Exploring Houlton Maine | Things to Do | Hotels, Inns, and Lodging
Houlton Maine is the heart of Aroostook County, bordering Canada’s New Brunswick, and is a very special destination for outdoorsmen and recreational travelers looking for snowmobiling trails and ATV’ing in winter, or canoeing and camping in the summer along the regions many lakes and streams and Island Falls.
Downtown Houlton and Market Square feature historic Victorian mansions built over a century ago during the farming heyday – these beautiful homes are on the National Historic Registry. Houlton continues to host one of the biggest annual fairs in Maine, The Houlton Agricultural Fair. Houlton is the county seat for Aroostook County, hence its nickname “Shire Town,” in fact the Houlton High School sports team is named “The Shiretowners.”
A visit to Houlton should include exploring the vast land by snowmobile or ATV on the trail network in winter, or in spring, summer and fall, by canoeing or kayaking the beautiful waters of the thirteen local lakes and rivers like The Meduxnekeag River which flows through the heart of the town.
Two of Houlton’s best attractions are the curious “Boy with Leaking Boot” sculpture, and the world’s largest solar system model made to scale that stretches from Presque Isle a total of 40 miles ending at the Houlton Visitor Information Center. The Canadian Border is just three miles from Houlton, on the western Maine border, N 46°7′32″ W 67°50′23″. I-95 terminates in Houlton, while Route 1 and Route 2 cross through town.
While Houlton’s main staple is its farming industry, primarily potatoes adn logging – it was one of the 10 richest communities in the United States at one time, despite its remote location and humble roots. Houlton’s thriving potato business and pine logging industry have been successful for generations. Houlton was also the site of an army base until 1944.
Nearby Towns
Ivey’s Motor Lodge – North Rd. Houlton ME
Birch Point Resort – 33 Birch Point Ln., Pleasant Lake, Island Falls ME
Sewall House – 1027 Crystal Road, Island Falls Maine l 646-316-5151