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Maine, United States

Portland, Maine

Spend two days for lighthouses, a ferry out to the islands and a serious seafood crawl. Below: 2 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Portland, Maine fits into a longer trip.

Plan Portland, Maine with friendsBrowse 8 places
Portland, Maine, United States
Places
8

2 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Boston to Portland

Best season
May – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

21°C / 70°F avg high

Coolest month
January

1°C / 34°F avg high

Wettest month
October

about 145 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Portland, Maine

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

2 sights worth building a day around across Arts District and Cape Elizabeth.

  • Portland Museum of Art in Portland, MainePhoto: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0
    See

    Portland Museum of Art

    Strong Winslow Homer and Maine art collection in the Arts District.

    • Arts District
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
  • Portland Head Light in Portland, MainePhoto: Chuck Homler d/b/a Focus On Wildlife · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Portland Head Light

    Maine's oldest lighthouse (1791) on cliffs in Fort Williams Park.

    • Cape Elizabeth
    • Free
    • 75 min
    • Morning

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Old Port.

  • Casco Bay Lines in Portland, MainePhoto: Misty Coombs · Google
    Do

    Casco Bay Lines

    Ferries to Peaks Island and the outer islands for a cheap harbor cruise.

    Tip Rent a bike on Peaks to loop the island.

    • Old Port
    • $
    • 2.5 hr
    • Summer

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Munjoy Hill.

  • Eastern Promenade in Portland, MainePhoto: Photo by Aude. · CC BY-SA 2.5
    Outdoors

    Eastern Promenade

    Hilltop park and trail with views over Casco Bay and its islands.

    • Munjoy Hill
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Sunset

Eat

Where we would book a table in Portland, Maine in Old Port.

  • The Holy Donut in Portland, MainePhoto: Niki Higgins · Google
    Eat

    The Holy Donut

    Maine potato donuts in flavors like dark chocolate sea salt.

    Tip Go early; flavors sell out.

    • Old Port
    • $
    • 20 min
    • Morning
  • Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, MainePhoto: Eventide Oyster Co. · Google
    Eat

    Eventide Oyster Co.

    Oyster bar known for its brown-butter lobster roll on a steamed bun.

    Tip Expect a wait at peak times.

    • Old Port
    • $$$
    • 75 min
    • Late lunch
  • Duckfat in Portland, MainePhoto: Andrew Sunada · Google
    Eat

    Duckfat

    Small sandwich shop famous for fries cooked in duck fat.

    • Old Port
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Lunch

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Portland, Maine in Riverton.

  • Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, MainePhoto: Seasider53 · CC BY 4.0
    Drink

    Allagash Brewing Company

    Belgian-style brewery with a tasting room and free tours.

    Tip Reserve tours ahead in summer.

    • Riverton
    • $
    • 75 min
    • Afternoon

How to fit Portland, Maine into a trip

Portland, Maine is stop 3 of 3 on our Boston to Portland route. Follow it as-is or lift Portland, Maine into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Portland, Maine month by month

Average daily highs run from 1°C / 34°F in January to 21°C / 70°F in August. October is the wettest month, with about 145 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Portland, Maine weather and the best time to visit →

Near Portland, Maine

8 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

Portland, Maine questions, answered

How many days do you need in Portland, Maine?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Portland, Maine. On our Boston to Portland route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 10 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Portland, Maine best known for?

Spend two days for lighthouses, a ferry out to the islands and a serious seafood crawl. Standouts on our list: Portland Museum of Art (Strong Winslow Homer and Maine art collection in the Arts District); Portland Head Light (Maine's oldest lighthouse (1791) on cliffs in Fort Williams Park); Eastern Promenade (Hilltop park and trail with views over Casco Bay and its islands).

When is the best time to visit Portland, Maine?

Our Boston to Portland route is best May – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (21°C / 70°F), the coolest in January (1°C / 34°F) and the most rain in October (about 145 mm).

What are the best things to do in Portland, Maine?

Start with Portland Museum of Art, Casco Bay Lines, Eastern Promenade and Portland Head Light. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Portland, Maine?

Our picks: The Holy Donut (Old Port); Eventide Oyster Co. (Old Port); Duckfat (Old Port). Go early; flavors sell out (The Holy Donut).

What is near Portland, Maine?

The closest destinations in our guides are Portsmouth (about 77 km / 48 mi), Maine (about 82 km / 51 mi) and White Mountains (about 108 km / 67 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Portland, Maine with your crew

Open the Boston to Portland route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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