Looking for a weekend getaway? Plan a weekend in Portland Maine with this information to the very best resorts, eating places, and issues to do in our favourite New England coastal city.
We fell in love with Portland, Maine a few years in the past when our daughter began going to sleep away camp in Maine and we’d spend a minimum of two weekends a summer season in Portland. Over the years, we’ve got seen the town broaden with new resorts, eating places, and retailers, and Portland simply retains getting higher.
No longer a hidden gem, Portland is a well-liked weekend getaway from Boston and a standard cease on a Maine coast street journey. The cobblestone streets of the Old Port are lined with boutiques and retailers that you will see in lots of coastal New England cities with every little thing from Maine Sea Bags to Simon Pearce glassware.
Known for its sturdy meals scene, Portland is thought for lobster and New England seafood, however the metropolis has a thriving farm-to-table tradition and a wide range of worldwide cuisines. The metropolis has been acknowledged as a foodie vacation spot, named “Restaurant City of the Year,” in 2018 by Bon Appetit journal and the seventh greatest foodie vacation spot within the United States by Yelp in 2020, primarily based on person opinions and rankings.
Additionally, most of the metropolis’s eating places and cooks have been acknowledged by the James Beard Foundation, with a number of nominations and awards together with Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley of Eventide Oyster Co., who received the award for Best Chef: Northeast in 2017. Other notable cooks within the metropolis embrace Cara Stadler of Bao Bao Dumpling House and Tao Yuan, and Ilma Lopez of Piccolo and Chaval.
This seaport city can also be widespread with beer lovers, as Maine is thought for its craft beer scene with Portland as its hub. Portland has over 20 breweries and taprooms within the metropolis, with many widespread breweries close by. If you’ve got the concept that a weekend in Portland Maine is all about consuming, consuming, and procuring, you aren’t far off. But don’t fear, there are additionally loads of issues for teenagers to get pleasure from if you wish to make it a household weekend (we’ve got executed each — many instances over.)
Getting to Portland Maine
Getting to Portland, Maine is comparatively simple, with a number of transportation choices obtainable. Many folks go to on a Maine street journey, however you can too fly or take the prepare. The metropolis’s most important airport is the Portland International Jetport (PWM), which is situated just some miles from downtown Portland. PWM presents direct flights to many main cities within the US, together with New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and Atlanta, amongst others.
If you might be flying internationally, you’ll be able to join by Boston Logan International Airport, which is situated about 100 miles south of Portland. Driving to Portland from Boston takes about two hours. Another choice for attending to Portland is to take the Amtrak Downeaster prepare, which runs each day between Boston and Portland and takes about two hours.
When is the Best Time to Visit Portland Maine?
In my opinion, the very best time to go to Portland is in the course of the summer season, from mid June by early September, when the climate is heat and you’ll extra simply benefit from the outdoor. However, the resort charges throughout this time will be sky excessive (e.g. $1000 an evening for a series resort!) Trust me, these charges have compelled me to think about going to Portsmouth, New Hampshire or heading as much as Boothbay Harbor as a substitute.
Alternatively, fall is a perfect time to go to Portland. The resort charges will likely be somewhat cheaper, the climate continues to be nice, and you might even get to see some lovely fall foliage should you time it proper. Of course, Portland is a vibrant metropolis yr spherical, with annual festivals such because the Harvest on the Harbor in October.
Where to Stay in Portland Maine
Note: This submit could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Since we’ve got been to Portland dozens of instances, we’ve got stayed in so most of the resorts each within the Old Port and off the freeway. If you need to lower your expenses, staying out of the downtown or Old Port goes to assist, however you’ll have to take care of driving into city and discovering (and normally paying for) parking. I positively favor being within the Old Port district as a result of every little thing is so walkable, should you can swing the value tag.
