15 Finest Issues To Do In Portland, Maine

Portland is undoubtedly Maine’s most enjoyable metropolis, and with beautiful coastal surroundings, lighthouses, an unbelievable culinary scene, and historic New England attraction, it’s simple to see why. 

Positioned within the southern area of the state, Portland is accessible from so many different components of New England, making it simple to see whereas visiting this area. It additionally makes for an ideal homebase when you discover totally different areas of coastal Maine, or a worthwhile pitstop in your method to Acadia Nationwide Park. 

This put up shares all the easiest issues to do in Portland, Maine that will help you plan the proper itinerary. Whether or not you’re planning a day journey, or just a few nights right here, these are the very best issues to take a look at on this stunning New England metropolis.

The place To Keep In Portland, Maine

One of the best space to remain in Portland is the Previous Port district of downtown. That is additionally probably the most scenic space of town, and also you’ll discover historic cobblestoned streets, stunning alleyways alongside the waterfront, and many buying and eating choices inside strolling distance. Some really useful inns within the Previous Port neighborhood are:

• The Press Resort
• Portland Harbor Resort
• Hyatt Place Previous Port

When you’re on a price range, the most affordable space of town to remain in is South Portland, which is only a 15-minute drive to Previous Port. You’ll discover a whole lot of lodge chains on this space with less expensive costs, and also you’ll even be nearer to the lighthouses.

Beneficial inns in South Portland:

• Vacation Inn Categorical & Suites
• Courtyard By Marriott Portland Airport

Finest Issues To Do In Portland, Maine

1. See The Lighthouses

You most undoubtedly can’t depart Portland and never see the lighthouses! Portland is dwelling to New England’s most well-known and photographed lighthouse, Portland Head Gentle, and in case you simply see one lighthouse throughout your go to, that is the one to see.

Portland Head Gentle is inside Fort Williams Park on Cape Elizabeth and is surrounded by a dramatic, rocky shoreline that makes for epic pictures to recollect your journey by. There’s a paved path that goes across the park that provides totally different vantage factors of the lighthouse, and you may also stroll proper as much as it for a novel perspective. 

You probably have time, it’s additionally value visiting the opposite two lighthouses close by: Spring Level Ledge Gentle, and Bug Gentle. Whereas these lighthouses are a lot smaller than Portland Head, they’re each nonetheless very enjoyable to go to and supply stunning views of the water. 

Visiting the lighthouses does require a automotive, however in case you’re visiting with out one, think about taking a tour across the metropolis, which additionally consists of Portland Head Gentle.

If you wish to see all three lighthouses with out a automotive, the most suitable choice is to hop on a ship tour, which departs proper from downtown Portland. The Lighthouse Lovers Cruise tour is 60 minutes lengthy, and passes by all of Portland’s lighthouses:

2. Stroll The Streets Of Charming Previous Port

Portland’s most photogenic space is unquestionably Previous Port, and also you’ll need to make sure to spend no less than just a few hours exploring the charming streets of this neighborhood. As town’s oldest and most historic space, it additionally completely balances old-world attraction and town’s wealthy maritime legacy.

Most of the eating places and boutiques on this neighborhood are housed in historic warehouse buildings, and also you’ll discover hidden alleyways alongside the harbor with bobbing fishing boats and lobster traps for an genuine New England expertise. 

3. Take A Boat Tour Of Casco Bay

Top-of-the-line methods to get pleasure from Portland is by taking in views of town by boat, which additionally gives alternatives to see the encircling Casco Bay. 

There are just a few incredible excursions that depart proper from Previous Port, and probably the greatest ones is that this Harbor Lights and Websites tour, which passes by the lighthouses, and the islands round Casco Bay:

A memorable boat tour to absorb Portland is that this 2-hour Tall Ship Cruise across the bay. Your guides on this tour will assist you spot seals and different wildlife within the water, and also you’ll even have the chance to discover ways to sail and hoist the sails in case you’re up for it. Crusing holidays are full of advantages, so give it a attempt!

When you’re visiting between November and April, most boat tour corporations are closed for the season, however you may hop aboard the Casco Bay Island Ferry, which is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Portland, Maine within the winter. The Casco Bay ferry line can also be very reasonably priced, so if different excursions aren’t in your price range, it is a nice choice. 

Guests are welcome to hop aboard simply to cruise round, and round-trip fares begin at round $8.  

4. Take A Meals Tour

Portland is one among New England’s most enjoyable culinary locations, and it may be overwhelming to determine the place to eat. That will help you hone in on the very best locations to start out and get a style of New England delicacies, undoubtedly think about reserving a meals tour of town.

The Previous Port Culinary Strolling Tour takes you thru a number of the greatest components of the neighborhood and stops at as much as 7 eateries alongside the best way to pattern a wide range of meals. 

Craving one thing a bit sweeter? You’ll need to e-book an Previous Port Donut Strolling Tour! This tour permits you to skip the road at Portland’s most well-known donut store, The Holy Donut, and likewise pattern donuts at two different places. 

