Things to do in and around Portland
Eat out go tos
Portland is chocked full of amazing restaurants (See Portland Food Scene suggestions) you will find on yelp. Below are some of our easy week night go tos. In addition check out the Food Trucks down Cutter Street on the Eastern Prom.
Less than a mile walk. You can’t go wrong with the fish tacos and house margarita. Great outdoor dining experience with multiple patios. They do take walk-ins but a reservation is a good idea if you can. A place we frequent that has also gotten a lot of press recently.
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Terlingua
40 Washington AveLess than a mile walk. You can’t go wrong with the fish tacos and house margarita. Great outdoor dining experience with multiple patios. They do take walk-ins but a reservation is a good idea if you can. A place we frequent that has also gotten a lot of press recently.
Find yourself hungry and and can't get in anywhere without a reservation? If you like sushi, this is a good choice.
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Yosaku
1 Danforth StFind yourself hungry and and can't get in anywhere without a reservation? If you like sushi, this is a good choice.
OTTO
576 Congress StGood pizza nearby
Right in the neighborhood. A good option for dinner or weekend brunch.
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The Front Room
73 Congress StRight in the neighborhood. A good option for dinner or weekend brunch.
Kuno
166 Cumberland AvenueGreat thai take out. Easy to get to, just a half mile away.
Local walks/hikes
Nearby in Falmouth. Highly recommended in early mid june when the wild and formal peony gardens are in bloom.
Gilsland Farm Audubon Center
20 Gilsland Farm RdNearby in Falmouth. Highly recommended in early mid june when the wild and formal peony gardens are in bloom.
It can be a little elusive finding and parking, but this is a great shore walk that not many people know about. https://www.proutsneckcliffwalk.org/
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Prouts Neck
It can be a little elusive finding and parking, but this is a great shore walk that not many people know about. https://www.proutsneckcliffwalk.org/
This is a short drive towards north towards falmouth. Very close to Gisland farm. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/mackworth-island-state-park-trail
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Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1This is a short drive towards north towards falmouth. Very close to Gisland farm. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/mackworth-island-state-park-trail
Eastern Prom Trail and Back Cove Trail are easily accessed at the end of the Vesper Street. You can get there by walking down to the East End beach or just walk to the end of the block on Vesper Street, go across the road and down the grassy hill. There are granite steps (a bit steep) that go down to the trail. It's just one section of what Portland Trails has to offer -- https://trails.org/our-trails/digitalmobile-trail-map/
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Portland Trails
38 Commercial StEastern Prom Trail and Back Cove Trail are easily accessed at the end of the Vesper Street. You can get there by walking down to the East End beach or just walk to the end of the block on Vesper Street, go across the road and down the grassy hill. There are granite steps (a bit steep) that go down to the trail. It's just one section of what Portland Trails has to offer -- https://trails.org/our-trails/digitalmobile-trail-map/
This one is a little further away. Not too far from Freeport. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/bradbury-mountain-state-park-hiking-trails
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Parc d'État de Bradbury Mountain
528 Hallowell RdThis one is a little further away. Not too far from Freeport. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/bradbury-mountain-state-park-hiking-trails
Getting out on Casco Bay
Casco Bay Ferry Lines is just down the hill (Less than a mile walk or drive) from Vesper Street and an easy and affordable way to explore the islands of Casco Bay.
I highly recommend heading out to Peaks Island or Great Diamond Island for Dinner. Check the ferry schedule here https://www.cascobaylines.com/schedules/.
The outside deck at the Cockeyed Gull is a favorite of ours (call for a reservation a day or two in advance).
Also worth checking out Diamonds Edge on Great Diamond.
There are also mailboat runs and other specialty cruises https://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/specialty-cruises/.
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Casco Bay Lines
56 Commercial StCasco Bay Ferry Lines is just down the hill (Less than a mile walk or drive) from Vesper Street and an easy and affordable way to explore the islands of Casco Bay.
I highly recommend heading out to Peaks Island or Great Diamond Island for Dinner. Check the ferry schedule here https://www.cascobaylines.com/schedules/.
The outside deck at the Cockeyed Gull is a favorite of ours (call for a reservation a day or two in advance).
Also worth checking out Diamonds Edge on Great Diamond.
There are also mailboat runs and other specialty cruises https://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/specialty-cruises/.
Schooner tours that leave from town, walking distance from Vesper Street. I recommend the 2 hour sunset tours. https://www.portlandschooner.com/tickets
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Portland Schooner Co.
Maine State PierSchooner tours that leave from town, walking distance from Vesper Street. I recommend the 2 hour sunset tours. https://www.portlandschooner.com/tickets
Portland Paddle
1 Eastern PromenadePaddleboard and kayak rentals from East End beach
Lobster tour. Last I heard Portland Lobster Company will cook your lobster for you when you return to the pier.
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Lucky Catch Cruises
170 Commercial StLobster tour. Last I heard Portland Lobster Company will cook your lobster for you when you return to the pier.
If you're up for a bigger sea kayaking adventure, this is a shop with high quality kayaks that does tours from Peaks Island.
Note: We are avid sea kayakers. If you want to explore the coast let us know -- we have plenty of suggestions.
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Maine Island Kayak Company
88 Island AvenueIf you're up for a bigger sea kayaking adventure, this is a shop with high quality kayaks that does tours from Peaks Island.
Note: We are avid sea kayakers. If you want to explore the coast let us know -- we have plenty of suggestions.
