Portland, Maine
It is time to get lost in the City of Forests, better known as Portland, Maine, a city that is as resilient as the phoenix on its city�s seal. The beating heart of downtown Portland revolves around its harbor, so much so that its name derives from the Old English �Portlanda�, meaning �land surrounding a harbor�. Portland is fond of its heritage, to the point where it has never shed its working waterfront roots, as it still relies on its bustling seaport industry. There is 19th-century architecture to behold amidst a glowing, modern nightlife that just keeps growing, which is good because Portland is a city that likes to eat.
There is plenty of sightseeing to be had, shows to be enjoyed, and history to be uncovered, but you can be guaranteed you will never do anything on an empty stomach.
Portland at a Glance
Portland is enjoying a housing market boom. Residents have been flocking en masse to the portside city to take advantage of the city�s growing startup scene of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, bioscience, and biopharma industries. The locals are enjoying a swelling job market, appreciating home value, and the thriving brewery and food scene.
The newest visitor to Portland will not disembark in the harbor for long before their breath is taken away. The pristine water, surrounding nature, old brick towering lighthouses, and the fact that every corner of the Portland streets promises one new, enticing delicacy after the next make the city nothing short of enchanting.
Where is Portland, ME?* Portland is approximately 69.44 square miles, 48 square miles of which is water! This means fishing trips, island tours, and lighthouse excursions, not to mention the prospect of fresh seafood when your stomach starts growling. The city borders South Portland, Westbrook, and Falmouth, but never gets lost in the shuffle. The city is technically a humid continental climate, which means prolonged, snowy winters and short, warm summers. The summers are a little dryer than the other seasons, and winter will sometimes witness nor�easters, with high winds and foot-high snowfalls. This can mean winter-season snowstorms from as early as November to as late as March, and into April. Keep your eye on that radar if you are looking to get away to a winter wonderland. Those who are fans of warmer weather will want to keep an eye on May and enjoy it all the way into September fall, where the leaves change and flaunt their colorful reflections in the harbor.
Portland, ME Attractions
Impressive, but under-stated. Trendy, but humble. Nostalgic, but so modern. Portland is a city of many layers: from a seaport to a historical hub laid in brick and memory, to a cultural hotspot that is also beginning to foster a technological boom. You may need to make more than one trip!
You could start your day with a dark chocolate sea salt-speckled donut from Holy Donut before boarding a Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks Island for kayaking, a World War II museum, and of course: fresh seafood. Or, you can hit the Old Port, a quaint historic district laden with cobblestone streets and punctuated by red-bricked buildings, boutiques, fishing piers, and award-winning restaurants that are sure to satisfy--especially if you go to the Old Port Festival in June or Merry Madness in December, where you will have more than your fill of local fanfare and grub.
Sail Casco Island or take in the grandeur of the Portland �Bug Light� Breakwater or Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, to name a couple. Trust your gut and take the Maine Food for Thought tour for an idea of just how big this city�s food scene really is, or mark your calendars for one of the many other food festivals. These are just a few of the adventures you can take while you are in Portland, Maine.
White Bull
Goochs Beach
Vaill Island
Little French Island
Inner Twin Island
Fort Popham Lighthouse
Lower Coombs Island
Pound Of Tea
Bareneck Island
Burnt Coat Island
Joshua L Chamberlain Museum
Little Knubble
Davenport Memorial Museum
Pejepscot Historical Museum
Upper Flag Island
Daniel Marrett House Museum
Drakes Island Beach
Indian Island
Bickford Island
Crawford Island
Parsons Beach
Redin Island
East End Beach
Portland Museum Of Art
The Nubbin
Sebascodegan Island
Peaks Island
College Island
Inner Island
Phippsburg Historical Museum
Fuller Rock Lighthouse
Basin Island
Mothers Beach
Fog Island
Carleton Ledges
Frye Island Golf Course
Popham Beach
Portland Fire Museum
Iron Island
Middle Beach
Willard Beach
Outer Twin Island
Surfside Beach
Outer Head
Dogs Head
Grape Island
East Brown Cow
Merritt Island
Whittum Island
Head Beach
Cliff House Beach
Prospect Hill Golf Course
Barnes Island
Jenny Island
Salmon Falls Resort Golf Course
Springs Island
Little Lines Island
Stockman Island
Cow Island Ledge
Little Diamond Island
Little Iron Island
Lobster Rock
Bustins Island
Ferry Beach
Great Mark Island
Stratton Island
Arundel Beach
Elm Islands
Seguin Island
Bowman Island
Webber Island
Haskell Island
Vaughn Island
Outer Birch Island
Pejepscot Historical Society Museum
Wells Beach
Pine Point Beach
Westerly Winds Golf Course
Hog Island Ledge
The Childrens Museum Of Maine
Dingley Island
Abenakee Golf Club
Whaleback Rock
Yarmouth Island
Littlejohn Island
Arrowsic Island
Sturgeon Island
Obeds Rock
Ewe Island
Outer Doctor Island
Crow Islands
The Goslings
Dix Island
Mackworth Island
Old Orchard Beach
South Sugarloaf Island
Pettingill Island
Andrews Beach
Frye Island
Hotels in Portland
Schools in Portland