Portland, ME

Destination:

Canada & New England

Portland is located on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Southern Maine coast approximately 100 miles (161 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. It has more than 65,000 inhabitants making it the largest city in Maine. Portland is a small seaside city with a high concentration of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, tours and many things to see and do. Many people commute to Portland to work, and the city's population significantly increases in the summertime.

Convention and Visitors Center, 245 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 772-5800. +1 207 772-4994. Guided walking tours available July–September at 10:30AM.
Portland's Downtown District, 549 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 772-6828.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.44 square miles (179.85 km2), of which 21.31 square miles (55.19 km2) is land and 48.13 square miles (124.66 km2) is water. Portland is situated on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean.

Portland borders South Portland, Westbrook and Falmouth. The city is located at 43.66713 N, 70.20717 W.

Portland has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb), with rather cold, snowy winters, and warm, occasionally almost hot, summers. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 22.3 °F (−5.4 °C) in January to 69.1 °F (20.6 °C) in July. Daily high temperatures reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C) on only 4.6 days per year on average, while cold-season lows of 0 °F (−18 °C) or below are reached on 7.7 nights per year on average. The area can be affected by severe nor'easters during winter, with high winds and snowfall totals. Annual precipitation averages 47.2 inches (1,200 mm) and is plentiful year-round, but with a slightly drier summer; snowfall averages 61.9 inches (157 cm). In coastal Maine, winter-season mid-latitude storms can be intense from November to March, while warm-season thunderstorms are markedly less frequent than in the Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern U.S. Direct strikes by hurricanes or tropical storms are rare, partially due to the normally cooler Atlantic waters off the Maine coast (which weaken tropical systems), but primarily because most tropical systems approaching or reaching 40 degrees North latitude recurve (Coriolis effect), carrying most such storms well south and east of the Portland area. Extremes range from −39 °F (−39 °C) on February 16, 1943, to 103 °F (39 °C) on July 4, 1911, and August 2, 1975.

Source: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/
Portland_(Maine)

Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0

Portland, ME: Port Information

There are two main cruise terminals:

Ocean Gateway Cruise Terminal
The Maine State Pier

They are located a few blocks from each other and within walking distance from the downtown.

Get around Portland, ME

Portland, and Maine in general, does not have an extensive public transportation system, so renting a car is generally the best option. While 5 o'clock traffic can get a little congested, driving in Portland is not a daunting task.

The

Old Port

and Downtown Arts District areas are very walkable and pedestrian friendly.

By bus

Metro, 114 Valley St, ☎ +1 207 774-0351. Bus line has a regular schedule, and provides a high level of service for a city of its size. Metro is not the best option for late night socializing; there are numerous taxicab companies. Walking is probably the best option downtown and especially in the Old Port or by the waterfront.

By rental car

Avis (at Jetport), ☎ +1 207 874-7500.
Enterprise, ☎ +1 207 772-0030.

By Uber

In October 2014 UberX launched in Portland and should be available 24/7. It's slightly cheaper than a taxi and no tipping required. Surge pricing generally happens only on Friday and Saturday nights after 1AM when the bars close. UberX is also available to pick up and drop off at the Portland International Jetport.

By taxi

Airport Cab, ☎ +1 207 899-5335.
ABC Taxi, ☎ +1 207 772-8685.
Old Port Taxi, ☎ +1 207 772-8294.
Jetport Taxi, ☎ +1 207 775-6990.
Elite Taxi, 211 Valley St, ☎ +1 207 871-7274. They also have vans
Family Taxi, ☎ +1 207 615-9353.
ASAP Taxi, Cove St, ☎ +1 207 791-2727 84.
207 Taxi, 135 Walton St, ☎ +1 207-774-2255.
Timely Taxi.

By boat

Casco Bay Lines, 56 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 774-7871. Year-round scheduled ferry service from the Portland waterfront to Peaks, Great Diamond, Little Diamond, Long, Chebeague, and Cliff Islands in Casco Bay, as well as a summer-only daily tourism cruise to Bailey Island. Leashed dogs and bicycles are carried for an additional fee.

