and locals alike to walk,run,cycle,skate and rollerblade. The multi-use trail parallels the existing rail bed along the Kennebec River and stretches from Augusta Maine’s Waterfront Park,through Hallowell and Farmingdale to its conclusion in Gardiner.
The asphalt-paved path features a steep slope overlooking the State Capitol Complex and provides stunning views of Augusta. The granite quarter-mile markers are a replica of the old railroad tracks. It is easy to ride bikes with children and wheelchairs.
The Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail is a non-profit group that was founded to support the establishment of the trail and its ongoing maintenance. The “Friends” organize and conduct public meetings; solicit city and town support from the municipalities of Augusta,Hallowell,Farmingdale and Gardiner; provide administrative support; and seek and manage funding to maintain and enhance this recreational asset.
You can also find out more about the Arts
Gardiner is home to a vibrant culture and arts scene. Founded as Gardinerston in 1754 and then incorporated in 1803 as Gardiner,it sits along the Kennebec River and features scenic recreational trails.
Allison McKeen,Matt Demers and their 1850 Gardiner farm play with cultural mashups. In the kitchen,for example,an Uncle Tom’s Market refrigerator sticker and a Jonni-Cheatwood painting are displayed with stacks of cardboard boxes.
Located in the Historic Downtown District,Johnson Hall promotes artistic excellence through world-class entertainment and performing arts education. The 117-seat theatre and classrooms are used for performances,educational outreach and live streaming worldwide.
Every summer,local artists showcase their work around town during ARTWALK GARDINER,first launched in 2005 by Artdogs Studios. Since then,the event has grown to include local businesses. Gilg’s wheat-pasted piece of Robinson’s eyes will be joined by five other works from local artists until the next ARTWALK.
Enjoying the Food
Gardiner offers a wide variety of restaurants to satisfy your appetite. There is something for everyone,whether you’re looking for great pizza or steak,or want some of the best craft beer in the area.
The Corral is a family-friendly eatery with a great Old West feel. The menu includes everything from classic bacon-cheeseburgers to bison or elk hamburgers. They also have a wide variety of beers on tap.
Since he was 12,Tony has always been a restaurant fan. He is a foodie and loves to try new places. He is a big supporter of local businesses and loves the small town atmosphere. When he isn’t busy working,you can find him at a local restaurant enjoying some tasty grub.