Looking for a weekend getaway? Plan a weekend in Portland Maine with this information to the most effective lodges, 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 no less than two weekends a summer season in Portland. Over the years, we now have seen town develop with new lodges, 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 includes New England manufacturers like Maine Sea Bags and Simon Pearce glassware.
Known for its strong meals scene, Portland is commonly considered for lobster and New England seafood, however the metropolis has a thriving farm-to-table tradition and quite a lot 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 finest foodie vacation spot within the United States by Yelp in 2020, based mostly on person critiques and rankings.
Additionally, lots 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 gained the award for Best Chef: Northeast in 2017.
This seaport city can be well-liked 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 well-liked breweries close by. If you may have gotten the concept a weekend in Portland Maine is all about consuming, consuming, and buying, you aren’t far off. But don’t fear, there are additionally loads of issues for youths to take pleasure in if you wish to make it a household weekend (we now have finished each — many occasions over.)
Getting to Portland Maine
Getting to Portland, Maine is comparatively simple, with a number of transportation choices out there. Many individuals go to on a Maine street journey, however you can even fly or take the prepare. The metropolis’s most important airport is the Portland International Jetport (PWM), which is situated only a few miles from downtown Portland. PWM gives 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 possibly can join via Boston Logan International Airport, which is situated about 100 miles south of Portland. Driving to Portland from Boston takes about two hours. Another possibility for attending to Portland is to take the Amtrak Downeaster prepare, which runs every day between Boston and Portland and takes about two hours.
When is the Best Time to Visit Portland Maine?
In my opinion, the most effective time to go to Portland is through the summer season, from mid June via early September, when the climate is heat and you may extra simply benefit from the outdoor. However, the resort charges throughout this time may be sky excessive (e.g. $1000 an evening for a sequence resort!) Trust me, these charges have pressured me to contemplate going to Portsmouth, New Hampshire or heading as much as Boothbay Harbor as an alternative.
Alternatively, fall is a perfect time to go to Portland. The resort charges shall be a bit of cheaper, the climate continues to be nice, and you could even get to see some stunning fall foliage in the event you time it proper. Of course, Portland is a vibrant metropolis 12 months spherical, with annual festivals such because the Harvest on the Harbor in October.
Where to Stay in Portland Maine
Note: This submit might 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 now have been to Portland dozens of occasions, we now have stayed in so lots of the lodges each within the Old Port and off the freeway. If you want to get monetary savings, staying outdoors of the downtown goes to assist, however you’ll have to take care of driving into city and discovering (and normally paying for) parking. I positively desire being within the Old Port district as a result of every part is so walkable, in the event you can swing the worth tag.
We have stayed within the AC Hotel, Courtyard Marriott Downtown/Waterfront, the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and the Westin Portland Harborview, plus different lodges outdoors of city. Since lots of the chain lodges are new, they’ve a contemporary design and are very well finished. 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 center 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 lodges by Marriott, this has the texture of a boutique metropolis resort and a historic resort rolled into one cool area. 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 utilize quaint typewriters to jot down a letter and they’re going to even submit it for you. I really like the click-clack sound within the foyer and the frequent chorus of “where is the exclamation point?” You may also 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 marvel what was in that area 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 shocked by the big toilet and loved the fashionable fixtures, massive bathe and upscale facilities.
The location of the Press Hotel is only a few 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 snug hangout and the Union Restaurant deserves excessive marks, even within the aggressive Portland meals scene.
Of course, there are all the time new lodges 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 to Mainewith me is Portland Head Light. Not solely do I believe it is without doubt 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 function in maritime historical past. Standing 80 toes tall, its gentle may 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 deliver a picnic and reap the benefits of the varied picnic websites within the park, however I desire to get a lobster roll from the Bite into Maine meals truck that normally units up store within the park (strive the wasabi lobster roll!)
A number of 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 occasions and also you do must pay at a meter to park. There usually are not any restrooms however there are some port-a-potties. Cell service could 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 an alternative of in your telephone!
If you do climb down onto the rocks, it may be a bit steep and exhausting 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 could possibly be very harmful.
While you might be in Cape Elizabeth, you could need to additionally take a look at Two Lights Lighthouse and State Park, which is barely one other quarter-hour to the south. Nearby, you can even discover The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, which is extra of a correct restaurant with restrooms, indoor eating, and picnic tables overlooking their stunning view (which, sadly, are additionally cherished 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 strive one thing new, however one in all my private favorites is Allagash Brewing Company. Allagash is a Belgian-style beer that you would be able to generally discover all through New England and different elements of the U.S. In the previous, Allagash supplied free excursions, however now it seems to be like they simply 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 area can be dwelling 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 collection of varied beers to strive. If you’re taking a bit of drive as much as Freeport, you can even go to one in all my husband’s favorites, Maine Beer Company. He is a enjoyable of its IPAs and Pale Ales, similar to Lunch and Peeper.
