The Top Day-trip Outing in Gardiner and Hallowell, Along the Kennebec River, Maine

Gardiner and Hallowell, Along the Kennebec River, Offer a Pleasant Eating, Buying, Browsing Day-trip Outing for the Whole Family

Just above the head of water along the Kennebec River, in the Kennebec River Valley, lie two small towns called Gardiner and Hallowell. Separately, they may not amount to much in a sight-seeing outing sort of way, but taken together they offer a pleasant day-trip outing along the Kennebec River.

Start out at a pleasant time of morning for a day-trip in Gardiner and stroll the downtown section ranged along Water Street, so named because it runs down to the Kennebec River. If you haven't breakfasted yet, MacDonald's Bakery, at the westerly top of Water Street, has Maine-famously delicious bakery goods. After perhaps landing yourself a deal at the quaint department store called Reny's, go back up Water Street, on to Bridge Street, and stop in at either A-1 Diner or A-1 To Go Community Market and Deli for a pleasant brunch or lunch. A-1 Diner is famous for its food and its 1940's art deco Diner, complete with Sun Burst tin wall panel. All the original trappings of the diner are in tact, some maybe a little worse for wear, but all original and all in tact. Employing authentic gourmet cooks - who offer thematic daily specials, such as carrot cum ginger dishes - this little diner has fared so well that it took up possession of the adjacent corner shop and opened A-1 To Go, a San Francisco style gourmet market and deli serving home-made, hand-made salads, entrees, pasties, and desserts - well, almost everything. All scrumptious and moderately priced, families can easily brunch, lunch, sup or dine without dipping into the college savings funds.