For all those Stephen King fans out there you already know that just about all his books and stories are set in Maine - many in the fictitious town of Derry - and he’s an ardent Red Sox support! The baseball fact is not the focus of today’s post though but his story settings are, and how you can visit many of them during the fall foliage season.

Stephen King lives in the Bangor area in Maine and for the last five seasons the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau have been running a highly popular tour called “Tommyknockers & More Bus Tour.”

The tour lasts for two hours and visits many of the local spots that inspired places and events in his stories. It doesn’t matter if you’ve read all his books or barely familiar with his classics such as “Carrie,” “The Shining,” or even the “Tommyknockers” story itself… there’s still plenty to enjoy and experience on this tour.

There’s even a scheduled stop outside his red-and-cream Italianate-style mansion, where the wrought-iron gates have a spider-web design and decorations like a blacl bat and a three-headed Hydra.”

The tour is a great way to match fact with fiction”, said Jessica Donahue, Marketing Coordinator for the Greater Bangor CVB and The Maine Highlands. “Seeing the sights that inspired many of Mr. King’s visions for his books and movies is amazing. These are places we, Greater Bangor area locals, drive by everyday. Many of us don’t even realize how lucky we are to be able to see where Ellie saw “skinny santa” in Pet Sematary, while others around the world have to imagine these places!”

The Greater Bangor CVB has two more tour dates set for 2007: September 23rd and their popular Halloween Tour on October 28th. Remember to call early for your tickets!!

The tour begins at 2:00pm at the Bangor Waterfront in the Front Street parking lot next to the harbormaster’s office. Space is limited so reservations are a must and can be made by calling the Greater Bangor CVB at (207) 947-5205 or 1-800-91-MOOSE. The cost is $10.00 per person.

Bangor is also an ideal gateway and base for the Maine Highlands touring area, and within striking distance of Acadia National Park - bith stunning destinations in the Maine fall foliage season. I suggest combining the tour with some extra hours taking these popular locations in Downeast Maine during a time when the tourists have mostly gone.

For more destinations and tours in Maine vist our special Maine destination page by clicking here.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend,

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
Guide to New England Destinations and Attractions