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    • Portland

    Portland travel guide

    View United States of America travel guide View Maine travel guide

    Overview

    Portland is Maine's biggest city and is the state's cultural and economic hub, attracting over three and a half million visitors each year. Originally a fishing and trading settlement, the town was destroyed three times over a hundred year period, and finally regained stability as a shipping port.

    Unfortunately, overzealous Independence Day celebrators managed to set fire to most of the city's commercial buildings, hundreds of houses, and roughly half the city's churches in 1866, with the city rebuilt once again, this time in a Victorian style.

    Mansions along the famous Western Promenade, as well as the Victoria Mansion on Danforth Street, feature beautiful examples of this architecture. Companies and proprietors may offer tours of their well-preserved interiors.

    Despite its tough beginning, Portland remains a beautiful city, ideally situated on a peninsula that juts out into Casco Bay and flanked by several small islands. Historic houses blend with modern amenities and the city is a bustle of activity, making it one of the country's top cities to live in.

    Resplendent in natural beauty, Portland is highly popular in summer and visitors can enjoy boat rides; sightseeing, shopping, dining and people-watching at the Old Port historic waterfront and the East End; and a visit to the Downtown Arts District or the prominent Portland Head Light Lighthouse.

    The city is also home to poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, as well as the Maine Historical Society. For the kids, there is the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. Portland has an abundance of good restaurants, especially those offering renowned local seafood specialities like Maine lobster, clam chowder, and scallops, which are cheaper and more plentiful than in any other state.

    As Portland is the most culturally diverse city in Maine, you'll find a variety of cuisines, including Vietnamese, Thai, African, Greek, and Indian. The city boasts no fewer than five microbreweries, and dozens of bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

    Portland has plenty of attractions, activities and sights for the visitor, and it is also a useful base from which to explore the rest of this beautiful state. Smaller towns in the area like Freeport, Cape Elizabeth, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and Kennebunkport offer their own amusements that are worth exploring on a trip to the city.

    Portland Head Light

    It's no surprise that the Portland Head Light, also known as the Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse, is the most photographed lighthouse in the world. Every view of this 18th century lighthouse is spectacular. The lighthouse took four years to build, with construction ending in 1791.

    The lamps originally used to power the light were of whale oil, replaced by an autobeacon in 1958. Situated in Fort Williams Park, the lighthouse has an interesting museum housed within the old Keepers Quarters.

    It is well worth packing a picnic and enjoy the beauty of the park and exploring the historic forts within its parameters. Portland Head Light closes during winter, but the park is open throughout the year and offers activities like cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating during the cold months.

    Address: 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth
    Opening time: Open daily 10am-4pm from late May to 31 October. Museum opening hours differ according to month, see website for details.
    Website: www.portlandheadlight.com
    Portland Head Light Portland Head Light Justin Russell
    Wadsworth-Longfellow House

    Built between 1785 and 1786, the Wadsworth-Longfellow house was home to three generations of a Portland family that formed an integral part of the cultural, political, and literary life of New England and the rest of the country.

    Revolutionary War General Peleq Wadsworth was its first inhabitant and Anne Longfellow Pierce, younger sister of poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, was its last. It was Anne's foresight that left the house, grounds and furniture to the Maine History Society, allowing public access.

    The house was the first brick building in Portland and visitors can enjoy a ramble through the three-storey house, containing effectively all original furniture and artefacts, and the Maine Historical Society Museum. Several different tours are also available throughout the year.

    Address: 489 Congress Street
    Opening time: Museum: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday (May to October) 12pm-5pm.
    Website: www.mainehistory.org/house_overview.shtml
    Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow David
    Portland Downtown Arts District

    Stretching from upper Congress Street to the West End, the Arts District incorporates several galleries and museums. These include the Portland Museum of Art, the largest of its kind in Maine and dating back to 1882, and the Maine College of Art.

    A great way to explore the Arts District is by participating in the First Art Walk, a self-guided tour that runs on the first Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm. Local businesses, museums, and galleries are open to the public and aim to highlight what is new in the art community.

    Address: Upper Congress Street to the West End. Portland Museum of Art: 7 Congress Square
    Opening time: Portland Museum of Art: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 10am-6pm; Thursday and Friday 10am-8pm.
    Website: www.portlandmuseum.org
    Downtown Portland Downtown Portland Jeremy Reding

    Phrase Book

    English Pronounciation

    As with the rest of Maine, the sea moderates Portland's temperatures. The city's climate is continental, with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and pleasant, while winters are cold with snow.

    Average temperatures range between 60°F (16°C) and 80°F (27°C) in summer, and between 20°F (-7°C) and 40°F (4°C) in winter. Fall is a popular time to travel to Portland, due to the mild weather and spectacular fall foliage.

