Should you’re craving a coastal escape brimming with historical past, artwork, and lobster, pack your luggage and set your GPS for Portland, Maine. The most effective issues to do in Portland can maintain you busy for days.
Prepare to walk via the cobblestone streets of the Outdated Port District, the place you will discover an eclectic combine of outlets and eateries.
Morning walks alongside the Japanese Promenade Path present scenic views of Casco Bay, as does the historic Portland Observatory on a transparent day.
However wait, there’s extra! From the classic appeal of the Maine Slender Gauge Railroad to the architectural magnificence of the West Finish and Victoria Mansion, Portland is a feast for the eyes.
Artwork lovers will recognize the Portland Museum of Artwork, whereas literature buffs can step again in time on the Wadsworth-Longfellow Home.
Foodies, we have got you lined, too. Embark on a strolling meals tour to pattern the town’s culinary delights, and do not miss out on a standard lobster bake. It is Maine, in spite of everything!
And let’s not neglect the lighthouses. Whether or not it is the long-lasting Portland Head Mild or the lesser-known Bug Mild and Spring Level Ledge Lighthouse, these beacons provide picture-perfect backdrops.
So, whether or not you are an adventurer, a historical past nerd, or a meals and artwork lover, Portland, Maine, has one thing for you.
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the entire enjoyable issues to do in Portland, the most important metropolis in Maine.
Downtown Portland
1. Outdated Port District and Waterfront
The Outdated Port District in Portland, Maine, is steeped in historical past, providing a glimpse into the town’s storied previous.
Initially a bustling seaport within the nineteenth century, the world was the financial engine of Portland, facilitating commerce and fishing.
The district’s historic significance is clear in its well-preserved structure, that includes red-brick facades alongside cobblestone streets.
Nonetheless, the Outdated Port hasn’t at all times been the fashionable hotspot it’s immediately. It declined throughout the mid-Twentieth century, with lots of its historic buildings dealing with demolition.
Fortunately, revitalization efforts within the ’70s breathed new life into the district.
At present, those self same buildings home clothes boutiques, artwork galleries, and a few of Portland’s greatest eating places, together with Central Provisions and Fore Avenue Restaurant.
The 2-block pedestrian alleyway referred to as Wharf Avenue is lined with bars, bringing younger folks to the Outdated Port on the weekends to drink and occasion.
Industrial Avenue varieties the jap border of the Outdated Port District. Throughout the road, the Waterfront is lined with piers and wharves, a few of which boast eating places.
Right here, you possibly can depart on picturesque boat excursions or catch the ferry from the Maine State Pier to Casco Bay islands.
The Outdated Port and Waterfront districts are a testomony to Portland’s resilience and continuous evolution.
2. Portland Observatory
If you would like a singular expertise in Portland, Maine, head for the Portland Observatory. This maritime sign tower, inbuilt 1807, is the final of its form in the US.
It’s 86 toes tall and provides panoramic views of Portland Harbor and the town skyline. But it surely’s not simply the views that make this spot particular; it is the historical past.
Initially constructed by Captain Lemuel Moody to function a communication hub for incoming ships, the Observatory performed a vital function in Portland’s maritime historical past.
A flag system signaled to retailers within the metropolis, letting them know what items have been arriving.
At present, the Observatory is a Nationwide Historic Landmark with guided excursions that delve into its fascinating previous.
Whether or not you are a historical past buff or simply in it for the views, visiting the Portland Observatory is among the greatest issues to do within the metropolis.
Professional Tip: If doable, time your go to to the Observatory with the opening hours of Belleville, a terrific place to seize recent pastries throughout the road.
3. Japanese Promenade Path
The Japanese Promenade is a 68-acre public park designed within the late nineteenth century by the Olmsted Brothers, disciples of Frederick Regulation Olmsted (the genius behind Central Park).
It is a mix of pure magnificence and historic significance. Overlooking Casco Bay, the “Japanese Promenade,” as locals name it, served as a strategic level throughout World Conflict II, with remnants of fortifications nonetheless seen.
The Japanese Promenade Path, a part of the East Coast Greenway, provides gorgeous ocean views for biking, jogging, or a stroll.
The Japanese Promenade Meals Truck Park provides inexpensive eating choices in a central car parking zone. And the East Finish Seaside is the proper place to chill out throughout the hotter months.
One other notable factor is Fort Allen Park, on the grounds of a former Revolutionary Method Fort inbuilt 1775.
The ten-acre park commemorates those that fought for the US with a number of memorials:
- USS Portland Memorial
- USS Maine Memorial Cannon
- 9/11 Memorial
- Arctic Memorial
The Japanese Promenade can also be dwelling to the historic Slender Gauge Railroad, the place you possibly can hop on for a nostalgic journey alongside the waterfront.
From dwell music in the summertime months to winter sledding, the Japanese Promenade is a year-round vacation spot, embodying Portland’s wealthy historical past and love for the good open air.
