Where to Stay in Portland
Live availability and pricing from top booking sites
nEastern Promenade Trail
Scenic multi-use trail along Portland’s eastern waterfront with sweeping views of Casco Bay and its islands. Connects East End Beach to the historic Fort Allen Park. Popular for walking, cycling, […]
Eventide Oyster Co.
One of America’s best seafood restaurants, famous for innovative takes on New England classics — especially the brown butter lobster roll on a steamed bun. Raw bar, oysters, and creative […]
Fore Street
James Beard Award-winning landmark restaurant with an open kitchen centered on a wood-burning oven, spit, and grill. Locally sourced ingredients prepared with simplicity and mastery. Reservations essential. Address: 288 Fore […]
Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light
Cape Elizabeth’s spectacular park featuring the iconic Portland Head Light — Maine’s oldest lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington. Walking trails, picnic areas, and one of New England’s most photographed views. […]
Portland Harbor Hotel
Contemporary waterfront hotel close to the Old Port with spacious rooms, fitness center, and BlueFin North Atlantic Seafood restaurant. Prime location for exploring Portland’s historic district. Address: 468 Fore Street, […]
Portland Museum of Art
Maine’s premier art museum with an outstanding collection of American, European, and contemporary art. Significant holdings of Maine artists including Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, and Edward Hopper. Address: 7 Congress […]
Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
Charming heritage property in the heart of the Old Port district. Opulent rooms with fireplaces and marble bathrooms, wellness center with steam room, sauna, and hot tub. Address: 20 Milk […]
The Press Hotel
Stylish boutique hotel in the former Portland Press Herald building with press-themed decor. Historic Old Port location with modern rooms, lobby bar, and Union restaurant. A Portland landmark. Address: 119 […]
Twelve
Chef Colin Wyatt’s (formerly of Eleven Madison Park) acclaimed restaurant in the restored Portland Company complex. Seasonal prix-fixe menus celebrating Maine’s finest ingredients. Special occasion dining. Address: 94 Fore Street, […]
Victoria Mansion
One of the most ornate Victorian-era houses in America, built between 1858 and 1860. Lavish interiors with original furnishings, frescoes, and stained glass — a National Historic Landmark. Address: 109 […]
Portland is Maine’s largest city and one of the most exciting small cities in America. A compact, walkable peninsula jutting into Casco Bay, Portland has earned a national reputation for its extraordinary food scene, thriving arts community, and authentic New England character. With more restaurants per capita than any other US city except San Francisco, Portland is a destination in its own right.
The Old Port
Portland’s Old Port district is the heart of the city’s social life — a grid of 19th century brick warehouses transformed into restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries. Exchange Street is the main artery, lined with independent shops and some of the city’s best restaurants. The working waterfront is steps away, where fishing boats still unload their catch and ferries depart for the Calendar Islands of Casco Bay.
Food & Drink
Portland’s food scene is the reason many people visit. James Beard Award winners and nominees call Portland home, and the city’s restaurant concentration is remarkable. Highlights include Eventide Oyster Co. for the best oysters on the East Coast, Duckfat for legendary Belgian fries and paninis, and Hugo’s for creative tasting menus. The craft beer scene is equally impressive with breweries like Allagash, Rising Tide, and Bissell Brothers all located in the city.
Arts & Culture
The Portland Museum of Art holds an outstanding collection of American and European art with particular strength in Maine artists like Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. The Victoria Mansion is one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture in the country. The city’s Arts District on Congress Street is home to galleries, performance spaces, and the historic Merrill Auditorium.
Getting to Portland
Portland International Jetport (PWM) offers direct flights to major hubs. By car, Portland is 2 hours north of Boston on I-95. Amtrak’s Downeaster train connects Portland to Boston’s North Station with several daily departures, making it an easy car-free weekend trip from Boston.