Discover Waterville
17 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Quarry Road Trails
Wooded trails, exposed granite ledges and small quarry ponds offer layered compositions: rock textures, reflective water, and mixed hardwoods that pop in fall. Best at golden hour for warm side-light on rock faces and at blue hour for moody pond reflections. Trails are moderate; trailhead parking on Quarry Rd with no fee. Weekday mornings and autumn provide the clearest shots; bring waterproof boots after rain.
Colby College Museum of Art
Colby College Museum of Art offers a mix of light-filled galleries and sculptural exteriors set on Mayflower Hill — ideal for documenting contemporary and American art displays, clean modern architecture, and campus vistas. Best visited weekday mornings for quiet interiors and late afternoon/golden hour for warm exterior light and reflections. Campus parking is available; check museum hours, admission, and photo policy before shooting. Wheelchair accessible; expect controlled gallery lighting.
Oxbow Trail
Small riverside oxbow and wooded trail offering calm water reflections, marsh grasses and seasonal foliage — excellent for composition with mirrored surfaces, leading lines and intimate landscape scenes. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm side light and glassy reflections; peak fall color makes autumn especially rewarding. Easy, short trail access from Cool Street with limited roadside parking; trail can be muddy after rain and buggy in summer. No entry fee; respect private property signs.
Ticonic Falls
Ticonic Falls is a small roadside waterfall on Bridge St in Waterville—great for long-exposure water abstractions, close-up textures of mossy rock and seasonal color. Best after spring runoff or rain when flow is strongest; autumn adds foliage contrast. Accessible from the roadside with short walks; free street parking nearby. Visit at golden hour or blue hour for soft light and fewer people. No formal facilities—wear waterproof boots and respect private property.
Head of Falls Park
Small riverfront park at the head of a cascading drop on the Kennebec River—photograph flowing water over rocky ledges, riverside trees, and glimpses of Waterville’s downtown across the river. Best at golden hour and in fall for color; higher flows after rain. Easy walk-in access, free public park with nearby street parking; no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter. Light can be harsh midday because of open exposures.
Veterans' Memorial Park
Small riverside memorial park in downtown Waterville featuring flags, monuments, benches and river views — strong for close-up memorial details, contextual shots with the Kennebec River and seasonal foliage. Visit at golden hour or blue hour for soft light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings offer quiet scenes. Easy curbside parking nearby and flat, accessible paths; no entry fees. Respectful behavior required around memorials.
North Street Recreation Area
Small riverside recreation area with trails, open fields and Kennebec River views — strong for seasonal landscapes, reflections and fall foliage. Easy roadside access and on-site parking; flat, mostly accessible paths make dawn and dusk shots simple. Best visited at golden hour for warm side-lighting or in autumn for vivid color; winter offers stark snowy compositions. No fees; family-friendly and low crowd levels on weekdays.
Kelsey Street Park
Small riverfront park on the Kennebec River offering reflection shots, riverscape compositions, seasonal foliage and views toward downtown Waterville. Easy street access with nearby on-street parking; no entry fee. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light and glassy reflections; autumn offers peak color. Weekday mornings are quieter. Flat, paved paths are walkable; bring bug spray in summer.
Green Street Park
Small community park along Green St in Waterville offering tree-lined paths, benches and riverside views—good for seasonal foliage, intimate landscapes and local life. Best at golden hour or overcast for even light; fall colors are excellent. Easy street parking, no entry fee, wheelchair-accessible paths in portions. Weekday mornings are quiet; check local events that can add street-life interest.
Castonguay Square - The Commons
Small downtown greenspace framed by historic brick buildings and a central bandstand/monument — great for capturing civic architecture, seasonal foliage, community events and intimate street scenes. Visit at golden hour or blue hour for warm light on facades and evening lamps. Accessible on foot from Main St with public parking nearby; no entry fees. Weekends host markets and concerts, weekdays are quieter. Winters offer snowy compositions; fall yields strong color.
Children's Discovery Museum
Small, colorful hands-on museum with bright play exhibits, interactive science stations and whimsical murals—ideal for candid environmental portraits, detail shots of textures and motion, and architectural interior framing. Best visited weekday mornings or late afternoons for fewer families; lighting is mixed and often low indoors so bring a fast lens. Museum is accessible; small parking lot and street parking nearby. Always ask staff/parents for permission before photographing children; check (
Redington Museum, home of Waterville Historical Society
Compact 19th‑century house museum showcasing period architecture, interiors and local artifacts—good for detail shots (furnishings, woodwork, signage) and composed exteriors on Silver St. Visit weekdays or early morning for minimal foot traffic; golden hour flatters the facade. Small on‑site parking; check Waterville Historical Society hours and admission; museum interiors may restrict tripods/flash and have mixed lighting.
Children’s Play Area
Small public playground on Front St — colorful equipment, kid-action moments and community snapshots. Best shot at early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer crowds. On-street parking and nearby downtown amenities. Be respectful of families and ask before photographing children. Seasonal summer activity and occasional events add candid opportunities.