Location: Portland
Top Things to do in Portland
The 10 Best Things to Do in Portland, United States
Portland is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,732 at the 2000 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place (CDP). It is situated across the Connecticut River from Middletown. Brownstone quarried in Portland was used in the construction of Hartford's Old State House in 1796. The vast majority of the brownstone buildings in Connecticut (see College Row at Wesleyan University and the Long Walk at Trinity College) as well as the famous brownstones in New York City were built with brownstone from Portland's quarries.
Restaurants in Portland
1. Kidcity Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Imagination play for kids from 1 to 8 and their favorite grown-ups. Picked by Yankee Magazine in 2012 as the "Best Indoor Adventure" in New England!
Reviewed By Little_PC - Cromwell, Connecticut
We had friends with four small children come for the weekend. We invited our daughter and our granddaughter too. We have lived in the Middletown area for over 40 years and this was our first time visiting Kidcity.
We all had a blast! There was so much to do and the kids loved all the hands-on exhibits. It was my husband's 66th birthday and he loved it just as much as the children did. It was not crowded either, since it was a sunny day. That is the best time to go.
2. Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By parsinc2 - West Springfield, Massachusetts
They have zip lines, swimming, slides, climbing ropes....etc....etc. You can bring your own food and drinks, I would suggest bringing a chair to sit in. What' s not to like about this place. I SHALL return..LOL Great place....thank you
3. Dinosaur State Park & Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 210 reviews
This state park is devoted to dinosaurs and contains several dinosaur footprints.
Reviewed By Richard_Harpum - Doncaster, United Kingdom
My wife and I visited Dinosaur State park near Rocky Hill, CT, during a tour of New England. We decided to visit based upon the information in our guide book and were glad that we made the detour.
The Park is famous for its 200 million-year-old dinosaur footprints, which are now housed in a large covered gallery with plenty of interesting displays and activities for children.
After a tour of the facility, we decided to walk one of the trails in the surrounding park. This offered a variety of woodland scenery and was most enjoyable.
Parking is free.
Highly recommended.
4. Lyman Orchards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Set on 1,100 scenic acres in central Connecticut, we're a year-round destination for great food, wholesome family fun and beginner and championship public golf. Established in 1741 and now in its 9th generation, Lyman Orchards is recognized as the twelfth oldest family owned business in the USA. Shop in the Apple Barrel market for fresh farm produce and award-winning Hi-Top Apple Pies; enjoy picking fresh fruits in season, and golf on our two 18-hole championship courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Gary Player; or learn the game of golf or improve your stroke at our new Golf Center and Apple Nine course. One visit and you'll see why Lyman Orchards is "Connecticut's Sweet Spot!"
Reviewed By Gloria H - Fairfield, Connecticut
This was our first time going apple picking here. They have an attendant that gives out plastic bags(located in a booth). They had all kinds of apples and bosc pears to pick. They have a very large orchard with names displayed at the beginning of the row. We picked Macintosh and Cortland apples. We also picked bosc pears. They also had a pumpkin patch. My granddaughter had a lot of fun getting the fruit off the trees. All the fruit was in excellent condition. After we finished we checked out at the booth and paid for the fruit. I plan on returning in late Spring to pick strawberries, blueberries and later on peaches.
5. Team vs. Time
Overall Ratings
5 based on 181 reviews
This is an award winning interactive group entertainment experience. This is room escape for the room escape enthusiasts. Travel back in time, explore unique environments, examine artifacts, and do your best to solve the mystery before time runs out. Good luck! HOW IT WORKS: ASSEMBLE YOUR TEAM, RESERVE YOUR PRIVATE EVENT, IT’S YOUR TEAM VERSUS TIME
Reviewed By Anna R
My husband and I did The Book of Spells room for Valentine’s Day and had a blast. Challenging and clever clues, with really impressive quality props. Staff was super friendly. We liked that you could choose to have the room to yourselves (as opposed to being placed with strangers). We will definitely be back.
If you’re new to escape rooms, you should probably have at least 3 or 4 people for this room.
6. Connecticut River Expeditions - RiverQuest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
View the scenic lower Connecticut River aboard the friendly, intimate, eco-tour vessel RiverQuest. As we cruise south on our Daytime Excursion, we'll see Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette's Castle. Light narration provided on local history, flora and fauna and other areas of interest. Other cruises: Sunset/Evening (may go north or south), Foliage, Eagle, Private Charters (company, family, birthday, etc). Leave from Eagle Landing State Park, Route 82, Haddam, CT. For schedule, prices, info see website.
Reviewed By Jd707700
We absolutely loved this river tour! We took an afternoon tour that lasted approximately 2 hours. Our guides and captain (the owners) were amazing and very knowledgeable tour guides, providing so much information on history and legends of the river homes and islands and are incredibly knowledgeable about the local wildlife, and are avid bird watchers. It shows they love what they do. They are very kind, gracious and wonderful people who (it is apparent) love what they do. Their boats are not only part of their business but an integral part of their lives. Initially, we looked at other boat tour options in the area and couldn't be happier that we made this selection over other choices. It was a great calm, relaxing and fun day with the family. We all enjoyed this tour, especially my elementary and high school age kids and the tour was easily accessible to an elderly handicapped family member. A portion of the RiverQuest boat is covered and surrounded by windows if you want to stay out of the sun. During the tour you can move between the front and the back of the boat for easier viewing; space and passenger load permitting. You can bring food or beverage on the boat during some day tours, to enjoy during your trip and they even provided some binoculars for us to view wildlife up close. Departs from a local park that has a lot of space for picnicking, boat and bird watching. Very well done and very reasonably priced! I would recommend this tour to anyone.
7. River Highlands State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Manny S - Newton, Massachusetts
An amazing slice of Connecticut Valley flora and fauna. You very much felt like you were in a primitive place far from society. Believe we encountered bear footprints and even bare human footprints (?!?!). The river view and campground there is absolutely stunning, as is the view from the promontory. We saw many bolete mushrooms.
8. Arrigoni Winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Amy D - Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Stopped by on our way thru to check it out, wasn't the biggest fan of the wine tasting. Have been to many vineyards and wasn't the best.
9. Rocky Hill - Glastonbury Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By elaine499
After lunch at Shad Row we took the ferry across the river just for fun and went cruising throughout the countryside. It was fun & pretty. The ferry was very clean and efficient & the staff was very pleasant.
I recommend a fun ride for families with children!
10. Wadsworth Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffrey W
The park is big, but try to find the area where the waterfall is. Parking right next to it. People fish there, but we were there for the sights. Waterfall from below and climb to the top for above waterfall.
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