You're probably coming for the food, and to be fair, it's impossible to mess this up—there are so many fantastic restaurants in Portland now, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. But it doesn't matter if you're 'from away' and here for a few days, or a local and here for a few generations: Portland has something for just about everyone, and we promise there's more to do here than eat. The weather may not always be reliable, but you won't want to waste a minute riding out a cold snap, so pack a fleece and discover a whole new world on the waterfront. Ayuh.
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Portland, Maine Travel Guide
Plan Your Portland Trip
Featured
Road Trip: 4 Days on the Maine Coast
Portland, Camden, and Bar Harbor—the top three tracks on Maine's Greatest Hits album—are the ones you want to revisit again and again.
The Difference Between a Maine and Connecticut Lobster Roll
It all comes down to butter vs. mayonnaise.
The Best Way to See Maine's Casco Bay Islands Is By Mail Boat
Catch a glimpse of Maine's island life on the country's oldest continuously operating ferry system.
13 Best Hotels in Portland, Maine
The converted mansions and chic new-builds making the lodging scene Down East seriously destination-worthy.
Editor Hotel Recommendations
- Aloft Portland Downtown Waterfront ME$$ | United States, Portland, 379 Commercial StRead full reviewClean-lined and airy in design; convenient to almost everything visitors to Portland want to see
- The Docent’s Collection$$ | United States, Portland, 121 Middle St.Read full reviewMore luxury apartment than hotel.
- The Inn on Peaks Island$ | Peaks Island, 33 Island AvenueRead full reviewA beautiful stop 15 minutes out into Casco Bay.
- Portland Harbor Hotel$$ | United States, Portland, 468 Fore St.Read full reviewA beautiful stay in Old Port.
Readers Choice Awards - The Francis$$ | United States, Portland, 747 Congress St.Read full reviewOnce a lavish private home, the small boutique in West End is a charming update to a historic property.
- Best Bower$$ | United States, Portland, 140 Congress StRead full reviewRun by local restaurateurs, this spot lands you right in the happening East End.
- Westin Portland Harborview$$ | United States, Portland, 157 High St.Read full reviewTake the elevator up to the rooftop bar for the best city views in Portland.
- The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection$$ | United States, Portland, 119 Exchange St.Read full reviewThe former home of Maine's biggest newspaper transformed into a beautiful boutique hotel downtown.Readers Choice Awards
Hot List - Portland Regency Hotel & Spa$$ | United States, Portland, 20 Milk St.Read full reviewThe Old Port's old armory, transformedReaders Choice Awards
- Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront$$ | United States, Portland, 9 Center StRead full reviewIf you are looking for a perfect base of operations to explore the city’s reputable food scene, it doesn’t get much more convenient than Commercial Street.
- Hyatt Place Portland-Old Port$$ | United States, Portland, 433 Fore StRead full reviewA superb location and all the Hyatt comforts you know and love
- The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast$$ | United States, Portland, 140 Chadwick StreetRead full reviewThis is one fancy B&B in West End.
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The Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine
- 14 Best Things to Do in Portland, MaineFor such a little city, there's plenty to keep you busy.
- 3 Best Day Trips from Portland, MaineAfter getting your fill in Portland, head to these three nearby destinations for great shopping, hiking, and eating.
- Road Trip: 4 Days on the Maine CoastPortland, Camden, and Bar Harbor—the top three tracks on Maine's Greatest Hits album—are the ones you want to revisit again and again.
- Eat and Drink Your Way Through 72 Hours in Portland, MaineDid someone say summer Fridays?
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Editor Recommendations
- The Arts DistrictUnited States, Portland, Congress StreetRead full reviewA look at the creativity that makes Portland tick.
- Portland Museum of ArtUnited States, Portland, 7 Congress SquareRead full reviewAchieving its mission to keep the public in Portland excited about art.
- Allagash Brewing CompanyPortland, 50 Industrial WayRead full reviewThe brewery that established Portland as a craft beer destination.
- Maine Day Ventures: Portland Old Port Culinary Walking TourUnited States, Portland, 320 Fore St, PortlandRead full reviewA food tour that spotlights the ever-changing group of eateries and breweries that put Portland’s waterfront area on the culinary map.
- Peaks IslandUnited States, Portland, Casco BayRead full reviewA 720-acre island of 1,000 inhabitants, this is coastal Maine at its most pristine.
- Portland Freedom TrailUnited States, Portland, 54 Commercial StreetRead full reviewA free, self-guided tour route that is at once somber and awe-inspiring.
- Thompson's PointUnited States, Portland, 10 Thompson’s Point RoadRead full reviewNature meets culture at this three-acre entertainment venue on Maine's Fore River.
- Lucky Catch CruisesUnited States, Portland, 170 Commercial St.Read full reviewLeave the squeamish at home.
- First Friday Art WalkUnited States, Portland,Read full reviewWhere Portland's artistic community comes out to create.
- Eastern PromenadeUnited States, Portland, Cutter StreetRead full reviewPortland’s water views are at their most glorious here.
