Top 12 Things to do in Portland, Maine

Of course, there is much more to do in Portland, Maine than my restful trip to the Portland Head Light. In fact, there’s a ton to do! Portland has a huge food and beer scene and is chock-full of history around every corner. Here are some ways to explore.

LIGHTHOUSES

Portland has six lighthouses within 20 minutes of the city. There is my favorite, the Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park. Then there are the twin lighthouses viewable from Two Lights State Park. Ram Island Ledge Light can be seen from Fort Williams Park out on the harbor. On the campus of Southern Maine Community College, you can find Spring Point Ledge Light, which you can tour for a fee during summer weekends. Finally, Bug Light is surrounded by a nice peninsula park that’s great for flying kites.

BREWERIES

Portland is not a huge city. But even so, it boasts an overabundant food and beer scene. By one count, there are 27 brewers in the city (if you include four locations of Sebago and two of Gritty McDuff’s–which is a fantastic name for a brewery.)

The most popular breweries to visit seem to be Allagash, Shipyard, Rising Tide, Bissell Brothers, and Foundation. You can join a tour such as the bright green buses of The Maine Brew Bus, or Maine Beer Tours to visit a few breweries while you let someone else do the driving.

EAT REALLY GOOD FOOD

And of course, you have to eat Maine lobster! You can even catch one yourself and have it cooked for you across the street, or have an award-winning lobster roll from a shack. But even if lobster and shellfish aren’t your thing, there are plenty of waaay above par restaurants to choose from.

You can eat inventive and pricey at places like Bay Back Grill, Emilitsa, Vinland, and Walter’s. Take it down a step (in price, at least) and try Evo Kitchen + Bar, The Green Elephant Thai, The Empire Chinese Kitchen, or Duckfat. For cheap eats, try out OTTO pizza, Becky’s Diner, The Thirsty Pig, or Blue Rooster Food Company.

Add a little history to your food tour with Maine Foodie Tours, a walking tour with about 5-6 stops for small bites.

BAKERIES

Let’s cut right to the chase, the chase being “carbs.” Portland, Maine has a thing for bakeries which makes me feel that I have found my tribe. Rivaling bigger cities like New York, San Francisco, and even Paris, France, Portland is right up there with their pastries according to the food writers at Bon Appetit.

Some of the most famous bakeries are Standard Baking Co., Holy Donut, Bam Bam Bakery (which is gluten-free), Two Fat Cats, and Tandem Coffee & Bakery. This place is starting to sound like heaven.

WALKING TOURS

Work off those carbs with a walk around Portland’s historic streets. The Greater Portland Landmarks website has four free self-guided walks around the Munjoy Hill area. They also sell a guide to four walks of the Old Port, Congress Street, India Street, and State Street, the major historic areas. That guide is $7.95–you can buy it in person at the Portland Observatory, buy it online and pick it up in person, or have them ship it to you for $9.99 total.

The Maine Historical Society offers 75-minute guided tours every weekday from June to Columbus Day for $15 a person and covers the city’s waterfront. There is also a free self-guided tour of the Portland Freedom Trail, part of the underground railroad. Or for a completely different experience, try Wicked Walking Tours, a comedy ghost tour at 8 pm most evenings. Cost is $19.99 and under, check the calendar and book before you go for this popular tour.

For a free guided option, check out The Most Interesting (Free) Tour in the World, departing at 11 am every day from the steps of the Pioneer Courthouse.

FIRE TRUCK TOUR

To cover more ground in less time, climb aboard a vintage fire truck with the Portland Fire Engine Co.. These tours cost $24 and under and take you on a loop around the entire city. Groups are small, only 12 people per truck, so there is time to stop and see attractions. There is even a multi-media presentation on board!

CASCO BAY

Spend a day visiting the calendar islands of Casco Bay on board the Casco Bay Lines ferry. Here’s a good plan for visiting several islands in one day, though I’m not sure how that works out for ferry prices, all of which are generally pretty inexpensive.

Or take in the islands on the popular Mailboat Run ($16.50), and see how the islands get their supplies! There are also Sunrise cruises ($16.50), Sunset cruises ($16.50), Moonlight cruises ($15.50), or the narrated Bailey Island Cruise with a lengthy stop at a popular Lobster house ($26.) Casco Bay Lines also offers Music cruises and other special events cruises!

COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are one of the largest public gardens in the country and is currently even undergoing an expansion. Not only are there central gardens, a butterfly house, and a cafe, there are extensive trails that ramble along the shoreline and through the parkland.

There are guided tours of the gardens to enjoy for free (with admission)–a highlights tour departs daily at 11:00 from the cafe, and a Butterfly House tour starts at 2 pm every Thursday. Two unique boat tours are available (though I’m unsure if there is an extra cost)–a one-hour cruise departs several times a day, and a 2-hour “secret garden” cruise is offered Thursdays and Saturdays.

Admission to the gardens is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $8 for kids 3-18, and children under 3 are FREE. The gardens are open 9-5 from April 15-Oct. 31 (until 6 in July & August.)

During the Christmas season, the gardens get dressed up for “Gardens Aglow“, part of a larger Boothbay Lights Festival. You can park at the gardens and just enjoy them, or take a shuttle from Boothbay Harbor. The event is 4-9 pm, November 15-December 30. Cost is $14 for adults, $8 for children, $12 for seniors and $36 for families (2 adults, 2 children). Tickets purchased on site are $2 more per ticket.

PORTLAND OBSERVATORY

Gain fantastic views of the Harbor at the Portland Observatory, an 1807 maritime signal tower. Admission price gets you a guided tour to the top. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $6 for kids 6-16. Under 6 is FREE.

Several more guided tours are also offered by Greater Portland Landmarks, including tours of the Custom House and Homes of Portland’s Golden Age, $10 each. You can get information on these at the Observatory.

VICTORIA MANSION

Victoria Mansion, the spectacular 1860’s summer home of a luxury hotel magnate, has been a museum since 1940. Because of this, the home is almost completely intact, with 90% of the original furnishings, wall coverings, and a 25-foot stained-glass skylight.

Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $5 for students 6-17, and FREE for children under 6 and anyone active in the military. Open May 1-Oct 31, Mon-Sat 10-3:45, Sunday 1-4:45.

PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART

For the largest and oldest art museum in Maine, visit the Portland Museum of Art. The building by I.M. Pei (you know him for the glass pyramids in front of the Louvre) houses a large Winslow Homer collection, along with Picasso, Cassatt, Monet, Munch, Rodin, and more.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and FREE for ages 21 and below. All ages are FREE on Friday nights from 4-8 pm. The museum is open 10-6, open until 8 on Thursdays & Fridays. From Nov. 1-May 22, the museum is closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

EVENTS

Check out one of Portland, Maine’s many festivals and other events during your stay!

Naturally, events include lots of beer and food options: Maine Brewers’ Guild Festival on July 28, Lobster Festival August 1-5, Maine Wild Blueberry Festival August 17-19, Cumberland Fair September 23-29, International Beer Festival November 10, Sparkle Celebration Early December, Maine Restaurant Week March 1-12, Bug Light Kite Festival in May, Annual Summer Kickoff June 8-10, and the Schoonerfest & Regatta in mid-June.

Personally, all I really want to do in Portland is find a nice housesitting gig on the rocky shore of Maine, watching the waves crash against the rocks while I eat pastries. Maybe get out of the house for some good food and beer and a cruise around the bay. That sounds pretty perfect, right?