Guidebook for Portland

Julie
Guidebook for Portland

Food Scene

Great Happy Hour!
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress St
152 locals recommend
Great Happy Hour!
This is on the expensive side- but has great oysters......
273 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle St
273 locals recommend
This is on the expensive side- but has great oysters......
I worked here in high school for four years. This has the best views in Portland and fried shrimp and- despite the long lines- is worth the wait. It is BYOB and afterwards you can go down the street and walk around kettle cove and get an ice cream at Kettle Cove Creamery. A perfect Maine spot....
136 locals recommend
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights Rd
136 locals recommend
I worked here in high school for four years. This has the best views in Portland and fried shrimp and- despite the long lines- is worth the wait. It is BYOB and afterwards you can go down the street and walk around kettle cove and get an ice cream at Kettle Cove Creamery. A perfect Maine spot....

Parks & Nature

This is close to the house and afterwards you go can to Freeport and check out the outlets! And get a beer at Maine Beer Company or Grittys.
124 locals recommend
Bradbury Mountain State Park
528 Hallowell Rd
124 locals recommend
This is close to the house and afterwards you go can to Freeport and check out the outlets! And get a beer at Maine Beer Company or Grittys.
This is a great loop to take dogs and kids. I think it is about a mile around and mostly in the shade- really great on a hot day!
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1
130 locals recommend
This is a great loop to take dogs and kids. I think it is about a mile around and mostly in the shade- really great on a hot day!

Entertainment & Activities

This is a MUST DO! You do need reservations- so call in advance. I worked here as well- so you have to tell them I sent you.... It is the perfect Maine tour- you go out and catch lobsters and can buy them to bring them home and cook them..... What is better than that??
40 locals recommend
Lucky Catch Cruises
170 Commercial St
40 locals recommend
This is a MUST DO! You do need reservations- so call in advance. I worked here as well- so you have to tell them I sent you.... It is the perfect Maine tour- you go out and catch lobsters and can buy them to bring them home and cook them..... What is better than that??
You can take Casco Bay Lines to Peaks Island and rent bikes to ride around. There are a few restaurants, beaches and an ice cream shop. I love heading out there for a few hours....
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
176 locals recommend
You can take Casco Bay Lines to Peaks Island and rent bikes to ride around. There are a few restaurants, beaches and an ice cream shop. I love heading out there for a few hours....
Ferry Beach in Scarborough is my FAVORITE place. It is an easy family beach that is very relaxing..... There aren't many waves and there isn't a steep incline so it is great for kiddos. You can also go around 5:00 and miss the crowds- and have a drink/sandwich from Amatos (real Maine Italian) and watch the sun go down! It is a great place anytime of the day- I go with the dogs before 9 am- and they LOVE it as much as I do.
10 locals recommend
Ferry Road Beach
50 Ferry Rd
10 locals recommend
Ferry Beach in Scarborough is my FAVORITE place. It is an easy family beach that is very relaxing..... There aren't many waves and there isn't a steep incline so it is great for kiddos. You can also go around 5:00 and miss the crowds- and have a drink/sandwich from Amatos (real Maine Italian) and watch the sun go down! It is a great place anytime of the day- I go with the dogs before 9 am- and they LOVE it as much as I do.
As my nephews get older, they prefer waves and want to go to Scarborough Beach..... It is a great place for kids to bring a boogie board and hang out. There is a snack shack and bathrooms (with showers) as well.
110 locals recommend
Scarborough Beach
Black Point Rd
110 locals recommend
As my nephews get older, they prefer waves and want to go to Scarborough Beach..... It is a great place for kids to bring a boogie board and hang out. There is a snack shack and bathrooms (with showers) as well.

Shopping

This is the cutest store and the prices are reasonable..... I want everything in there!
7 locals recommend
Folly 101
101 Exchange St
7 locals recommend
This is the cutest store and the prices are reasonable..... I want everything in there!

Sightseeing

This is the most photographed lighthouse in the world! It is really a must.... Cape Elizabeth is my hometown and it is beautiful- given that the houses have gotten WAY bigger since I grew up there. There is a lobster roll truck in the park that is amazing (I believe about $17-20 per roll). Amazing sights and perfect for an hour or two of walking around....
347 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout Circle
347 locals recommend
This is the most photographed lighthouse in the world! It is really a must.... Cape Elizabeth is my hometown and it is beautiful- given that the houses have gotten WAY bigger since I grew up there. There is a lobster roll truck in the park that is amazing (I believe about $17-20 per roll). Amazing sights and perfect for an hour or two of walking around....