What to see in Portland, ME

Portland Museum of Art
, 7 Congress Sq, ☎ +1 207 775-6148, fax: +1 207 773-7324, e-mail: info@portlandmuseum.org. Tu-Th, Sa Su 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-9PM. Memorial Day-Columbus Day: also M 10AM-5PM. Consisting of the historic McLellan House, the L.D.M. Sweat Galleries, and the I.M. Pei Designed Payson building, this museum houses a large collection of Winslow Homer works, as well as 17,000 sculptures, paintings, and objects from the 18th-century onwards.
Children's Museum of Maine
, 142 Free St, ☎ +1 207 828-1234. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM (also M in summer); Su Noon-5PM. Located next to the Museum of Art, this Museum features 3 stories of interactive exhibits, including "Our Town", an area that includes an interactive grocery store, farm, vet and firetruck, and the "Explore Floor", which includes "LL Bear's Discovery Woods" and a mini planetarium. At the top of the building is the Camera Obscura, which offers panoramic views of the city and teaches children about light.
Portland Observatory, 138 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 774-5561 ext 104. Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Daily 10-5PM. Built in 1807, this National Historic Landmark is the only existing historic maritime signal station in the United States. Educational tours are offered at the 65 foot tower, or you can climb to the top on your own. Either way, you get great views of the waterfront.
Portland Head Light and Museum, 1000 Shore Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ☎ +1 207 799-2661. Museum 10AM-4PM daily Jun-Oct; weekends in shoulder seasons. Grounds open daily year round and free. One of the most scenic lighthouses in the country. Adjacent to Fort Williams, a WWII artillery emplacement.
Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St, ☎ +1 207 772-4841. May-Oct. Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, is the finest example of residential design from the pre-Civil War era in America. With superb architecture and well-preserved original interiors that were among the most lavish and sophisticated in their day, it is an unparalleled document of America's highest aspirations in architecture, interior design, and the decorative arts.
Bug Light. Lighthouse across the Fore River in South Portland offers unparalleled views of the Portland skyline and Casco Bay.
Spring Point. Coastal area in South Portland which is home to the old Fort Preble, Spring Point Ledge Light, Portland Harbor Museum and Southern Maine Community College. There is a breakwater extending out into the harbor which is great to fish off of.
Stroudwater Village. Just west of the Portland peninsula is one of Maine's oldest.
Old Port. Next to the downtown area along Commercial St. next to Casco Bay. The Old Port is filled with neat shops, restaurants, and cafés, and has something of a European feel to it thanks to its many narrow cobbled streets and old brick buildings. Go here to shop and eat at both high-end and casual, local establishments. The Old Port is a great place to take a walk and smell the ocean air.
Eastern Promenade. A neighborhood providing amazing views of the Casco Bay and the islands
Western Promenade. A more residential area where you can see examples of mansions built by wealthy sea captains long ago.
Deering Oaks. A 51 acre area in Portland with a tennis court, baseball diamond, playground and pond. You can ice skate on the pond in the winter. In the summer, you can enjoy a wading pool and, on Saturday mornings, an extensive farmers' market. Outdoor concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, and the Festival of the Nations take place here as well.
Willard Beach. In South Portland right across the bridge. Portland itself is not known for its beaches, despite plenty of oceanfront.
Portland Sea Dogs, ☎ +1 207 879-9500. Baseball, Hadlock Field. A Boston Red Sox AA affiliate with a Fenway Park replica field.
Cumberland County Civic Center, Middle St, ☎ +1 207 775-3458. Box Office: 9:30 to 5:30. The main event space in Portland, this 6,733 seat arena host concerts, expositions, and the Portland Pirates, the minor league affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL).
Fore River Gallery, 87 Market St, ☎ +1 207 791-2723, e-mail: contact@forerivergallery.com. Located in Portland's historic Old Port, Fore River Gallery is owned and operated by four Maine artists, Elizabeth Prior, Mike M. Marks, TJ McDermott and Liz Marks. Displaying the work they create, they offer a wide range of fine art including jewelry, paintings, sculptures and ceramics.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, 58 Fore St, ☎ +1 207 828-0814. Train Schedule On the hour, 10–3 May - Oct: Daily Nov - Feb: Closed/Special Mar - Apr: Weekends. Displays vintage locomotives and offers scenic trips along the waterfront.