The Japanese Promenade is straightforward to pair with a visit to the Portland Observatory. It is a five-block stroll north alongside Congress Avenue.
4. Maine Slender Gauge Railroad
This railroad is a throwback to the late nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries when narrow-gauge strains have been important to Maine’s transportation community.
Initially, these smaller tracks (simply two toes extensive) have been constructed to navigate the state’s rugged terrain, connecting distant communities and industries like logging and mining to bigger cities.
At present, the Maine Slender Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum provides a singular expertise that transports you again in time.
Working alongside a 1.5-mile stretch beside Casco Bay, the railroad makes use of precise historic vehicles and locomotives, some courting again to the 1800s.
The museum adjoining to the railroad provides context, showcasing artifacts and sharing tales in regards to the influence of those railroads on Maine’s growth.
Whereas I did not have time to journey on Maine’s Slender Gauge Railroad, it jogged my memory of after I took a journey on one other, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India.
5. West Finish
The West Finish in Portland, Maine, is a neighborhood that exudes wealth and magnificence.
Developed primarily within the late nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, the world is an architectural showcase from the Queen Anne to Italianate kinds.
As soon as dwelling to Portland’s elite, together with sea captains and enterprise magnates, the West Finish has at all times had a contact of grandeur.
A good way to get a full appreciation for this a part of Portland is to take the historical past and structure strolling tour by Maine Day Ventures.
You may be taught way more in regards to the metropolis and buildings within the firm of a educated native information.
At present, the West Finish stays certainly one of Portland’s most fascinating neighborhoods. It is also dwelling to the Western Promenade, a public park providing sundown views.
6. Victoria Mansion
The Victoria Mansion, also referred to as the Morse-Libby Home, is among the West Finish’s most notable buildings.
Constructed between 1858 and 1860, this Nationwide Historic Landmark provides a glimpse into the opulent way of life of the interval.
I extremely suggest the guided tour to see the richly-appointed inside, present process a whole room-by-room restoration, its first for the reason that property was constructed.
7. Portland Museum of Artwork
The Portland Museum of Artwork (PMA) is positioned within the coronary heart of the Portland Arts District.
The museum is the state’s oldest and largest public artwork establishment. Based in 1882, the PMA boasts a formidable assortment that spans three centuries of American, European, and up to date artwork.
The museum’s structure is a murals, mixing the historic McLellan Home and the fashionable Charles Shipman Payson Constructing.
There’s additionally a stunning sculpture backyard accessible (without cost) from the sidewalk throughout the museum’s opening hours.
Inside, you will discover over 18,000 artworks, together with items by iconic artists like Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, and Edgar Degas.
The Portland Museum of Artwork additionally hosts rotating exhibitions, so there’s at all times one thing new to see.
8. Wadsworth-Longfellow Home
This historic house is the place Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, certainly one of America’s most celebrated poets, spent his childhood.
Constructed in 1785 by his grandfather, Common Peleg Wadsworth, the home is “the oldest standing brick construction on the Portland peninsula.”
Strolling via the house looks like stepping again in time, because of its well-preserved interiors and period-appropriate furnishings.
The home is full of household heirlooms and artifacts, providing an intimate look into the poet’s life and his household.
A tour of the home supplies fascinating insights into Longfellow’s works, lots of which have been impressed by his New England upbringing.
Operated by the Maine Historic Society, the Wadsworth-Longfellow Home is greater than only a museum; it is a piece of American literary historical past.
Whether or not you are a fan of Longfellow’s poetry or love historic properties, this spot deserves a spot in your Portland itinerary.
9. Strolling Meals Tour
The Outdated Port Culinary Strolling Tour by Maine Day Ventures is a foodie’s dream come true.
Kick off your 3-hour gastronomic journey at Andy’s Outdated Port Pub, the place you will sip on a Maine craft beer and munch on a recent fish taco.
Sustainability is the secret right here, with seafood sourced immediately from the Gulf of Maine.
Subsequent, head to Luke’s Lobster on Portland Pier. Get pleasure from a cup of New England clam chowder and a refreshing iced tea, all whereas soaking within the waterfront views.
You are steps away from the place they catch their lobsters—speak about recent!
Associated: Finest Issues To Do in Bar Harbor
The tour would not cease there. Make your option to Rigby Yard, an industrial-chic bar, for a Maine Brewing Co.’s Lunch IPA and a tasty lobster roll.
Lastly, fulfill your candy tooth at Dean’s Sweets with hand-dipped chocolate truffles constructed from regionally sourced elements.
Guided by entertaining native consultants like Timothy Goldkin, you will feast on scrumptious meals and be taught in regards to the Outdated Port’s historical past and tradition.
Islands
10. Lobster Bake
Should you’re in Portland, Maine, and you have “eat a complete lobster” in your bucket listing, hop on a Fortunate Catch cruise for a sundown lobster bake on Peaks Island.
