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.
Salmon Falls Resort Golf Course
Frye Island
Woods
Maine Archives And Museums
Trott Island
Freddy Beach
Drakes Island
Upper Coombs Island
Stockman Island
York Institute Museum
Outer Spectacle Island
Cedar Ledges
Drunker Ledge
Merrill Isle
Bartol Island
South Portland Municipal Golf Course
Lindsay Island
Bowdoin College Museum Of Art
Hog Island Ledge
Thomas Great Toe
Haddock Rock
Davenport Memorial Museum
Thomas Point Beach
Castle Island
Jewell Island
Hunnewell Beach
Martindale Golf Course
Enoch Harrington House Museum
Inner Twin Island
Moshier Island
Moody Beach
East End Beach
Iron Island
Rookies Island
Read Island
Dogs Head
Cushing Island
Little Whaleboat Island
East Brown Cow
Inner Green Island
Shad Gully
Great Mark Island
Lower Coombs Island
Goochs Beach
Salter Island
Auburn Fire Department Museum
Berry Island
Clapboard Island
Jenny Island
Peaks Island Ferry
Brunswick Golf Course
Flag Island
Cousins Island
Redin Island
Sable Oaks Golf Club
Pound Of Tea
Inner Spectacle Island
Gallows Island
Great Diamond Island
East Goose Rocks
Upper Green Islands
Portland Stadium
Crow Islands
Maine Maritime Museum
Freyee Islands
Alum Rock
Basket Island
Little Mark Island
Dix Island
Long Ledge
Timber Island
Androscoggin County Historical Museum
Portland Head Lighthouse
Old Orchard Beach
Uncle Zeke Island
Jennys Nubble
Burnt Coat Island
Merritt Island
West Brown Cow
Cliff Island
Dollys Island
Westerly Winds Golf Course
Megquier Island
Mile Beach
Carleton Ledges
Goose Rocks Beach
Little Knubble
Inner Birch Island
Dingley Island
Cow Island Ledge
Fortunes Rocks Beach
Mothers Beach
Pine Point Beach
Whittum Island
Halfway Rock Light
Pejepscot Historical Society Museum
Portland Breakwater Light
Bear Island
Outer Doctor Island
Hotels in Portland
Schools in Portland