Portland, Maine

portland maine skyline

Portland Maine Downtown Skyline

If you have just one chance to experience this state, Portland’s your oyster (or lobster, if you want the iconic experience). It’s the hub of quintessential Maine.

Melding rugged coastal beauty, storied history, and avant-garde growth, Maine’s largest city manages to walk the jagged line between hard-working fishing village and cultural epicenter of the state. Office buildings, parks, the biggest hospital in the state, colleges, museums, and over 300 eateries all call this thriving port city home. Whether you are coming to tour Portland Maine for the first time, or a regular who wants to know more about a familiar place, this city is worth exploring.

Portland enjoys far less hubbub than the urban sprawl of Boston, two hours south. It commands much less attention than its West Coast counterpart. But it was Portland, Oregon’s moniker that originated from this modest New England destination. Not vice versa. That’s the epitome of this unassuming yet burgeoning city. It was the original capital of Maine. Most travelers visit here first if arriving by air. Indeed, the welcoming seaside heaven of Portland is the perfect place to wet your feet for deeper forays into the state.

Explore the Gem of Casco Bay

Portland boasts miles of coastline and a bustling economy. Over 40% of the population lives around the seaside metropolis. You can see it all yourself by climbing the 86 foot tall Portland Observatory – the only remaining signal tower in the U.S. Or wander the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, a working waterfront replete with stately brick buildings that have solemnly observed the flourishing harbor changing over centuries. Dozens of boutiques peek from old warehouses. Beckoning seafood restaurants offer internationally renowned and fresh-from-the-dock meals in gentrified old-world buildings. (Even the simple Maine-grown potato fries at Duck Fat will satisfy discriminating gourmands.)

Culture Inside and Out

head light lighthouse in portland maine

Portland Head Light

There are limitless reasons to explore the outdoors. Boat around the evergreen islands that dot Casco Bay, bike Western Promenade for spectacular views of the harbor, take a stroll through the farmers’ market at Deering Oaks Park – or, in winter, strap on skates to skim across their public rink. Picturesque Portland Head Light, one of 6 lighthouses within 20 minutes of the city, is a photogenic stop for any visitor. Commissioned by George Washington, this working landmark sits within Fort Williams. Explorers will find historical artifacts and plenty of green space to roam at the oceans’ edge.

Cultural offerings abound citywide. At Merrill Auditorium, see the renowned Portland Symphony Orchestra or Portland Ballet perform. Take in an outdoor concert at Thompson’s Park on a balmy summer evening. Or, on a rainy day, stroll through the Portland Museum of Art – the oldest art museum in America. They have extensive Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer collections, plus some Warhol and Monet. Throughout the summer, local creatives host the First Friday Art Walk, where studios and museums open their doors for a free evening of browsing. Fans of the Boston Red Sox can attend a Portland Sea Dogs game at Hadlock Field. The double AA affiliate provides players destined for the Massachusetts team. You may catch a future Hall of Famer’s fly ball!

Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat

Long known for ocean-fresh dining, Portland has grown into its reputation as a foodie destination. Food Network named it one of the top 5 most delicious destinations, and Bon Appêtit called it the restaurant city of the year in 2018. Locavores and hungry tourists alike come seeking spectacular coastal views, sustainable seafood, and accessible farm-to-table options. Indeed, Portland is a delight to all the senses.

Well known to locals (so be prepared for lines), Standard Baking Co. is a hidden gem in the back of a parking lot. But there’s nothing standard about the aroma of fresh pastries that greets you at the door! Scales is another well-known neighborhood diner offering locally sourced classics. Allagash Brewing Co. was founded in Portland (as have a number of Portland breweries), and hosts a food truck serving quintessential lobster rolls alongside local craft brews on tap. Essential treats – even non-dairy and gluten-free options – entice customers of Gelato Fiasco and the Holy Donut, where Maine potatoes are mixed right into the dough. Their maple bacon donut is worth every calorie.

At the end of the day, Portland offers ways to get away from it all while still being near city life. Relax in a boutique B&B on Munjoy Hill, where the salt air wafts between historical Victorians and hipster cafes. Stay at the Press Hotel, former headquarters of the Portland Press Herald, which plays to its storied past (literally) with reminiscent decor. It’s also the home of Union, a highly rated restaurant worth its local salt. And for a true getaway, visit the Inn at Diamond Cove on Diamond Island. No cars are allowed on the shore, which adds to the peace and unmarred beauty.

Higher Ed and Healthcare

Portland is home to Maine Medical Center. With 637 beds, it is the largest health care complex in the state as well as a renowned teaching hospital associated with Tufts. There are several notable University systems in the city. The University of New England is a private medical research school that sits on 41 beautiful acres; the University of Southern Maine draws a diverse student body; and the Maine College of Art (MECA), founded in 1882, is the oldest art college in the U.S. Many of today’s medical leaders, dreamers, and scholars trace their roots to these foundational institutions.

Best Kept City Secrets

portland fire engine co tour

Source: Portland Fire Engine Co. Facebook Page
Portland Fire Engine Co. Tour

Portland Fire Engine Co. offers a unique tour of the city from atop a vintage fire engine. You’ll catch a glimpse of several islands that may intrigue you enough to take a boat trip out. Take a flashlight if you plan to explore the abandoned military fortress of Fort Gorges. Peaks Island is the closest of the six Casco Bay Islands accessible by ferry; it is the ideal venue for a coastal wedding or a bike ride with bucolic ocean views at every turn. If you’re willing to get wet and want to learn about the lobstering trade firsthand, sign on to Lucky Catch Cruises. You can look your dinner in the eye, then take it back to shore to enjoy the fresh fruit (er, fish?) of your labor. Aficionados of Bigfoot won’t want to miss the International Cryptozoology Museum for all things sasquatch. It’s the only one of its kind in the world – or perhaps, as with so many things Portland, it’s simply the first.

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City of Portland Maine town line

County: Cumberland
Population: 68,408
Location: 43°40’N 70°16’W
Town Office:
389 Congress Street Room 203
Portland, ME 04101
207.874.8677
Town Website