Guidebook for Portland
Arts & Culture
If you want to go bowling, this is your spot! Enjoyably decorated with features like exposed brick, and sporting a full bar and menu make Bayside the definite top spot to bowl in Portland.
93 locals recommend
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StIf you want to go bowling, this is your spot! Enjoyably decorated with features like exposed brick, and sporting a full bar and menu make Bayside the definite top spot to bowl in Portland.
A wonderful collection and still free on Fridays from 5pm-9pm.
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqA wonderful collection and still free on Fridays from 5pm-9pm.
The movies plus the charm remains in this cinema that I went to as a kid. Located right downtown it hasn't changed much and still has $5 tickets all day every Tuesday.
53 locals recommend
Nickelodeon Cinema (Patriot Cinemas)
1 Temple StThe movies plus the charm remains in this cinema that I went to as a kid. Located right downtown it hasn't changed much and still has $5 tickets all day every Tuesday.
I'm an architecture and history lover and I find Victoria Mansion stunning.
74 locals recommend
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StI'm an architecture and history lover and I find Victoria Mansion stunning.
Food Scene
Our family friendly coffee shop has free wifi and everything that a neighborhood cafe should have!
21 locals recommend
Rwanda Bean at Deering Center
463 Stevens AveOur family friendly coffee shop has free wifi and everything that a neighborhood cafe should have!
Serving breakfast and lunch, the Bayou Kitchen is, hands down, one of the best casual restaurants in Portland.
38 locals recommend
Bayou Kitchen
543 Deering AveServing breakfast and lunch, the Bayou Kitchen is, hands down, one of the best casual restaurants in Portland.
Amazing breads and goodies baked daily in this old firehouse-turned bakery. Lots of fresh coffee, soups and sandwiches as well. Come read the paper and have a cinnamon bun.
30 locals recommend
Big Sky Bread Company
536 Deering AveAmazing breads and goodies baked daily in this old firehouse-turned bakery. Lots of fresh coffee, soups and sandwiches as well. Come read the paper and have a cinnamon bun.
The Holy Donut is winning tons of national awards for stellar donuts. Have an authentic Maine experience with these potato based donuts to die for!
220 locals recommend
The Holy Donut
194 Park AveThe Holy Donut is winning tons of national awards for stellar donuts. Have an authentic Maine experience with these potato based donuts to die for!
Hands down the best coffee roasted and served in Portland(In my opinion.) The baked goods and food is amazing as well.
163 locals recommend
The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring StHands down the best coffee roasted and served in Portland(In my opinion.) The baked goods and food is amazing as well.
Pai Men has the best ramen in town and a lunch special that makes this my favorite in town. (Don't miss the brussel sprouts or pork rolls!)
148 locals recommend
Pai Men Miyake
188 State StPai Men has the best ramen in town and a lunch special that makes this my favorite in town. (Don't miss the brussel sprouts or pork rolls!)
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StIf you love Oysters, this is your spot.
Silly's boasts an eclectic menu where everyone in your party will be happy, plus a HUGE menu of milkshakes. Silly's has funky outdoor seating available and I've loved it since I was a kid.
61 locals recommend
Silly's
68 Washington AveSilly's boasts an eclectic menu where everyone in your party will be happy, plus a HUGE menu of milkshakes. Silly's has funky outdoor seating available and I've loved it since I was a kid.
The Gelato Fiasco Old Port
425 Fore StCaramel Sea Salt Gelato. Enough said.
Delicious French fries, Panini's and milkshakes. This place is hip and worth the wait.
173 locals recommend
Duckfat
43 Middle StDelicious French fries, Panini's and milkshakes. This place is hip and worth the wait.
My favorite Sushi in town. The lunch special is spectacular(selection and price) and there is a nice, intimate outdoor patio space for dine-in.
44 locals recommend
Yosaku
1 Danforth StMy favorite Sushi in town. The lunch special is spectacular(selection and price) and there is a nice, intimate outdoor patio space for dine-in.
One of THE BEST brunch spots in Portland. Cozy ambiance, delicious eats.
152 locals recommend
Hot Suppa
703 Congress StOne of THE BEST brunch spots in Portland. Cozy ambiance, delicious eats.
Local 188
685 Congress StGreat restaurant/bar. Small plates, galore!
Awesome food and outdoor dining where you do eat amongst the treetops! Right in the neighborhood(5 minute walk). Excellent drinks and really well prepared food.
27 locals recommend
The Treehouse
484 Stevens AveAwesome food and outdoor dining where you do eat amongst the treetops! Right in the neighborhood(5 minute walk). Excellent drinks and really well prepared food.
If you have the money to spend, this is probably the best food you could imagine. Make a reservation LONG in advance! This place is as hot as they come in Portland.
54 locals recommend
Fore Street
Fore StreetIf you have the money to spend, this is probably the best food you could imagine. Make a reservation LONG in advance! This place is as hot as they come in Portland.
All local food. Super relaxed atmosphere and a great family spot. There are often bands playing or local entertainment.
31 locals recommend
Local Sprouts Co-op
649 Congress StAll local food. Super relaxed atmosphere and a great family spot. There are often bands playing or local entertainment.
If you want the true Maine seafood experience eating right on the water I would recommend The Lobster Shack. It is about a 20 minute drive(near beaches) but well worth it. You won't beat the views!
