In search of a weekend getaway? Plan a weekend in Portland Maine with this information to one of the best accommodations, 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 might spend at the very least two weekends a summer season in Portland. Through the years, we’ve seen town develop with new accommodations, eating places, and retailers, and Portland simply retains getting higher.
Now not 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 The cobblestone streets of the Outdated Port are lined with boutiques and retailers that one can find in lots of coastal New England cities with all the pieces from Maine Sea Luggage to Simon Pearce glassware.
Identified for its sturdy meals scene, Portland is understood for lobster and New England seafood, however the metropolis has a thriving farm-to-table tradition and a wide range of worldwide cuisines. Town has been acknowledged as a foodie vacation spot, named “Restaurant Metropolis of the 12 months,” in 2018 by Bon Appetit journal and the seventh finest foodie vacation spot in the US by Yelp in 2020, primarily based on consumer evaluations and rankings.
Moreover, lots of the metropolis’s eating places and cooks have been acknowledged by the James Beard Basis, with a number of nominations and awards together with Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley of Eventide Oyster Co., who received the award for Greatest Chef: Northeast in 2017. Different notable cooks within the metropolis embrace Cara Stadler of Bao Bao Dumpling Home and Tao Yuan, and Ilma Lopez of Piccolo and Chaval.
This seaport city can also be standard with beer lovers, as Maine is understood for its craft beer scene with Portland as its hub. Portland has over 20 breweries and taprooms within the metropolis, with many standard breweries close by. When you’ve got received the concept a weekend in Portland Maine is all about consuming, consuming, and procuring, you aren’t far off. However 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’ve accomplished each — many instances over.)
Attending to Portland Maine
Attending to Portland, Maine is comparatively simple, with a number of transportation choices out there. Many individuals go to on a Maine street journey, however it’s also possible to fly or take the practice. Town’s major airport is the Portland Worldwide Jetport (PWM), which is positioned just some miles from downtown Portland. PWM provides direct flights to many main cities within the US, together with New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and Atlanta, amongst others.
In case you are flying internationally, you’ll be able to join by means of Boston Logan Worldwide Airport, which is positioned 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 practice, which runs day by day between Boston and Portland and takes about two hours.
When is the Greatest Time to Go to Portland Maine?
In my view, one of the best time to go to Portland is in the course of the summer season, from mid June by means of early September, when the climate is heat and you may extra simply benefit from the open air. Nevertheless, the resort charges throughout this time may be sky excessive (e.g. $1000 an evening for a sequence resort!) Belief 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 will probably be somewhat cheaper, the climate remains to be nice, and you could even get to see some lovely fall foliage in the event you time it proper. In fact, Portland is a vibrant metropolis yr spherical, with annual festivals such because the Harvest on the Harbor in October.
The place to Keep in Portland Maine
Notice: This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. For those who click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Since we’ve been to Portland dozens of instances, we’ve stayed in so lots of the accommodations each within the Outdated Port and off the freeway. In case you are trying to economize, staying out of the downtown or Outdated Port goes to assist, however you’ll have to cope with driving into city and discovering (and often paying for) parking. I undoubtedly want being within the Outdated Port district as a result of all the pieces is so walkable, in the event you can swing the worth tag.
We’ve got stayed within the AC Lodge, Courtyard Marriott Downtown/Waterfront, the Hilton Backyard Inn, Hampton Inn, and the Westin Portland Harborview. Since lots of the chain accommodations are new, they’ve a recent design and are rather well accomplished. The Courtyard has been a shocking 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 Outdated Port and it felt a bit drained.
Nevertheless, if you’re in search of one thing totally different, particularly for a romantic getaway, then I’d go together with The Press Lodge. One of many Autograph Assortment accommodations 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. Within the foyer, you should utilize quaint typewriters to put in writing a letter and they’re going to even put up it for you. I really like the click-clack sound within the foyer and the widespread chorus of “the place is the exclamation level?” Additionally, you will discover previous sort writers affixed to the partitions, newsprint lining the resort hallways, and what appear to be scattered sort strewn throughout the carpet design.
