Portland, the largest city in Maine, is located in the Casco Bay on the Southern Maine coast. This small seaside city has a high concentration of cute shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and many things to see and do.

If you are driving from Boston, Massachusetts, it’s roughly 2 hours drive and approximately 100 miles (161 km) north of Boston.

Things To Do In Portland

U.S. Highway 1

Be sure to drive up this scenic coast-hugging road. There are plenty of spots for great photographs.

Portland Museum of Art

Consisting of the historic McLellan House, the L.D.M. Sweat Galleries, and the I.M. Pei Designed Payson building, this museum houses a large collection of Winslow Homer works, as well as 17,000 sculptures, paintings, and objects from the 18th-century onwards. Under 6 are free.

Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine

Located next to the Museum of Art, this Museum features 3 stories of interactive exhibits, including “Our Town,” an area that includes an interactive grocery store, farm, vet and firetruck, and the “Explore Floor,” which includes “LL Bear’s Discovery Woods” and a mini planetarium.

At the top of the building is the Camera Obscura, which offers panoramic views of the city and teaches children about light.

Portland Observatory

Built in 1807, this National Historic Landmark is the only existing historic maritime signal station in the United States. Educational tours are offered at the 65-foot tower, or you can climb to the top on your own. Either way, you get great views of the waterfront.

Cape Elizabeth

Visit for beaches and a beautiful lighthouse.

Portland Head Light and Museum

Grounds open daily year-round and free. One of the most scenic lighthouses in the country. Adjacent to Fort Williams, a WWII artillery emplacement.

Victoria Mansion

Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, is the finest example of residential design from the pre-Civil War era in America. With superb architecture and well-preserved original interiors that were among the most lavish and sophisticated in their day, it is an unparalleled document of America’s highest aspirations in architecture, interior design, and the decorative arts.

Bug Light

Lighthouse across the Fore River in South Portland offers unparalleled views of the Portland skyline and Casco Bay.

Spring Point

This coastal area in South Portland which is home to the old Fort Preble, Spring Point Ledge Light, Portland Harbor Museum, and Southern Maine Community College. There is a breakwater extending out into the harbor which is great to fish off of.

Old Port

Next to the downtown area along Commercial St. next to Casco Bay. The Old Port is filled with neat shops, restaurants, and cafés, and has something of a European feel to it thanks to its many narrow cobbled streets and old brick buildings.

Go here to shop and eat at both high-end and casual, local establishments. The Old Port is a great place to take a walk and smell the ocean air.

Eastern Promenade

A neighborhood providing amazing views of the Casco Bay and the islands.

Western Promenade

A more residential area where you can see examples of mansions built by wealthy sea captains long ago.

Deering Oaks

A 51-acre area in Portland with a tennis court, baseball diamond, playground, and pond. You can ice skate on the pond in the winter. In the summer, you can enjoy a wading pool and, on Saturday mornings, an extensive farmers’ market. Outdoor concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, and the Festival of the Nations take place here as well.

Willard Beach

In South Portland right across the bridge. Portland itself is not known for its beaches, despite plenty of oceanfronts.

Portland Sea Dogs

Baseball, Hadlock Field. A Boston Red Sox AA affiliate with a Fenway Park replica field. $3-8 (2006).

Fore River Gallery

Located in Portland’s historic Old Port, Fore River Gallery is owned and operated by four Maine artists, Elizabeth Prior, Mike M. Marks, TJ McDermott, and Liz Marks. Displaying the work they create, they offer a wide range of fine art including jewelry, paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. FREE.

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Displays vintage locomotives and offers scenic trips along the waterfront. Train schedule on the hour.

Back Cove

This large inlet connected to the sea by a small canal has a recreation path over 3 mi (5 km) long and was designed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted and lined with linden trees to memorialize World War One dead.

Portland Schooner Company

During the summer months, you can purchase tickets at the Maine State Pier, right next to the ferry. From 2-hour sails to overnight charters.