What to do in Portland, ME

Back Cove. This large inlet connected to the sea by a small canal, has a recreation path over 3 mi (5 km) long and was designed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmsted and lined with linden trees to memorialize World War One dead.
Portland Schooner Company, 40 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 766-2500, toll-free: +1-87-SCHOONER (72466637). During the summer months you can purchase tickets on the Maine State Pier, right next to the ferry. From 2-hour sails to overnight charters.
Casco Bay Lines, 56 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 774-7871. Taking a tour of Casco Bay on the ferry is a great way to enjoy Portland from a different perspective. In addition to fishing vessels and cargo and tanker ships, during the Spring and Summer months many sailboats, yachts, and cruise ships provide enjoyment.
U.S. Highway 1. Be sure to drive up this scenic coast-hugging road whether on a clear or foggy day.
Lucky Catch Lobster Cruise, 170 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 761-0941. Go on a lobster boat for a 2 hour cruise. You can help bait the traps, throw the traps overboard and more. Great for kids.
Maine Day Trip, ☎ +1 207 838-5275. Private tours of Southern Maine originating in the Portland Region. This is your opportunity to explore and photograph many of Maine's unique views up close and personal. Your personal tour guide is available year round.
East End Beach. Take a swim at East End Beach located on top of munjoy hill.
Happy Wheels, Warren Ave. A roller-skating rink.

What to eat and drink in Portland, ME

Eat

Portland offers a sophisticated restaurant scene, with chefs focused on locally sourced food. The city offers white tablecloth restaurants serving tasting menus to cheap eats selling burritos. The abundance of lobster, haddock, clams, scallops and other seafood allows restaurants to sell these usually expensive items at reasonable prices. In the Old Port and especially on Commercial Street, there are many seafood restaurants. Portland is the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Maine. This means the city offers up Vietnamese, Thai, Polish, African, Middle Eastern, Greek, Japanese and Indian restaurants. Most of these places are inexpensive and delicious. Being home to many eco-conscious people, Portland offers a number of dining options for vegetarians and vegans. Portland also has the second highest restaurant per capita in the country, second to Seattle.

