what to do in portland, maine in one day
Here's my guide to spending one perfect day in Portland Maine. In 24 hours, this Portland travel guide gives yous a step by step itinerary for exploring all of Portland's must see sites, attractions, and landmarks. It also clues you in on what to meet, do, and eat in Portland, even also lobster rolls.
Portland is the perfect place to start your coastal Maine road trip. Located on a peninsula bulging into Casco Bay, Portland is a rare urban center in a state filled with pocket-size hamlets. It'south a hip and laid back place that about seems too cool for one of New England's most beautiful towns.
Portland has myriad cultural offerings and is a bastion of historical preservation. The restored Old Port is a warren of cobbled streets, filled with vibrant Victorian buildings and buzzing farm to table eateries. On Commutation Street, y'all can nab anything from fudge to fine crafts.
Downtown, there's a thriving art school, infusing the city streets with artistic types. In that location are 24 commercial art galleries. Restaurants and java bars are filled with visual art. In June, the revived downtown hosts the Old Port Festival, described as "part freak evidence, function art festival, part fashion parade."
In June, the revived downtown hosts the Old Port Festival, described as "part freak show, part art festival, part fashion parade."
Portland is also a hot spot for restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and entertainment. Did I mention breweries? Beer lovers will be happy to know that Portland has 18 breweries all its ain. Information technology's the Craft Bew Upper-case letter of America.
All-time of all? Portland is one best day trips from Boston, less than two hours away.
READ: Must Encounter Landmarks in Boston
Best Things To Do and See in Portland Maine in One Day
Here'southward how to make the near out of one solar day in Portland Maine.
1. Holy Donut
Start your mean solar day bright and early by fueling up at the Scarborough location of Holy Donut. Holy Donuts is a grass roots start up visitor. Information technology was founded on a simple idea — making unique hand fabricated donuts with Maine potatoes and quality ingredients.
Holy Donut is now a cult favorite. You tin become any manner of donut. On my final visit, I sampled maple bacon, which was simply delicious. There are also vegan and gluten complimentary options.
Correct now, Holy Donut is simply located on Park Street in Portland. But a new and convenient venue is opening in Portland'south Quondam Port in July 2021. Coming soon? Cake donuts and ice cream sandwich donuts.
When yous're fueled up, caput to the iconic Portland Light Head. Information technology'south open up daily from sunrise to sunset.
Address: 398 Us-1, Scarborough, ME
2. Portland Head Light
Virtually 15 minutes from downtown Portland, Portland Caput Light is one of the nigh world'southward most photographed lighthouses. It'south a buoy of lite perched on the dramatic craggy coast of Cape Elizabeth.
The pretty white stunner was built in 1791 and renovated in 1831. It's the oldest lighthouse in Maine. The lighthouse had live in staff until 1989, when information technology was fully automated.
The cliff walk from the lighthouse offers stunning views and the wafting aroma of the ocean. At that place'southward also a minor onsite museum open during loftier season, which sits inside the erstwhile Keeper's Quarters. Information technology gives you an overview of the history of this famous lighthouse.
If hunger calls, at that place are some food trucks in the parking area where you can take hold of a lobster roll or taco.
Accost: 12 Helm Strout Circle, Greatcoat Elizabeth ME
3. Portland Museum of Art
Opened in 1983, Portland's crown precious stone and premiere fine art destination is the Portland Museum of Art. It'southward an architectural masterpiece designed by I.M. Pei of Louvre fame. Its innovative architecture allowed curators to redefine the fine art viewing experience.
The pocket-sized boutique museum is a fiddling oasis of art in Portland's Arts District. It has an impressive collection of late 19th and early 20th century art.
There are works past Andrew Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, and Marsden Hartley. The museum also has a good cache of Impressionism works (Monet, Degas, Renoir) and hosts traveling international exhibits. The museum also promotes works by local Maine artists.
Address: 7 Congress Street, Portland ME
Hours: Thur, Sat & Sun from ten:00 am to half-dozen:00 pm, Fri from 10:00 to 8:00 pm. On Friday, at that place's gratis admission for all
Entry fee: $18
4. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
In 1866, Portland'south Great Burn down destroyed the starting time iteration of Portland's cathedral. But it was replaced with a beautiful 200 feet alpine Neo-Gothic brick structure.
The twin tours are somewhat reminiscent of Strasbourg Cathedral, a famous landmark in France. The cathedral is on the National Annals of Historic Places.
The Roman Catholic church serves every bit the diocese in Portland. Inside, y'all'll detect stained glass windows from Munich, vii imposing pillars on each side of the nave, Gothic arches, and a lovely organ.