Shopping in Old Port
The first place individuals head to in Portland itself is the Old Port neighborhood, which faces the waterfront with energetic wharfs the place ferry and fishing boats depart. It is thought for its cobblestone streets, historic structure, and bustling waterfront. This neighborhood can be dwelling to a few of Portland’s finest eating places, bars, and retailers, a lot of that are housed in fantastically preserved brick buildings courting again to the nineteenth century.
Fore Street, Exchange Street, and Commercial Street are a number of the most important buying streets within the space, the place you’ll find quite a lot of boutiques, galleries, and specialty retailers. I really like popping into the Maine Seabags flagship retailer to see the newest kinds, purchasing for energetic put on at Nomads, and window buying on the boutiques.
Some of the favored retailers embody 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 gives a big selection of gourmand meals merchandise.
While you might be strolling round Old Port, you’ll want to get a snack and I’m so completely happy 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 (strive the blueberry taste in fact!)
Make certain 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 in the event 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 set of over 18,000 artworks, starting from modern items to European masterpieces.
Some of the highlights of the gathering embody works by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Claude Monet. The museum additionally options quite a lot 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 dwelling to over 200 islands, a lot of that are uninhabited. The islands of Casco Bay have performed an essential function within the historical past of the area, serving as fishing and buying and selling outposts for a whole lot of years. Some of the key islands within the bay embody Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and Great Diamond Island.
When you might be visiting Portland, a enjoyable technique to discover is to get out on the water and possibly even get to discover a number of 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 gives a handy technique to go to a number of the islands within the bay, with common service to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and different well-liked locations, together with the Mail Boat Run that drops off mail and packages on the varied islands.
Day Trip to Freeport
Another well-liked day journey from Portland is to go 20 minutes to the north to Freeport, Maine, dwelling of L.L. Bean. In addition to the L.L. Bean flagship and outlet shops, many different manufacturers, particularly out of doors manufacturers, have shops in Freeport.
I’ve struggled to discover a restaurant that I really like in Freeport (though Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster out on the coast close by is nice – however deliver money!), however you possibly can simply spend a day buying and exploring city, particularly in the event 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 no less than 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 really by no means finished this in Portland, though we now have in Boston, however my good friend Mary has gone together with her children and he or she cherished it. Lucky Catch Cruises takes you out for a 90-minute cruise to be taught 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 conflict forts, and the “Seal Rocks”, the place you could get fortunate to spy some seals.
These excursions are interactive and company 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 deliver them to Portland Lobster Company, who will prepare dinner them for you.
Children’s Museum & Theater of Maine
The Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine, situated in a wonderful new constructing on Thompson’s Point, is a superb spot for youthful youngsters. It is open 5 days every week, along with scheduled theater performances. It options hands-on, interactive displays which were designed to create experiential studying and enjoyable on the similar time.
The constructing options over 30,000 sq. toes of displays spanning three flooring and the Outdoor Adventure space. These areas replicate 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 price testing – the Portland Sea Dogs baseball staff and the Maine Mariners hockey staff. The Portland Sea Dogs are a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and play their dwelling video games at Hadlock Field, which is situated only a few miles from downtown Portland.
The Maine Mariners are a minor league hockey staff that performs within the ECHL, which is without doubt one of the prime skilled hockey leagues in North America. The staff performs its dwelling 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 quite a lot 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 an entire submit about the place to eat in Portland Maine, however listed here are just a few of my favorites:
- Eventide Oyster Company – strive their model of a lobster roll in a steamed bun
- Duckfat – superb french fries, poutine, and milkshakes
- Bite into Maine – attention-grabbing number of lobster rolls
- Luke’s Lobster – nice views on the wharf
As a lot as I really like Portland, I ought to level out just a few of its flaws too. There has all the time been a little bit of a homeless inhabitants in Portland, like some 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 while you head into another areas, like round Deering Oaks Park, it is a little more prevalent and the world feels a bit sketchier with plenty of addicts and suspicious characters. So simply use frequent sense and hold your wits about you, lock your automobile, and don’t depart valuables in plain sight.
There are many enjoyable and funky neighborhoods in Portland to discover so don’t really feel like you’ll want to stick simply to the Old Port. I hope you may have an opportunity to take pleasure in this little metropolis and fall in love with it the best way that I’ve.
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