Portland, ME Road Trips

1 Convention and Visitors Center, 245 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 772-5800, +1 207 772-4994. Guided walking tours available July–September at 10:30AM. 2 Portland's Downtown District, 549 Congress St, ☏ +1 207 772-6828.

1 Portland Observatory, 138 Congress St (on Munjoy Hill), ☏ +1 207 774-5561 ext 104. Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Daily 10-5PM. Built in 1807 by Captain Lemuel Moody, this National Historic Landmark is the only existing historic maritime signal station in the United States. Educational tours are offered at the 65 ft (20 m) tower and you can climb to the top on your own. Either way, you get great views of the waterfront. $10/adult, $8/concession, $5/child, $30/family. (updated Sep 2019) 2 Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq, ☏ +1 207 775-6148, fax: +1 207 773-7324, [email protected]. Tu-Th Sa Su 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-9PM. Memorial Day-Columbus Day: also M 10AM-5PM. Consisting of the historic McLellan House, the L.D.M. Sweat Galleries, and the Payson building designed by I.M. Pei, this museum houses a large collection of Winslow Homer works, as well as 17,000 sculptures, paintings, and objects from the 18th-century onwards. Adults $18, Seniors/Students $15, Youth/Young Adults under 21 are Free. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), 250 Thompsons Point Rd, ☏ +1 207 828-1234, [email protected]. W-Su 9AM-4PM. Located next to the Museum of Art, this museum features 3 stories of interactive exhibits, including "Our Town," an area that includes an interactive grocery store, farm, vet and firetruck, and the "Explore Floor," which includes "LL Bear's Discovery Woods" and a mini planetarium. At the top of the building is the Camera Obscura, which offers panoramic views of the city and teaches children about light. $10.

1 Back Cove. This large inlet connected to the sea by a small canal, has a recreation path over 3 mi (5 km) long and was designed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted and lined with linden trees to memorialize World War I dead. Casco Bay Lines, 56 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 774-7871. Taking a tour of Casco Bay on the ferry is a great way to enjoy Portland from a different perspective. In addition to fishing vessels and cargo and tanker ships, during the Spring and Summer months many sailboats, yachts, and cruise ships provide enjoyment. 2 East End Beach. Take a swim at East End Beach on top of Munjoy Hill 3 Lucky Catch Lobster Cruise, 170 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207-761-0941, [email protected]. 10AM, 12:15PM, 2PM, 3:45PM. Go on a lobster boat for a 90 minute cruise. You can help bait the traps, throw the traps overboard and more. Great for kids. $40/adult, $38/senior, $35/youth, $25/child. (updated May 2022) 4 Maine Day Trip, ☏ +1 207 838-5275. Private tours of Southern Maine originating in the Portland Region. This is your opportunity to explore and photograph many of Maine's unique views up close and personal. Your personal tour guide is available year round. 5 Portland by the Foot, ☏ +1 207-200-5885, [email protected]. Guided historical walking tours highlighting stories of marginalized communities, peoples, and histories. Routes explore downtown, the Old Port, and working waterfront. (updated Nov 2023) 6 Portland Schooner Company, 40 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 766-2500, toll-free: +1-87-SCHOONER (72466637).

Portland offers a sophisticated restaurant scene, with chefs focused on locally sourced food. The city offers white tablecloth restaurants serving tasting menus to cheap eats selling burritos. The abundance of lobster, haddock, clams, scallops and other seafood allows restaurants to sell these usually expensive items at reasonable prices. In the Old Port and especially on Commercial Street, there are many seafood restaurants. Portland is the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Maine. This means the city offers up Vietnamese, Thai, Polish, African, Middle Eastern, Greek, Japanese and Indian restaurants. Most of these places are inexpensive and delicious. Being home to many eco-conscious people, Portland offers a number of dining options for vegetarians and vegans. Portland also has the second highest restaurant per capita in the country, second to Seattle. 1 Becky's Diner, 390 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207-773-7070, +1 207-773-7074. Daily 5AM-9PM. A fixture of the working waterfront. Becky's is a well-loved greasy spoon that starts serving breakfast a 5AM. Fisherman and other waterfront workers start their early days here. On the weekends you can also find many people ending their nights with pancakes and famous homefries. Bumper stickers can be seen all over town reading, "Becky's Diner -- Nothing Finah". 2 Flatbread Co., 72 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 772-8777. Right on the water with one of the best views of Portland Harbor and Casco Bay in town, a fun and funky staff that toss your pie in a wood-fired clay oven.

Portland, and especially the Old Port, has a reputation for many bars and pubs of varying caliber. From bars for longshoremen and lobster men, to pub serving micro-brews brewed on-site, to night clubs, there's something for everyone. In addition there are numerous bars and clubs along Wharf Street a cobblestoned alley in the Old Port. 1 The Great Lost Bear, 540 Forest Ave, ☏ +1 207-772-0300. Located outside of Old Port, this is a must for the discerning beer drinker. With over fifty beers on tap, "The Bear" has gained national renowned for the variety, quality, and depth of its local and imported brews. Extensive pub menu with everything from burgers to vegan chili. 2 The Top of the East, 157 High St. Located in the Eastland Hotel, it offers impressive views of the city and top-shelf libations. 3 Gritty McDuffs, 396 Fore St, ☏ +1 207 772-2739. Brew pub and good micro brews. 4 Ri Ra's Irish Pub, 72 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 761-4446. Irish pub with Irish food and live entertainment. 5 Three Dollar Deweys, 241 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 772-3310. German beer hall atmosphere in the Old Port. 6 Geno's, 625 Congress St, ☏ +1 207 747-5594. Rock club featuring original local and regional rock acts in the Punk, Metal, Hardcore, etc, genres. 7 Aura, 121 Center St, ☏ +1 207 772-8274. 8 Amigo's, 9 Dana St, ☏ +1 207 772-0772. Inexpensive drinks and Mexican food with a nice fenced-in outdoor patio and bands on weekends in the summer. 9 Blue, 650A Congress St, ☏ +1 207 774-4111. Live music in a casual beer and wine bar setting.

