Waterville

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Waterville, ME

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Past and present converge in this riverside town

Rural Affordable Historic Scenic Quaint College Town

Strewn along the banks of the Kennebec River in Central Maine, Waterville is a quaint small town brimming with historic charm and modern delights. Downtown Waterville is vibrant with an array of eclectic shops and diverse eateries in well-preserved historic buildings. The town’s popular farmers’ market, boasting local produce and handcrafted artisan goods, is also held downtown throughout the year.

Waterville is home to two institutions of higher education—Colby College and Thomas College. As a result, the town has a thriving cultural scene, with mainstays such as the Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville Opera House, Redington Museum, and Railroad Square Cinema.

Waterville’s close-knit community comes together for a variety of family-friendly events, including the Waterville Intown Arts Fest, Taste of Greater Waterville, and the Maine International Film Festival. Locals also enjoy congregating to engage in outdoor fun at Quarry Road Recreation Area and on the Kennebec River. Convenient access to I-95 connects Waterville to destinations like Portland and Boston for daytrips and weekend getaways alike.

Rent Trends

As of December 2024, the average apartment rent in Waterville, ME is $1,036 for a studio, $1,124 for one bedroom, $1,386 for two bedrooms, and $1,397 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Waterville has increased by 0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,124/month
689 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Waterville, ME

Transportation

56

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

38

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Albert S Hall School

Public

Grades 4-5

222 Students

4
out of 10

George J Mitchell School

Public

Grades PK-3

572 Students

2
out of 10

Waterville Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

338 Students

5
out of 10

Waterville Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

519 Students

3
out of 10

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Waterville

Houses for Rent in Waterville

Living in Waterville

History

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If you’re interested in historical and cultural attractions, Waterville does not disappoint. You can visit the historical Waterville Opera House, which was founded in 1902. It is Central Maine’s center for the performing arts. The opera house features theater, ballet, concerts, comedy acts and community events. For movie lovers, Waterville is home to independent movie theater Railroad Square Cinema, which was named One of the Best Cinemas in New England by Yankee Magazine. If artistic pursuits are your cup of tea, the Colby College Museum of Art features five wings, displaying art collections from antiquities to contemporary art. Visitors from all over Maine view artwork by famous artists, such as Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth at this museum.

Restaurants

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When it comes to fine dining or casual eating out, Waterville has any type of cuisine you could want. Holy Cannoli, one of the top-rated restaurants in Waterville, offers homemade Italian pastries and meals, and you can either order food to-go or eat in. If seafood appeals to you, you can’t beat 18 Below Raw Bar and Grille. No matter what type of food you like, you can find it in Waterville. From Asian cuisine, pizza, burgers or ice cream, Waterville has a restaurant or outdoor café to suit your tastes.

Parks

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For nature lovers, Waterville offers recreational fun for all four seasons of the year. During the winter months, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at the Quarry Road Recreation Area. Quarry Road also offers year-round hiking trails, a winter carnival and even dog sled races during the winter.

Don’t forget your kayak for some spring and summer paddling. The Pine Ridge Golf Club in Waterville is open to golf enthusiasts from early spring to late fall. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Waterville, ME. Living in Waterville is an outdoor lover’s dream.

Shopping

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The Waterville Farmer’s Market offers you a unique shopping experience where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade cheese, jams, jellies, pies, pumpkins and even smoked salmon from local farmers. You can browse through shops in downtown Waterville for gifts, books, jewelry, clothing and Maine souvenirs. You can also find antiques in downtown Waterville at Heirloom Antiques and Vintage.

If you enjoy shopping at malls and outlet stores, take a drive from Waterville to the Marketplace at Augusta and spend a day browsing over 40 stores and restaurants. You can also take the Kennebec Explorer bus service from Waterville to Augusta for a relaxing ride to the Marketplace. Augusta is about 20 miles south of Waterville, ME.

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