Contained in the rooms, you pause and surprise what was once 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 stunned by the big rest room and loved the fashionable fixtures, massive bathe and upscale facilities.
The placement of the Press Lodge is just some blocks from the waterfront Business Road and proper within the coronary heart of the Outdated Port. However, 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.
In fact, there are all the time new accommodations popping up and the one which I’m anticipated opening is The Longfellow Lodge.
Notice: I obtained a media price at The Press Lodge 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 Gentle
The primary place that I take each one that goes with me to Maine is Portland Head Gentle. Not solely do I feel it is among 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 positioned 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’ll be able to 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’ll be able to deliver a picnic and reap the benefits of the assorted picnic websites within the park, however I want to get a lobster roll from the Chunk into Maine meals truck that often units up store within the park (attempt the wasabi lobster roll!)
Just a few issues to learn about visiting Portland Head Gentle. First, it’s a very fashionable spot so the parking zone can get very crowded throughout busy instances and also you do must pay at a meter to park. There are usually 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 rely on spending time being current within the second as an alternative of in your cellphone!
For those who do climb down onto the rocks, it may be a bit steep and exhausting for younger children. As soon as you might be on the rocks, you want a sturdy, non-slip shoe to stroll throughout the wobbly, uneven rocks. Additionally, don’t go too near the place the tide is coming in since you don’t wish to be caught unaware by a wave, falling may very well be very harmful.
If you are in Cape Elizabeth, you could wish to additionally take a look at Two Lights Lighthouse and State Park, which is just one other quarter-hour to the south. Close by, it’s also possible to 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 cherished by the bees!)
Beer Tasting
Whereas my favourite pastime in Portland is to eat…we additionally prefer to drink and Maine has a occurring beer scene. You’ll be able to go to Shipyard in downtown Portland, hop on the Maine Beer Excursions‘ 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 one among my private favorites is Allagash Brewing Firm. 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. Prior to now, Allagash supplied free excursions, however now it appears like they only have the tasting room or an immersive 1.5 hour Cellars tasting expertise.
Oxbow Mixing & Bottling Firm additionally has an outpost within the hip and occurring East Finish neighborhood and shares a courtyard with the Duckfat Frites Shack, which has a shorter line than the unique location within the Outdated Port. The area can also be dwelling to Gallery 49 which hosts our rotating artwork exhibitions, and it’s a quick stroll to Fort Sumner Park and the Japanese Promenade for a stroll alongside the water with views of Casco Bay.
Oxbow is usually recognized for its pale ales and farmhouse ales, however like most craft breweries, they’ve a big number of varied beers to attempt. For those who take somewhat drive as much as Freeport, it’s also possible to go to one among my husband’s favorites, Maine Beer Firm. He’s a enjoyable of its IPAs and Pale Ales, corresponding to Lunch and Peeper.
Purchasing in Outdated Port
The primary place individuals head to in Portland itself is the Outdated Port neighborhood, which faces the waterfront with lively wharfs the place ferry and fishing boats depart. It’s recognized for its cobblestone streets, historic structure, and bustling waterfront. This neighborhood can also be dwelling to a few of Portland’s finest eating places, bars, and retailers, lots of that are housed in superbly preserved brick buildings courting again to the nineteenth century.
Fore Road, Change Road, and Business Road are among the major procuring streets within the space, the place you’ll find a wide range of boutiques, galleries, and specialty retailers. I really like popping into the Maine Seabags flagship retailer to see the most recent types, purchasing for lively put on at Nomads, and window procuring on the boutiques.
A number of the standard retailers embrace Maine Potters Market, which options handmade pottery from over 50 artists in Maine, The Portland Buying and selling Co., Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine retailer, which sells domestically made items and souvenirs, and the Stonewall Kitchen flagship retailer, which provides a wide array of connoisseur meals merchandise.
If you are strolling round Outdated Port, you’ll want to get a snack and I’m so glad to see that Holy Donut has returned to Outdated Port on Business Road. Their potato-flour donuts are the bomb and I drool over the chocolate sea salt. You can even get ice cream at Beal’s or Mount Desert Ice Cream (attempt the blueberry taste after all!)