    Portland International Jetport
    Location: Portland International Jetport is located four miles (6km) from central Portland.
    Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
    Getting to the city: The Greater Portland Transit District METRO provides bus service throughout the region. Route 5 connects the airport to downtown Portland, where transfers can be made to Amtrak, Greyhound, and other long-distance transport options. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also available.
    Car Rental: Car rental firms at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.
    Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport, with flat rates to most towns in the area. A surcharge is usually added to airport pick-ups.
    Facilities: Facilities in the Jetport include a full-service restaurant, ATMs, a Starbucks, an electronics shop, a gift shop, and a visitor information desk. Disabled facilities are good. Several airport hotels are located near the airport.
    Parking Short-term parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $1 per half an hour after that. However, the cost quickly adds up with a $48 daily maximum. Medium to long-term parking is available for a daily rate of $14.
    Website: www.portlandjetport.org

    Portland is relatively easy to negotiate on foot, with plenty of attractions within walking distance. The Old Port is worth exploring, as is the Downtown Arts District. A car is worth hiring if exploring the wider region and parking readily available.

    Tickets get stamped for an hour's free parking at a number of downtown locations. The Greater Portland Transit District METRO provides good bus coverage of the Portland area, while Uber and similar ride hailing apps and taxi services are available.

    Portland caters to many interests, keeping both the young and old alike entertained and amused. The city provides lots to see and do, boasting a metropolitan, artistic atmosphere and offering many outstanding cultural activities.

    With many museums and galleries in the Portland Downtown Arts District, those with a taste for something aesthetic will surely find it there and be back for more. History buffs will also love the likes of Wadsworth-Longfellow House, one-time home of the Revolutionary War General, or the Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park, where historic buildings complement beautiful natural landscapes. With loads of cultural activities in which to indulge, visitors will have the chance to delve into the history and the thriving art scene of the city with ease of access and will never be short of things to do.

    Visitors with a love for nightlife and a good time can also find lovely restaurants and bars in the city, catering to every budget and taste.

    Portland makes for a wonderful getaway and is a must-see when in Maine. With wildlife parks on offer, lots to see and do both indoors and outdoors, and small town charm to boot, it certainly is worth the visit.

    Old Orchard Beach

    As its name suggests, Old Orchard Beach's most popular attraction is its seven mile (11km) stretch of sand, one of the best beaches in Maine. The town is a popular excursion for families in the summer, and a seaside amusement park and weekly fireworks shows add to the entertainment.

    Other popular activities include surfing, lobster boat tours, hiking, canoeing, and clamming. Old Orchard Beach hosts many festivals and events throughout the year with most happening between July and September during peak holiday season.

    A direct seasonal train link from Boston and Portland makes Old Orchard Beach easy to get to. But holiday weekends can often be uncomfortably crowded. Old Orchard Beach is not a wildly popular winter destination, but cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are both on offer.

    Website: www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com
    Old Orchard Beach Old Orchard Beach Devin Young
    Kennebunkport

    Located just 30 miles (48km) from Portland, Kennebunkport is a popular destination for weekends, especially those escaping the heat in big cities like New York and Boston. This pretty town is known for its laidback and genteel atmosphere.

    Several golf courses, antique shops, art galleries, and a busy harbour draw in well-to-do holidaymakers, and both former President Bushes are often seen at the nearby Bush holiday home.

    However, the most popular attraction in Kennebunkport is its beaches. Kennebunk Beach, Gooch's Beach, Mother's Beach, and Parsons Beach are all packed on weekends each summer, and guests can hire kayaks, boats, surfboards, as well as scooters and bicycles.

    Common activities in Kennebunkport include whale-watching, fishing, sailing, and horseback riding. Visitors can even take a ride on a working lobster boat to get up close and personal with Maine's most famous crustaceans.

    Website: www.kennebunkport.org
    Kennebunkport Harbour Kennebunkport Harbour mislibrarain
    Rockland

    Historically a blue-collar fishing town, Rockland has had a recent facelift. The somewhat derelict main street is now somewhat revitalised, enhanced by attractions like the Farnsworth Art Museum, Wyeth Center, and a number of shops and restaurants.

    Rockland has enough interesting attractions for a perfect weekend break in Maine, including the Maine Lighthouse Museum and the Owl's Head Transportation Museum. Active visitors can take a walk to the Breakwater Lighthouse or catch a ride on the Maine Eastern Railroad.

    Rockland exists as the home of the Maine Lobster Festival, held each August, and it also hosts the North Atlantic Blues Festival every July. Rockland also makes a great base from which to explore the Saint George Peninsula and the islands of Penobscot Bay: Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Matinicus.

    Rockland Rockland manray3
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