Address: 307 Congress St, Portland, ME
4. Lunch in the Former Port
It'due south lunchtime! The classic Portland tiffin is a lobster curlicue at the Portland Lobster Co.
At this casual seaside joint, you can sit under umbrellas and adore the One-time Port. Their seafood is locally sourced and by and large organic. Even their straws are biodegradable.
Another practiced option on Eye Street for lunch at Eventide Oyster Co. Servers volition shuck oysters caught that morning correct before your eyes, while you're waiting for the requisite lobster roll.
If seafood isn't your thing, beyond the street is Duckfat. The restaurant serves upwards European-mode sandwiches and crispy pomme frittes. These paw cut fries are fried in, as its name suggests, duck fat. They come with a selection of fancy dipping sauces.
As an alternative to a specific place for tiffin, you may want to take a 2-three hour food tour in the old Port. Or go along a iii 60 minutes nutrient truck bout by bicycle .
Equally an alternative to a specific place for lunch, y'all may want to have a ii-3 hour nutrient tour in the old Port or a 2.5 hr seafood tour . Or, for fifty-fifty more fun, go on a 3 hour food truck bout by bike .
5. Explore the Old Port
After lunch, explore ehe charming Old Port. It'due south a picturesque celebrated neighborhood with a movie ready experience. With its cobblestone lanes and photogenic harbor, the Old Port district is dose of urban New England amuse in a state of bucolic pleasures.
You lot may desire to book a two hour history walking tour in the Erstwhile Port.
First on Commericial Street, the main elevate, and work your mode inward. The Onetime Port is known for its cobblestone streets, 19th century brick buildings, and fishing piers. The One-time Port is also a hive of action.
From posh to funky, you'll find all the best boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars in Portland. Information technology's a keen place to dine and bar hop, though in the summer you'll accept tourists.
If you hate malls, the Old Port is a wonderful place to store. Everything is unique and for auction in quaint boutique shops.
Zane is my favorite women's clothing store in Portland. Another popular designer concept shop is Judith, though I personally found the clothing to exist rather unapproachable and too formal.
Chefs should head to LeRoux Kitchen with a slew of kitchen gadgets and an entire flooring dedicated to Le Creuset cookware. Or try Stonewall Kitchen, a gold mine of ingredients. The Salt Cellar is super cute with a huge selection of culinary and spa salts.
For exquisite artisan pottery or drinking glass art, try Simon Pierce or Edgecomb Potters.
If you need a snack, head to Beal Water ice Cream Shop or One-time Port Candy Co. Bibliphiles should besides pop into Longfellow Books.
6. Portland Schooner Company
If you take time, in the late afternoon, have a 2 hour boat ride on Casco Bay. Portland Schooner Co has three early 1900s schooners on the National Register of Historic Places.
Y'all'll have a different view of Portland and a deep breath of sea air.
Address: 56 Commercial Street, Maine State Pier, Portland, ME
6. Pre-Dinner Cocktails
No trip to Maine would be complete without trying the hometown craft brews, and then caput to Novare Res Bier Intendance or Allagash Beer. Click here for a definitive guide to the best breweries in Portland.
Alternatively, sample a luscious Italian wine at Via Vecchio on Dana Street. If you're there for happy 60 minutes, y'all'll become a free charcuterie plate.
7. Dinner
With local fresh seafood on its doorstep, a pop farm-to-table vibe, and a smattering of artistic gimmicky restaurants, Portland Maine is officially a foodie oasis.
I loved Solo Italiano on Commercial Street all-time. The eating place serves up artistic northern Italian dishes. The pasta is delicious and hand crafted in firm.
Alternatively, head to Fore Street. This eating house is regularly in the running for accolades. Information technology features food that's foraged, farmed, and fished locally and is set amid an intimate open air kitchen. Get the mussels, which are the best on the coast of Maine.
If you're a connoisseur of craft beer, you may want to take a 2 60 minutes craft breweries tour besides.
8. City Hall & Merrill Auditorium
If you opted for an early dinner, take in a functioning at Merrill Auditorium in City Hall.
Portland's current City Hall was completed in 1912 in the Renaissance revival mode. The three story, horseshoe shape building features a mansard roof. As the seat of Portland's government, the building houses the metropolis'south offices. It's besides home to Merrill Auditorium, a 3,000 seat venue.
Merrill Auditorium is the site of Portland's performing arts scene. It's an elegant restored concert hall, which houses the world famous Kotzschmar Memorial Organ.
