Things To Do
Portland Museum of Art
Free Admission on Friday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Abigail (Hallie's Mom) knows every exhibit inside out. See her for recommendations.
Eastern Promenade
Great for walking, picnicking, and playground-ing. If you come from downtown, keep your eye out for the Cathedral at the base of Munjoy Hill. This is the site of Hallie and her sister Theo's formative middle school years.
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
New location alert! So new, we have yet to visit the new Children's Museum. Stop by for fun for the little ones and then head to Thompson's Point for a beer and great bites at Bissell or Stroudwater Distillery.
Portland Head Light
An iconic Maine vista! Fort Williams park boasts a great picnic spot, coastal walking trails, and a great lighthouse. Hallie thought it was a grand idea to take Sam here on the windiest day of the year in sub zero temperatures, which also happened to be his birthday.
Back Cove Trail
A 3.5 mile loop perfect for a family walk or a run. You can begin at Payson Park if outdoor sports fields are your jam.
Bissell Brothers Brewing Company
Bissell Brothers has long been a favorite of residents and visitors of Portland alike. Now they also offer delicious eats-Abigail suggests trying the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich.
Old Port
Great for window shopping, walking, and great bites. Exchange Street is a favorite of Hallie's Family. D. Cole Jewelry is owned by a family friend and Thirsty Pig is where Hallie had her first legal drink.
Peaks Island
Peaks Island is an easy 20 minute ferry ride from downtown Portland. There you can rent a bike to traverse the island and explore the rocky beaches. A great day trip or lunch outing option.
Sebago Lake
Hallie's family has been visiting Sebago Lake for generations. You can check out the lake from Saint Joseph's College or head up to Casco to relive Kathleen Freeze's days as a camp counselor.
Bradbury Mountain State Park
An easy hike for outdoor enthusiast of all ages. A quick 1.1 mile loop offers up a great view and clearly marked trails.
L.L. Bean Store Discovery Park
Check out the deals at the outlets, snap a picture by LL Bean Boot, grab lunch at Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro, or grab a drink at The Maine Beer Company.
Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House is a historic house and museum in Portland, Maine. It is on Portland's main thoroughfare (Congress Street) and is operated by the Maine Historical Society. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, and administratively added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Longfellow Books
Hallie's family's favorite local bookstore. Well located to grab lunch or a coffee before or after you browse.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
An iconic spot to take in a beautiful lighthouse, eat a lobster roll, and walk along a rocky coast. Google describe it best, "Perched above the rocks, this lobster-&-fried-seafood spot has commanding ocean & lighthouse views."
Central Provisions
While Sam and Hallie have never had the pleasure of actually dining at Central Provisions, they have it on good authority (from Hallie's cousins Rose & Kyle) that the food and ambiance are fantastic. Worth trying to get a reservation in advance as they are extremely popular all year round!
Empire Chinese Kitchen
Hallie sometimes wonders if Sam visits Maine just to get Empire takeout. The green beans, orange beef, and kung pao are a few personal favorites. In reality, the whole menu is fantastic and you can not go wrong.
Mast Landing Brewing Company
If you're headed out from Portland to Wilson Farm, stop by Mast Landing in Westbrook. The beauty of the can art matches the quality of the beer.