Location: Portland
Top Things to do in Portland
Top 10 Museums in Portland, Maine (ME)
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. Richard Boyd Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
(Portland, ME) Richard Boyd Art Gallery is an owner operated fine arts gallery located on Peaks Island in Portland, ME. The gallery, located on the first floor, represents established and emerging artists with a connection to the state of Maine creating paintings in a range of styles from contemporary abstracts to traditional realism, limited edition bronze sculptures, and a select offering of works in clay. Exhibitions change monthly and include solo, group, and theme exhibits so clients and visitors always discover something new and exciting when visiting the gallery. A working art studio with a focus on creating ceramic art and pottery is located on the top floor. From April through the end of October the gallery is open between the hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. During the months of November through March the gallery is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Additional days and times by chance or scheduled by appointment.
Reviewed By newengland50 - Franklin, United States
If you are visiting Portland, take the 15-minute ferry ride to Peaks Island. During the spring and summer months, it runs every hour at 15 past the hour. It's a great place for a relaxing stroll and more. During a walk around Peaks Island, we visited the Richard Boyd Art Gallery. It had a good collection with a mix of local artists and those from outside of the area who provided oil and watercolor paintings and sculptures. The Gallery is owned by an artist and his wife. He does a lot of work with ceramics and creates unique pieces. We end up buying a beautiful and unique decorative vase. Visit it for enjoyment as you view the art work. Be aware, that you might end up buying--but the prices are reasonable. It's about a ten-minute leisurely walk from the ferry.
2. angela adams
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Design Company + Art Gallery + Luxury Home Furnishings Based in Portland, Maine, angela adams is known worldwide for creating naturally inspired area rugs and handcrafted furniture for the modern home. Using organic elements and personal connections as design influences, co-founders and married design team Angela Adams and Sherwood Hamill work in tandem to create pieces that compliment and elevate contemporary living spaces. Both Maine natives, they started the design company in 1998 in the footsteps of the state’s rich history of textiles and craftsmanship. They share a commitment to quality and tradition that is distinctive in each product that bears the company name.
3. She-Bear Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
She-Bear Gallery is the home of Holly Meade's collection of woodblock prints, as well as a rotating display of other visual artists, jewelry, ceramics, photography, cards, and more.
4. Maine Craft Portland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Maine Craft Portland is a retail gallery + resource center in the historic Maine Charitable Mechanic Association building in downtown Portland. Opened in July of 2018 by non-profit Maine Crafts Association, Maine Craft Portland promotes craft in Maine through exhibitions and public programming, and directly benefits Maine craft artists through sales of their work.
Reviewed By sidder - West Chester, United States
If you want to bring home a memory of Maine, this is a great place to capture it. From thoughtfully developed jewelry, to delightful ceramics, to whimsical felted items, to children's books, to the perfectly soft kitchen towel, Maine Craft has beautiful handmade items. The building is beautifully preserved, and it would be great for this to be a Portland institution that is on everyone's "to visit" list.
5. Portland Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,515 reviews
With an extensive permanent collection and nationally renowned exhibitions, the Portland Museum of Art is rightfully taking its place as the best regional museum in the country. The PMA boasts a considerable permanent collection, with beloved works of American, European, and Contemporary art, as well as significant holdings of Maine art-highlighting the rich artistic tradition of the state and its artists. The museum brings it all to life with unparalleled programming. From special member-only events, free school tours, and a commitment to family activities, to PMA Movies, curator talks, and exclusive tours of the Winslow Homer Studio-it's all happening at the PMA.
Reviewed By newengland50 - Franklin, United States
At this time (April 2021), the Museum is accepting reservations for visiting. Although Portland is a small city, the Museum has a national class collection. It ranges from New England artists to works from around the world. The building is well laid out and it is easy to navigate. You will find well-known artists, such as Renoir and Wyeth, and stunning sculptures. It is well worth the trip. Every staff member was friendly and happy to answer questions. There is also a small gift shop.
6. Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Every exhibit at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is designed to let kids lead the way. These interactive spaces are grounded in the science of play and the latest research on how children learn. Each exhibit is an opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn about their world through dramatic role play, hands-on exploration, navigating immersive environments, and taking safe risks. The building features over 7,000 square feet of exhibits spanning four floors. These spaces reflect Maine’s unique character and encourage exploration across a broad range of subjects, from STEM and the arts to the cultures and traditions that form the fabric of our community.
Reviewed By whycandi - Cambridge, United States
Spread across four floors, the museum has many little sections for kids to explore, perfect for young minds with short attention spans. The museum has plenty of hands-on activities. I was impressed by how it's laid out, creating a distinct space for each activity. We spent a few hours there, and my three-year-old grandson never bored.
7. Tate House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Georgian-style House, built in 1755; also has 18-century herb garden.
Reviewed By TravellingPhillips - Bismarck, United States
Had to leave a shout out to Laura the curator (for a wonderful amount of time) and the sweet tour guide (whose name I didn't catch) for graciously giving us a Cliff's Notes version of the tour AS they were closing up for the season. We saw a note in the FB page only after we had been knocking on the door, in the rain. Another couple pulled up right after us, and the lady was so kind to let us in. The house is so charming and oldest pre-revolutionary home that's open to the public in ME. Definitely worth a stop (but before Oct 30th!). Thank you so much sweet ladies!
8. Cbart - Casco Bay Artisans
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
9. Victoria Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
VICTORIA MANSION REOPENS JUNE 1, 2020. Victoria Mansion is open for the season June 1- October 31, closed on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. The holiday season runs from the day after Thanksgiving through the first Sunday in January, closed Christmas and New Year's Day. Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, is the finest example of residential design from the pre-Civil War era in America. With superb architecture and well-preserved original interiors that were among the most lavish and sophisticated in their day, it is an unparalleled document of America’s highest aspirations in architecture, interior design, and the decorative arts. Our history, a quick tour, and our present-day efforts at restoring the Mansion convey an impression of the significance of this unique site, which is of national and even international importance.
Reviewed By JEM02882 - Reading, United States
Visited during the Christmas season and had a great time touring the rooms all dressed up for the holidays. They certainly go all out to decorate which takes all of November to accomplish. (The museum is closed during this time.) The docents are very well versed and knowledgeable. They enjoy their jobs and provide a wonderful background to the fascinating history of the mansion.
10. Umbrella Cover Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Quirky museum for all ages. Exhibits, games, music. Umbrella covers from 65 countries. Winner of Guinness World Record! Open summers only. Check by email or text for hours.
Reviewed By tektektek - Tamworth, United States
The sign above the entrance says it all- "Celebrate the Mundane". Did you ever lose a cover to an umbrella? Mayhaps it ended up here, at the Umbrella Cover Museum, holder of the Guinness Book of World Records title of largest unique umbrella cover collection in the world- 730; it has a collection totaling more than 2000 covers overall. There are things that look like umbrella covers, and things that look NOTHING like a cover for an umbrella. There is a sports section and a Broadway section (and when I mentioned the name Seth Rudetsky of Sirius XM Channel 72 "On Broadway"), and docent and guide immediately knew the name. The founder of the museum, Nancy 3. Hoffman (and if your mind went to Tom Lehrer, join the club), was not present during this peak weekend (it being PEAKSFEST 2019), but her story was there around us. There are also R and X rated umbrella covers in a different room (with mood lighting). To be a part of this museum, you have to be committed, and the joy and enthusiasm was evident throughout the tour and talk. There are games (guess the real Scottish plaid umbrella cover) and stories galore. It is small, it is right on the main street, and if you want to spend a few minute (or more) being entertained, playing games, singing the umbrella cover theme song, then this is a must-see attraction, worthy of any location but fitting right in on Peaks Island. If you are not in a good mood going in, you will be coming out. And if you aren't in a good mood coming out, go back in- you must have missed something. This is the kind of place I dream about running into, and I am so glad we did. Admission is free, but donations are accepted (and gently solicited), and there is even a "gift shop" of sorts. PS- we mentioned it was our anniversary celebration to come to Peaks Island, and somehow it became well known and we were greeted in many places with a "Happy Anniversary".
