//
Most populous city in Maine, United States
Photo: Jeffrey B. Ferland, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Portland is on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Southern Maine coast approximately 100 miles (161 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. It has more than 65,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in Maine. Portland is a small seaside city with a high concentration of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, tours and many things to see and do. Many people commute to Portland to work, and the city's population significantly increases in the summertime.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built in 1807 by Captain Lemuel Moody, this National Historic Landmark is the only existing historic maritime signal station in the United States. Educational tours are offered at the tower and you can climb to the top on your own. Either way, you get great views of the waterfront.
Consisting of the historic McLellan House, the L.D.M. Sweat Galleries, and the Payson building designed by I.M. Pei, this museum houses a large collection of Winslow Homer works, as well as 17,000 sculptures, paintings, and objects from the 18th-century onwards.
CMTM
Located next to the Museum of Art, this museum features 3 stories of interactive exhibits, including "Our Town," an area that includes an interactive grocery store, farm, vet and firetruck, and the "Explore Floor," which includes "LL Bear's Discovery Woods" and a mini planetarium. At the top of the building is the Camera Obscura, which offers panoramic views of the city and teaches children about light.
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.
Just west of the Portland peninsula is one of Maine's oldest.
Next to the downtown area along Commercial St. next to Casco Bay. The Old Port is filled with neat shops, restaurants, and cafés, and has something of a European feel to it thanks to its many narrow cobbled streets and old brick buildings. Go here to shop and eat at both high-end and casual, local establishments. The Old Port is a great place to take a walk and smell the ocean air.
A notable street providing amazing views of the Casco Bay and the islands, as well as historic homes. The street also borders green space that is home to walking trails, public tennis courts, swimming options at East End Beach, and, in the warmer months, a range of food trucks.
A more residential area where you can see examples of mansions built by wealthy sea captains long ago.
A area in Portland with a tennis court, baseball diamond, playground and pond. You can ice skate on the pond in the winter. In the summer, you can enjoy a wading pool and, on Saturday mornings, an extensive farmers' market. Outdoor concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, and the Festival of the Nations take place here as well.
Baseball. A Boston Red Sox AA affiliate with a Fenway Park replica field.
formerly Cumberland County Civic Center
The main event space in Portland, this 6,733 seat arena host concerts, expositions, and the Portland Pirates, the minor league affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL).
Located in Portland's historic Old Port, Fore River Gallery is owned and operated by four Maine artists, Elizabeth Prior, Mike M. Marks, TJ McDermott and Liz Marks. Displaying the work they create, they offer a wide range of fine art including jewelry, paintings, sculptures and ceramics.
Founded in 1992 and housed in the former Portland Company and Grand Trunk Railroad yard, the museum features a miscellany of antique and vintage locomotives and objects. Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad offers scenic trips along the city's East End waterfront including the popular "Pumpkin Train" and "Polar Express" tour during the autumn and winter holiday season.
This large inlet connected to the sea by a small canal, has a recreation path over 3 mi (5 km) long and was designed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted and lined with linden trees to memorialize World War I dead.
Taking a tour of Casco Bay on the ferry is a great way to enjoy Portland from a different perspective. In addition to fishing vessels and cargo and tanker ships, during the Spring and Summer months many sailboats, yachts, and cruise ships provide enjoyment.
Take a swim at East End Beach on top of Munjoy Hill
Go on a lobster boat for a 90 minute cruise. You can help bait the traps, throw the traps overboard and more. Great for kids.
Private tours of Southern Maine originating in the Portland Region. This is your opportunity to explore and photograph many of Maine's unique views up close and personal. Your personal tour guide is available year round.
Guided historical walking tours highlighting stories of marginalized communities, peoples, and histories. Routes explore downtown, the Old Port, and working waterfront.
During the summer months you can purchase tickets on the Maine State Pier, right next to the ferry. From 2-hour sails to overnight charters.
"Hearts"
Hearts of Pine is Portland's soccer team playing in USL League 1. "Hearts" have already gained a reputation as one of the best supported clubs in the US at any level. Matches at Fitzpatrick Stadium (aka "Fort Fitzy") usually sell out, though tickets are available on the secondary market. For real hardcore soccer fans, look to buy in the supporters' sections (118-119-120)--fans here stand and sing throughout the match and flags sometimes impact visibility from time to time. However, even the other seats at the stadium offer a tremendous experience.
A fixture of the working waterfront. Becky's is a well-loved greasy spoon that starts serving breakfast a 5AM. Fisherman and other waterfront workers start their early days here. On the weekends you can also find many people ending their nights with pancakes and famous homefries. Bumper stickers can be seen all over town reading, "Becky's Diner -- Nothing Finah".
Right on the water with one of the best views of Portland Harbor and Casco Bay in town, a fun and funky staff that toss your pie in a wood-fired clay oven. Flatbread is a great place to go for a fun night out in the old port and also family friendly. It offers organic food and many vegetarian and vegan offerings.
This place is reserved weeks and sometimes months in advance. But, you can get in just about any night if you arrive at opening about 5PM and get on the list for their open seating. It is worth it. Start looking for it early, some people drive past this place three or four times before finding it and ask where it is when they are right in front of it. Very small sign. It's located on the south side of Fore Street between Franklin and Pearl streets, and is to the right of the Bangor Savings Bank / Baker Newman Noyes building. If you see the private garage on the first floor of the bank building, you'll notice a staircase to the right, and then a one-story building that doesn't remind you of a restaurant.
