There aren’t many American fictional authors as famous as Stephen King. This legendary writer has published 63 novels, 120 short stories, 20 novellas, and five non-fiction books. Carrie was his first novel, published in 1974. For the last 50 years, Stephen King has produced best-seller after best-seller. Some novels like The Shining and The Green Mile also became motion pictures.
So, it’s no wonder his former residence in Bangor, Maine receives some attention. Today, we’ll look at the Stephen King house and tell you whether or not you can visit this Victorian mansion. Let’s dive in!
Who Is Stephen King?
Stephen King is one of the most well-known and beloved authors of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and crime novels. Dubbed the “King of Horror,” King has sold hundreds of millions of books, many of which have been adapted for the screen.
He was born in Portland, Maine, on September 21, 1947. During his childhood, King read all types of literature, and he decided to become a writer at an early age. In 1970, King graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Maine at Orono.
Since becoming a professional author, King has won over 100 awards, including the 2014 National Medal of Art, which is the highest honor given to artists by the U.S. government.
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For more creepy crawly experiences, check out these haunted houses in New Orleans!
Where Is the Stephen King House?
Stephen King proudly calls Maine “home.” The Stephen King house is a Victorian mansion in Bangor, Maine. A public sidewalk runs right in front of the home, so it’s easily accessible for visitors who want to take a selfie in front of their favorite author’s former residence. The most distinguishing feature is a wrought-iron fence with spiders and bat-winged creatures surrounding the property.
While Stephen King doesn’t live here anymore, it’s still a private residence with no public accessibility. But if you’re strolling down West Broadway in Bangor, you can take as many photos from the outside as you’d like.
Is the Stephen King House Haunted?
The Victorian mansion that Stephen King purchased in 1980 was built in 1858. It looks spooky, and the detailing of the spiders and bats on the wrought-iron fence adds to its character.
Because of its appearance, the Stephen King house inspired many of King’s novels. He used his eerie home and the neighborhood to create the fictional town of Derry, Maine. Insomnia, It, and Dreamcatcher all refer to Derry, Maine. So, while the residence isn’t haunted, it has inspired scary tales that have reached millions of readers.
Can You Go Inside the Stephen King House?
As we mentioned, the Stephen King house isn’t open to the public. You can’t walk onto the property and into the front door. You can visit the neighborhood and take photos in front of the house.
Another option is the Derry, Maine Tour, a narrated bus tour offered by SK Tours of Maine. This 2.5 to 3-hour tour travels around Bangor, visiting locations where Stephen King has lived and worked, and the places that have inspired his stories. If you’ve read any of the novels that refer to Derry, you’ll immediately see the resemblance between Bangor and this fictional town.
Other Popular Attractions In Bangor, Maine
While you’re in Bangor, Maine, we have a few other popular attractions worth visiting. Bangor is Maine’s third most populous city, so there’s plenty to do here. You can enjoy a couple of days of touring or spend a week or longer enjoying the area. Here are our top five suggestions!
Cole Land Transportation Museum
The Cole Land Transportation Museum is located at 405 Perry Road. It’s about a 3-mile drive from the Stephen King house. The museum is open seven days a week from May 1 to November 11 and showcases a cross-section of Maine’s land transportation equipment. It’s a family-friendly museum where kids and adults will have fun and learn more about the history of these vehicles.
Penobscot Theatre Company
Another excellent outing in Bangor, Maine is to see a play at the Penobscot Theatre Company. The 2023-2024 season consists of popular performances like Godspell, Jr. and A Christmas Carol. Other shows include Rock the Ages, a journey through 50 years of rock, and Little Shop of Horrors, a gleefully gruesome tribute to sci-fi/horror B movies.
Maine Discovery Museum
Another family-friendly place to visit is the Maine Discovery Museum. This children’s museum is only a mile from the Stephen King house. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the Maine Discovery Museum has daily programs like messy art and nature time.
Other hands-on, interactive exhibits include pretend play and a robotics factory. You’ll only need about two hours to explore this museum, but it’s a fun place for kids to let loose some energy in a safe environment.
Bangor City Forest
The City of Bangor Forest encompasses over 680 acres and includes more than nine miles of trails. Adjacent to the city forest is the Walden-Parke Preserve, where outdoor adventurers can access more hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing trails. The forest and preserve are excellent opportunities for visitors to get outside while visiting one of the largest cities in Maine.
Paul Bunyan Statue
Finally, you can’t visit Bangor, Maine, without stopping by the Paul Bunyan statue and taking a selfie. It stands along Main Street in front of the Bangor Visitor Center near Bass Park.
Bangor claims to be the home of this legendary figure. You can see his birth certificate on display in the City Clerk’s office in City Hall. Even Stephen King knows how important Paul Bunyan is to Bangor. He brought this 31-foot statue to life in his novel It.
Stephen King Lovers Enjoy Selfies Outside His Bangor, Maine House
The Stephen King House is one of the most popular attractions in Bangor, Maine. Residents of West Broadway Street probably wish it wasn’t, but most tourists make their visits quick and leave the locals alone. Although Stephen and Tabitha King now live in Florida, the Victorian mansion where King received his inspiration for so many novels remains an iconic residence.
Would you like to see the Stephen King house?
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