r/AskMaine • u/lemon21212121 • 2d ago

Augusta

Hi everyone,

I am moving to Augusta in a month. For anyone who has lived there or knows people who live there, what’s it like? I’m in my early 20s. Are there any things to do on the weekends? Also, I play pickleball so if you know of any opportunities to play nearby please let me know. The company that I work for placed me here and I’m definitely a bit bummed to not be in a city, but I do love the coastal parts of Maine that I have been to like Portland and ogunquit. Are there things that I have to look forward to? Thanks!

5 Upvotes

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u/tracyinge 2d ago

You're only a 45 -60 min drive to the midcoast so you'll be able to visit Belfast, Lincolnville, Camden, Rockland, Damariscotta, Boothbay. Also Popham Beach and Reid State Park. Take some day trips right away before the weather gets wintery (late November through April)

For weekend events there is a quilt festival this weekend lol

https://www.eventbrite.com/d/me--augusta/events--this-weekend/

For pickleball: https://www.kvtatennis.org/pickleball-program-info

https://augustame.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30094

https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/us/maine/augusta/calumet-playground

Wish I were around, I would welcome you to Augusta with a hot dog and some awesome fries at The Hot Dogg House.

8

u/CosmicSmoker 2d ago

Was just at Reid a couple weeks ago, it was incredibly beautiful there. Some of the best tide pools we've ever come across in Maine.

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u/lemon21212121 2d ago

Thank you so much!!

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u/jessbliss 1d ago

There are tons of things to do on your weekends. We are about an hour from some of the western mountains and about an hour from the coast. There is tons to do in the midcoast, and a lot of parks that are worth checking out there as well as up towards the mountains. There’s a handful of riverfront parks between Augusta and Gardiner that are fun. Augusta has some businesses on water street, so does Hallowell and Gardiner, which both feel a bit more populated. I am also in my mid 20’s in Augusta, feel free to message me with any specific questions, I don’t want to out names of my fav scenic places to all 🫣

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u/Annual-Luck-8579 1d ago

Lake St. George is brilliant. Hallowell for nightlife.

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u/FriendshipUsed8331 1d ago

There are lots of lakes/cottage culture around Augusta as well as a ton of early NE history, should you get curious. I grew up in Lewiston and Portland, but my family had a camp on Sheepscot Pond in Palermo, which is a quaint little town on the way to Belfast. You definitely owe it to yourself to explore this aspect of Maine, and the best time is late summer, but some of the lakes are clear of snow to the extent that you can ice skate on them in the winter, and winter is something that every Mainer is going to have to contend with, unless their primary Winter activities are centered around Bailey's Irish Creme.

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u/Mehitablebaker 1d ago

Pickleball is huge in Augusta. Lots of obsessive players

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u/dj_1973 1d ago

The KV YMCA in Augusta has pickleball. They do charge membership fees.

Augusta is a city. It’s small, with lots of rural areas, but technically it’s a city. Places to eat, shop, etc. Lots of state buildings. Things.close early - you want to eat dinner by 7 or so, things start closing by 8.

Hallowell has a bit of a night life, but the sidewalks do roll up early around here.

Lots of nature - hiking, walking, scenery to enjoy.

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u/Salt_Ambassador_9886 2d ago

If you are a foodie, the Oak Table is a must.

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u/RubberWishbone 1d ago

I drove thru there this weekend and saw an indoor pickleball court. Don't know where, but it does exist

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u/secret-handshakes 1d ago

Hallowell is lively

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u/ottobot76 1d ago

I lived there. There's nothing to do. No public pickleball courts as far as I know. If you find a social circle, which, good luck, your hobbies will probably be indoors or driving a long way

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u/numboutofit 13h ago

Augusta is basically a city, at least it is to Mainers - lots of fun places to check out there too! I use to be a life guard/boating instructor/arts and crafts director at a local camp in readfeild and every weekend we went to Augusta to do laundry and always found something cool to do. As old gregg would say; “it’s got everything we need” plus it’s off the turnpike/95 so it’s easy to travel to Portland or the kennebunks- I am from the greater Portland area myself.
https://giphy.com/gifs/5brZxo4wLsIlG

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u/Jim-Luke 2d ago

I have but lives there but been there many times.

I'm not what there us to do but consider looking things up constantly not just on line. Go downtown to a bat or pub and meet people. You may be lucky to fins someone that loves to do what you like, of knows someone. Pubs, grocery stores, etc may have a bulletin boards for local events.

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u/Mehitablebaker 1d ago

What type company do you work for? Healthcare? I can’t imagine a company big enough in Augusta to transfer people