Location: Portland
Top Things to do in Portland
Things to do in Portland, Maine (ME): The Best Nature & Parks
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. Loring Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Maurene_K - Dover, United States
During vacation time in Maine, I visited Eastern Promenade Trail which ended near the Loring Staircase that led to the Major Charles J. Loring Memorial Park. The park memorializes Major Charles J. Loring Jr., born in Portland on October 2, 1918, and raised in the Bayside neighborhood. He served courageously as an Army fighter pilot in World War II and as an Air Force fighter pilot in the Korean War. He earned many honors. The park memorializes him as a much-decorated war hero and as a person. He was so revered that the now-defunct Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine was named for him. Around the outside edge of the circular park arc are four very high granite posts. My guess is eight feet or more. Each has a one word carved vertically on it. They are SPIRIT, INTEGRITY, PRESENCE, and HEART. These were qualities he embodied. There are also large sculpted boulders around the park. At the center is a hole in the ground covered with a grate. Down inside the hole are searchlights that shine up to the sky at night. I thought it was an interesting tribute to his career as a military pilot. There were also large slabs of stone set into the ground. They had quotes and sayings on them. One was HEART OPEN TO THE SKY; another said CAPACITY FOR SELF-SACRIFICE. After my trek, I enjoyed one of a couple of park benches with the views of the Back Cove beyond I-295. I rate my experience at Major Charles J. Loring Memorial Park at 5.0 and highly recommend a visit. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
2. Casco Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
Ship traffic here runs the gamut from lobster boats to oil tankers and cruise lines; also look for the many photogenic lighthouses.
Reviewed By 954hollyb - Washington DC, United States
Casco Bay is gorgeous- I spent my mornings going for a jog around the bay as my hotel was located right downtown near Old Port. I’d also highly recommend taking a ferry tour to the nearby islands.
3. Back Cove Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Portland's most popular and well-known trail offers view of the city skyline.
Reviewed By NHWanderlust
We were looking for a spot to enjoy the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Back Cove Trail in Portland was perfect. One of us uses a motorized wheelchair so this was a great place to go since the trail is wide and flat. There weren't very many people there since the day was a bit on the brisk side, and it was low tide while we were there, but it was still worth the trip. There's lots to learn about our ecosystem here, especially the importance of salt marshes and mudflats. Would love to go back at high tide someday, and would also like to explore the Baxter Trail nearby.
4. Eastern Promenade Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By GayVagabond - Fort Lauderdale, United States
The East End beach promenade covers a large area and immediately makes you feel relaxed. There is a rolling hill that you can envision taking a picnic and bottle of wine with your boyfriend or bestie and just chilling. Or perhaps one of the sailboats with a hot skipper carries you out to sea. Either way this is a scenic part of Portland you do not want to miss.
5. Casco Bay Islands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 532 reviews
An archipelago of islands off of Portland.
Reviewed By dmkmHamilton_Ontario - Hamilton, Canada
We went on the Casco Bay Lines Mailboat Run . We were on a cruise ship and were docked literally next door. Walked over, bought our tickets, toured around town until it was time to go out for the 2:15 pm run. Thoroughly enjoyed being out on the water, with just enough narration to know a little about each of the islands we either passed or stopped on. A thick fog rolled in which just added to the adventure. Highly recommended and excellent value for the price.
6. Post Office Park
7. Deering Oaks Park
8. Presumpscot River Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
9. DiMillo's Old Port Marina
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By danielbR45ZC
Excellent food, excellent service, excellent location, what more can I say?? This was my first time coming here to eat and I’m sure I will be back! We came for a wedding reception this afternoon and it was a wonderful experience! Joshua and Erica were our servers and they did a phenomenal job! They made sure that everyone’s needs were met and that everyone had a great time! The venue has plenty of party rooms upstairs so we were well accommodated. I had the filet mignon which tasted amazing! I also had a bowl of clam chowder that was the best I have ever had! Keep up the great work and definitely come here if you get the chance and find yourself in Portland Maine!