Bakeries
Walkable. Great bread, croissants and other treats. It is VERY busy on the weekend mornings. A good trick is to order online. There's a separate door to pick up your order. https://standardbakingco.com/
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Standard Baking Co
75 Commercial StWalkable. Great bread, croissants and other treats. It is VERY busy on the weekend mornings. A good trick is to order online. There's a separate door to pick up your order. https://standardbakingco.com/
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveEighty 8 Donuts
202 Federal StreetThey also have a food truck that is on the Eastern Prom most days by 10am.
Heading up the coast? Some worthy waterside lobster shacks you can find along the way.
Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company
36 Main StNot too far away in Freeport
This is a favorite. Near Bath and Reid State Park. It's on a wharf in the picturesque town of Five Islands. If you don't get lobster, the Jenny is worth a try (crabcake plus haddock sandwich).
While there you might want to look for the little nature trail off Ledgemere Road. It will take you out to the rocky coastline.
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Five Islands Lobster Co
This is a favorite. Near Bath and Reid State Park. It's on a wharf in the picturesque town of Five Islands. If you don't get lobster, the Jenny is worth a try (crabcake plus haddock sandwich).
While there you might want to look for the little nature trail off Ledgemere Road. It will take you out to the rocky coastline.
Hopefully it wasn't just a fluke. Last time we were there the fried scallops were the best we'd ever had. Worth a stop if you're in Boothbay.
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Robinson's Wharf
20 Hendricks Hill RdHopefully it wasn't just a fluke. Last time we were there the fried scallops were the best we'd ever had. Worth a stop if you're in Boothbay.
Super local little general store. Not as scenic as some other places, but a good lobster roll which has been reasonably priced in past years. A good stop of you go to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.
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Trevett Country Store
381 W Barters Island RdSuper local little general store. Not as scenic as some other places, but a good lobster roll which has been reasonably priced in past years. A good stop of you go to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.
Like oysters? This oyster farm has a little store where you can get shuck your own oysters, beer and wine. Nice setting on the Damariscotta River with picnic tables.
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Glidden Point Oyster Farms
637 River RdLike oysters? This oyster farm has a little store where you can get shuck your own oysters, beer and wine. Nice setting on the Damariscotta River with picnic tables.
This is a favorite owned by friends. Good place to get a lobster dinner and steamers. It works well if you end up going to Pemaquid Point.
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Muscongus Bay Lobster
28 Landing RoadThis is a favorite owned by friends. Good place to get a lobster dinner and steamers. It works well if you end up going to Pemaquid Point.
Day trips
A very unique and worthy trip that can be done in a (long) day. You can grab a ferry from 3 different locations (Boothbay https://www.balmydayscruises.com/#balmy-monhegan; New Harbor https://hardyboat.com/; or New Harbor https://hardyboat.com/. Great hiking on the bold cliffs on the back side of the island and lots of art galleries.
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Monhegan Island
A very unique and worthy trip that can be done in a (long) day. You can grab a ferry from 3 different locations (Boothbay https://www.balmydayscruises.com/#balmy-monhegan; New Harbor https://hardyboat.com/; or New Harbor https://hardyboat.com/. Great hiking on the bold cliffs on the back side of the island and lots of art galleries.
A great hike that leads to an unpopulated beach separated from Popham by a small inlet. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/morse-mountain-to-seawall-beach
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Morse Mountain
A great hike that leads to an unpopulated beach separated from Popham by a small inlet. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/morse-mountain-to-seawall-beach
In Boothbay. Beautiful gardens with meandering walkways. Don't miss the trolls! While you're in Boothbay, the Boothbay Landtrust has a bunch of trails https://bbrlt.org/trails/
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Jardins Botaniques de la Côte du Maine
105 Botanical Gardens DrIn Boothbay. Beautiful gardens with meandering walkways. Don't miss the trolls! While you're in Boothbay, the Boothbay Landtrust has a bunch of trails https://bbrlt.org/trails/
Quintessential Maine beach. Try to hit low tide so you can walk out to the islands. If you need a lobster roll, beer or sandwich to take with you to the beach, the Bisson Center Store in Phippsburg is an option. You'll pass it on the way. Beware of the Popham seagulls. They aggressively want your sandwich!
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Parc d'État de la plage de Popham
711 Popham RdQuintessential Maine beach. Try to hit low tide so you can walk out to the islands. If you need a lobster roll, beer or sandwich to take with you to the beach, the Bisson Center Store in Phippsburg is an option. You'll pass it on the way. Beware of the Popham seagulls. They aggressively want your sandwich!
Local Music Venues Big and Small
Fantastic outdoor music venue. Check out this summers shows. https://www.thompsonspoint.com/the-calendar
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Thompson Point
Thompsons PointFantastic outdoor music venue. Check out this summers shows. https://www.thompsonspoint.com/the-calendar
Great place on the water in Portland with music most nights (and lobster rolls).
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Portland Lobster Co
180 Commercial StGreat place on the water in Portland with music most nights (and lobster rolls).
Check out the rooftop bar and music schedule. https://www.baysidebowl.com/the-rooftop
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Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StCheck out the rooftop bar and music schedule. https://www.baysidebowl.com/the-rooftop
https://www.portlandhouseofmusic.com/
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Portland House of Music and Events (HOME)
25 Temple Sthttps://www.portlandhouseofmusic.com/
Sweet little venue. https://onelongfellowsquare.com/shows/
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One Longfellow Square
181 State StSweet little venue. https://onelongfellowsquare.com/shows/