The town of Oxford is located in Oxford County, Maine, 52 miles southwest of the state capital, Augusta, and 37 miles north of Portland.
Named after Oxford, England, the area had its first settlement in 1794 and was incorporated as a town in 1829.
As part of the Bog Brook Plantation, town farmers produced mostly hay, and the place was known for mills and raising cattle.
Oxford is now a place to enjoy beautiful architecture that remains from its history as a thriving mill town.
Positioned along State Route 26, Oxford is part of the Oxford Hills region—a crossroads of natural wonders with accessibility to the highlands and lakes of Maine comprising small towns of Poland, Norway, Paris, West Paris, and Woodstock, among others.
Discover why this town is a great place to live, play, and visit by checking out the best things to do in Oxford, Maine!
Hadleyjs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Located on Main Street, Oxford Plains Speedway is a 3/8-mile-long asphalt racetrack (originally a half-mile track) famous for its broad and sweeping turns.
It is the home of the HP Hood Oxford 250, recognized as one of America’s richest one-day short-track races.
Built in 1950, Oxford Plains Speedway has the biggest seating capacity of any sporting arena in Maine, with 14,000 seats.
It’s famous for hosting several Pro All-Star Series events every year, as well as motor mayhem activities, including enduros, jack and jill races, spectator drags, and smoky donut shows.
Throughout the season, Oxford Plains Speedway hosts races twice every week.
Oxbow Beer Garden consists of a restaurant, a bar, a taproom, a bottle shop featuring 12 draft beer lines, and an adjacent ski trail that’s available in the winter!
Opened in 2019, it is situated in a restored 200-year-old barn on a beautiful piece of farmland on Main Street.
Specialties include wood-fired pizza, salads, seasonal dishes, and a wide range of Oxbow beers, handcrafted cider, sodas, spirits, and wine.
The surrounding farmlands and their farming operations have been supplying fruits and vegetables for the kitchen and will continue for generations.
As the farm rests and western Maine is blanketed in snow in the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers swarm to the property to take advantage of the wonderful trail system that winds through the woods behind the farm grounds.
Previously known as Carter’s XC Ski, this enormous network of Nordic skiing trails was developed by the local Carter family, who ran the famous ski resort for many years.
Today, the trails are managed by Oxbow Beer Garden and are open for use without a cost.
Experience Oxford County tradition by attending the Oxford County Fair!
The event has been a massive success since its beginnings in 1842.
For days or weeks, people would travel great distances to see the fair’s fantastic attractions and various activities.
Today, the Oxford County Fair remains the centerpiece of the summer season.
Join the fun and excitement with various events such as animal pulls, livestock shows, harness racing, truck pull, lawn mower races, crafts, exhibits, and many more.
The Oxford County Fair takes place in the second week of September.
Visit the New Oxford Dragway on Main Street to feel the crowd’s excitement, the smell of gas, and the thrill of victory.
It’s a family-friendly racing venue for racers of all ages, situated right next to the Oxford Plains Speedway.
The venue offers competitive drag racing on a 1/8 mile-length track that even kids will enjoy.
For over 50 years, the New Oxford Dragway has held numerous racing events for fans throughout the New England region.
Whether you’re a racing expert, a casual fan, or just a spectator, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time at the drag course.
Escape the mundane with an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime!
The Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience is your best choice for Maine adventure holiday tours that offers dog sledding rides all year round.
Their dog sledding tours are family-friendly and will bring you through the breathtaking wilderness of Maine.
The guides and staff go beyond their way to offer the ultimate experience by sledding you along gorgeous trails and sharing stories about the history of dog sledding, the different dog breeds, and more.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet and pet amazing and friendly dogs, too!
If you’re looking for a unique and incredible experience, the Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience is a highly recommended activity when visiting Oxford!
A lifetime of fun-filled memories packed in four weeks of traditional camping tradition, Kamp Kohut has given a spectacular setting and a wholesome atmosphere for enhancing children’s lives since its founding in 1907.
Its curriculum is thoughtfully created to foster a friendly and inviting camp community that is intended to build lifetime connections, abilities, and experiences.
The average number of participants for every four-week program is 100 girls and 100 boys, ranging from ages seven to 15.
A traditional camp, Kamp Kohut is encircled by sprawling forests, lush meadows, towering pine trees, and Thompson Lake’s stunning waterfront.
The camp offers more than 50 different activities, including a wide range of land and waterfront sports, creative and performing arts, adventure and media programs, horseback riding, and academic tutoring available upon request.
Its progressive program aims for children to be in a structured learning environment while having the opportunity to select their own activities, with the staff’s guidance and encouragement for discovery.
You can find Kamp Kohut on Kohut Road.
Two Lakes Camping Area is a campground perfect for the entire family, situated on the 177-acre Hogan Pond with accessibility to the nearby 147-acre Whitney Pond.
The camp provides a variety of services and family-friendly weekend events.
They offer several sites, from tents to 50-amp full hookups, some of which are beachfront.
All sites have a picnic table and a fire ring, and they rent out RVs and rustic cabins.
Swim, kayak, or fish in Hogan Pond, rent a pedal kart for kids, play basketball, ride a horse-drawn wagon, and end the day by the campfire.