- Munjoy HillUnited States, Portland,Read full reviewThe crossroads of historic Portland and hipster Portland.
- Bug Light ParkUnited States, South Portland, Madison StreetRead full reviewA little lighthouse with big views.
- Portland Schooner Co.United States, Portland, 56 Commercial St.Read full reviewShips on the National Register of Historic Places will take you for a spin in Casco Bay.
These National Parks Will Require Reservations This Summer
Beloved parks like Yosemite and Rocky Mountain are counting on reservation systems to keep overcrowding at bay.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Portland, Maine
- 15 Best Restaurants in Portland, MaineThe blueberry pie is still world class, but so is everything else.
- 10 Best Places for Lobster Rolls in Portland, MaineIt is safe to say that at least one item on every visitor to Portland’s itinerary is, “Get a lobster roll.”
- 15 Best Bars in Portland, MaineBeer put it on the map, now there's lots keeping it there.
- 9 Best Breweries in Portland, MaineOne of America's best beer cities for a reason.
- 10 Best Places for Brunch in Portland, MaineThis city does not sleep on brunch.
- 10 Best Coffee Shops in Portland, MaineThe third wave of coffee is cresting beautifully in Portland.
Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
- Papi$$ | United States, Portland, 18 Exchange StreetPush past the 132-year-old mahogany double doors from Puerto Rico and soak up the blasts of salsa and merengue
- Leeward$$$ | United States, Portland, 85 Free StreetJust the kind of mom-and-pop-gone-perfectionist restaurant that Portland, Maine, excels at
- Twelve$$$ | United States, Portland, 15 Thames StreetA gastro pedigree from chef Colin Wyatt (of Eleven Madison Park) that shows in meticulous dishes
- Wayside Tavern$$$ | United States, Portland, 747 Congress StDishes that roar with inspiration and ambition
- Street and Co.$$ | United States, Portland, 33 Wharf Street
- Izakaya Minato$$ | Portland, 54 Washington Ave.The owner's megawatt smile is the first thing you notice as you queue to put your name on the waitlist (yes, it's worth waiting).
- Terlingua$$ | Portland, 52 Washington Ave.As the restaurant itself says, smoked meats are just a part of what they do—it's a pretty important part, though.
- Scales$$$ | Portland , 68 Commercial St.Even with 150 seats and a huge bar for first-come first-serve, reservations are strongly recommended at this seafood spot.
- Fore Street$$$ | Portland, 288 Fore StreetOne of Portland's most sought after tables for more than two decades.
- Central Provisions$$ | Portland, 414 Fore StreetMix and match from Chris Gould's menu of raw, cold, hot and sweet.
- The Honey Paw$$ | Portland, 78 Middle St.New England–influenced Asian dishes like lobster wontons in seafood curry star at this Old Port hot spot.
- Woodford Food & Beverage$$ | Portland, 660 Forest Ave.The lovingly restored mid-century modern space recalls a vintage Howard Johnson’s motel with updated bistro plates to match.
- Solo Italiano$$$ | Portland, 100 Commercial St.The ever changing menu here reflects the chef's northern Italian background and adopted southern Maine home.
- Union at the Press Hotel$$$ | Portland, 390 Congress StreetMaine’s flavors and provisioners meet in this subtly posh restaurant, making it a must whether you’re a guest at The Press Hotel or not.
- Chaval$$ | United States , Portland, 58 Pine St,The vast tapas menu lets you build your meal in whatever fashion you choose.
A Day of Hiking and Seafood at Maine’s Acadia National Park
Go from sunrise tide pools to lobster dinner in New England’s enchanting island park.
More Destinations
- Phoenix Travel GuideAbundant sunshine, potent summer monsoon storms, and the Suessian cactuses and ancient petroglyphs of the Sonoran Desert.
- Miami Travel GuideWarm temperatures—and hotter beaches
- Chicago Travel GuideSecond City? Not by our count.
- Charleston Travel GuideWhere Lowcountry meets high charm
- Key West Travel GuideWarm temperatures—and hotter beaches
- Los Angeles Travel GuideWelcome to the West Coast's cultural epicenter
- Yellowstone National Park at 150Wonderland: The early nickname of America’s first national park is as apt today as when Yellowstone was founded, in March of 1872. On its sesquicentennial, we celebrate this miraculous place—while exploring a history that has too often excluded its original stewards—and consider how to ensure its survival for generations to come.
- Boston Travel GuideCharming and legitimately historic
- San Francisco Travel GuideDon't forget to pack an extra layer
- Dallas Travel GuideHard to crack. Easy to love.
- Washington, D.C. Travel GuideIt all starts at the Capitol.
- Seattle Travel GuideOysters and craft beer so good you won’t notice it’s drizzling
- Savannah Travel GuideFamous for its ghosts, but plenty full of life
- Portland, Oregon Travel GuideBeverly Cleary, Matt Groening, and James Beard are all from here. Enough said.
- Philadelphia Travel GuideIt’s not a city—it’s a fan club