Walter's, 2 Portland Sq, ☎ +1 207 871-9258. Located in the Old Port since the summer of 1989, Walter's has an eclectic selection of international fare that features bright menu ideas and creative dishes that fuse Asian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and local influences with an emphasis on pasta and fresh fish. Whenever possible, Walter's uses local purveyors for produce, meats and seafood. Walter's has a nice wine list, spanning the world from Napa, South America, France and Italy to the Land Down Under. They also have spectacularly unique martini offerings, including the Pear, made with fresh pear purée."
51 Wharf Restaurant & Ultra Lounge, 51 Wharf St, ☎ +1 207 774-1151. This restaurant and ultra lounge is the newest high end place in the Old Port. 51 is a modern restaurant with a contemporary, yet uncomplicated approach to food. With a cozy fireplace for the winter and an open air bar and deck in the summer, this place is the new place to be. 51 Wharf describes their bar as "51's sleek and sexy first floor bar is perfect for wine, cocktails, a bite from the Bar Menu and to people watch! The cozy lounge area with leather furniture is inviting to all. 51 is perfect to enjoy dinner, a quick snack at bar, or share a romantic bottle of wine in the lounge."
Becky's Diner, 390 Commercial St. A fixture of the working waterfront. Becky's is a well loved greasy spoon that starts serving breakfast a 4AM. Fisherman and other waterfront workers start their early days here. On the weekends you can also find many people ending their nights with pancakes and famous homefries. Bumper stickers can be seen all over town reading, "Becky's Diner -- Nothing Finah".
Flatbread Co., 72 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 772-8777. Right on the water with one of the best views of Portland Harbor and Casco Bay in town, a fun and funky staff that toss your pie in a wood-fired clay oven. Flatbread is a great place to go for a fun night out in the old port and also family friendly. It offers organic food and many vegetarian and vegan offerings.
Fore Street Restaurant, 288 Fore St, ☎ +1 207 775-2717. This place is reserved weeks and sometimes months in advance. But, you can get in just about any night if you arrive at opening about 5PM and get on the list for their open seating. It is worth it. Start looking for it early, some people drive past this place three or four times before finding it and ask where it is when they are right in front of it. Very small sign. It's located on the south side of Fore Street between Franklin and Pearl streets, and is to the right of the Bangor Savings Bank / Baker Newman Noyes building. If you see the private garage on the first floor of the bank building, you'll notice a staircase to the right, and then a one-story building that doesn't remind you of a restaurant.
Gorgeous Gelato, 434 Fore St, ☎ +1 207 699-4309. Mon - Thur and Sun 9AM-10PM, Fri - Sat 9AM-11PM. Great authentic gelato, Lavazza espresso and Italian hot chocolate. The owners are a very friendly couple from Milan.
Ribollita, 41 Middle St, ☎ +1 207 774-2972. Excellent Italian food. Fresh pasta, creative specials and the best mussels in Portland!
Sebago Brewing Company, 164 Middle St, ☎ +1 207 775-2337. This brew pub offers 7 unique brews on tap and a wide variety of entrees. There is an upstairs for a more social dining atmosphere and a downstairs for a quieter environment.
Susan's Fish and Chips, 1135 Forest Ave, ☎ +1 207 878-3240. Known for its large portions, freshness, and those reasonable prices.
Gilbert's Chowder House, 92 Commercial St (Old Port District), ☎ +1 207 871-5636. Taste great New England Clam Chowder here.
Fuji, 29 Exchange St, ☎ +1 207 773-2900. Offering a sushi bar, and Hibachi tables, the Japanese cuisine here is delicious. The hibachi tables are a great dining experience, but only open for dinner hours, and the wait can become long.
The Front Room Restaurant & Bar, 73 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 773-3366. A neighborhood restaurant started in the first floor of an apartment building on Munjoy Hill near the Eastern Prom, chef Harding Lee Smith's restaurant is getting an excellent reputation off the Hill as well. Excellent food for a good price, with a small bar available. The kitchen is in plain view from the seating area, and that's just the way the owner likes it. Weekend evenings will involve a wait, and the waiting area is rather limited.
Local Sprouts Cooperative Café, 649 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 899-3529. Offering locally sourced food for meat-eaters, vegans, vegetarians, and those with food allergies, Local Sprouts is cooperatively owned by its workers and is dedicated to creating a just food system with access to healthy, delicious food for all.
Caiola's, Pine St. Small rustic restaurant with an ever changing rural European style menu. Fantastic wine and food, a favorite for local foodies.
Arabica, Free St. Chess can be played here. Coffee, biscotti.
Bill's Pizza (Old Port). Also has sandwiches. can be pricey though.
Benkay, 2 India St, ☎ +1 207 773-5555. Classic sushi bar on the Waterfront.
Local 188, 685 Congress St. Bohemian elegance with locally produced food and a great wine list.
Oh-No Café, 87 Brackett St. Specializing in boutique breakfast sandwiches.

Korea House (formerly Happy Teriyaki), 630 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 771-2000. M-Th 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM, Closed Su. Authentic Korean cuisine. $10-15.
Wild Burrito, 574 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 761-1600. Their food is good, very reasonable prices
1 City Center, Downtown. Dunkin' Donuts and other food places are here.
J's Oyster, 5 Portland Pier, ☎ +1 207 772-4828.
Morning in Paris, 13 Exchange St, Old Port, ☎ +1 207 761-5637.
Mr. Bagel, Congress St.
Stavros, Forest Ave. Great pizza for an affordable price.
Little Caesars. 5 and change gets ya a hot pizza
Old Port Sea Grill and Raw bar, 93 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 879-6100. Fresh seafood, simply prepared and one of the largest raw oyster selections in the area
Cook's Lobster House, 68 Garrison Cove Rd, ☎ +1 207-833-2818. 11:30-9:00.
Espo's Trattoria.

Drink

Portland, and especially the Old Port, has a reputation for many bars and pubs of varying caliber. From bars for longshoremen and lobster men, to pub serving micro-brews brewed on-site, to night clubs, there's something for everyone.

In addition there are numerous bars and clubs along Wharf Street a cobblestoned alley in the Old Port.

