Strong Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Maine featuring forest scenes and a river or creek
Maine which includes a river or creek and forest scenes
Strong
Maine showing a small town or village, a house and street scenes

The onetime “Toothpick Capital of the World” is a sleepy Maine town perfectly situated to enjoy the natural beauty in the western part of the state.

Discover beautiful scenery, small-town charm and even a fascinating history of toothpicks in Strong. Located in Franklin County, Strong is a great jumping-off point to explore western Maine’s famed scenic destinations.

Find Strong on a bend of the meandering Sandy River, a tributary of the Kennebec River. In warmer months, take a dip in one of Sandy River’s many swimming holes. Go kayaking or canoeing through its gentle rapids. Try your luck fishing for trout in season.

Strong was once known as the “Toothpick Capital of the World” thanks to Forster Mill. The mill, which opened its doors in town in 1887, produced billions of toothpicks in its decades of operations. At one point, it was producing 95 percent of America's wooden toothpicks. Although the mill closed its doors at the turn of the 20th century, its claim to fame lives on.

Learn more about Strong’s past at the Vance & Dorothy Hammond Memorial House, which is the museum of the Strong Historical Society. The white wooden house, open by appointment only, is a fount of information about the area and its history.

From Strong, drive just 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) south to Farmington, the county seat of Franklin County. Visit the town’s many historic sites of interest. Learn about the life of famed opera singer Lillian Nordica at Nordica Memorial Homestead, browse through the bookshelves in the Beaux Arts-style Cutler Memorial Library and discover more about the area at the Farmington Historical Society’s Titcomb House.

Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Rangeley Lakes Region, which is about a half-hour drive northwest. Consisting of six major lakes plus hundreds of smaller lakes, ponds and rivers, the region is a dream for those who love the outdoors.

Take a memorable ride on the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. Catch the old-fashioned steam locomotive for a scenic trip and guided tour on Maine's largest original two-foot-gauge railroad.

Visit Strong throughout the year. In winter, bundle up and prepare for possible heavy snowfall. Note that the town is small and doesn’t have many shops or restaurants. However, what it lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in scenic beauty.

Paddle, float, fish, or rope swing into the near by crystal clear mountain lake.
Paddle, float, fish, or rope swing into the near by crystal clear mountain lake.
Strong
The price is AU$287 per night from 22 July to 23 July
AU$287
22 July - 23 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cottage in Strong. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attraction Porter Lake is located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (126 reviews)
"First off Tom the property owner was wonderful. Very nice guy!! He gave us some tips on where to go in the area. The first day it rained to we travelled about 40 minutes to an antique mall. It had 5 floors and certainly worth the stop. Other days we travelled to Small Falls which was very beautiful. ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun. 2025

Paddle, float, fish, or rope swing into the near by crystal clear mountain lake.
Lakefront, Stunning Home only 30 min to Sugarloaf!
Lakefront, Stunning Home only 30 min to Sugarloaf!
Strong
Stay at this vacation home in Strong. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attraction Porter Lake is located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
Great Place
"We really enjoyed the property. The interior was nicely updated. The fire pit on the shore was perfect. The ride to Sugarloaf was a little further than expected but the coziness of camp made up for it. Will definitely consider another stay at this property."

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Lakefront, Stunning Home only 30 min to Sugarloaf!
Bingham Motor Inn
Bingham Motor Inn
2 out of 5
89 Main St, Bingham, ME
The price is AU$160 per night from 14 July to 15 July
AU$160
14 July - 15 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Bingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attraction Houston Brook Falls is located nearby.
7.6/10 Good! (6 reviews)
"Exactly what we needed! Very clean. We arrived late and needed to leave early. The email we received with the room and code worked flawlessly. There was a very large TV, coffee machine with coffee available without a charge. Very happy."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Bingham Motor Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Paddle, float, fish, or rope swing into the near by crystal clear mountain lake.
Paddle, float, fish, or rope swing into the near by crystal clear mountain lake.
Strong
Stay at this cottage in Strong. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attraction Porter Lake is located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (126 reviews)
"First off Tom the property owner was wonderful. Very nice guy!! He gave us some tips on where to go in the area. The first day it rained to we travelled about 40 minutes to an antique mall. It had 5 floors and certainly worth the stop. Other days we travelled to Small Falls which was very beautiful. ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun. 2025

Paddle, float, fish, or rope swing into the near by crystal clear mountain lake.
Lakefront, Stunning Home only 30 min to Sugarloaf!
Lakefront, Stunning Home only 30 min to Sugarloaf!
Strong
Stay at this vacation home in Strong. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attraction Porter Lake is located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
Great Place
"We really enjoyed the property. The interior was nicely updated. The fire pit on the shore was perfect. The ride to Sugarloaf was a little further than expected but the coziness of camp made up for it. Will definitely consider another stay at this property."

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Lakefront, Stunning Home only 30 min to Sugarloaf!
Welcome Outdoor Enthusiasts! Atv and snowmobile access
Welcome Outdoor Enthusiasts! Atv and snowmobile access
Bingham
Stay at this vacation home in Bingham. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Houston Brook Falls and Wyman Lake are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Beautiful home
"We are building a cabin nearby and this place was perfect for us. Close to everything beautiful , convent and clean."

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Welcome Outdoor Enthusiasts! Atv and snowmobile access
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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