Portland, ME

Address:Portland, Maine

Portland is Maine's cultural, social and economic capital with an abundance of charm, especially the renovated Old Port with its brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets. Whether you want a self-guided walking tour, a tour on the water or a tour on land, you'll find everything you want. There are Schooners, water-taxis, Pedi-cabs, trolley-buses and duck-tours available in downtown Portland. Take the Mail boat on the Casco Bay Lines and see all the island communities of Portland. Enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Portland Harbour. There's some serious shopping and eating to be done in Old Port as well, along with activities for adults and kids.

After recovering from four devastating fires, Portland is the largest city on the Maine Coast and is situated on a peninsula just at the mouth of the Fore River, where it runs into Casco Bay. Portland is just a two-hour ride by car from Boston, Massachusetts and is located just a few minutes from the beautiful sandy beaches and rocky landscapes of Maine's coastline.

The East End Beach offers great views and is free, but with wastewater treatment plants nearby, swimming isn't recommended. Willard Beach, across the bridge in South Portland, is a good neighborhood beach. It's small, with friendly locals, pets and plenty of parking.

Portland Harbour is a peaceful, beautiful stop where visitors will see picturesque lobster boats and sailboats dotting the city's delightful harbor. Hear the booming foghorns and see lighthouses in their ever-vigilant watch over the more than 365 Calendar Islands of Casco Bay. On the east side of Portland is a beautiful cove with tranquil blue waters. Overlooking the cove are the ruins of the oldest castle, Bow and Arrow Castle; there's also Pennyslvania Castle.

Take a beautiful harbor-side stroll along the Eastern Prom Pathway, which wraps for about a mile along the waterfront beginning at the Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal. The paved pathway is suitable for walking or biking, and offers expansive views of the islands and boat traffic on the harbor. The pathway continues on to Back Cove Pathway, a three and a half-mile loop around Back Cove. The pathway is the city's most popular recreational facility. In the summer, locals flock here to walk, bike, jog and windsurf. The main parking lot is located across from a supermarket plaza at the water's edge. Portland Trails also maintains an expansive network of walking and hiking trails throughout the city and neighboring communities. The easiest place to park is near the beach and boat ramp.

Above the Eastern Promenade, on top of Munjoy Hill, is the Portland Observatory, a shingled tower dating to 1807, it was used to signal the arrival of ships into port. Exhibits provide a quick glimpse of Portland's past, but the real draw is the view of the city and harbor from the top. The Observatory is open daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

There are more than 60 beautiful lighthouses in Maine. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Portland, The Portland Head Lighthouse is one of the most visited and one of the most picturesque in the nation. Built in 1794, the lighthouse marks the entrance to Portland Harbor. The lighthouse was always occupied until 1989, and the keeper's house was converted into a small museum. The lighthouse is still active, but is closed to the public. You can still stop by the museum, wander the grounds and watch sailboats and cargo ships come and go. The park by the lighthouse has a pebble beach, grassy lawns and picnic areas well suited for informal barbecues.

The Portland Public Market features over two dozen vendors of fresh foods and flowers, much of it grown in Maine. The architecturally distinctive building is classic and modern at the same time. Stroll among fishmongers, butchers and fresh-fruit dealers. There's also a coffee shop, a takeout sushi joint, a seafood cafe, a good wine shop and more. This is a great spot to get local food products.

Beautiful views make downtown Portland a pleasure to walk around but not to park in. Parking is known to be tight in the Old Port area, and the city's parking enforcement is efficient. There are several garages in the Old Port and you can get a Park & Shop stamp for free parking downtown. Park in a garage or lot and take your ticket with you. Ask for a Park & Shop stamp with each purchase at a downtown store. Each stamp is good for one free hour of parking.

The Old Port in downtown is the center of shopping in Portland. Clothing, home accessories, shoes, souvenirs, boutique shopping and one-of-a-kind shops line the cobblestone streets of this historic waterfront district. There are even gifts for your little furry friend if you have one.

Portland is known for its many excellent restaurants. Pub food, fine dining, seafood, lobster rolls, Maine shrimp and clams all can be found in the Old Port. During the summer season outdoor dining is everywhere with many restaurants offering water views. Drink locally-made beer such as Allagash, Shipyard, Gritty's, Geary's, Sebago, or taste Cold River Potato Vodka for an extra kick.

Shopping in the downtown Art District offers vintage clothing, antique stores, book stores, unique household goods, local shops and the LL Bean Factory Outlet.

Also in the Art District is the Portland Museum of Art, housing a permanent collection of paintings by Winslow Homer, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Picasso and more. The Children's museum of Maine is also in the Art District with activities that have the kids gather around a white table in a dark room, where they see magically-projected images that include cars driving on city streets, boats plying the harbor and seagulls flapping by. Other activities range from running a supermarket checkout counter to a firehouse pole that kids can slide down.

First Friday Art Walk is a monthly evening tour of Portland galleries where artists exhibit their work in the backs of roving trucks, at street performances, in open artist's studio and traditional galleries. This exciting event offers you a diverse night of formal and spontaneous experiences.

For things to do at night, Portland still has downtown movie houses. Listen to a variety of music in the Old Port bars.

Treat yourself to a great baseball gam by watching the Portland Sea Dogs play through the summer at Hadlock Field. The small stadium near downtown still has an old-time feeling to it and activities there are geared toward families. There's lots of entertainment between innings and a selection of good food.

Portland is a small city, but with so much to offer your mind and body, you'll regret it if you miss it.