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.
Wells Beach
Goose Nest
Popham Beach
Maine Archives And Museums
Little Diamond Island
Vaill Island
Iron Island
Little Wood Island
Wyer Island
Pratts Island
Rogues Island
Phippsburg Historical Museum
Portland Fire Museum
Alum Rock
Crow Islands
Irony Island
Googins Island
Little Knubble
Freddy Beach
Portland Stadium
Thomas Point Beach
Fuller Rock
Pejepscot Historical Museum
Naples Historical Society Museum
Burnt Coat Island
Daniel Marrett House Museum
Sow And Pigs
Brick Store Museum
Stockman Island
Outer Birch Island
Marine Museum
South Portland Municipal Golf Course
Pinkham Island
Trott Island
Bates Island
Back Shore
Sable Oaks Golf Club
Cornish Island
West Goose Rocks
Outer Doctor Island
Seguin Island Light
Whittum Island
Moody Beach
Portland Science Center
York Institute Museum
Portland Harbor Museum
Abenakee Golf Club
Lee Island
Old Orchard Beach Historical Society Museum
Scarborough Museum
Ministerial Island
Gallows Island
Auburn Fire Department Museum
Sister Island
Haddock Rock
Catnip Island
East Brown Cow
Peggy Island
Scarborough Beach
Bickford Island
Whale Rock
Heath Island
Upper Green Islands
Thorne Island
Summit Golf Course
Inner Spectacle Island
Orrs Island
Driscoll Island
Flash Island
Cow Island Ledge
Little Bustins Island
Androscoggin County Historical Museum
Cedarbush Island
Joshua L Chamberlain Museum
Clapboard Island
Drakes Island
Malden Island
Hills Beach
Long Ledge
Upper Goose Island
French Island
Upper Coombs Island
West Shore Sandy Beach
Camp Ellis Reach
Lindsay Island
Frye Island
Portland Head Lighthouse
The Goslings
Kennebunk Marine Museum
Pound Of Tea
Prospect Hill Golf Course
Bailey Island
Little Lines Island
Bumpkin Island
Ferry Beach
Great Diamond Island
Little Chebeague Island
Old Orchard Beach
Great Chebeague Golf Club
Hotels in Portland
Schools in Portland