5. Eat Recent Seafood

After your meals tour, you’ll need to have a plan in place for getting some recent seafood throughout the remainder of your journey. New England is known for lobster rolls, clam chowder, oysters, and a lot extra, and Portland is dwelling to a number of the most unbelievable seafood eating places within the area!

For a extra upscale seafood meal, you’ll need to make a reservation at Scales. Positioned in Previous Port, they’ve an amazing uncooked bar right here, and serve up native clams and mussels. Eventide can also be a superb seafood restaurant for a sit-down dinner, they usually serve fantastic native oysters.

For the proper Maine-style lobster roll and nice water views, head to Luke’s Lobster on the pier.

6. Go to The Breweries

Not solely does Portland have an thrilling culinary vacation spot, however its craft brewery scene is equally as nice. The town is dwelling to over 60 craft breweries as of 2023, and every one brews wonderful beer to attempt, with an enormous concentrate on New England IPAs.

Some of the well-known breweries to take a look at is Allagash. Identified for his or her ales, and likewise for having most likely the very best out of doors beer backyard within the metropolis, it is a nice one to take a look at for a enjoyable environment. 

One of many greatest breweries in Portland, Maine to go to is Bissell Brothers, which is understood for its IPAs. One specific double IPA they make that’s greater than value ordering is Swish, which is without doubt one of the top-rated beers within the metropolis. 

For extra nice brewery experiences, additionally take a look at Lone Pine, Basis, and Austin Avenue. However actually, most breweries in Portland are fairly nice, so it’s onerous to select a foul one. 

7. Stroll The Jap Promenade Path

Contained in the Jap Promenade Park, which is a wonderful 73-acre nature space within the metropolis, you’ll need to take a look at the Jap Promenade Path. This paved pedestrian and bike path is simply over 2 miles lengthy and permits you to get pleasure from coastal views your complete manner. 

The path is a straightforward and stress-free stroll, with little or no incline, so it’s excellent to do year-round and is very nice with children. One of the best place to start out is at Fort Allen Park, which is nearly a mile from Previous Port, permitting you to see components of this space in your manner.

8. Take pleasure in The Views From The Portland Observatory

As the one surviving marine sign station left within the U.S., the Portland Observatory is a good landmark to go to that provides each historical past and fantastic views of town. 

A Nationwide Historic Landmark, the Portland Observatory was constructed within the early 1800s so boats could possibly be seen coming into the harbor, and it was an integral a part of the harbor’s effectivity till the Nineteen Twenties when two-way radio indicators have been out there.

Now, the tower is open seasonally to the general public, and guided excursions are given of the constructing, together with the highest remark ground, which is the place you’ll get unbelievable views of town and harbor. 

9. Spend The Day On Peaks Island

One of many stops you may make whereas using the Casco Bay Island Ferry line is Peaks Island, which is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Portland, Maine. Peaks Island is only a brief 17-minute ferry journey from town and makes for an exquisite day journey.

Peaks Island spans solely about 4 miles, so it’s very simple to discover at a relaxed tempo. When you get off the ferry, you’ll have choices to lease a motorbike or golf cart to discover the island, and each are very enjoyable choices! Despite the fact that the island is small, it’s greatest explored with a motorbike or golf cart, so have a plan in place once you arrive.

For issues to do on the island, take a look at the Umbrella Cowl Museum, stroll via the quaint downtown, discover the seashores, seize a well-known cinnamon roll from Peaks Café, and take within the views from Picnic Level. 

10. Go to Victoria Mansion

Good for these curious about artwork, historical past, and structure, Victoria Mansion is a landmark in Portland to have in your radar. A shocking instance of Nineteenth-century structure, the Mansion is open seasonally for excursions. 

Inside, you’ll discover opulent interval furnishings and a glimpse into what life was like when it was first constructed within the mid-1800s. It’s mentioned that Victoria Mansion is a one-of-a-kind property, which makes it particular to expertise in individual. 

11. Discover Your Favourite Whoopie Pie

Maine is known for its whoopie pies, and when you arrive, you’ll see these scrumptious little treats in bakeries and cafés throughout. Throughout your go to, probably the greatest issues to do in Portland is locate your favourite whoopie pie, as town is dwelling to a number of the greatest within the state. 

A incredible bakery to take a look at throughout your go to is Two Fats Cats, which serves up not only a fantastic whoopie pie, but additionally scrumptious cookies, brownies, pies, and a lot extra. Additionally they usually have seasonal whoopie pie flavors on their menu, together with lemon zucchini and wild blueberry, pumpkin, and strawberry. 

12. Sip On Artistic Cocktails

Whereas Portland is understood for its thrilling brewery scene, it’s additionally dwelling to some wonderful bars that serve specialty cocktails value looking for out. When you’re not a beer individual, you’ll need to have these locations in your radar.