The venue hosts concerts by the Portland Symphony Orchestra, touring national theater companies, dance companies, and music acts. The Portland Opera Repertory likewise uses Merrill for total scale productions and performances.
Accost: 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME
How To Get Around Portland
I walked everywhere in Portland. Just at that place are other fun ways to explore the urban center by ferry, bus, boat, or bike. You can:
- have a 3 hr bike tour effectually Portland
- take a 3 hr street fine art bike tour
- take a 3 60 minutes tour to the lighthouses
- take a tiffin cruise in downtown Portland
- take a dark dinner cruise
- or take a sightseeing bout on a vintage burn truck
Where To Stay In Portland
Portland is filled with fantastic hotels. Here are the top 4 choices, to my mind.
The Blind Tiger is a absurd boutique hotel in a 19th century mansion in the Old Port. It's a luxurious place with brilliant colors and a private rooftop deck.
The Press Hotel is a cool hotel where the rooms look like writers' desks. At that place are typewriters in the lobby and old new copy blown upwardly on the wall.
The Best Bower is a tiny boutique hotel in the city's eatery-friendly East Terminate. It's housed in a beautifully restored craftsman building.
The Francis is Portland's newest boutique hotel. It'due south housed in a restored 19th century building. There's custom furniture and art in the rooms.
Extra Time in Portland?
There are enough of other interesting things to do in and effectually Portland.
1. Eastern Promenade
Portland has some splendid green spaces. Designed in 1905 by the minds across Primal Park, Portland's dearest Eastern Promenade offers stunning vistas of Casco Bay.
The promenade is Portland'southward playground. Information technology's a 68.two acre historic public park. There'southward plenty of walking and running trails and picnic areas.
Park your car along this stretch of dark-green and walk along the hilltop. From there, you can adore Victorian mansions and watch ferries carrying commuters to offshore islands.
The active amongst you should rent a bicycle at CycleMania in Eastward Bayside and complete the iii.vi mile Dorsum Cove Trail. The Front Room volition revitalize the famished. If it'south caffeine you lot need, caput to the Hilltop Coffee Store.
two. Portland Pause Light, Known every bit Bug Low-cal
If you want a lighthouse all to yourself, head to Bug Light. Its official name is the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, just the locals don't phone call it that. If you've started your twenty-four hours early, you could stop here on your style from Portland Head Low-cal into the urban center eye.
Bug Light is a unique piddling beauty. It's a rare lighthouse with decorative Corinthian columns, taking a cue from classical Greece. It's perched on the cusp of Portland Harbor and gives you sweeping views of Portland'due south cityscape.
Bug Light Park provides 9 acres of meticulously maintained and manicured parkland. You can picnic, hike, or kite.
Are you obsessed with lighthouses? If so, yous want a bout of Portland and all 3 lighthouses nearby, you can book this ii hour tour with a local .
Accost: Southward Portland Greenbelt Parkway, South Portland ME
iii. Hiking Trails
Portland as well has plenty of outdoor hiking trails for nature lovers. An hour from Portland is the Burnt Meadow Mount Trail, which is a 3.6 mile trail strewn with wildflowers.
To country on a beach, hike the meandering three.8 trail from Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach.
Just 30 minutes from Portland is Bradbury Mount State Park, with an easy 1.9 mile trek on the Tote Road Loop.
4. Dwelling of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
If you like to admire Victorian mansions, head to Due west Portland. Make your way to the celebrated home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It'due south a three story brick landmark, a fine example of Colonial compages and the oldest edifice on the peninsula.
Longfellow penned many of his poems correct from this home. Congenital in 1785, the Longfellow House is at present the home of the land's historical club.
One time inside, you tin can step back into the daily life of the almost famous author of the twenty-four hours. At that place is original menses furniture and artifacts. Behind the house is the Longfellow Garden. It's a quiet oasis in Downtown Portland that's gratuitous to visit.
Address: 489 Congress St, Portland, ME
I hope yous've enjoyed my i solar day itinerary for Portland. You lot may enjoy these other New England travel guides and resources:
• 25 near beautiful towns in New England
• three day itinerary for Boston
• 35 Landmarks in Boston
• one day itinerary for Cambridge
• 10 mean solar day itinerary for New Hampshire
• Berkshires Road Trip
• x 24-hour interval itinerary for littoral Maine
• seven-ten twenty-four hour period itinerary for Vermont
• Fall leafage route trip in New England
If you'd similar to spend a 24-hour interval in Portland Maine, pin it for afterward.
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