I am pretty excited to write this guide to Portland, Maine. Why you ask? Well, I’m going to go ahead and put this out there. In the near future, I believe Portland, Maine will be a popular travel destination.
For such a small town, this city is super impressive. Portland is Maine’s largest city, and has a lot of spunk. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was definitely surprised by how much Portland has to offer. I truly enjoyed my time here, and already can’t wait to go back. Looking for a guide for your visit to Portland? Let’s dive on in!
The Ultimate Guide to Portland, Maine
Accommodation
If you’re willing to spend some money, stay in a lovely Victorian mansion is a great option. These mansion are now turned into bed & breakfasts, and they make the most enjoyable way to take in the Portland experience. However, if that’s not your MO (main objective), no worries. I am a classic budget traveler, and only splurge occasionally. Unfortunately, I found Portland to be quite limited on budget friendly accommodation.
There are also Airbnb options in Portland. Let Airbnb be your friend, and stay with a local. 😉
Portland, Maine has a full price range to choose from:
- Budget: Inn at St. John
- Mid-Range: The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast
- Luxury: The Pomegranate Inn
Where to Stay: Portland Neighborhoods
Portland has three main areas where you’ll likely be spending your time.
- Downtown – This is likely where you’ll spend the bulk of your time. Congress Street is Portland’s main thoroughfare, while Commercial Street is where the majority of the businesses are located.
- West End – Portland’s most extravagant neighborhood. Come here to gaze at stunning 19th century mansions. Better yet, stay here for a charming bed & breakfast experience.
- Munjoy Hill – Portland’s trendy hipster scene.
Portland Food Scene
Portland is fantastic foodie town! For being so small, the number of food digs speckled around the city is surprising. As you might imagine, seafood is big here. You simply can’t leave without diving into a lobster roll and fries (preferably with a micro-brew in hand). That leads into my next point, the beer scene.
Portland Food Recommendations: There are so many great places to try out, below are a few you might like:
- Duckfat
- Eventide Oyster Co.
- Public Market House
Portland Beer Scene
Portland also has an amazing micro-brew scene. You can find local brews in the restaurants and bars, and beer tours are also available. I attempted to go to Allagash Brewing Company, but due to a storm, the power was out and it was closed. Bummer. Oh well, next time!
Portland Beer recommendations:
- Shipyard Brewing Company
- Allagash Brewing Company
- Rising Tide Brewing Company
Portland Coffee Scene
Yes, you guessed it! The coffee scene is strong, too. You will never have to worry about getting second-class coffee in Portland. There are many great coffee shops around the downtown, but here’s a few I would recommend.
Portland Coffee Recommendations:
- Bard Coffee
- Coffee by Design
- Yordprom Coffee Shop
Portland Bakery Recommendations:
- Bam Bam Bakery
- The Holy Donut
Things to Do in Portland
There’s so much more to see and do here! I’ve put together a few recommendations to start off your trip, but I didn’t go too in-depth, because I wrote another blog post all on things to do in Portland, Maine.
Read more: 18 Awesome Things to Do in Portland, Maine
Portland Recommendations:
- Wander down the main street: Congress Street and Commercial Street
- Explore Old Port
- Eat a lobster roll
- Tour the Portland Head Lighthouse
- Go boutique shopping
Shopping Recommendations:
- Stonewall Kitchen Portland Company Store – Drool-worthy kitchen and home decor
- Motif’s – Everything from clothing, home décor, and decorations
- Gus & Ruby – The most precious paper store, ever
- Little – The most adorable kid’s clothing store. I don’t even have kids, but it was too precious not to take a peek inside
Read More
18 Things to Do in Portland, Maine
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Maine
Everything You Need to Know About Acadia National Park
20 Things to Tick Off Your San Diego Bucket List
How to Spend 48 Hours in San Francisco
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What would you include in your “Guide to Portland, Maine”? Love to know in the comments below!
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