1 Black Elephant Hostel, 33 Hampshire St, ☏ +1 207-712-7062, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10:30AM. First hostel in Portland. Will store baggage. A few private rooms available. $45+/dorm bed. (updated Sep 2019) 2 Portland Regency Hotel and Spa, 20 Milk St, ☏ +1 207 774-4200, toll-free: +1-800-727-3436, fax: +1 207 775-2150. In the Old Port waterfront district. The building dates back to 1895 and includes exquisite turret rooms, working fireplaces and ornate brickwork. Sauna, therapeutic steam room and Jacuzzi. Beautiful chandeliers, towering windows and a working brick fireplace set the mood of the Portland Regency's premier steakhouse. (updated Jun 2019) 3 Portland Harbor Hotel, 468 Fore St, ☏ +1 207 775-9090, toll-free: +1-888-798-9090, fax: +1 207 775-9990. Experience old world charm, distinctive design, and impeccable service at one of the newest downtown luxury hotels. The "Eve's At The Garden" restaurant located in the hotel is home to chef Jeff Landry. (updated Jun 2019) 4 The Westin Portland Harborview, 157 High St, ☏ +1 207 775-5411, toll-free: +1-866-716-8108, fax: +1 207-775-0103. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. The "Top of the East" restaurant at the top of the hotel offers a panoramic view of the city, while occasionally offering low-key live performers. (updated Jun 2019) 5 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Portland, 340 Park Ave, ☏ +1 207 871-0611, toll-free: +1 800-753-3757. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 6 Holiday Inn, 88 Spring St, ☏ +1 207 775-2311.

1 Portland International Jetport (PWM IATA), 1001 Westbrook Street, ☏ +1 207 874-8877, [email protected]. Nonstop flights from and (departures per day and airlines): Atlanta (Delta), Baltimore (Southwest), Charlotte (American), Chicago (United, Southwest on Saturdays), Detroit (Delta), New York-JFK (Jetblue), New York-LaGuardia (Delta), Newark (United), Orlando (Jetblue F Sa Su), Philadelphia (American), Washington-Dulles (United), Washington National (American). Taxis and shuttle bus transfer downtown (5 mi/9 km). 2 Portsmouth International Airport (PSM IATA) (Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 55 mi (89 km) away). 3 Manchester Airport (MHT IATA) (Manchester, New Hampshire, 100 mi (160 km) away). 4 Boston Logan International Airport (BOS IATA) (105 mi (169 km) southwest of Portland). The Amtrak Downeaster connects Boston to Portland, from Boston's North Station. Concord Coach Lines also offer direct express buses from all terminals at Logan International Airport to Portland without transfer through Boston South Station. (See below under By bus). 5 Concord Coach Lines (formerly Concord Trailways), Portland Transportation Center @ 100 Thompson Point Rd (Same location as Amtrak off of Exit 5/5a of I-295 and east of the Fore River from the airport.), ☏ +1 207 828-1151, toll-free: +1-800-639-3317. Goes north to University of Maine in Orono along several coastal cities and on another route to University of Maine along I-95 corridor through Augusta and Bangor. Goes south to Boston Logan Airport on one route and an express route to New York on another.

Portland, and Maine in general, does not have an extensive public transportation system, so renting a car is generally the best option. While 5PM traffic can get a little congested, driving in Portland is not a daunting task. The Old Port and Downtown Arts District areas are very walkable and pedestrian friendly. 8 Metro, 114 Valley St, ☏ +1 207 774-0351. Bus line has a regular schedule, and provides a high level of service for a city of its size. Metro is not the best option for late night socializing; there are numerous taxicab companies. Walking is probably the best option downtown and especially in the Old Port or by the waterfront. (updated Dec 2022) Avis (at Jetport), ☏ +1 207 874-7500. Enterprise, ☏ +1 207 772-0030. UberX should be available 24/7. It's slightly cheaper than a taxi. Surge pricing generally happens only on Friday and Saturday nights after 1AM when the bars close. UberX is also available to pick up and drop off at the Portland International Jetport. Portland Airport Express Cab, ☏ +1 207 423-4642. Old Port Taxi, ☏ +1 207 772-8294. Jetport Taxi, ☏ +1 207 808-3322. 3 207 Taxi, 372 Presumpscot St, ☏ +1 207-774-2255. 9 Casco Bay Lines, 56 Commercial St, ☏ +1 207 774-7871. Year-round scheduled ferry service from the Portland waterfront to Peaks, Great Diamond, Little Diamond, Long, Chebeague, and Cliff Islands in Casco Bay, as well as a summer-only daily tourism cruise to Bailey Island. Leashed dogs and bicycles are carried for an additional fee.

In keeping with Maine's reputation as a relatively crime-free U.S. state, there is no place in Portland a visitor should feel like they shouldn't visit during the day. As in any city, be alert in areas that are not well lit at night or deserted. Act with common sense and you should have no trouble. Maine state liquor laws require all bars to close promptly at 1AM. The Old Port's numerous bars empty into the street at this time. Some rowdiness is to be expected, but there is always an increased police presence on busy nights.