We have stayed within the AC Hotel, Courtyard Marriott Downtown/Waterfront, the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and the Westin Portland Harborview. Since most of the chain resorts are new, they’ve a contemporary design and are rather well executed. The Courtyard has been a stunning favourite and the one one we didn’t actually like was the Westin, as a result of it was farther from the guts of the Old Port and it felt a bit drained.
However, in case you are searching for one thing totally different, particularly for a romantic getaway, then I’d go together with The Press Hotel. One of the Autograph Collection resorts by Marriott, this has the texture of a boutique metropolis resort and a historic resort rolled into one cool house. The constructing as soon as housed the Portland Press Herald, the state’s largest newspaper, which operated there till 2010.
The resort actually takes on that mantle and carries that design inspiration all through the resort. In the foyer, you should use quaint typewriters to put in writing a letter and they’ll even submit it for you. I like the click-clack sound within the foyer and the widespread chorus of “where is the exclamation point?” You can even discover outdated kind writers affixed to the partitions, newsprint lining the resort hallways, and what appear to be scattered kind strewn throughout the carpet design.
Inside the rooms, you pause and surprise what was once in that house with its odds shapes and angles. Our room had a big vestibule and a brief hallway to a small however properly designed room with a king mattress and nook workplace views. I used to be stunned by the big rest room and loved the trendy fixtures, giant bathe and upscale facilities.
The location of the Press Hotel is just some blocks from the waterfront Commercial Street and proper within the coronary heart of the Old Port. But, if you wish to keep in, the foyer bar is a cushty hangout and the Union Restaurant deserves excessive marks, even within the aggressive Portland meals scene.
Of course, there are at all times new resorts popping up and the one which I’m anticipated opening is The Longfellow Hotel.
Note: I acquired a media fee at The Press Hotel and complimentary admission to the Portland Science Museum. All opinions are my very own.
What to do on a Weekend in Portland Maine
Portland Head Light
The first place that I take each one that goes with me to Maine is Portland Head Light. Not solely do I believe it is likely one of the most scenic lighthouses within the U.S., however I additionally love scrambling across the rocks and strolling alongside the cliffs in Fort Williams Park.
The lighthouse is situated in Cape Elizabeth, simply south of Portland. It was first commissioned by George Washington in 1787 and has performed an essential position in maritime historical past. Standing 80 toes tall, its mild will be seen as much as 24 nautical miles away.
You can tour the keeper’s home and the small museum there, however my favourite factor is to discover the strolling trails alongside the rocky shoreline, climbing down onto the rocks throughout low tide. You can carry a picnic and benefit from the varied picnic websites within the park, however I favor to get a lobster roll from the Bite into Maine meals truck that normally units up store within the park (attempt the wasabi lobster roll!)
Just a few issues to find out about visiting Portland Head Light. First, it’s a very fashionable spot so the parking zone can get very crowded throughout busy instances and also you do have to pay at a meter to park. There aren’t any restrooms however there are some port-a-potties. Cell service may be very spotty on the park so it helps to have your instructions offline and depend on spending time being current within the second as a substitute of in your cellphone!
If you do climb down onto the rocks, it may be a bit steep and laborious for younger children. Once you might be on the rocks, you want a sturdy, non-slip shoe to stroll throughout the wobbly, uneven rocks. Also, don’t go too near the place the tide is coming in since you don’t need to be caught unaware by a wave, falling may very well be very harmful.
While you might be in Cape Elizabeth, you might need to additionally try Two Lights Lighthouse and State Park, which is barely one other quarter-hour to the south. Nearby, you can too discover The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, which is extra of a correct restaurant with restrooms, indoor eating, and picnic tables overlooking their lovely view (which, sadly, are additionally liked by the bees!)
Beer Tasting
While my favourite pastime in Portland is to eat…we additionally wish to drink and Maine has a taking place beer scene. You can go to Shipyard in downtown Portland, hop on the Maine Beer Tours‘ Maine Brew Bus or a brand new Maine Brew Cruise, do some bar hopping, or go to one of many native breweries.
