Kid-Friendly Brunswick, Me: A Guide

Brunswick, Maine, is a small town in southeastern Maine, with plenty of kid-friendly activities. From beaches to museums, there's something for everyone. Thomas Point Beach offers family fun with picnicking, camping, playgrounds, and sports areas. The Pejepscot Museum showcases local history, while the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum delves into the life of a Civil War hero. Brunswick also has a vibrant arts scene, with the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and the Maine State Music Theatre. For indoor fun, there's Slot Car Junction, Yankee Lanes for bowling, and Eveningstar Cinema for movies. Brunswick truly offers a diverse range of attractions for families to enjoy.

Thomas Point Beach

The beach hosts several special events each year, including the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival, a world-renowned, award-winning festival held over Labor Day Weekend. Other events include the Grateful Camp Out, a 3-day music festival in August, and the Summer Jam Camp Out, also a 3-day music festival held in July.

In addition to the beach, there is an 85-acre campground with over 100 campsites suitable for adventure seekers of all levels. The campground is open year-round and is centrally located near Route 1 and Downtown Brunswick. It offers a variety of amenities, including a playground, wi-fi, and flush toilets.

Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum

The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum is a great place to visit with kids in Brunswick, Maine. The museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Joshua L. Chamberlain, a Civil War hero, Governor of Maine, professor, and president of Bowdoin College. Here are some details about the museum:

History of the House

The house that became the Chamberlain Museum was likely built in 1824 by Jesse Pierce, who owned a tract of land on Potter Street. The house changed hands several times before Chamberlain purchased it in 1859 for $2,100. After returning from the Civil War, Chamberlain and his family made some architectural changes to the exterior, adding crenellated trim and chimneys decorated with crosses. In 1867, they moved the entire house down the street so that it faced east.

Chamberlain's Life and Career

During his illustrious career, Chamberlain served as a Civil War general, a professor at Bowdoin College, and a four-term Governor of Maine. The museum showcases collections depicting his life, family, and career, including artefacts from his military service. Some notable items on display include the boots he wore at the Battle of Gettysburg, his ceremonial governor's chair and desk, his saddle for his horse Charlemagne, and the minié ball that nearly took his life at the Second Battle of Petersburg.

Visiting the Museum

The museum is located at 226 Maine Street and is open seasonally to the public. It is owned and operated by the Pejepscot Historical Society, which offers guided tours from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. These tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 2:30 pm, with private tours also available by appointment. The museum's website, pejepscothistorical.org, provides more information on tour bookings.

Maine State Music Theatre

The Maine State Music Theatre is a fantastic kid-friendly spot in Brunswick, Maine, bringing a slice of Broadway to the town. The theatre is located on the Bowdoin College campus, in the Pickard Theatre, and offers a full season of performances, from June to August.

The Maine State Music Theatre is highly regarded by visitors, with many praising the high-quality performances, comparable to Broadway productions. The venue itself is quite small, and advance reservations are recommended, but it offers comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere. The theatre is also air-conditioned, with no bad seats, and refreshments are available before the show and during intermission.

The theatre attracts top talent, with professionals from New York City and other theatres, and the performances are of a highly professional standard. Shows range from "Kinky Boots" and "Joseph" to "South Pacific" and "Anything Goes".

The Maine State Music Theatre provides a unique cultural experience for families, with season tickets offering great value. The theatre is surrounded by Brunswick's quaint restaurants and interesting shops, making it an ideal evening out for families.

Merrymeeting Dog Park

The park is designed for open and free roaming, with separate fenced enclosures for large and small dogs, each equipped with dog waste disposal stations. The park also features seasonal water faucets for filling dog water bowls, eight park benches, and a parking lot at the end of Water Street.

The dog park offers a great opportunity for dog owners to let their dogs off-leash for exercise and socialisation. It is a popular spot for dog owners and their pets to gather and enjoy the company of other dog lovers. The park provides a safe and secure space for dogs to run and play, with high fences and a double-gated entry system.

In addition to the dog park, Brunswick offers a variety of other kid-friendly activities and attractions, including historical sites, museums, beaches, and entertainment venues.

Brunswick Town Commons

The trail system is quite complex, but most of the trails are smooth and well-maintained, especially near the trailhead on Harpswell Road. The main paths can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, while some side trails are rougher but offer a more adventurous experience. The trails are only sporadically blazed, so it's easy to get turned around, but there is a map at the kiosk at the trailhead to help you navigate.

To access the trails, you can park at Watson Arena and find the trailhead at the north side of the playing fields, or you can park at the lot off Harpswell Road. There are also several other access points that link to neighbouring communities, although parking may not be available at these trailheads. These trails provide connections to places like Meadowbrook Road, Beech Drive, Tamarack Circle, and Sandhill Drive.

Brunswick, Maine, is a small town known for its arts and culture, historical buildings, and landmarks such as the Androscoggin Swing Bridge and the Skolfield-Whittier House. The town also offers a range of kid-friendly activities, including history museums, bowling alleys, movie theatres, and Thomas Point Beach, making it an ideal destination for families.

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