One particularly that’s particularly excellent to go to is Batson River, which is a brewery, distillery, and restaurant multi function. With a novel environment that’s undoubtedly Instagram-worthy, and inventive drinks on their menu, it’ll be onerous to determine what to order when you arrive. 

Blyth & Burrows can also be a formidable place for cocktails. Serving small plates, in addition to inventive drinks that look pretty much as good as they style, chances are you’ll need to come again right here twice throughout your journey.

13. Take pleasure in The Portland Museum Of Artwork

The Portland Museum of Artwork is the most important and oldest public artwork institute in Maine and is worthy of being on any artwork lover’s itinerary. 

The partitions are stuffed with over 18,000 items of artwork, and also you’ll discover works by Andy Warhol, Monet, Jackson Pollock, and Renoir. 

When you’re touring on a price range, the museum is free to all guests on Friday nights from 4-8 p.m. 

14. Journey The Maine Slender Gauge Railroad

Some of the enjoyable issues to do in Portland, Maine is take a journey on the Maine Slender Gauge Railroad. Hop aboard historic steam and diesel trains, and journey alongside the coast with views of Casco Bay. 

Every journey on the railroad consists of attention-grabbing historical past and narration, and also you’ll be taught why Maine put in a system of those distinctive 2-foot vast gauges that have been a primary in North America. 

For an much more distinctive expertise, you may e-book a particular seasonal journey, which is obtainable all year long. In the summertime, ice cream prepare nights can be found, with pumpkin rides within the fall, and a festive Polar Categorical Christmas prepare through the holidays. 

15. Expertise The Magical Christmas Festivities

New England on the whole actually is aware of easy methods to have fun the vacation season, and Portland is not any exception! When you occur to go to in December, there are such a lot of fantastic festivities to get pleasure from that’ll undoubtedly put you within the vacation spirit.

The Portland Parade of Lights is an particularly enjoyable one to expertise, the place you may get pleasure from watching a parade of boats sail throughout the harbor, every that includes its personal distinctive show of Christmas lights. 

Portland additionally has just a few Christmas timber to see, and you may usually attend lighting ceremonies the weekend after Thanksgiving. The Previous Port tree is without doubt one of the greatest within the metropolis to see, and the lobster entice tree by Luke’s is certain to place a smile in your face. 

Finest Time Of Yr To Go to Portland, Maine

Portland is actually an exquisite metropolis year-round, however there are undoubtedly some issues to know when deciding on the time of yr to go to. 

Peak season in Portland is June via September, and that is when lodge costs can be at their highest, and once you’ll expertise probably the most crowds. The trade-off is you get a number of the greatest climate town will expertise, with lengthy heat days, and fewer possibilities of rain.

Portland, Maine in October can also be an exquisite time to go to, as you’ll begin to see lodge costs drop, and the crowds will start to skinny out. You’ll additionally get to get pleasure from fall foliage across the metropolis and expertise cooler climate. October is often the final month that boat tour corporations can be open, so that is additionally your final probability to e-book any crusing or boat excursions round Casco Bay.

When you’re visiting on a price range, think about visiting Portland, Maine in November, or the winter months after the vacations are over. Resort costs in November are even decrease than in October, however the climate isn’t fairly as chilly because the winter season, making this an underrated time to go to.

Within the winter season, Portland makes for a comfortable getaway that’s stuffed with nice meals, museums, and brisk walks alongside the coast. Portland doesn’t get as a lot snow because the northern components of Maine, so it’s nonetheless simple to go to this time of the yr.

How To Get To Portland, Maine

The closest airport is Portland Worldwide Jetport Airport, which is barely about 10 minutes outdoors town. For extra flight choices, you may also fly into Boston Logan Worldwide Airport, and drive about 2 hours to Portland.

Learn additionally:

How To Get Round Portland, Maine

Downtown Portland is simple to navigate with out a automotive, so in case you’re planning to solely go to town, a automotive gained’t be essential. When you’re planning to go to Portland as half of a bigger journey round Maine or New England, you’ll need to have a automotive with you and search for inns with parking areas on-site. 

Portland has a lot of public transportation out there to get round, together with buses, trains, and ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft. However actually, a lot of the metropolis is fairly walkable.

The one time a automotive will come in useful is once you plan to go to the lighthouses in South Portland. For this, it could be worthwhile to select up a Zip Automotive, which is parked all around the metropolis and straightforward to seek out. Alternatively, you may e-book a lighthouse tour so that you don’t have to fret about getting a automotive.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve the within scoop on all the very best issues to do in Portland, Maine, you’re able to plan the proper coastal metropolis escape!

With so many enjoyable issues to do, the onerous half is selecting easy methods to see all of it throughout your journey. Whether or not you’re hoping to tour all of the lighthouses and revel in a lobster roll (or two!) alongside the best way, otherwise you’re excited to buy in Previous Port and sip on craft brews, one factor’s for positive – you’ll have such a memorable journey to Maine after your time in Portland.

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Sam runs New England Wanderlust