On every journey we attempt one thing new, however certainly one of my private favorites is Allagash Brewing Company. Allagash is a Belgian-style beer that you may generally discover all through New England and different elements of the U.S. In the previous, Allagash provided free excursions, however now it seems to be like they only have the tasting room or an immersive 1.5 hour Cellars tasting expertise.
Oxbow Blending & Bottling Company additionally has an outpost within the hip and taking place East End neighborhood and shares a courtyard with the Duckfat Frites Shack, which has a shorter line than the unique location within the Old Port. The house can also be residence to Gallery 49 which hosts our rotating artwork exhibitions, and it’s a quick stroll to Fort Sumner Park and the Eastern Promenade for a stroll alongside the water with views of Casco Bay.
Oxbow is usually identified for its pale ales and farmhouse ales, however like most craft breweries, they’ve a big choice of varied beers to attempt. If you’re taking somewhat drive as much as Freeport, you can too go to certainly one of my husband’s favorites, Maine Beer Company. He is a enjoyable of its IPAs and Pale Ales, comparable to Lunch and Peeper.
Shopping in Old Port
The first place folks head to in Portland itself is the Old Port neighborhood, which faces the waterfront with lively wharfs the place ferry and fishing boats depart. It is thought for its cobblestone streets, historic structure, and bustling waterfront. This neighborhood can also be residence to a few of Portland’s greatest eating places, bars, and retailers, lots of that are housed in fantastically preserved brick buildings relationship again to the nineteenth century.
Fore Street, Exchange Street, and Commercial Street are among the most important procuring streets within the space, the place you’ll find a wide range of boutiques, galleries, and specialty retailers. I like popping into the Maine Seabags flagship retailer to see the most recent kinds, purchasing for lively put on at Nomads, and window procuring on the boutiques.
Some of the favored retailers embrace Maine Potters Market, which options handmade pottery from over 50 artists in Maine, The Portland Trading Co., Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine retailer, which sells domestically made presents and souvenirs, and the Stonewall Kitchen flagship retailer, which presents a wide array of connoisseur meals merchandise.
While you might be strolling round Old Port, it would be best to get a snack and I’m so comfortable to see that Holy Donut has returned to Old Port on Commercial Street. Their potato-flour donuts are the bomb and I drool over the chocolate sea salt. You may also get ice cream at Beal’s or Mount Desert Ice Cream (attempt the blueberry taste in fact!)
Make positive to stroll alongside the wharfs and try the piles of lobster traps, watch the fishing boats are available and unload, and attempt to spot the chunks of the Berlin Wall should you like quirky points of interest.
Portland Museum of Art
If you might be an artwork lover, or want one thing to do inside, cease into the Portland Museum of Art. Portland isn’t an artwork city the best way that Rockland is, but it surely does have a thriving Arts District. The Portland Museum of Art was based in 1882 and has a group of over 18,000 artworks, starting from up to date items to European masterpieces.
Some of the highlights of the gathering embrace works by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Claude Monet. The museum additionally options a wide range of particular exhibitions all year long, showcasing works from each native and worldwide artists.
Take a Ferry Around Casco Bay Islands
Portland is situated on Casco Bay, which covers an space of about 200 sq. miles and is residence to over 200 islands, lots of that are uninhabited. The islands of Casco Bay have performed an essential position within the historical past of the area, serving as fishing and buying and selling outposts for tons of of years. Some of the most important islands within the bay embrace Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and Great Diamond Island.
When you might be visiting Portland, a enjoyable option to discover is to get out on the water and possibly even get to discover among the islands and the remnants of outdated navy forts that also exist. A few years in the past I stayed on Great Diamond Island and a few guests to Portland even got here out to the island through boat to have dinner on the island.
