Portland, Maine is a small city just two hours northeast of Boston. For anyone who hasn’t visited the area, it might come as a surprise that the hardy “Mainers” are also artsy, interested in culture, and love gourmet and ethnic foods.
With just under 70,000 citizens, Portland is small enough to not be overwhelming to a newcomer, but large enough to support a vibrant arts, music, and event scene.
Prospective visitors would be wise to check out a few websites when planning their trip. The first is simply www.portlandmaine.com This site is focused on downtown Portland, and is helpful for maps, event calendars, and listings of shops and restaurants in the downtown Old Port Exchange area.
For travelers interested in the history of the area, check out www.portlandlandmarks.org. An insider’s tip: click on Kidstuff to find some great self-guided walking tours complete with maps, photos of notable sites, and historical information.
The pace of life in Portland is slower and more relaxed than that of other New England cities, and tourists should take advantage of this during their trip. For that reason, I’d like to suggest some potential “outings” in lieu of full day jam packed itineraries. (These are also budget conscious recommendations – travel on the cheap in Portland is easy!)
#1 – Sea Life
One of the main attractions in Portland is the Old Port Exchange area right on the water. It’s full of restaurants, bars, and shops that can please any group from young to old. Head to Gilbert’s Chowder House on Commercial Street and, if the weather abides, sit out back on their “dock” and enjoy a bowl of hearty clam chowder or a big lobster dinner. For those of you that love spicy food, give the seafood chili a try – it’ll knock your socks off.
To walk off some of those calories, head over just a few blocks to Fore street and hit the China Sea Trading Company. This eclectic shop is filled with authentic nautical wares, including ship helms, deep sea diving costumes, sextants and compasses – anything you might have seen on a ship, you can probably find it here.
Keep exploring the area’s shops and attractions, or head inside for a Maine-brewed beer at Gritty McDuff’s. This landmark brew pub is a must-visit for any beer lovers. Not sure what brew suits you? Try their seasonal, it’s usually a hit.
#2 – Nature and History
Portland is a beautiful city, but it would be a shame to miss it’s beautiful surroundings as well. Take a short drive down to South Portland and get directions to Willard Beach (don’t try to just drive around and find it – it’s well hidden!) On your way there, be sure to visit the One Fifty Ate bakery to pick up some of the most amazing bagels and desserts you’ve ever had. This neighborhood favorite buzzes on the weekends and sometimes sells out early, so keep that in mind when planning your day. (Speaking of early: if you love dogs, get to the beach between 6 and 9 on the weekends. Those are “dog hours” at the beach and you’ll see an amazing number puppies of all shapes and sizes running, fetching and swimming.)
Spend as much time as you like at the tranquil setting of the beach, but be sure to leave enough daylight for a quick jaunt down to the Portland Headlight. You can’t visit Maine without seeing at least one lighthouse, and if you’ll only see one, make it the Headlight. In operation since 1791, this lighthouse is in a beautiful park setting with amazing views of the ocean and city. Kids will also love to explore the remnants of old forts that are on the grounds and hikers can peruse a few short trails that will afford you even more stunning views. For more info, visit www.portlandheadlight.com
On your way back to Portland, ice cream fans should stop at Red’s Dairy Freeze on Cottage Road. Giant milkshakes are a great way to end the day. Anyone in the area will be able to guide you towards this tasty locale.
#3 – Culture Club
For those history and architecture lovers, use your final outing to really get a feel for the culture of Portland. Start with a stroll towards the West End of town, and continue on with the walking tour of the West End homes that you can find on the Portland Landmarks website I mentioned above. This area is filled with historic residences, some of which have been restored to their original grandeur and some of which are open to the public on certain days.
Visitor should also check out the Center For Cultural Exchange website www.centerforculturalexchange.org, as well as the Maine Arts site mainearts.maine.gov for cultural event listings. The West End is home to many arts institutions, and you’ll likely find some happenings in the area every weekend.
But if you’re really looking for a great place to have an evening snack, and maybe hear some great music, don’t miss Blue, a bar/music venue/deaf culture hangout at 650A Congress Street (just a block east of the Center for Cultural Exchange). You might be surprised – music venue and deaf culture hangout? But it’s true. Upon entering, you might find tables of young hipsters frantically signing and even conversing with the waiters and bartenders in sign language, but a friendly waiter, maybe even the owner, will quickly come up to greet you and brief you on the events of the evening. On a summer night you’ll likely find the doors wide open and a small band or musician onstage. The owner has impeccable taste, and each time I’ve visited this bar, the music has been incredible.
No matter what you do in Portland, be sure to have fun and engage with the local people and culture. I like to call Portland “the south of the north” due to the hospitality I’m shown on each visit. I hope you have a similar experience, and enjoy your trip.