Casco Bay Lines

Taking a tour of Casco Bay on the ferry is a great way to enjoy Portland from a different perspective. In addition to fishing vessels and cargo and tanker ships, during the Spring and Summer months many sailboats, yachts, and cruise ships provide enjoyment.

Lucky Catch Lobster Cruise

Go on a lobster boat for a 2-hour cruise. You can help bait the traps, throw the traps overboard and more. Great for kids.

East End Beach

Take a swim at East End Beach located on top of the munjoy hill.

Points of Interest

• Old Orchard Beach – a beach resort town reminiscent of the Jersey Shore. 19 miles south of PortlandFalmouth – a northern suburb of Portland, offering Mackworth Island, an island with a pleasant hiking trail
• Bailey Island/Orrs Island – home of the world’s only cribstone bridge, allowing water to flow through uninterrupted
• Freeport – home of L.L. Beans and many outlet stores
• Kennebunkport – a charming fishing village offers beaches, antiques and a sneak peek at George H.W. Bush’s summer estate

Nightlife

Portland, and especially the Old Port, has a reputation for many bars and pubs of varying caliber. From bars for longshoremen and lobstermen to pub serving micro-brews brewed on-site, to nightclubs, there’s something for everyone.

In addition, there are numerous bars and clubs along Wharf Street a cobblestoned alley in the Old Port.

• The Great Lost Bear – Located outside of Old Port, this is a must for the discerning beer drinker. With over fifty beers on tap, “The Bear” has gained national renown for the variety, quality, and depth of its local and imported brews. Extensive pub menu with everything from burgers to vegan chili.
• The Top of the East – Located in the Eastland Hotel, it offers impressive views of the city and top-shelf libations.
• Comedy Connection – Occasionally Maine Comedian Bob Marley will have a show
• The Big Easy Blues Club – Live music in many styles from local, regional and national acts.
• Brian Boru – Irish Pub
• Gritty McDuffs – Brew pub and good microbrews
• Ri Ra’s Irish Pub – Irish pub with Irish food and live entertainment
• Three Dollar Deweys – German beer hall atmosphere in the Old Port
• Geno’s – Rock club featuring original local and regional rock acts in the Punk, Metal, Hardcore, etc, genres
• The Asylum
• Amigo’s – Inexpensive drinks and Mexican food with a nice fenced-in outdoor patio and bands on weekends in the summer
• Blue – Live music in a casual beer and wine bar setting
• Novare Res Bier Café – The place in Portland for Beer. 300+ bottles, 25 Constantly rotating taps with rare beers, single malt scotch, wines, tequila, meats, cheeses, and small plates. Novare Res features a large expansive deck with table service, a large bar area, proper glassware, and a cozy brick building basement feel
• Old Port Sea Grill and Raw bar – Beautiful locally made concrete bar, flat screen tvs, full bar, specialty cocktail list, wine list, and in the old port

Microbreweries

• Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Co.
• Allagash Brewing Co
• Casco Bay Brewing Co
• DL Geary Brewing Co
• StoneCoast Brewing Co.

Wineries

• MaineMeadWorks – Small winery making hand-crafted meads(wines made with honey) using 100% Maine wildflower honey and other local ingredients. Complimentary tasting and tour available on site

Getting Around

Portland, and Maine, in general, does not have an extensive public transportation system, so renting a car is generally the best option.

Also, please note that the Old Port and Downtown Arts District areas are very walkable and pedestrian friendly.

By Uber

Uber is available in Portland (24/7) and it is slightly cheaper than a taxi. Uber is also available to pick up and drop off at the Portland International Jetport.

Safety

In keeping with Maine’s reputation as a relatively crime-free U.S. State, there is no place in Portland a visitor should feel like they shouldn’t visit during the day. As in any city, be alert in areas that are not well lit at night or deserted. Act with common sense and you should have no trouble.

Maine state liquor laws require all bars to close promptly at 1 AM. The Old Port’s numerous bars empty into the street at this time. Some rowdiness is to be expected, but there is always an increased police presence on busy nights.

September 23, 2018 8:57 pm Published by Salil Jha