There are some ways to discover together with narrated cruises, fishing charters, lobster boat excursions (extra on that later), Maine Duck Tours, and eco-tours that supply an opportunity to see the native wildlife up shut. The Casco Bay Lines ferry service additionally presents a handy option to go to among the islands within the bay, with common service to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and different widespread locations, together with the Mail Boat Run that drops off mail and packages on the varied islands.
Day Trip to Freeport
Another widespread day journey from Portland is to go 20 minutes to the north to Freeport, Maine, residence of L.L. Bean. In addition to the L.L. Bean flagship and outlet shops, many different manufacturers, particularly outside manufacturers, have shops in Freeport.
I’ve struggled to discover a restaurant that I like in Freeport (though Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster out on the coast close by is nice – however carry money!), however you’ll be able to simply spend a day procuring and exploring city, particularly should you make a cease at Maine Beer Company (see above.)
Things to do in Portland Maine with Kids
As I discussed, Portland isn’t just for grown ups. For a minimum of half of our journeys to Portland, have been with our daughter. Here are some enjoyable issues to do in Portland Maine with children.
Lobster Boat Tour
We have truly by no means executed this in Portland, though we’ve got in Boston, however my buddy Mary has gone together with her children and she or he liked it. Lucky Catch Cruises takes you out for a 90-minute cruise to study all about lobstering and what it’s wish to be a lobsterman. You additionally get to cruise previous picturesque lighthouses like Bug Light, historic civil battle forts, and the “Seal Rocks”, the place you might get fortunate to spy some seals.
These excursions are interactive and visitors are given gear and put to work loading traps and measuring the catch. If you catch some lobsters, you should purchase them on the wholesale “boat price” after which carry them to Portland Lobster Company, who will cook dinner them for you.
Children’s Museum & Theater of Maine
The Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine, situated in a stupendous new constructing on Thompson’s Point, is a good spot for youthful kids. It is open 5 days every week, along with scheduled theater performances. It options hands-on, interactive displays which have been designed to create experiential studying and enjoyable on the identical time.
The constructing options over 30,000 sq. toes of displays spanning three flooring and the Outdoor Adventure space. These areas mirror Maine’s distinctive character and encourage exploration throughout a broad vary of topics.
Baseball or Hockey Game
For sports activities followers visiting Portland, Maine, there are two minor league groups value testing – the Portland Sea Dogs baseball crew and the Maine Mariners hockey crew. The Portland Sea Dogs are a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and play their residence video games at Hadlock Field, which is situated just some miles from downtown Portland.
The Maine Mariners are a minor league hockey crew that performs within the ECHL, which is likely one of the high skilled hockey leagues in North America. The crew performs its residence video games on the Cross Insurance Arena, which is situated within the coronary heart of downtown Portland. In addition to the video games themselves, the Maine Mariners supply a wide range of particular occasions and promotions all through the season, together with theme nights, giveaways, and post-game autograph periods.
Where to Eat in Portland Maine
I’ve written a complete submit about the place to eat in Portland Maine, however listed here are a number of of my favorites:
- Eventide Oyster Company – attempt their model of a lobster roll in a steamed bun
- Duckfat – superb french fries, poutine, and milkshakes
- Bite into Maine – fascinating number of lobster rolls
- Luke’s Lobster – nice views on the wharf
As a lot as I like Portland, I ought to level out a number of of its flaws too. There has at all times been a little bit of a homeless inhabitants in Portland, like every other metropolis, and this appears to have elevated in recent times.
It isn’t problematic within the Old Port space as the general public you see are innocent, however if you head into another areas, like round Deering Oaks park, it is a little more prevalent and the world feels a bit sketchier with various addicts and suspicious characters. So simply use widespread sense and preserve your wits about you, lock your automobile, and don’t go away valuables in plain sight.
There are many enjoyable and funky neighborhoods in Portland to discover so don’t really feel like it is advisable stick simply to the Old Port. I hope you might have an opportunity to get pleasure from this little metropolis and fall in love with it the best way that I’ve.
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