The Great Lost Bear. Located outside of Old Port, this is a must for the discerning beer drinker. With over fifty beers on tap, "The Bear" has gained national renown for the variety, quality, and depth of its local and imported brews. Extensive pub menu with everything from burgers to vegan chili.
The Top of the East. Located in the Eastland Hotel, it offers impressive views of the city and top-shelf libations.
Comedy Connection, Custom House Wharf, Portland Old Port, ☎ +1 207 774-5554. Occasionally Maine Comedian Bob Marley will have a show.
The Big Easy Blues Club, Market St. Live music in many styles from local, regional and national acts.
Brian Boru, 57 Center St, ☎ +1 207 780-1506. Irish Pub.
Gritty McDuffs, 386 Fore St, ☎ +1 207 772-2739. Brew pub and good micro brews.
Ri Ra's Irish Pub, 72 Commercial S, ☎ +1 207 761-4446. Irish pub with Irish food and live entertainment.
Three Dollar Deweys, 241 Commercial St. German beer hall atmosphere in the Old Port
Geno's, 625 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 772-7891. Rock club featuring original local and regional rock acts in the Punk, Metal, Hardcore, etc, genres.
The Asylum, 121 Center St, ☎ +1 207 772-8274.
Amigo's, 9 Dana St. Inexpensive drinks and Mexican food with a nice fenced-in outdoor patio and bands on weekends in the summer.
Blue, 650A Congress St, ☎ +1 207 774-4111. Live music in a casual beer and wine bar setting.
Novare Res Bier Café, 4 Canal Plaza Ste 1, ☎ +1 207 761-2437. The place in Portland for Beer. 300+ bottles, 25 Constantly rotating taps with rare beers, single malt scotch, wines, tequila, meats, cheeses, and small plates. Novare Res features a large expansive deck with table service, a large bar area, proper glassware, and a cozy brick building basement feel.

Old Port Sea Grill and Raw bar, 93 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 879-6100. Beautiful locally made concrete bar, flat screen tvs, full bar, specialty cocktail list, wine list, and in the old port.

Food Factory Miyake, 129 Spring St. Featured on the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods Maine episode, Miyake offers some of the most creative sushi you will possibly ever see. The restaurant is very small. Either make reservations or get there just as they open. The prix fix is phenomenal.

Microbreweries

Gritty McDuff's Brewing Co., 396 Fore St, ☎ +1 207 865-4321.
Allagash Brewing Co., 100 Industrial Way, ☎ +1 207 878-5385, toll-free: +1-800-330-5385.
Casco Bay Brewing Co., 57 Industrial Way, ☎ +1 207 797-2020.
DL Geary Brewing Co., 38 Evergreen Dr, ☎ +1 207 878-2337.
StoneCoast Brewing Co., ☎ +1 207 838-3985.

Wineries

MaineMeadWorks, 51 Washington Ave, ☎ +1 207 773-6323. Small winery making hand-crafted meads(wines made with honey) using 100% Maine wildflower honey and other local ingredients. Complimentary tasting and tour available on site.

Shopping in Portland, ME

Fore River Gallery, 613 Congress St (Fore River Gallery is located at 613 Congress Street in the heart of downtown Portland's Arts District, near the intersection of High Street and Congress Street, diagonally from the Portland Museum of Art.), ☎ +1 207 791-2723. A fine art gallery displaying the artwork by the owners, Elizabeth and Mike Marks as well as local emerging artists. A wide range of original artwork available to suit everybody's tastes. Paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more.

The Gallery at Toby Rosenberg Pottery, 293 Read St, ☎ +1 207 878-4590. 10AM-6PM. Showcases a full selection of fine Judaica as well as many bowl, pitcher and tray forms of sculptural pottery. Carries an ever changing eclectric variety of Maine artists and craftsmen, including the photography of Michael Barriault.

Caravan Beads, 915 Forest Ave, ☎ +1 207 761-2503. One of New England's largest retail bead stores offering free use of worktables and tools and friendly assistance from the experienced staff. Carries a large selection of Miyuki seed beads, gemstones, freshwater pearls, czech glass, Swarovski crystal, and lots more.

Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours, 170 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 774-0808. Narrated Trolley Tours of Portland and Lighthouse Cruises of Casco Bay. Let our informative guides take you from city streets to rocky coast while showing you the best of Portland and Casco Bay!

The Old Port

The Old Port is nestled against the busy port and home to 19th century streets filled with boutiques, galleries, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. The district sells everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry and designer jeans to best-selling books and surf boards. The Movies is a small independent movie theater on Exchange Street and The Nickelodeon is a larger theater on Temple Street. Fore Street and Wharf Street offer a number of bars and the area fills with partiers on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer. The Casco Bay Ferry to the islands leaves from Commercial Street. The Narrow Gauge Railway and Museum is located off Commercial Street.

City Beverage Variety, Exchange St. A small corner store with general goods and snacks as well as a local beer selection, wine, and cigarettes.
Simply Scandinavian. Market St. and Exchange St. Two stores that sell only Scandinavian food, clothing, toys, books, art, decorations, etc.
Videoport, Middle St (just east of Post Office Park in the Old Port). Has a great selection of new and used movies for sale and for rent.
Bull Moose, 151 Middle St, ☎ +1 207 780-6424. Open 9AM-11PM everyday. Indy retailer of new and used CDs, DVDs, vinyl and video games.
Communiques, 3 Moulton St, ☎ +1 207 773-5181. Brimming with Maine souvenirs & clothing, toys, books, personalized mini-license plates & keychains.
Company C, 123 Commercial St, toll-free: +1-888-780-1232. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 10AM-5PM. This home furnishings and decor store sells rugs bedding, and more, all featuring colorful and fun textures and fabrics
Cool As A Moose, 388 Fore St, ☎ +1 207 774-4515. This quintessentially Maine souvenir store sells cool toys, clothes, and other Maine-y gifts
Cross Jewelers, 570 Congress St, ☎ +1 207 773-3107. M-F 9:30AM-5PM (Th until 8PM). A fine retail jewelry store that has been owned in Portland for over 100 years. Sells diamonds & colored-gem jewelry, plus Maine-mined tourmalines.
D. Cole Jewelers, 10 Exchange St, ☎ +1 207 772-5119. Extensive collection of handcrafted jewelry in platinum, gold & silver. 5 jewelers for custom designs.
Decorum, 231 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 775-3346. Quality restoration, renovation, or new kitchen, bath, door & cabinet hardware, and unique home accessories.
Designs by C.C., 7 Pleasant St, ☎ +1 207 761-9697. Custom jewelry specializing in Maine Tourmaline, other Maine gems & minerals, fossils, glassware & repair.
Edgecomb Potters Gallery, 49 Exchange St, ☎ +1 207 780-6727. Offers fine pottery, jewelry, art & American crafts.
Fetch, 195 Commercial St, ☎ +1 207 773-5450. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Portland's original dog & cat supply. Large selection of dog collars, pet clothing, and other fun, high quality products. Profits help animals & the environment.

The Arts District

The Arts District centers around Congress Street, which runs through the center of the city. The Portland Museum of Art sits in Congress Square across from the Eastland Park Hotel and next to the Children's Museum of Maine. Galleries abound in the Arts District, as do restaurants and watering holes. The Maine College of Art, which houses the Institute of Contemporary Art, and SPACE Gallery are both located on Congress Street. The music venue One Longfellow is located on Congress where it enters the West End and the Portland Stage Company is housed among a cluster of galleries at the top of Forest Avenue, near Congress. Congress street is home to an L.L. Bean outlet store and in Monument Square you can find a permanent farmers' market called the Public Market House. On Wednesdays between May and November other local farmers sell local produce and flowers and in the square.

The Arts District includes more businesses that cater to local residents, but there are also several great used books and music shops:

Yes Books, 589 Congress St (near Congress Square), ☎ +1 207 775-3233. Overflowing with used books, including a behind-the-shelf collection of rare and valuable volumes.
Enterprise Records, 650 Congress St (State Theater building), ☎ +1 207 773-7672. Thu-Fri 11-6, Sat-Sun 11-5, closed Mo-We. An LP-only retail store; rock, jazz, reggae, rockabilly, blues, soundtracks, spoken word.
Cunningham Books, 188 State St (in Longfellow Square), ☎ +1 207 775-2246. A slightly-more-organized and spacious used bookstore.