There are many things to do at Two Lakes Camping Area, and every weekend features a different theme.
Whitney Farm Estate is where nature meets elegance.
Built in 1805, the venue has 16 rooms, a gourmet kitchen, gorgeous brick fireplaces, a seasonal inground swimming pool, fire pit and grill, a lovely deck to watch sunsets, and more.
Popular for weddings, the 76-acre open fields let you create the ultimate event of your life.
Their 3,200-square foot barn features original wood beams, a handmade bar, and barn sliding doors, perfect for special occasions like weddings, birthday parties, family reunions, and corporate functions.
Spending a vacation in the estate gives you complete privacy and the chance to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, watch birds, and much more, with its proximity to the Oxford Casino, restaurants, stores, skiing locations, and more.
Whitney Farm Estate is located on East Oxford Road.
Toohool, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Oxford Casino, owned and managed by Churchill Downs Inc., is a popular hotel and casino situated on Casino Way.
Their 24-hour lodge-style casino has an infectious energy that will surely keep you going.
The casino has 27,000-square foot space for gaming with almost 1,000 modern slot machines, including some of the hottest reel slots, video slots, and video poker from Aristocrat, IGT, and Konami.
Take advantage of your time by booking a stay in their hotel, featuring seven luxury suites and 100 guest rooms, just several steps from the casino floor.
If you need something to eat, choose among the Oxford Casino’s numerous options, from quick bites to full-service dining and buffets!
Fairwinds Farm is a family-operated strawberry farm located on Skeetfield Road.
It sells a supply of delicious treats perfect for your home or to give out as presents, including homemade jams produced with fruits grown at the farm, honey, and maple syrup.
The farm also sells various beeswax goods, such as balms, lotions, and felted soaps.
Don’t forget the delicious homemade pies, cut flowers, and gift baskets, either.
There are lots in store at Fairwinds Farm, so be sure to drop by and see what catches your eye.
The Maine Bookhouse, known initially as Shoestring Books, opened its doors as a family-run bookstore on Main Street in 2002.
They provide a sizable, varied, and broad selection of new and gently-used books, with more than 14,000 titles available.
The Main Bookhouse’s collection includes children’s books, first editions, autographed books, fictional bestsellers, classic literature, and more.
Also in stock are rare vinyl, select CDs, record albums, and framed art.
If you’re a reader or an artist, choose a book or any item as a wonderful souvenir that will bring Oxford to mind.
The Lost Gull Fish n’ Chips is a family-run seafood restaurant on Main Street, at the center of the Maine Hills region.
It has been serving the finest seafood in Maine for many years.
Since the restaurant has been around for a while, word of their delectable food has spread quickly, and now, they are visited by people from all over the nation.
The Lost Gull Fish n’ Chips is proud to offer quality customer service and a creative menu that will satisfy even the pickiest diners.
Some of their offerings include the Fisherman’s Dinner, consisting of haddock, scallops, clams, and shrimp; seafood chowders; grilled seafood rolls; fish n’ chips; and many more!
The Lost Gull Fish n’ Chips brings the authentic Maine flavor that western locals enjoy as much as easterners.
Robinson Marina is situated on King Street, Oxford, on Thompson Lake’s northern end.
The marina provides seasonal boat slips, winter storage, and fuel for water and land vehicles.
One of the reasons why people enjoy visiting the marina is the 91-octane non-ethanol gas accessible around the clock.
Rent a boat slip to get off the boat if you’re visiting Oxford by water, and explore the many lovely places there are to see in town!
Robinson Marina also makes a terrific place to rest after a day of boating and fishing in Thompson Lake.
At Smedberg’s Farm, there is something for every season.
Keep an eye out for lovely vegetable and bedding plants, beautiful pansies, and gorgeous hanger plants in the spring.
Enjoy your fresh produce shopping experience with their wide selection of fresh vegetables, spoil yourself with some delicious One Cow Ice Cream, and try their sweet and juicy corn, Maine lobster, and other seafood in the summer.
Pumpkins and squash should not be missed during fall.
Shop for beautiful Christmas trees, wreaths, and other holiday decors in the winter.
Smedberg’s Farm is a family-owned farm purchased in 1967 and situated on Main Street, just along Route 26.
Are you craving for dessert?
Head over to Ricky Dee’s Ice Cream for some delicious, sweet, and tasty treats.
Ricky Dee’s Ice Cream is a family-run ice cream parlor located at the Oxford Plaza on Route 26.
Owned and operated by Rick and Diane, Ricky Dee’s Ice Cream is pleased to offer you Hood premium soft serve of over 24 flavors, and a variety of hard serve ice cream.
From ice cream to shakes to frappes, there’s always something new for you to enjoy at this store.
Oxford’s position along Route 26 provides the advantage of being centrally positioned with access to nature.
The town gained attention among thrill-seekers with the establishment of the casino, the speedway, and skiing opportunities.
However, its abundance of campgrounds and farms makes it an excellent place for people seeking peace and quiet.
Explore the best things to do in Oxford, Maine, and discover why it’s a fantastic place to live and play!
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