As the home of Maine’s most famous resident, Stephen King’s House is one of the state’s most popular unofficial tourist attractions. Some of the Maine native’s books, including It and Pet Sematary, are set in the state. King has called Bangor home for much of his life. Thousands of pilgrims have come, hoping to glimpse the author or at least just to visit Stephen King’s house.
Today, the home is one of America’s most photographed celebrity houses, second only to Graceland. Make a small detour to join the excitement or just see the subtle architectural details indicating the source of the wealth that built this house.
Drive down the wide avenues of the neighborhood, long home to the who’s who of Bangor and central Maine’s high society.
Park on the street or in front of the gate, trying not to interfere with the lives of people from neighboring homes. Walk up to the front gate, which is likely to have a few other fans taking photos in front of it.
Spend some time at the gate, with its creepy-crawly wrought iron details. Notice the spindly spider legs that make up the central part and the three-headed reptile that looks menacingly out at passersby. See the iron bats perched at the top of the gateposts, wings outspread.
Look through the gate at the house itself, built of redbrick with a Gothic-Victorian inspiration. Imagine the author hard at work in the castle-like tower at the front, with its pointed turret, coming up with new ways to scare a whole generation of Americans.
Stephen King’s House is located in the well-heeled Fairmount neighborhood of Bangor, one street away from Hayford Park. Walk from the town center in about 20 minutes or drive in 5 minutes. The Paul Bunyan Statue is a 30-minute walk or 5-minute drive away. Bangor Airport is a 10-minute drive away. Bangor’s community bus service has a stop a few minutes’ walk away, but private vehicles are generally best for exploring the area. Rent a car at the airport.
Note that public access to the interior of the house is not allowed.
