Things To Do
Eastern Promenade
The Eastern Promenade is one of our favorite city parks. It offers a full view of the Caso Bay Islands, a swimming sand beach, evening food trucks (Try the Banh Mi!), a kayak launch, a playground, and access to Portland's extensive trail network. The Trail goes along the ocean and into Portland's Old Port, or back around the lip of Back Cove. Lucky visitors will see the small narrow gauge rail train pass by. The Eastern Prom is a great spot for a picnic and lets kids of all ages burn some energy while watching the harbor boats.
Old Port
The Old Port is a historic district with cobblestone streets and brick buildings housing clothing boutiques, gourmet food stores, and souvenir shops. It's a fun place to explore on foot, though leave plenty of time to find parking. We recommend taking the time to search side streets for cheaper parking as the commercial lots are quite expensive compared to the meters. For souvenirs we suggest the The Maine Souvenir Shop at 2 Exchange St for art made locally. Other shops we enjoy are SKORDO spice and herbs, The Lady in the Moon for gothy oddities, Longfellow Books, Treehouse Toys, Safe Combinations Thrift, Little Ghost Vintage, Coast City Comics, Uncharted Tea, Holy Doughnut, Standard Baking Co, Mount Desert Island Ice Cream and Tandem Coffee.
Portland Trails
Maine is famous for its trail networks, and Portland is no exception; click here for a digital trail map. We recommend the Back Cove Accessible Trail, Baxter Woods for a small forest and vernal pools, the Greenbelt for strollers, bikes, and roller skates, or Fore River for the small waterfall.
Willard Beach
Willard Beach is a small sand and pebble beach tucked between Fisherman’s Point and the campus of Southern Maine Community College in a quiet neighborhood of South Portland. Just four acres in size, the beach hugs Simonton Cove and is enjoyed immensely by visitors and locals alike. Spread out in the sun and take in the views of Fort Scammel, Peaks Island, and Cushing Island in Casco Bay. Go for a refreshing swim, listen to the buoys clang offshore, and watch the ferries and lobster boats ply the waters of the bay. At low tide, tidal pools offer wildlife discovery opportunities for kids and nature enthusiasts alike.
Maine State Parks
Portland is under an hour's drive from several state parks that only require a small under $10 entrance fee. For popular sand beaches, we recommend Reid State Park (also has a back lagoon for small swimmers), Popham Beach State Park, Crescent Beach and Kettle Cove. During this time of year we suggest arriving either early in the morning or after 3 pm to secure parking. For day hikes we suggest Bradbury Mountain for a short ascent and overlook, or Wolfe's Neck State Park for a trail along a rocky coastline with several places to stop and get down to the water. Be sure to stop and admire the bridges on Wolfe's Neck's Casco Bay Trail, both were hand built by the Bride's trail crew some years ago. Sebego Lake State Park is about an hour away, but is a wonderful public lake and swimming spot with forested trails. Bradbury Mountain and Sebego Lake State park also have campgrounds that can be reserved in early spring for those feeling adventurous.
Happy Wheels Skate Center
Home to Whitney's Roller Derby League, we spend a lot of time here! Happy Wheels Skate Rink is a new facility for roller skates and inlines. Open skate nights are Tuesdays (18+), Fridays, and weekends.
Terrarium
An oasis for those rainy New England days! Terrarium is a garden center and hub for DIY terrarium creations in Portland, Maine—serving house made snacks, local craft beer, wine, coffee and tea. It is better for older kids and patient adults; buy a container there or bring your own.
Maine Wildlife Park
Welcome to the Maine Wildlife Park, where you’re guaranteed to see moose, and more animals in a day than you could ever spot in the wild! Families, nature lovers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts can meet our wildlife, learn all about them, and of course, take lots of pictures! The park is home to over 30 species of Maine wildlife that cannot be returned to their natural habitats. Some are here because they were injured or orphaned, and others because they are human dependent – raised, sometimes illegally, in captivity.
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
The Children's Museum features a maker's space, climbing gym, ecology display, theatre, and additional hands-on science exhibits. It gets busy on rainy days, but a good all-ages option!
Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House
The Portland Historical Society is the third oldest historical society in the United States comprised of the Longfellow House, the Brown Library, the MHS Museum and Shop. Featuring guided tours of the historical house and gardens in addition to ongoing exhibitions from around the state.
Portland Museum of Art
The Portland Museum of Art, or PMA, is the largest and oldest public art institution in Maine. Founded as the Portland Society of Art in 1882. Featuring local art, a sculpture garden and children's activities.
Arcadia
Portland's local "barcarde" for the 21+. The bar is jam-packed with pinball machines, classic arcade games, skee-ball, and old video games.
Bayside Bowl
We had our second date at Bayside, so it has earned a spot on the list. Not your average bowling alley, there are three floors and a rooftop bar space. The tickets can be a bit expensive, but it's a nice space with parking. A rarity in Portland.
State Theatre
The State Theatre is a historic theater located at 609 Congress Street in downtown Portland, Maine. One of our favorite local music venues.
Portland Ovations
Portland Ovations is a nonprofit cultural organization based in Southern Maine dedicated to gathering communities to share in the power of live performance. Ovations connects artists and audiences both onstage and off — making the arts an integral part of community life. Check out their full schedule of performances.
Bubba's Sulky Lounge
Bubba's is place that can't be described, it just has to be experienced. Leave it to Maine to have multiple light up dance floors in a vintage flea market with wood stoves, a life size stature horse and plywood bathroom stalls. A lively 21+ late night dance party with characters in everything from fishing gear to hot pink zoot suits. A great option for those seeking a little bit of night life.
Portland Head Light
It is a beautiful, historic outdoor space with several trails, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks. The lighthouse is only open a few days a year, but the landscape is worth the trip.
Portland Paddle
It's summer in Maine, so of course you want to get out on the water. Portland Paddle offers kayak and paddle board rentals, in addition to classes and guided tours. We recommend the Family Sea Kayak and the Fort Gorges Tour.
Peaks Island
Reachable by a 17 minute ferry ride out in Casco Bay, Peak's Island is bustling in the summer. With rocky beaches, a small cafe, and a large publicly accessible historic fort, it is a great place to have a packed lunch and bike ride.
Portland Schooner Co.
Experience Casco Bay aboard handcrafted, wooden sailing vessels. Representing some of the finest examples of Maine’s rich shipbuilding heritage, their historic vessels can be experienced May through October aboard a public sail or cruise or on a private charter. Booking lighthouse cruises and sunset cruises all summer.
Sea Dogs Baseball
Hadlock Field is home to the Portland Sea Dogs, a minor league baseball stadium in Portland, Maine. A fun summer evening activity if the season schedules align!