Be sure 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 sights.
Portland Museum of Artwork
In case you are an artwork lover, or want one thing to do inside, cease into the Portland Museum of Artwork. Portland isn’t an artwork city the way in which that Rockland is, nevertheless it does have a thriving Arts District. The Portland Museum of Artwork was based in 1882 and has a group of over 18,000 artworks, starting from up to date items to European masterpieces.
A number 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 Round Casco Bay Islands
Portland is positioned on Casco Bay, which covers an space of about 200 sq. miles and is dwelling to over 200 islands, lots 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. A number of the main islands within the bay embrace Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and Nice Diamond Island.
If you end up visiting Portland, a enjoyable solution to discover is to get out on the water and perhaps even get to discover among the islands and the remnants of previous army forts that also exist. A few years in the past I stayed on Nice 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 lots of methods to discover together with narrated cruises, fishing charters, lobster boat excursions (extra on that later), Maine Duck Excursions, and eco-tours that provide an opportunity to see the native wildlife up shut. The Casco Bay Traces ferry service additionally provides a handy solution to go to among the islands within the bay, with common service to Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, and different standard locations, together with the Mail Boat Run that drops off mail and packages on the varied islands.
Day Journey to Freeport
One other standard day journey from Portland is to move 20 minutes to the north to Freeport, Maine, dwelling of L.L. Bean. Along with 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’ll be able to simply spend a day procuring and exploring city, particularly in the event you make a cease at Maine Beer Firm (see above.)
Issues to do in Portland Maine with Children
As I discussed, Portland is not only for grown ups. For at the very least half of our journeys to Portland, have been with our daughter. Listed here are some enjoyable issues to do in Portland Maine with children.
Lobster Boat Tour
We’ve got really by no means accomplished this in Portland, though we’ve in Boston, however my pal Mary has gone along with her children and she or he cherished it. Fortunate Catch Cruises takes you out for a 90-minute cruise to study all about lobstering and what it’s prefer to be a lobsterman. You additionally get to cruise previous picturesque lighthouses like Bug Gentle, historic civil struggle 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. For those who catch some lobsters, you should buy them on the wholesale “boat value” after which deliver them to Portland Lobster Firm, who will prepare dinner them for you.
Kids’s Museum & Theater of Maine
The Kids’s Museum and Theater of Maine, positioned in a stupendous new constructing on Thompson’s Level, is a superb spot for youthful youngsters. It’s 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 identical time.
The constructing options over 30,000 sq. toes of displays spanning three flooring and the Outside Journey space. These areas mirror Maine’s distinctive character and encourage exploration throughout a broad vary of topics.
Baseball or Hockey Recreation
For sports activities followers visiting Portland, Maine, there are two minor league groups price trying out – the Portland Sea Canine baseball group and the Maine Mariners hockey group. The Portland Sea Canine are a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Crimson Sox and play their dwelling video games at Hadlock Area, which is positioned just some miles from downtown Portland.
The Maine Mariners are a minor league hockey group that performs within the ECHL, which is among the high skilled hockey leagues in North America. The group performs its dwelling video games on the Cross Insurance coverage Enviornment, which is positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Portland. Along with 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.
The place to Eat in Portland Maine
I’ve written an entire put up about the place to eat in Portland Maine, however listed below are just a few of my favorites:
- Eventide Oyster Firm – attempt their model of a lobster roll in a steamed bun
- Duckfat – wonderful french fries, poutine, and milkshakes
- Chunk into Maine – fascinating 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 every other metropolis, and this appears to have elevated lately.
It isn’t problematic within the Outdated 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 a variety of addicts and suspicious characters. So simply use widespread sense and hold your wits about you, lock your automotive, and don’t depart valuables in plain sight.
There are lots of enjoyable and funky neighborhoods in Portland to discover so don’t really feel like it’s worthwhile to stick simply to the Outdated Port. I hope you’ve an opportunity to take pleasure in this little metropolis and fall in love with it the way in which that I’ve.
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