Visit Bethel, Maine
A charming small town hidden away in the mountains, Bethel, Maine is a popular winter destination for skiers and snowboarders eager to hit the slopes.÷ This classic New England mountain town has more to offer than the ski resorts, though, and there is much to do in Bethel year-round.÷
Bethel is mere minutes from two excellent family-friendly ski resorts.÷ Sunday River offers the large resort experience with eight interconnected peaks providing varied terrain for every experience level.÷ If you prefer to ski or snowboard in a more intimate setting, Mt. Abram Resort is in Bethel"s backyard, offering 44 expertly groomed trails that provide challenge from the beginner to the expert level.÷ This is the perfect place for a family ski trip, with its comfortable atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff!÷ Tube rides, snowmobile adventures, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trips can also be arranged easily through local organizations and businesses.
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The mountains are more than just a place to ski however, and the wealth of activity in Bethel doesn"t melt away with the last of the snow.÷ Vacation packages can be had for a number of outdoor activities year-round, including hunting and fishing trips with full-service registered Maine guides, fabulous scenic campgrounds, and bicycling packages that tour the breathtaking mountains.÷ Bethel is studded with sparkling lakes and ponds, and many local businesses provide rentals of kayaks, canoes and other boats.÷ Guided boating and whitewater rafting tours can also be arranged.÷ The mountain setting also offers a natural environment for hiking and climbing.
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There is fun for the whole family year-round at the Big Adventure Center.÷ This indoor destination offers something for everyone, including climbing walls, video games, laser tag, waterslides and mini-golf.÷ Children might also enjoy taking a farm tour at Sunday River Alpacas, where a growing alpaca herd features many animals named after Sunday River ski trails!÷ "Rock hounding" is another unusual and fun activity the whole family can enjoy; several companies offer expeditions into closed mining locations, where the whole family can hunt for their own precious and semiprecious gem and mineral specimens including aquamarine and even gold.
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While outdoor activities abound in the Bethel area, there are still plenty of destinations for those who prefer a more leisurely vacation.÷ Many Hands Spa Services at The Bethel Inn Resort offers massage, facial and manicure services year-round.÷ There are also several full-service spa locations in the area, where you can pamper yourself with herbal wraps, aromatherapy, and a wide range of other relaxing and beautifying procedures.÷ If you are in the market for something a little further from the beaten path, Spirit Wings Compassionate Healing and Apothecary offers alternative massage and healing treatments, as well as herbal therapy consultations.
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Bethel offers days" worth of small-town shopping, with myriad boutiques displaying everything from souvenirs to antiques, to handcrafted clothing and jewelry.÷ There are restaurant options ranging from pubs and taverns to fine dining.÷ Be sure to stop by Rooster"s Roadhouse on your Bethel vacation: you will find great food, excellent prices, a family-friendly setting and some of the best nachos you"ll ever eat!
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Boasting something for everyone year-round, Bethel is a great place to book your next family vacation.÷ There are many options for accommodations, from resorts and hotels, to condos, timeshares and vacation rentals.÷ If you haven"t been to Bethel yet, it"s time to go.÷ If you"ve been before, it"s time to go back.
John Hamrick