Bowdoin is a highly selective liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine. Home to a small student body of approximately 1,800, the campus is adjacent to Brunswick, a charming coastal town abundant with New England charm. Along Maine Street are many restaurants, B&B’s and shops. In warmer weather students are active biking, hiking and in the winter, skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Saddleback.
Visitor Information: Tour Bowdoin
Transportation: The closest airport to Bowdoin is the Portland International Jetport, about 30 miles south of campus. Taxis from the airport to school are available and cost around $60-70. You may also fly into Logan Airport and take the Concord Coach Lines bus to Brunswick. Concord Coach Lines operates a bus service to Brunswick from Logan Airport in Boston, South Station in Boston, and the Transportation Center in Portland. The Amtrak Downeaster runs from North Station in Boston to Brunswick. Both the bus and train stops are about a five-minute walk from campus.
Stay: The Brunswick Hotel boasts a phenomenal location, thoughtfully appointed rooms, and excellent service. Another good option, the Brunswick Inn, is a short three-minute walk to school. Both are simple, comfortable and super convenient.
Coffee: The Cafe right on campus is an excellent place to grab a coffee on your way to your tour. The Little Dog Coffee Shop is right in the middle of town serving delicious coffee and other morning drinks. Winner of the “best coffee in mid-coast Maine,” Bohemian Coffee serves excellent fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks and pastries.
Breakfast:The Little Dog Coffee Shop is good for quick breakfast options—bagels, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and smoothies. Noble Kitchen and Bar serves a fantastic brunch on the weekends and their weekday breakfast is delicious and quick. The iconic Brunswick Diner, open 24 hours, is housed in a vintage rail road dining car dating back to 1946.
Lunch: Located on Maine Street students head to Big Top Deli for great sandwiches and Wild Oats Cafe for their hot soups, fresh salads, smoothies and baked goods. Family run, Scarlet Begonias has something on their extensive menu for everyone featuring salads, sandwiches, pasta, burgers and personalized pizzas.
Dinner
Casual: Thanks to Brunswick's proximity to the water, student hot-spot Little Tokyo serves some of the freshest sushi and sashimi Maine has to offer. Popular with students and locals alike, Frontier Café has some of the best organic meals in town overlooking the Androscoggin River. More than a café, Frontier is also a cinema that hosts live music, readings, theatre, and lectures. Check their schedule to see up-to-date information for your visit. The Great Impasta is Brunswick’s Italian option, with delicious pasta dishes and a "just like home" feel. New in town, Taverna Khione is an authentic Greek tavern with a menu that changes monthly reflecting what is in season.
A Step Up: Tao Yuan is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in Maine, garnering killer press for its inventive Asian fusion menu. Named Best New Chef in 2014 by Food and Wine Magazine, Chef Cara Stadler works alongside her mother Cecile, creating dishes based on her experiences in French and Asian kitchens. The meal is casual, with many small plates to choose and share. We hear the pork buns are to die for. Reservations are recommended and often necessary. For upmarket Greek and Italian specialties in a cozy, bright space make a reservation at Trattoria Athena.
Late Night Snack: Gelato Fiasco is a must-have when visiting Brunswick, and possibly the town's most-prized possession! Its packed on weekends, but don’t worry the line moves quickly and is well worth the wait. It’s on every student's bucket list to be at Frosty's Donuts when it opens at 4 am to savor fresh-out-of-the-oven donuts.
Local Attractions: Bowdoin has two museums right on campus that are worth a visit: The Bowdoin College Museum of Art, a small treasure chest related to Bowdoin's rich history, and the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, a unique space filled with artifacts from Arctic expeditions in the early 1900’s. Stroll Brunswick’s Maine Street, peeking into the local shops. Antique lovers could easily spend hours wandering the stalls at Cabot Mill Antiques, a multi-dealer emporium located in Fort Andross, a restored textile mill on the scenic Androscoggin River. Outside of Brunswick, Freeport is about 15 minutes away, home to the famous L. L. Bean store and many outlets and boutique shops. One student said: "If you have time I would recommend exploring the area, taking a hike or walk, going to Thomas Point Beach—just experiencing the beauty of Maine!"
Why Bowdoin?
— Quotes From Campus —
“I love the community and the sense of “home” I feel on campus. Even in the first few months, I felt at home here at Bowdoin.”
“The small size of the school means you get to know your professors and fellow students. It’s a tight-knit community! Brunswick is a great little town, and if you want a bigger city feel Portland is just a short drive away.
”
“The town has some great restaurants, but eating on campus is good too—Bowdoin’s dining halls consistently rank #1 or #2 in the country!”
BOWDOIN FAST FACTS
Established
1794
Mascot
Polar Bear
School Colors
Black & White
Acceptance Rate
14.3%
Common Application
Yes
Supplement Essays
Yes
Early Action/Decision
Early Decision 1 and 2
SAT
Average - 1480
ACT
Average - 32
Type
Private
Size
Small - 1,798 Undergraduates
Website
Region
Admissions Office
5000 College Station
Brunswick, ME 04011-8441
(p) (207) 725-3100
admissions@bowdoin.edu
Whitney Soule, Dean of Admissions and Student Aid
Sports Divisions
NCAA Division III
Greek Life
No
Noteworthy Alumni
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Alfred Kinsey
Nathaniel Hawthorne
SHOP
BOWDOIN COLLEGE
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