7:30 AM

You start your day with coffee at Slate’s Bakery on Water Street. This longstanding Hallowell favorite is known for its fresh-baked breads, pastries, and strong coffee. You grab a croissant and a cappuccino and sit at the counter, watching the morning foot traffic on Water Street.

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8:30 AM

You walk to your studio space on Water Street. As a freelance illustrator, you work with book publishers, magazines, and local businesses across Maine. Hallowell’s creative community and affordable rents drew you here, and the walkability of the town means you rarely need to drive.

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12:00 PM

For lunch, you step outside and walk a few doors down to Belle Boulangerie, a new bakery that opened in 2025. The French-inspired pastries and sandwiches have already become a local obsession. You grab a ham and cheese croissant and eat it on a bench overlooking the Kennebec River.

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1:00 PM

After lunch, you take a walk through Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead, a 166-acre preserve just outside downtown. The trails wind through old-growth pines and along Vaughan Brook. It’s one of the most peaceful spots in central Maine, and it’s a 5-minute drive from your studio.

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3:00 PM

Back at the studio, you spend the afternoon working on a commission — a series of illustrations for a children’s book set in Maine. The afternoon light through your studio windows is perfect for detail work.

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5:30 PM

After work, you wander over to Cushnoc Brewing on Water Street for a pint. The craft brewery has become a gathering spot for locals, and you catch up with a few friends over a flight of their seasonal beers.

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7:00 PM

For dinner, you head to The Liberal Cup, Hallowell’s beloved brewpub. It’s been a Water Street institution for years, serving house-brewed beers and hearty pub fare. You grab a booth, order a burger and a pint of their signature ale, and settle in for the evening.

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9:00 PM

After dinner, you walk along Water Street. Hallowell is small — just a few blocks of shops, restaurants, and galleries — but it punches well above its weight. On any given evening, you might stumble into live music, an art opening, or an open mic night.

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10:30 PM

Back at home, you feel the particular contentment that comes from living in a place where the creative community is real, the rent is reasonable, and the river is right outside your door. Hallowell may be small, but it’s full of life.