I am surprised no one has suggested reading “One Goal: A Coach, A Team And The Game that Brought A Divided Town Together”. It’s about the Somali community in Lewiston and the high school soccer team that became the best in the state. Provides some color/background on Lewiston.
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Fantastic Book! Shows how a city of divided cultures came together to support a common goal. Mike McGraw was my soccer coach at LHS many years ago and is a great example of the character of the people of Lewiston - class act!
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This.
I think Lewiston is fine. It’s clearly a town that had a fancy heyday some time ago and much of the architecture is still there. Downtown has a few cute little spots and the brewery is neat. The hotel choices aren’t great for parents.
As a town, its IMO preferable to places like Bethlehem or Easton PA and I don’t see a lot of people referring to Lafayette/Lehigh as being in an “armpit.” Can’t help but think it might have to do with the Somali refugees. Maybe I’m off base.
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The main point of this thread–whether or not intentional–is that location is an issue with respect to 1,800 + student Bates College.
And, as pointed out above, location is far less of a consideration with respect to a school with a much larger enrollment such as Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
Lafayette grad here. I’ve driven through Lewiston a few times while on vacation on my way to Freeport. My overall impression was that it was a town that had seen better days (that said, it’s been a few years since I’ve been there, so maybe things have improved). I think you could say the same thing about Easton. One difference though, Lafayette is on a hill outside of town. College Hill (most of which is now owned by the school) is pretty nice. My recollection is that Bates is right in the middle of town. Also, interesting bit of trivia - the second Ali-Liston fight was fought in Lewiston Me. This is the fight that has the famous picture of Ali standing over and taunting a fallen Sonny Liston in the ring.
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My impression of all three of those towns was just one night as a touring applicant parent. I’m sure there are positives and negatives I’m not privy to. I had a couple of friends act like we were nuts to stay over in Lewiston, as if oooo danger. Coming from NYC! lol
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It is possible that this incident from a few years ago poisoned some Bates students’ impression of the town.
My D was a freshman when that happened. She said they were not at all phased by it and it just made them all go out and vote. Honestly, I think they enjoyed the brief flirtation with “voter intimidation.” She didn’t feel uneasy about it in the slightest.
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Like almost any town, it will appeal to some and not others. If you look at reviews, most people seem to view the Lewiston as not remarkably good or remarkably bad overall, but generally rate it a little lower than other Maine locations. For example, some numbers form Niche are below.
Lewiston – 15% excellent, 24% very good, 41% average, 21% below average
Bangor – 23% excellent, 43% very good, 28% average, 7% below average
Brunswick – 40% excellent, 45% very good, 15% average, 0% below average
I have family in Brunswick and spent time in both locations while growing up. My impression was Lewiston did not have the poster, small-town, scenic feel like parts of Brunswick; nor did it project as good financial health. However, it had a good amount of interesting things to do, at a well affordable price. Neither location would be among my top choices to live, either during college or after.
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100% Agree. I’d say the majority of full-pay students do appreciate Lewiston, but there is still a negative connotation when they talk about it.
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Thank you for this interesting post as I have a son starting at Bates in the fall ( and have an older one at that school in Brunswick). While he did not want to go where his brother went, he also preferred Lewiston so it must all be in the eyes of the beholder! He is someone who cherishes authenticity, dislikes elitism and while a science guy has a strong interest in labor and healthcare equity policy. We both thought Lewiston would be a lovely and different place to learn from our home in Dallas. He is one who will seek eateries for locals and not designed to be pristine for touring college seekers. Would love any student suggestions of places off the path for him to visit when he arrives and is able!
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I am sure he will eat more than a few meals at Pure Thai. I’d call it a sort of “greasy spoon” for Thai food. Definitely not polished, haha.
Thank you:) he will look forward to having a greasy spoon to try:)
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Baraka has the most wonderful goat stew with all the trimmings. (Just thinking about it my mouth waters, it was that good). It’s just a little hole in the wall, definitely don’t expect fancy dining (I think it’s only open for lunch) but it’s delicious and VERY affordable on a student budget, plus the owners are wonderful if you’re interested in talking with them a little.
And if you don’t like mint toothpaste, they have “spice” toothpaste in the little store - inexpensive and interesting to try out (even if you do like mint toothpaste).
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Agree that if one is seeking Goat’s Head Soup or goat meat, then Lewiston is the place to be.
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Lewiston is definitely the place to be for Whoopie Pies. Last I was there, at the very nice Hampton Inn, they gave us all a complimentary one at check-in. These are the original and best, right from Lewiston. https://labadiesbakery.com/
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My D also loves this place. High quality desserts for low prices. https://www.theitalianbakery.biz/
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Thank you all for the great recs. He is making a list now!
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That’s the weird thing. I’d never had it or never even considered it. But I figured, ey, that’s new, let’s be adventurous, what’s the worst that can happen? 
I didn’t expect it to be delicious…
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