Portland, ME

Travel Guide
Bradbury Mountain State Park featuring a small town or village, fall colors and landscape views
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 Wadsworth-Longfellow House, 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)

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Old Port. A stop by Cross Insurance Arena or Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal might round out your trip.

Old Port
Portland which includes a garden

East Bayside

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

While visiting East Bayside, you might make a stop by sights like Eastern Promenade and Maine Jewish Museum.

East Bayside
Eastern Promenade showing general coastal views, kayaking or canoeing and a bay or harbor

East End

4/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in East End, Eastern Promenade and East End Beach are top sights worth seeing.

East End
Victoria Mansion featuring a house, heritage elements and interior views

West End

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in West End, Victoria Mansion and Portland Fire Museum are top sights worth seeing.

West End
Great piece of history and food, for the Portland area

West Bayside

4/5(2 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Bayside and surrounding area, you can visit Merrill Auditorium and Wadsworth-Longfellow House.

West Bayside
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Portland
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Portland
2.5 out of 5
340 Park Ave, Portland, ME
The price is NT$2,729 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
NT$2,729
per night
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,717 reviews)
"Clean and good parking"

Reviewed on 2024/3/28

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Portland
Portland Harbor Hotel
Portland Harbor Hotel
4 out of 5
468 Fore Street, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,600 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
NT$4,600
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 coffee shops/cafes, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,133 reviews)
Portland Gem
"Great hotel! So convenient to everything in the Old Port. Highly recommend!!!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Portland Harbor Hotel
Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown-Old Port
Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown-Old Port
3 out of 5
25 HANCOCK STREET, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$3,717 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
NT$3,717
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (419 reviews)
"Lovely hotel - would stay again. • Helpful/friendly staff • Newer hotel so everything is current • Well appointed/good sized rooms. • Pet friendly **The only thing to be aware of is that noise travels fairly easily between rooms and floors."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown-Old Port
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.
2 duplex
2 duplex
3 out of 5
58 Portland Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Old Orchard Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Old Orchard Beach ...
2 duplex
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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