Portland, ME

Welcome to Portland, ME!

If you are joining us for our Maine Adventure, you will be starting and ending your tour in Portland, ME. It’s Maine’s largest city at approximately 66,000. Situated right on the coast, Portland is a great mix of working fishing wharves, public parks, historic buildings and modern eateries.

Foodie Town: More than Seafood!
In 2018 Bon Appetite Magazine declared Portland, ME the Restaurant City of the Year. You can find just about every type of food here from Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Cajun and of course local seafood including the famous lobster roll. Whatever you sample, be sure to top if off with a scoop from Gelato Fiasco. Portland is also home to more than 12 breweries. You can even hop on the Maine Brew Bus and take a tour of several of them!

The Old Port and Waterfront
If you only have a few hours, we recommend spending your time in the Old Port and the Waterfront, walking the cobblestone streets lined with historic brick buildings and the Piers that stretch out into Portland Harbor. You’ll find every type of shop from high-end clothing, pottery, used books, and Maine products and souvenirs. Some of our favorites shops are The Cabot Cheese Farmer’s Annex (yes, they have samples!), Bull Moose Records, Mexicali Blues, Le Roux Kitchen and Skordo spice shop.

Eastern Promenade
Prefer a more scenic walk? Start along the Waterfront and head East along the Eastern Promenade Trail.
The Eastern Promenade is a great place for a picnic and a walk along the shore with views of Fort Allen and 3 lighthouses in the distance guarding the harbor, Bug Light, Spring Ledge Light and Portland Head Light. For other trails in the Portland area, check out this link.

State Parks
If renting a car is an option for you, consider heading 20 minutes down the coast to Crescent Beach, Kettle Cove and Two Lights State Parks. You’ll find great views, great beaches and rocky cliffs to explore.

Tours:
From the Waterfront in Portland, you can take advantage of several tours on both land and sea. Hop on a trolley or a boat and learn about Portland’s history. You’ll see historic forts, lighthouses, and more.Try out Portland Discovery for a variety of tours. Head out to Peak’s Island for the day and bike around the island.

Museums:
If history and art are more your thing, you may want to check out the Portland Museum of Art, The Victorian Mansion, or The Longfellow House. If it’s the odd and curious you seek, check out the International Cryptozoology Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated to cryptozoology!

If it fits into your schedule and budget, a few extra days before or after your tour in Portland will be well worth it.