Belief me, this isn’t only a meal; it is a full-on Maine expertise you will not neglect. The out of doors journey begins if you board the St. Croix, a 40-foot Maine-built lobster boat, and sail throughout Casco Bay.
You may go a number of lighthouses, together with Bug Mild and Spring Level Ledge Lighthouse, and get a hands-on lesson about lobsters and lobster fishing.
When you arrive at Peaks Island, you will head to Island Lobster Firm, run by a neighborhood lobstering household.
Right here, you will be handled to a standard Maine lobster bake that features not simply the star of the present—lobster—but in addition New England clam chowder, clams, corn on the cob, and potatoes.
And when you’re nervous about dismantling that lobster, don’t be concerned; you will get step-by-step directions.
So, whether or not you are a seafood lover or a lobster beginner, this cruise and lobster bake combo is a must-do.
It is a scrumptious, instructional, and downright enjoyable option to immerse your self in Maine’s coastal tradition throughout the summer season season.
11. Fort Gorges
Should you’re searching for an journey in Portland, add Fort Gorges to your listing. Located on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, this Civil Conflict-era fort is barely accessible by boat.
Constructed within the 1860s, the fort was deemed out of date by the point it was accomplished, because of developments in artillery know-how.
When you arrive, you are free to discover the fort’s labyrinthine passageways, darkish chambers, and parapets, all whereas having fun with panoramic views of the bay and Portland’s skyline.
Put on sturdy footwear and convey a flashlight—the fort is essentially unrestored and could be uneven.
Whether or not you kayak there at low tide or take a guided boat tour, visiting Fort Gorges provides a singular perspective on Portland’s maritime historical past.
Lighthouses
12. Portland Head Mild
No journey to Maine could be full with no go to to the long-lasting Portland Head Mild, which dates again to 1791.
Located in Fort Williams Park, this historic lighthouse is the oldest in Maine and probably the most photographed in the US.
The lighthouse nonetheless features immediately, guiding ships safely via the doorway of Portland Harbor. But it surely’s not simply the lighthouse that attracts guests; the encompassing park provides actions, too.
Discover the cliffside strolling trails for views of the Atlantic Ocean, take a look at the remnants of Fort Williams, or have a picnic whereas watching the sailboats.
The on-site museum, positioned within the former Keeper’s Quarters, supplies fascinating insights into the lighthouse’s historical past and the lives of its keepers.
13. Cape Elizabeth Mild East Tower
A brief drive south of Portland Head Mild is the Cape Elizabeth Mild East Tower, one other must-see lighthouse.
Also referred to as Two Lights, this lighthouse is certainly one of a pair, although solely the East Tower is lively immediately.
Perched on dramatic cliffs, the lighthouse supplies an ideal backdrop for photographs.
Whereas the tower is just not open to the general public, you possibly can discover the encompassing space, which provides panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Remember to go to the close by Two Lights State Park for mountain climbing or a seaside picnic. At 41 acres, it is a small, serene spot encapsulating Maine’s coastal enchantment.
14. Bug Mild
For a lighthouse expertise that is a bit off the crushed path, take a look at Bug Mild in South Portland.
Formally referred to as the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, this charming construction is petite however packs a punch by way of historical past and sweetness.
In-built 1875, its design was impressed by an historic Greek monument, giving it a singular, ornate look.
The park surrounding Bug Mild is ideal for picnics, kite flying, or just soaking within the views of Portland Harbor and the town skyline. It is also a preferred spot for fishing and boating.
15. Spring Level Ledge Lighthouse
This caisson-style lighthouse in South Portland has guided vessels since 1897.
One among Spring Level Ledge Lighthouse’s distinctive options is the 900-foot granite breakwater that connects it to the mainland, providing guests a uncommon probability to stroll proper as much as a lighthouse.
The journey alongside the breakwater is an journey, offering terrific views of Casco Bay and the Portland Harbor.
Conclusion
Portland, Maine, is a treasure trove of experiences, mixing maritime historical past, culinary innovation, and pure magnificence right into a vacation spot that captivates each traveler.
From the cobblestone appeal of the Outdated Port District to the picturesque lighthouses that dot its shoreline, Portland provides a plethora of enjoyable issues to see and do.
Whether or not you are a foodie wanting to dive into a standard lobster bake, a historical past buff fascinated by forts and observatories, or an artwork lover drawn to the town’s galleries and museums, you will discover one thing to like on this coastal group.
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This story is predicated on my experiences throughout two journeys to Portland, Maine. The primary go to was as a media attendee of the ATTA AdventureELEVATE North America convention on the Vacation Inn Portland by the Bay. Lodging at Aloft Portland was supplied in collaboration with Go to Portland throughout my second go to. I acquired complimentary meals and structure excursions courtesy of Maine Day Ventures.
Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He is been to 66 international locations and lived in Colombia and Peru. Learn the full story of how he turned a journey blogger.
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