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.
Portland Science Center
Salmon Falls Resort Golf Course
West Goose Rocks
Pumpkin Nob
Abenakee Golf Club
Fuller Rock Lighthouse
Stockman Island
Cedar Ledges
Inner Twin Island
Whaleboat Island
Webhannet Golf Club
Rogues Island
Portland Harbor Museum
Bowman Island
Little Bull Ledge
Trolley Museum
Whittum Island
Webber Island
Summit Golf Course
Whaleback Rock
Martindale Golf Course
Little Chebeague Island
Pratts Island
Prouts Neck Golf Course
Littlejohn Island
Lines Island
Seguin Island Light
Pine Point Beach
Mustard Island
Lower Goose Island
Mouse Island
East Goose Rocks
Vaughn Island
Inner Spectacle Island
Drakes Island Beach
Crow Islands
Lindsay Island
Woods
Gillman Island
Outer Twin Island
The Nubbin
South Portland Municipal Golf Course
North Sugarloaf Island
Negro Island
Arrowsic Island
Carleton Ledges
Pound Of Tea
Bates College Museum Of Art
Brick Store Museum
Little Bustins Island
Irony Island
Mackworth Island
Androscoggin County Historical Museum
West Shore Sandy Beach
Merrill Isle
Upper Coombs Island
Inner Green Island
Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Yarmouth Historical Society And Museum
Andrews Beach
Great Chebeague Golf Club
Burnt Coat Island
Marr Island
Drakes Island
Upper Flag Island
Camp Ellis Reach
Upper Goose Island
Lpon Island
Cape Elizabeth Light
Maine Archives And Museums
Cousins Island
Kennebunk Marine Museum
Uncle Zeke Island
Pettingill Island
Dingley Islands
Goose Nest
Willard Beach
Pejepscot Historical Society Museum
Hunnewell Beach
Phippsburg Historical Museum
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
East Brown Cow
Halfway Rock Light
Maine Maritime Museum
Marine Museum
Perkins Island
Portland Museum Of Art
Cape Arundel Golf Course
Joshua L Chamberlain Museum
Twin Falls Golf Club
Ministerial Island
Pettis Rocks
Cow Island Ledge
Bowdoin College Museum Of Art
Catnip Island
Goulds Island
Davenport Memorial Museum
Basket Island
Trott Island
Hotels in Portland
Schools in Portland