Gardiner ME – A Small Town With a Big Heart
Gardiner ME is a small town with a lot of history and culture. The downtown area is a great place to shop and visit. Most of the shops are locally owned and offer a variety of items.
Hanna Carlson, 8, loves to draw — on paper or with 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.
The Gardiner Public Library, located on Water Street in Gardiner, is a Queen Anne and Romanesque style building. 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.
On the same block, you’ll find A1 Diner which has been a mainstay for generations. It was initially called Al’s Diner, but new owners dropped the “l” to call it A1. The diner is now a Gardiner favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kennebec River Rail Trail
The 6.5 mile Kennebec River Rail Trail welcomes locals and visitors alike for walking, running, cycling, skating and rollerblading. 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. The paved surface makes it easy to ride a bike with children in tow, and it is wheelchair accessible.
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 has a rich culture and arts scene. Gardiner was founded in 1754 as Gardinerston and incorporated as Gardiner in 1803. It is located along the Kennebec River with scenic recreational trails.
Artists Allison McKeen and Matt Demers play with cultural mash-ups in their 1850 Gardiner farmhouse. In the kitchen, for example, an Uncle Tom’s Market refrigerator sticker and a Jonni-Cheatwood painting are displayed with stacks of cardboard boxes.
Johnson Hall, located in the Historic Downtown District of Toronto, promotes artistic excellence by providing world-class entertainment as well as performing arts education. In the 117-seat theater and classrooms, they host performances, educational outreach, and live streams worldwide.
Artdogs Studios, which launched ARTWALK in 2005, hosts the event every summer. The event has expanded to include local businesses. This year, Gilg’s wheat paste piece of Robinson’s eyes is joined by works from five other local artists and will remain in place 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 has a wonderful Old West atmosphere and is family friendly. They have everything from classic bacon cheeseburgers to bison and elk burgers. They also have a wide variety of beers on tap.
Tony has been a fan of restaurants since he got his first paper route at age 12. He is a foodie and loves to try new places. He loves small towns and supports local businesses. You can often find him in a local eatery when he’s not working.
