What should i do in portland maine

It took on an image as a rough-at-the-edges but close-knit community. Then the '90s hit, along with an influx of artists and a burgeoning restaurant scene that brought new condos, art galleries, funky boutiques, and lively eateries. Those coming from out of town are here to witness the city's best view at the Portland Observatory , peruse the fun shops, and eat as much as possible at award-winning restaurants like Drifter's Wife.

It's the crossroads of historic Portland and cool, contemporary Portland. A neighborhood in the midst of a revival, Woodford Corner is currently one part Brooklyn to two parts Maine. Nearly a century ago, it was a major hub of the city, before falling into decades of decay. But in the last several years, residents have rallied to give the area new life. Now at every turn you'll find establishments pouring Maine-made beer, high-octane coffee, cool restaurants, cult-status tattoo artists, cycling shops, and new public art.

The hipster element here is tough to ignore, but it shouldn't be overstated. Restaurants like Woodford Food and Beverage are a draw to all of the multigenerational residents here, and young families and cyclists of every age love riding the Back Cove pathway along the bay. Supporting local agriculture has been a part of Maine's way of life for as long as anyone can remember, and Portland's farmers' market is one of the best places to embrace that mission. Here plus growers, cheesemakers, beekeepers, berry farmers, bakers, wildflower florists, and far more set up stalls here twice a week in the summer and fall on Saturdays at the Deering Oaks Park location and on Wednesdays at Monument Square and once a week during winter on Saturdays on Stevens Avenue.

The vibrant craft beer movement that exists in Portland likely would not be if it weren't for Allagash.

It's such a power player that the industrial park it's located in has turned into a brewery incubator of sorts, serving as a breeding ground for more than a half dozen Portland breweries , many of which have gone on to great success.

The beer that made Allagash famous is its White—founder Rob Tod's version of a Belgian wheat beer—that has become the de facto light beer on many restaurant menus around the country that are primarily stocked with IPAs. But Allagash does many things well, and whatever your beer proclivities, you'll find something that will work for you.

This is home to The Portland Sea Dogs, the city's minor league baseball team. Baseball fans who relish really seeing the sport—and up-and-coming players—will adore this place. Renovated in , this 7,seat minor league baseball stadium is known for its terrific sight lines, friendly fans, and the classic vibe by way of the brick facade.

Let the ultra-squeamish stay home; this minute seafaring tour delivers a fun, hands-on understanding about one of New England's most important industries: lobstering. It's a fascinating educational mini-journey into the heart of Maine culture, and an up-close look at where one of the country's most prized foods comes from.

Run by a tight-knit company of lobstermen and their friends and crew, the excursions are designed to offer a first-hand glimpse into the daily routine of catching lobster. These guys are the real deal; when not bringing passengers along, they're indeed out there on the waters, still hauling in their traps. The Arts District is more a deep dive into the diversity of creativity in and around Portland than it is a single experience.

It was such a great weekend! I always get anxious thinking about attending conferences, and then I wind up have the best time. Seriously, just look up Deesha Dyer and Deidre Mathis. Of course, in between the conference talks and sessions, I wanted to get to know Portland! Between saving some places on my phone, chatting with my hostel roomies, and asking random locals about the city, I wound up doing quite a lot in only a few days.

Portland, which is more in southern Maine, embodies all of it and mixes it with what feels like a bit of its own hipster touch. Oh, and, of course, layers it all with an abundance of delicious food and restaurants with their own personality. This is where I stayed! I slept in a 6-bed female dorm, and my roommates were awesome! We chatted about where to eat, the conference, and just travel in general.

It was a pretty spacious room, and we had our own bathroom plus bathrooms in the hall and a nice sink area. Book on Booking or Hotels.

I feel like if you want a luxury stay and you find an Autograph Collection hotel, stay there! The Press Hotel is right in the middle of downtown, and I walked by it frequently visiting other places.

I had plenty of service in Portland and never had an issue connecting to data. Wifi was also fine most places I went. It was a little wonky at the Holiday Inn, but I also assume that has to do with the fact that a giant conference of female travelers was going on, and we all are digitally connected. Portland in early May is no exception. I was dressed poorly for the entire trip with summery dresses, skirts, and sandals.

You can easily grab a Lyft over or rent a car. I personally drove since I had my car and I needed to keep moving it. The parking near Black Elephant was only 2 hours between 9am — 5pm but free the rest of the day, so I constantly drove it over to the Holiday Inn, where we had free parking for the conference. Naturally, I went to try one.

There are three locations: Park Ave. Get it main, Maine, heh heh. My first taste was toasted coconut, and then I picked up a half dozen to bring back to Corinne.

As soon as I rolled into Portland, I stopped here for a late lunch! It was my first experience of the city, and it was such a nice one at that. The cashier was so lovely, and the lobster roll was amazing.

They also serve local Maine Root soda, which made me then ask for it everywhere I went. All their seafood is locally-sourced and as organic as they can make it. Even their straws are biodegradable in case you forget your own. Okay, there are quite a few bookstores I saw around Portland, but I saw Longfellow recommended the most, and I loved it.

All their ice cream is totally homemade. I loved the Maine sea salt caramel flavor. So when I was checking out at Longfellows, I asked the woman at the register if she had any favorite places to eat in Portland.

Empire was one of those places, and we wound up there after the conference finished the first day. They even have soup dumplings, and the soup-meat ratio was on point.

I also got duck ramen which was also mouth-watering. Another place she mentioned was Slab pizza! This is the last standing maritime signal tower in America and was used in the s to monitor the ships nearby, for a distance of up to 30 miles. Today, it is only a popular tourist attraction. If you are passionate about baseball, you should definitely come by this field and watch a game. Many years in the future, you can boast that you were among the first to witness player X, who started small at the Hadlock Field and is now a Major League star.

So, come by and have a great time at this family-friendly field. Built in , the Bug Light is a unique lighthouse inspired by a monument in Athens. The area surrounding it has been filled and is now known as the Bug Light Park. Take a walk to the lighthouse, snap some photos, then enjoy a hike or a bicycle ride along the coast. The place is nice and clean and the views are wonderful. While the Bug Light lighthouse is quite small, this one is much bigger and more impressive. Built in , it is the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine — and the most photographed one in the entire country.

The views are spectacular; you can admire the ocean, the beach, the rocks, and the boats as they enter or leave the harbor. This historic street is located at the edge of the working waterfront area of the city. It has lots of great shops, bars and places to eat. It travels right along the water, so you can admire the views and take lots of photos.

If you are still not bored with the ocean, the rocks and lighthouses, make sure to visit this one too. While the lighthouse is not that big and impressive, the walk to reach it is a pleasant one. Relax and take your time to contemplate the ocean and the huge rocks that form the breakwater; just imagine how difficult it was for locals to move them into perfect alignment. Portland is not all about boats and ships; it also has a museum that displays old trains and locomotives — and even allows you to take a ride in one.