The East End

The East End includes India Street, Middle Street, Washington Avenue and Congress Street as it heads up Munjoy Hill. This neighborhood contains many restaurants, galleries and small shops. At the top of Munjoy Hill is the Portland Observatory and the St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center.

Angela Adams. The world headquarters for this designers internationally renowned rugs and home accessories. It is located on Congress Street.
Homegrown Herb & Tea. A tea house on Congress Street offering medicinal tea and custom herbal blends. The owner mixes them according to Ayurvedic medicinal traditions.
Rabelais Books. A bookstore on Middle Street that exclusively sells new, used and rare food-related books.
Ferdinand. A local favorite and sells cards, vintage finds and all sorts of fun stuff "fashioned by ferdinand".
Carlson & Turner Books, 241 Congress St, ☎ +1 207-773-4200. A traditional used/antiquarian book store located at in the East End. Phone is Open 11AM-5PM. Large selection of Used and Rare Books, Prints, Maps, Bookbindery and Letterpress Studio. Located on Congress Street, across from The Eastern Cemetery. Walking distance from The Old Port.

Safety in Portland, ME

Nature - Hikers should carry and know how to use a map and compass and dress in layers for changeable weather. Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the United States -- in fact, in some parts of the state, "Mainers" leave their houses and cars unlocked even when gone for long periods of time. Violent crime is rare, but visitors to Maine or anywhere should safeguard their possessions. Avoid leaving valuables in plain view in an unattended vehicle. Risk of death from animals is usually remote, but black flies and mosquitoes may drive one mad. Automobile collisions with moose can be deadly for both the moose and the occupants of the vehicle. It is best not to drive too fast in areas frequented by moose. Many, but not all, areas with high risk of moose-auto collisions are marked with signs. Drivers from warmer climates visiting between December and April should avoid driving on snow or ice covered roads. Water - It is unsafe to venture out onto Maine's coastal waters without having the necessary equipment and experience. This is true of kayaking, canoeing, sailing or any other kind of boating. The water is cold and hypothermia can set in in a short amount of time. Dense fog often rolls in very quickly as well as the occasional storm. If you are determined to go out on your own to do so without every single passenger wearing a PFD and/or without having a compass and knowing how to use it and/or without understanding how to navigate safely around other boats and water hazards is not only foolish but could result in serious fines from the Coast Guard or a Marine Patrol officer. There are numerous companies that offer guided sea kayak, sailing, and power boat tours.

Drugs - Marijuana is now legal in Maine. Anyone must be 21 or older to consume, possess, or purchase marijuana - it doesn't matter if its for recreational or medicinal reasons and it is strictly enforced. Keep in mind that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, so you could still be under scrutiny. Do not bring marijuana into and out of the state, into any Indian reservation that deemed it illegal, nor any federal enclave, or you will be charged under both state and federal law.

Fireworks - Although Maine allows the purchasing and use of consumer fireworks, only sparklers and novelty fireworks can be bought and be in possession. So if you wish to use more explosive fireworks, it's best to go to a neighboring state to purchase and use them. Unfortunately, New Hampsire is the only nearby choice as Maine's northern part is borderd by Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick. Unless you have a passport or visa to get into Canada, New Brunswick is the only nearby choice. Do not bring your purchased non-legal fireworks back into Maine, that qualifies as smuggling as you(the consumer) is in possession of fireworks. And punishments for smuggling fireworks in Maine will lead to serious jail time. Lighting them in the countryside isn't recomended as you'll never know if there's someone nearby watching. This also goes for anyone who is just driving through the state with a vehicle full of non-legal fireworks.

Language spoken in Portland, ME

English and French are the de facto co-official languages of the state.

Maine's unique accent and dialect lend to its one-of-a-kind charm. Many natives will jokingly say a few words or expressions in "yankee" as it's sometimes called. Several humorists and story tellers have built a reputation telling jokes and stories using the classic "yankee" dialect combined with a well known regional dry wit. These are not to be missed for the real Maine experience.