Biddeford is steeped in history. The city’s roots date back to the early 1600s. It is Maine’s first permanent settlement. But the city is probably most noted as a birthplace of industrialization. Cotton and woolen mills were built along the Saco River, where a 40-foot waterfall was harnessed to power the machinery. The city is rich in Franco-American tradition, as well, with French- Canadians immigrated to Biddeford for good-paying jobs in the mills. Today, you can still see those mill buildings, which are being transformed into commercial, residential and retail space. Beaches and galleries abound and plenty of family-friendly restaurants cater to hungry vacationers.

10 things to do off Exit 32

1. Union Church

Stonecliff Road, Biddeford Pool, 282-4172. The church will host a series of summer concerts, including a performance by Sibling Revelry on Sunday, July 8, and Don Wilkinson on Sunday, July 29.

2. City Theater

205 Main St., in downtown Biddeford, 282-0849. “Urinetown: The Musical” opens on Friday, July 13, at 8 p.m. at City Theater. The show runs through July 28. “Urinetown” is an award-winning satirical musical comedy, which pokes fun at local government, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and petty-minded, small-town politics.

3. Music On Main Street concerts

Small park adjacent to Biddeford Savings Bank, 245 Main St., in downtown Biddeford, 286-1993, or send an e-mail to markrobinson@maine.rr.com. The Main Street concert series starts on Tuesday, July 19, at 11:30 a.m. This free lunchtime concert series will run for five consecutive Tuesdays. Bring a brown bag lunch, or for a $5 donation enjoy a delicious Pit Boss BBQ lunch and help your favorite charity.

4. The Maine Shriner’s Lobster Bowl Classic

Waterhouse Field, West Street, Biddeford, (800) 782-5672. This annual charity football game will be held on Friday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m. This all-star football game features 88 student athletes and raises money for the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Pre-game events start at 6:30 p.m.

5. Biddeford Historical Society

270 Main St. in downton Biddeford, 284-4181. The mission of the society is to educate the people of Biddeford on their cultural heritage. The historical society is the depository for the early records of the city of Biddeford, and has records from 1628 to 1932. All the vital statistics of old Saco and the town of Biddeford are also available for research upon request.

6. McArthur Library

270 Main St. in downtown Biddeford, 284-4181. The library

was one of the first public libraries in Maine. It offers access to 65,000 books, 170 magazine subscriptions, a variety of audio books and a variety of DVDs and VHS movies. It also has 15 public access computers with Internet capability and building-wide free wireless Internet access. The library’s most unique collection is its antique photographs of the city and surrounding areas.

7. Historic Catholic Churches

Biddeford is home to three historic Catholic churches. Call the Catholic Center at 282-9352. St. Mary of the Assumption, on St. Mary’s Street, is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the area. It was built in 1858 and holds Sunday morning masses at 8 a.m. The other two churches are St. Joseph’s, built in 1870, and St. Andre’s, built in 1899. Weekday mass at St. Joseph’s is at 7 a.m. Mass is also held at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. At St. Andre’s mass is held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

8. The Abenakee Club golf course

2 Stone Cliff Road, Biddeford Pool, 283-3811. The Abenakee Club has a 9-hole golf course. The course features 5,580 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 74. The course rating is 65 and it has a slope rating of 108 on Blue grass. The Abenakee course first opened in 1916. The green fees are $15 on both weekdays and weekends.

9. Beaches

Biddeford is home to two sandy beaches – Hills Beach and Fortune’s Rocks. Hill’s Beach is located off Hill’s Beach Road. Drive through the University of New England campus to get there. Fortune’s Rocks is located off Route 208. Lifeguards are on duty during the season and there are portable toilets at Fortune’s Rocks. Parking permits, available at city hall, are required for both beaches.

10. Clifford Park,

Pool Road, Biddeford. The park contains many hiking and walking trails as well as a waterfall. The Black Trail circles the park for a just over one-mile walk. The park was purchased in 1894 from the Clifford family who wished to help preserve its natural beauty for future generations. Be careful to follow the color-coded trail markers because it’s easy to get turned around.