Lewiston City Guide

Local food includes lobster rolls, whoopie pies, and Italian sandwiches. The international variety is growing with Somali, French-Canadian, and some Asian options. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available. Most restaurants close by 9 or 10 PM, with limited late-night options.

Nightlife is quiet, with mainly local bars and pubs. Not a major nightlife spot.

Coffee scene is growing with traditional diners and some specialty cafes. Limited local roasters and few third-wave shops.

Tipping is expected for most services in the US. Standard is 15-20% in restaurants, 10-15% or round up for taxis, and 15-20% for other services.

SIM cards are sold at carrier stores like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, plus electronics retailers. Verizon and AT&T offer the best coverage. eSIMs are available for compatible devices. ID is needed for post-paid, basic info for prepaid.

Main areas are generally clean. Waste and recycling services run regularly. Some neighborhood variation.

Some pharmacies and convenience stores open 24/7. Emergency room open all the time. Late-night food limited mainly to fast food.

Groceries are available at Hannaford, Shaw's, and smaller markets. International products are limited but growing. Stores usually open 7 AM to 9 or 10 PM and are open most Sundays and holidays.

Card payments are accepted in most places. Cash can help for small vendors and tipping.

ATMs are common at banks like TD Bank, KeyBank, and Northeast Bank, and big stores. Using out-of-network ATMs may cost $2.50 to $5.00 per withdrawal.

Lewiston Public Schools cover elementary to high school, mainly in English. No specific international schools. Enrollment follows the usual US academic calendar.

Nomad groups and meetups are rare. Some nomad-friendly cafes and community spaces with Wi-Fi exist. Mostly informal networking.

Good access to parks like Kennedy Park and riverwalks. Plenty of shaded walking and running areas.

Running routes along the Androscoggin Riverwalk and local parks are popular and generally safe during the day. Local clubs and races exist.

Several gyms and fitness centers are available.

Public tennis courts in parks and at schools, mostly hard courts. Mostly first-come, first-served, with some coaching available.

No notable padel facilities.

Multiple yoga studios with classes like Hatha and Vinyasa. Drop-in and membership options. Instructors speak English.

Several martial arts schools offering karate, taekwondo, judo, BJJ, boxing, and kickboxing. English-speaking instructors and drop-in options.

Several ski resorts within 1-2 hours including Lost Valley (closest), Sunday River, and Sugarloaf. Season runs late Nov to April with good snow and rentals. Suitable for all skill levels.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing available on the Androscoggin River and nearby lakes. Rentals and guided tours exist, best in warm months.

Surfing available on Maine coast 40-60 minutes away. Water is cold year-round requiring wetsuits. Best surf in fall and winter, with some beginner spots nearby. Surf schools and rentals are on the coast.

Limited diving near Lewiston. Coastal dives are cold with variable visibility. Dive shops and rentals are found in coastal towns.

Central Maine Medical Center is the main hospital with English-speaking staff. Healthcare quality is good but costly without insurance. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are open standard hours, some 24/7.

Tap water meets federal and state safety standards and is safe to drink.

Several playgrounds and family-friendly cafes. Baby supplies and kid activities are easy to find. Attractions include the Bates College Museum of Art and local parks.

Generally accepting community with legal protections and inclusive venues. Smaller local pride events occur, and discrimination risk is low.

Pet-friendly city with many parks allowing dogs on leash. Veterinary clinics and pet stores available. Some pet-friendly hotels and restaurants.