Portland, ME

Travel Guide

Portland Head Light showing rocky coastline, general coastal views and a sunset
Bradbury Mountain State Park featuring a small town or village, fall colors and landscape views
Fort Williams Park featuring general coastal views and rocky coastline as well as an individual femail
Mother\'s Beach which includes a sandy beach, rugged coastline and a house
Kennebunk

The largest city in Maine is a gateway for island hopping in summer, skiing in winter and a thriving cultural center year-round.

Renowned for the many outdoor adventures that are nearby, Portland, Maine, also offers visitors a large downtown arts district and a vibrant food culture.

Kick off your exploration in the Old Port. This historic district with cobblestone streets and converted Victorian warehouses contains many boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Visit the late 18th-century Portland Head Light lighthouse. Although the tower isn’t open to the public, you can still explore the small museum in the former Keepers’ Quarters, which is open seasonally. 

Portland’s creative side is seen in its many downtown museums and galleries. Discover three centuries of American and European fine and decorative art at the Portland Museum of Art. For music, dance and drama, visit the Merrill Auditorium and the Portland Stage theater.

After a tour of the town and its museums, go kayaking or take a boat cruise to explore coastal and inland waterways. On a warm day, swim in a clear lake, relax on the beach or go whitewater rafting down the Kennebec River. Take a short ferry ride out to the Casco Bay Islands, an archipelago off Portland’s coast. Visit the islands’ beaches, woods and villages. Peaks Island is the bay’s most populated island and has an artistic community. Walk its 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) Peaks Island Loop. In winter, go skiing in Sunday River and Sugarloaf, two skiing resorts within driving distance of the city.

Compact Portland is easy to navigate by car and public transport and on foot. There is a fee for parking in the downtown area, except on Sundays. In winter, check the nightly parking ban to avoid blocking snow plows.

The city is 310 miles (499 kilometers) from New York City and daily flights from there and Washington D.C. go into Portland International Jetport. As the city has a working port and cruise terminals, you can also get there and away by ship.

Where to stay in Portland

State Street Church

Downtown Portland

4.5/5(326 area reviews)

Downtown Portland is known for its captivating waterfront views, and with sights like Cross Insurance Arena and Maine College of Art, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Portland.

Downtown Portland
Old Port featuring a bay or harbor

Old Port

4.5/5(473 area reviews)

Cobblestone streets, 19th-century brick buildings, and fishing piers define this district, offering boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Explore Post Office Park, Tommy's Park with its large mural, and stroll the Eastern Promenade Trail to East End Beach.

Old Port
Default Image

Back Cove

While Back Cove might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hadlock Field and Merrill Auditorium.

Back Cove
Victoria Mansion featuring a house, heritage elements and interior views

West End

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Distinguished by its well-preserved Victorian architecture, this downtown Portland neighborhood boasts the scenic Western Promenade park, offering views of the White Mountains, and several historic structures, such as the Gothic House and Morrill Mansion.

West End
Portland which includes a garden

East Bayside

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

Bordered by Franklin Street and Washington Avenue, East Bayside offers a community arts venue, Mayo Street Arts, and the relaxing green space of Kennedy Park. Explore nearby Old Port and Munjoy Hill.

East Bayside
Portland Museum of Art featuring art and interior views as well as an individual male

Portland Arts District

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Portland Arts District. A stop by Maine College of Art or Cross Insurance Arena might round out your trip.

Portland Arts District
Clarion Hotel Portland
Clarion Hotel Portland
2.5 out of 5
1230 Congress St, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,449 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
NT$4,449
NT$4,922 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
"Nice hotel close to the airport with shuttle service"

Reviewed on 2025/7/7

Clarion Hotel Portland
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland
3 out of 5
155 Riverside St, Portland, ME
The price is NT$4,275 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
NT$4,275
NT$4,730 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,029 reviews)
"Quick check in. The staff has been very helpful. I am on a motorcycle, it has been raining, they offered towels to dry the bike and found some towels i could take with me, as my seat is very soggy."

Reviewed on 2025/7/10

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland
The Westin Portland Harborview
The Westin Portland Harborview
4 out of 5
157 High St, Portland, ME
The price is NT$8,162 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
NT$8,162
NT$9,166 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Nice hotel"

Reviewed on 2025/7/6

The Westin Portland Harborview
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Weldon Hotel
The Weldon Hotel
4.5 out of 5
54 York St, Portland, ME
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions State Theatre and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (65 reviews)
"Absolutely beautiful place to stay."

Reviewed on 2025/7/9

The Weldon Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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