Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Best Restaraunt in town (for me) - BODA on Congress, Thai fusion, only open after 5, try the quail eggs, mango sticky rice, little salads in spoons, $$
147 locals recommend
Boda
671 Congress StBest Restaraunt in town (for me) - BODA on Congress, Thai fusion, only open after 5, try the quail eggs, mango sticky rice, little salads in spoons, $$
Walking distance - The Great Lost Bear $, not even 2 blocks away on Forest, just turn left at the Gas Station, famous for more than 100 beers on tap, good burgers and pub food, grow their own herbs in the summer, sit on the deck if the weather co-operates.
76 locals recommend
The Great Lost Bear
540 Forest AveWalking distance - The Great Lost Bear $, not even 2 blocks away on Forest, just turn left at the Gas Station, famous for more than 100 beers on tap, good burgers and pub food, grow their own herbs in the summer, sit on the deck if the weather co-operates.
Lobster in the shell go to Becky's on Commercial, a great local hangout for breakfast lunch and dinner, and their crab melt is to die for. Warfman special is one of the best deals in town too. $
89 locals recommend
Joe's Boathouse Catering
Lobster in the shell go to Becky's on Commercial, a great local hangout for breakfast lunch and dinner, and their crab melt is to die for. Warfman special is one of the best deals in town too. $
Fancy seafood - Best place in town is probably Scales on Commercial, their scallop cru app is one of the best things I've ever tasted. $$$$
138 locals recommend
Scales
68 Commercial StFancy seafood - Best place in town is probably Scales on Commercial, their scallop cru app is one of the best things I've ever tasted. $$$$
Eventide on Fore St. is famous for their odd mini lobster rolls in steam buns (don't care for em myself) and phenomenal oysters, the thing I go in for though is the Drinking Chocolate, it's basically chocolate melted in a cup! Chocolate usually only available in the winter. $$$
273 locals recommend
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StEventide on Fore St. is famous for their odd mini lobster rolls in steam buns (don't care for em myself) and phenomenal oysters, the thing I go in for though is the Drinking Chocolate, it's basically chocolate melted in a cup! Chocolate usually only available in the winter. $$$
Really for the best lobster roll (in the world), you have to go to the gorgeous Fort Williams park in Cape Elizabeth for one from the Bite into ME food truck $$, but their only open until sunset, and they close when they run out so I'd recommend going by 4. My favorite is the Connecticut (no mayo just lobster and butter), the Picnic is a close second. $$
44 locals recommend
Bite into Maine
1000 Shore RdReally for the best lobster roll (in the world), you have to go to the gorgeous Fort Williams park in Cape Elizabeth for one from the Bite into ME food truck $$, but their only open until sunset, and they close when they run out so I'd recommend going by 4. My favorite is the Connecticut (no mayo just lobster and butter), the Picnic is a close second. $$
The Grill room or Timber are my first choice for Steaks, really impressive, also famous for burgers, make sure you get a reservation $$$
24 locals recommend
The Grill Room & Bar
84 Exchange StreetThe Grill room or Timber are my first choice for Steaks, really impressive, also famous for burgers, make sure you get a reservation $$$
Jame Beard nominated Miyake is the best Sushi in town by far. They have a 4 course for 55$ deal that is great, make sure you try the swordfish (cooked) $$$
34 locals recommend
Miyake
468 Fore StJame Beard nominated Miyake is the best Sushi in town by far. They have a 4 course for 55$ deal that is great, make sure you try the swordfish (cooked) $$$
The Standard Bakery $$, Congress, you REALLY Should go in here, it's the best baguette outside of Paris I think, the prosciutto formaggio (ham and cheese) croissant, and financiers, are some of my favorites.
114 locals recommend
Standard Baking Co
75 Commercial StThe Standard Bakery $$, Congress, you REALLY Should go in here, it's the best baguette outside of Paris I think, the prosciutto formaggio (ham and cheese) croissant, and financiers, are some of my favorites.
Bam Bam Bakery
1054 Brighton AvenueYou will NOT be able to tell it's gluten free!! $$
Nosh Kitchen Bar
551 Congress StLate night burgers, and bacon dusted fries!
Great breakfast with a cajun flair, about a 10 block walk if you want to make it. I love the pancakes and omelets.
38 locals recommend
Bayou Kitchen
543 Deering AveGreat breakfast with a cajun flair, about a 10 block walk if you want to make it. I love the pancakes and omelets.
My favorite duck outside of Paris! The tuna, steak, and salmon are all great too, be sure to try the Brussel sprouts!
22 locals recommend
David's Restaurant
22 Monument SqMy favorite duck outside of Paris! The tuna, steak, and salmon are all great too, be sure to try the Brussel sprouts!
