Rangeley in 48 Hours
Famous for its accessible lakes and mountains, Rangeley is a recreational destination any time of year, offering outdoor activities from snowshoeing in the winter to boating in the summer months.
Friday Evening: History and food immersion
With a warm lobby featuring tokens of Rangeley’s hunting heritage, the Rangeley Inn and Tavern bridges the gap between the region’s past and present. Old photographs document the inn’s history as a hunting lodge since the turn of the century. Owner and innkeeper Travis Ferland renovated the inn after buying it in 2013, adding modern amenities and increasing the size of some rooms.
A short drive from the inn along Rangeley Lake brings you to Portage Tap House, a new addition to the area’s dining scene. With soft lighting and a contemporary design, Portage Tap House would fit in southern Maine, but the canoe hanging from the ceiling and historic signs on the walls make it clear you’re in Rangeley. The steamed mussels and marinara are a savory starter, and paired with a cheeseburger and fries, they make the ultimate comfort meal.
Appetizers at Furbish Brew House and Eats. 
The Rangeley Inn and Tavern
Across the street from the Rangeley Inn and Tavern is Sarge’s Sports Pub and Grub. With a variety of beers on tap, pub-style food, billiards, arcade games, and a newly remodeled interior, it’s an easy choice for a low-key end to the night.
Saturday Morning: Main Street Rangeley
The Rangeley Inn and Tavern serves a complimentary breakfast, including pancakes, waffles, bagels, eggs, orange juice, coffee, and more.
Part shop, part cafe, Inner Eye is a great spot to stop for coffee before venturing out for the day. The shop carries gifts, books, and candles, along with baked goods and espresso drinks, in a comfortable space with a warm stove.
Relaxing at the Inner Eye before a full day. 
The lookout point at Height of Land.
Stores selling sundries, antiques, and products from local artisans make up the eclectic Rangeley shopping offerings. With clothing ranging from winter jackets to sandals, Jannace’s Back Woods is the place to go if the weather has you feeling underdressed or overdressed. Books, Lines, and Thinkers is a bookstore that includes Birds of a Feather Gallery, which is run by artists and makers from the region. For gourmet finds or a prepared lunch, visit Classic Provisions, a specialty food store on Main Street. If you want a scenic break from shopping, walk a loop around the shoreside Rangeley Town Cove Park and take in the views of Rangeley Lake.
Saturday Afternoon: Heights and bites
The Rangeley region’s scenery is a destination itself, and the Height of Land has one of the most dramatic views. Located on Route 17 on the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway, this look-out has an expansive view of Mooselookme-guntic Lake and the surrounding lakes and mountains beyond. Hiking through conservation land abutting the overlook is an even more rewarding adventure.
After the sightseeing, head back to Main Street in Rangeley for lunch at The Furbish Brew House and Eats, which is known for its wood-fired pizzas and for being Rangeley’s first brewery. Featuring prime views of Rangeley Lake, this sun-filled restaurant is housed in a restored 1912 house with cozy dining areas.
Walking around the neighborhoods off of Main Street. 
The Pond, behind Rangeley Inn and Tavern
Saturday Evening: Rangeley night out
Regardless of where you’re staying, the Rangeley Inn and Tavern’s pub is a perfect place to spend an evening. Offering a full bar and food menu, the Rangeley Tavern is popular among both guests of the inn and locals. There are plenty of comfortable sitting nooks with mismatched yet stylish chairs to choose from for a relaxing dinner.
For a livelier pace, go to Moose Alley. As Rangeley’s primary nightlife venue, this bowling alley, restaurant, and arcade attracts a large crowd on weekend evenings, especially when it hosts live music. A large sitting area surrounding an indoor firepit greets you as you walk in. Nearby is the bar, and bowling lanes await behind that.
Sunday Morning: Lakeside brunch
On the shores of Rangeley Lake with stunning views and a cozy cabin-like interior, the restaurant at Bald Mountain Camps Resort is a sound choice for brunch. The grilled cheese with sharp cheddar, sliced apples, ham, and a honey-dijon aioli is a tasty twist on a childhood favorite. Before heading home, visit Rangeley Lake State Park to appreciate the great outdoors one final time. Open May 1 to October 1, the picturesque park offers hiking, picnicking, and camping. In the off-season, visitors can park outside the gate and walk in.
Stay
The restored Rangeley Inn and Tavern provides charming and comfortable accommodations in the center of town.
A log cabin–style bed-and-breakfast located on a meadow overlooking Rangeley Lake, Highland Heath House offers stunning views of the lake.
The Loon Lodge Inn and Restaurant, an 8,000-square-foot lodge on Rangeley Lake, has eight guest rooms and a private beach for swimming.
Eat
Forks in the Air Mountain Bistro serves dishes with seasonal, fresh ingredients, as well as creative drinks.
Parkside and Main is a cozy setting in the center of town with lake views and a patio for outdoor dining in the summer
Hiking
Hiking is possible year-round, and the vistas are always spectacular. Located between Mooselookmeguntic and Rangeley Lakes, Bald Mountain Trail is a moderate hike with rewarding vistas. Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust organizes hikes in the area throughout the year, including in Four Ponds Public Reserved Land near the Height of Land lookout.
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