136 locals recommend
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights RdIf you want the true Maine seafood experience eating right on the water I would recommend The Lobster Shack. It is about a 20 minute drive(near beaches) but well worth it. You won't beat the views!
New hip spot in the neighborhood. Worth grabbing a bite or a drink.
51 locals recommend
Woodford Food & Beverage
660 Forest AveNew hip spot in the neighborhood. Worth grabbing a bite or a drink.
Entertainment & Activities
The Saturday farmers market is wonderful!(7am-1pm) The park also boasts a great playground and a splash pad for kids to play in the fountains. Tennis, volleyball, baseball and basketball courts too!
87 locals recommend
Deering Oaks Park
The Saturday farmers market is wonderful!(7am-1pm) The park also boasts a great playground and a splash pad for kids to play in the fountains. Tennis, volleyball, baseball and basketball courts too!
If it's raining or even if it isn't, kids love this museum.
114 locals recommend
Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine
250 Thompsons Point RoadIf it's raining or even if it isn't, kids love this museum.
Essentials
Rosemont Market & Bakery
40 Pine StGreat local food, baked goods and produce.
Close to home and reasonably priced. Wine lovers do enjoy TJ's for a cheap selection.
148 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
87 Marginal WayClose to home and reasonably priced. Wine lovers do enjoy TJ's for a cheap selection.
Hannaford is a bigger grocery store than Trader Joe's and will have everything you might be looking for.
280 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveHannaford is a bigger grocery store than Trader Joe's and will have everything you might be looking for.
Sightseeing
Baxter Woods are a wonderful piece of protected Maine forrest right in the neighborhood! This is a great place for a stroll.
22 locals recommend
Mayor Baxter Woods Park
555 Stevens AveBaxter Woods are a wonderful piece of protected Maine forrest right in the neighborhood! This is a great place for a stroll.
A 3.5 mile groomed loop around Portland's Back Bay overlooks the downtown Portland skyline and is a wonderful spot to walk, bike and run. This is the start/end point for the Maine Marathon.
14 locals recommend
Baxter Boulevard
Baxter BoulevardA 3.5 mile groomed loop around Portland's Back Bay overlooks the downtown Portland skyline and is a wonderful spot to walk, bike and run. This is the start/end point for the Maine Marathon.
An idyllic groomed trail which circles the island and overlooks Casco Bay is a beautiful spot to walk or run. Park right on sight and enjoy this kid-friendly piece of coastal Maine.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1An idyllic groomed trail which circles the island and overlooks Casco Bay is a beautiful spot to walk or run. Park right on sight and enjoy this kid-friendly piece of coastal Maine.
One of the most beautiful spots in Portland to picnic or relax while overlooking the islands and boats in Casco Bay. Check out walking trails, the East End Beach or play tennis or basketball in style!
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeOne of the most beautiful spots in Portland to picnic or relax while overlooking the islands and boats in Casco Bay. Check out walking trails, the East End Beach or play tennis or basketball in style!
Use the Ferry Terminal on Commercial Street to access Peaks, Long or one of the many islands in Casco Bay. Peaks is the closest and is an awesome place to rent bikes and explore coastal Maine.
176 locals recommend
Peaks Island
Use the Ferry Terminal on Commercial Street to access Peaks, Long or one of the many islands in Casco Bay. Peaks is the closest and is an awesome place to rent bikes and explore coastal Maine.
Maine's most famous lighthouse, Portland Headlight is located in this free park. This spot is picturesque and wonderful for picnics, walks and exploring the historic forts.
229 locals recommend
Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore RdMaine's most famous lighthouse, Portland Headlight is located in this free park. This spot is picturesque and wonderful for picnics, walks and exploring the historic forts.
Scarborough Beach
Black Point RdOne of the best sandy beaches around!
Higgins Beach
Surfers love this beach.
Crescent Beach State Park
109 Bowery Beach RdAnother great choice for a beach day!
The Portland Observatory is a historic maritime signal tower. Built in 1807, it is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States.
132 locals recommend
Portland Observatory
138 Congress StThe Portland Observatory is a historic maritime signal tower. Built in 1807, it is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States.
A fun little hike for the family which is not far from Portland with a nice view at the summit. Bradbury is family-friendly and easily accessible from I-295 with parking onsite.
124 locals recommend
Bradbury Mountain State Park
528 Hallowell RdA fun little hike for the family which is not far from Portland with a nice view at the summit. Bradbury is family-friendly and easily accessible from I-295 with parking onsite.
Shopping
Local restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques galore. This is where visitors will go to see the working waterfront, eat seafood and buy Maine made gifts.
223 locals recommend
Old Port
Local restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques galore. This is where visitors will go to see the working waterfront, eat seafood and buy Maine made gifts.
Visiting L.L.Bean's flagship store in Freeport is a classic Maine experience. The town of Freeport also has TONS of outlets if you are looking to shop.
270 locals recommend
L.L. Bean Factory Store
95 Main StVisiting L.L.Bean's flagship store in Freeport is a classic Maine experience. The town of Freeport also has TONS of outlets if you are looking to shop.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located right downtown, the architectural beauty of Sonny's is worth seeing as it was once the location of Portland Savings Bank. Sonny does make great drinks and food. I love their brunch!
22 locals recommend
Sonny's Restaurant
83 Exchange StLocated right downtown, the architectural beauty of Sonny's is worth seeing as it was once the location of Portland Savings Bank. Sonny does make great drinks and food. I love their brunch!