Great authentic gelato, Lavazza espresso and Italian hot chocolate. The owners are a very friendly couple from Milan.
Excellent Italian food. Fresh pasta, creative specials and the best mussels in Portland!
Known for its large portions, freshness, and those reasonable prices.
Taste great New England Clam Chowder here.
A neighborhood restaurant started in the first floor of an apartment building on Munjoy Hill near the Eastern Prom, chef Harding Lee Smith's restaurant is getting an excellent reputation off the Hill as well. Excellent food for a good price, with a small bar available. The kitchen is in plain view from the seating area, and that's just the way the owner likes it. Weekend evenings will involve a wait, and the waiting area is rather limited.
Chess can be played here. Coffee, biscotti.
Classic sushi bar on the Waterfront.
Bohemian elegance with locally produced food and a great wine list.
Dunkin', Donuts and other food places are here.
Fresh seafood, simply prepared and one of the largest raw oyster selections in the area.
Located outside of Old Port, this is a must for the discerning beer drinker. With over fifty beers on tap, "The Bear" has gained national renowned for the variety, quality, and depth of its local and imported brews. Extensive pub menu with everything from burgers to vegan chili.
Located in the Eastland Hotel, it offers impressive views of the city and top-shelf libations.
Brew pub and good micro brews.
Irish pub with Irish food and live entertainment.
German beer hall atmosphere in the Old Port.
Rock club featuring original local and regional rock acts in the Punk, Metal, Hardcore, etc, genres.
Inexpensive drinks and Mexican food with a nice fenced-in outdoor patio and bands on weekends in the summer.
Live music in a casual beer and wine bar setting.
The place in Portland for Beer. More than 300 bottles, 25 constantly rotating taps with rare beers, single malt scotch, wines, tequila, meats, cheeses, and small plates. Novare Res features a large expansive deck with table service, a large bar area, proper glassware, and a cozy brick building basement feel.
Beautiful locally made concrete bar, flat screen tvs, full bar, specialty cocktail list, wine list, and in the old port.
Small winery making hand-crafted meads(wines made with honey) using 100% Maine wildflower honey and other local ingredients. Complimentary tasting and tour available on site.
First hostel in Portland. Will store baggage. A few private rooms available.
In the Old Port waterfront district. The building dates back to 1895 and includes exquisite turret rooms, working fireplaces and ornate brickwork. Sauna, therapeutic steam room and Jacuzzi. Beautiful chandeliers, towering windows and a working brick fireplace set the mood of the Portland Regency's premier steakhouse.
Experience old world charm, distinctive design, and impeccable service at one of the newest downtown luxury hotels. The "Eve's At The Garden" restaurant located in the hotel is home to chef Jeff Landry.
The "Top of the East" restaurant at the top of the hotel offers a panoramic view of the city, while occasionally offering low-key live performers.
Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks offers space for meetings and events, golf course, fitness facilities, as well as dining options.
4 rooms
A fine art gallery displaying the artwork by the owners, Elizabeth and Mike Marks as well as local emerging artists. A wide range of original artwork available to suit everybody's tastes. Paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more.
Showcases a full selection of fine Judaica as well as many bowl, pitcher and tray forms of sculptural pottery. Carries an ever changing eclectric variety of Maine artists and craftsmen, including the photography of Michael Barriault.
One of New England's largest retail bead stores offering free use of worktables and tools and friendly assistance from the experienced staff. Carries a large selection of Miyuki seed beads, gemstones, freshwater pearls, Czech glass, Swarovski crystal, and lots more.
Narrated trolley tours of Portland and lighthouse cruises of Casco Bay.
Store that sell only Scandinavian food, clothing, toys, books, art, decorations, etc.
This quintessentially Maine souvenir store sells cool toys, clothes, and other Maine-y gifts.
A fine retail jewelry store that has been owned in Portland for over 100 years. Sells diamonds & colored-gem jewelry, plus Maine-mined tourmalines.
Extensive collection of handcrafted jewelry in platinum, gold & silver. 5 jewelers for custom designs.
Custom jewelry specializing in Maine Tourmaline, other Maine gems & minerals, fossils, glassware & repair.
Offers fine pottery, jewelry, art & American crafts.
Locally made potato donuts. Closes upon selling out.
Overflowing with used books, including a behind-the-shelf collection of rare and valuable volumes.
An LP-only retail store; rock, jazz, reggae, rockabilly, blues, soundtracks, spoken word.
A tea house offering medicinal tea and custom herbal blends. The owner mixes them according to Ayurvedic medicinal traditions.
A local favorite and sells cards, vintage finds and all sorts of fun stuff "fashioned by ferdinand".
A traditional used/antiquarian book store located at in the East End. Open 11AM-5PM. Large selection of used and rare books, prints, maps, bookbindery and letterpress studio. Walking distance from the Old Port.
By bus
By train
By car
Interstate 95. Access from the north and south on the Maine Turnpike (I-95). Many drivers coming from the south take Exit 44 to I-295 into downtown Portland. This exit carries a toll.
By boat
The Cat, a high-speed passenger and auto ferry, operates a route between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
By bus
By rental car
By Uber
UberX should be available 24/7. It's slightly cheaper than a taxi. Surge pricing generally happens only on Friday and Saturday nights after 1AM when the bars close.
By taxi
By boat
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Portland · International · PWM
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Portland (Maine) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.