Location: Portland
Top Things to do in Portland
10 Gift & Specialty Shops in Portland That You Shouldn't Miss
From ornate mansions to ocean views, this charming city - the largest in Maine - will enchant you. Saunter down the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets of the revitalized Old Port District, where you can browse through bookstores, explore craft shops and eat to your heart's content. Visit the Portland Head Light, which dates back to 1791, and is the oldest lighthouse still in continuous use in the U.S. The great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the city's native son, and you can visit his childhood home, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. With kids in hand, enjoy the highly interactive Children's Museum of Maine. And then go next door to the calmer Portland Museum of Art, a small, but eclectic museum with Impressionist works, Maine landscapes by Homer and Wyeth and other collections. Land or sea is an option here, so if you're tired of the street life, take one of the popular scenic cruises or whale watches, or hop on a ferry to the islands in Casco Bay. At the end of the day, and without kids in hand, unwind and rest your tired feet at one of the city's brewpubs.
Restaurants in Portland
1. Bull Moose Music
2. The Sock Shack
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
3. The Blazin' Ace
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
4. Cross Jewelers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Beautiful gems have been mined in Maine’s western mountains for over 100 years: pink, blue, and green tourmaline, purple amethyst and pastel blue aquamarine. With over 400 pieces, we have the largest collection of fine Maine gemstone jewelry in the world. We are also known for our collection of jewelry "Inspired by the Coast of Maine". We have everything from jewelry with cut and polished beach stones (collected along the length of Maine’s rocky coast) to the popular Maine Sea Glass Bracelet. We have many pieces to help you commemorate your visit to Maine.
5. Take a Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Coastal gift shop offering a great assortment of unique island-inspired gifts and accessories for men, women, and children. Lots of hostess and wedding items as well a great selection of Peaks Island custom gifts. Terrific, helpful sales staff and cheerful packaging. Open 7 days a week during the summer and weekends in the fall and spring. Our customers love to come back each year to see our new items. Closed January - March but open year round by appointment, Curbside pickup and 24/7 online. Bring some of the island home!
6. Maxwell's
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By NHjo - Saco, United States
Maxwell's has been around forever. I bought a vintage blue and white Shard coastal village/sailboat water pitcher here over 30 years ago, and they still carry some Shard pottery. They have Italian and Polish pottery and lots of pieces made by local artists, including Salmon Falls stoneware. Colorful, high-quality items. They have other products including French soaps, linens, glassware, whimsical art made out of tin and wood -- all kinds of stuff. And, a huge selection of beautiful coffee and tea mugs. Great shop!
7. Letterpress Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
8. Christmas Noel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Christmas Noel is your go to Christmas store. We carry Department 56 which we display in the store, Byers Choice, Christopher Radko, Old World Christmas, Wee Forest Folk, Snowbabies, German craft and much more. We also carry a huge selection of Maine and Portland, Maine themed ornaments.
9. Heritage Seaweed
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
At Heritage Seaweed we shine a spotlight on the rapidly expanding seaweed marketplace. From our retail shop in downtown Portland, we sell ocean-based specialty goods with a primary focus on seaweed, as well as items for bath/body and home. With regular tastings and educational workshops, we showcase local harvesters and makers to raise awareness of the health and environment benefits of seaweed.
Reviewed By duganTM - Portland, United States
What a fun little shop! I went in because I needed a gift for an acquaintance and wanted to get something unique despite not knowing too much about the person. I got some of their seaweed tea, which ended up being a hit! Before going in I didn't see how one shop could focus on just something like seaweed. I was impressed to see all they had in there!
10. Browne Trading Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Browne Trading Market is a gourmet market offering fresh fish, caviar, gourmet pantry provisions, local and imported cheeses, an extensive wine selection and many locally-produced specialty items.
Reviewed By NHjo - Saco, United States
I've seen a lot of gourmet markets, but Browne's is at the top of the list. Biscuits from France, all kinds of fresh fish, smoked fish, and caviar, impressive wine selection, chocolates, caramels, cheeses, preserves, etc. etc. Everything is organized and laid out beautifully. Class act. It's not cheap, but quality costs. Browne's is known nationwide for its premium seafood.