Slab
25 Preble StGreat Sicilian pizza! Good price too, you only need one or two slices.
Good strong coffee, hip place, a small selection of VERY good pastries! Quick walk, less than 5 min
12 locals recommend
The Proper Cup
500 Forest AveGood strong coffee, hip place, a small selection of VERY good pastries! Quick walk, less than 5 min
Essentials
CVS
51 Market StJust around the corner, easy walking distance.
This is the last old school market in town, the local meats, in shop made sausage and local produce are amazing! And all at a great price, this is a small store, you won't be able to find a bunch of boxed food here, for that kind of stuff go to Hannifords.
20 locals recommend
Fresh Approach
155 Brackett StThis is the last old school market in town, the local meats, in shop made sausage and local produce are amazing! And all at a great price, this is a small store, you won't be able to find a bunch of boxed food here, for that kind of stuff go to Hannifords.
Great supermarket right around the corner, beer wine and liquor available as well.
280 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveGreat supermarket right around the corner, beer wine and liquor available as well.
Entertainment & Activities
Adults only! This place is very hip with a full bar, and then another one on the roof. They show movies on the rooftop wednesdays in the summer.
93 locals recommend
Bayside Bowl
58 Alder StAdults only! This place is very hip with a full bar, and then another one on the roof. They show movies on the rooftop wednesdays in the summer.
Great deluxe movie theater, you'll love the seats! I like the Pizza next door at Ricettas a lot as well.
13 locals recommend
Flagship Premium Cinemas
206 US-1Great deluxe movie theater, you'll love the seats! I like the Pizza next door at Ricettas a lot as well.
Funtown is a traditional amusement park with roller coasters and such, which splashtown is all waterslides and the like, make sure the weather is good enough for that one!
137 locals recommend
Funtown Splashtown USA
774 Portland RdFuntown is a traditional amusement park with roller coasters and such, which splashtown is all waterslides and the like, make sure the weather is good enough for that one!
Parks & Nature
Great trail, pretty level, takes about 45 min, my little dog loves it. Lovely views.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1Great trail, pretty level, takes about 45 min, my little dog loves it. Lovely views.
Great history, lovely views, best lobster roll anywhere (Bite into ME food truck) Can't go wrong as along as it's not raining.
229 locals recommend
Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore RdGreat history, lovely views, best lobster roll anywhere (Bite into ME food truck) Can't go wrong as along as it's not raining.
My favorite mountain hike, this is about a 45 min drive from Portland. Great views and if you go in the late summer, there are blueberry bushes ripe for the picking! A moderate trail that takes about 2.5 hours round trip.
19 locals recommend
Pleasant Mountain
368 Mountain RdMy favorite mountain hike, this is about a 45 min drive from Portland. Great views and if you go in the late summer, there are blueberry bushes ripe for the picking! A moderate trail that takes about 2.5 hours round trip.
Closest beach for swimming, free parking, no waves though, if you want waves go to Higgins or Scarbourough!
93 locals recommend
East End Beach
Eastern Promenade TrailClosest beach for swimming, free parking, no waves though, if you want waves go to Higgins or Scarbourough!
My favorite beach for surfing, good waves, relatively easy access, nice gradual slope on the bottom so it stays shallow for a long way out. Just beware that if you want to surf, it's banned here from 11am to 5pm from memorial day to labor day, I usually shoot to go out right at 5pm myself :-) If you need a board/wet suit you can rent one on the way out at Black Point Surf Shop, or if I'm heading out I'm happy to loan!
115 locals recommend
Higgins Beach
My favorite beach for surfing, good waves, relatively easy access, nice gradual slope on the bottom so it stays shallow for a long way out. Just beware that if you want to surf, it's banned here from 11am to 5pm from memorial day to labor day, I usually shoot to go out right at 5pm myself :-) If you need a board/wet suit you can rent one on the way out at Black Point Surf Shop, or if I'm heading out I'm happy to loan!
Great swimming surfing beach, 5$ per person to get in, unless you have a surf pass which is about 100$, with a surf pass everyone in the car is free. Be advised they will not let you in with a surf board without a surf pass!
110 locals recommend
Scarborough Beach
Black Point RdGreat swimming surfing beach, 5$ per person to get in, unless you have a surf pass which is about 100$, with a surf pass everyone in the car is free. Be advised they will not let you in with a surf board without a surf pass!
Shopping
Home of the famous LL Bean, which is open 24 hours a day! Fairly quite town with many factory outlets, LL Bean, North Face, Tommy Hillfinger, Ralph Lauren, ect.
202 locals recommend
Freeport
Home of the famous LL Bean, which is open 24 hours a day! Fairly quite town with many factory outlets, LL Bean, North Face, Tommy Hillfinger, Ralph Lauren, ect.
Getting Around
Portland International Jetport
1001 Westbrook StNearest Airport
Train and Bus station, less than a mile from the house. Downeaster is a nice train to Boston, and there is Concord Trailways that runs a shuttle on the half hour to Logan Airport in Boston.
44 locals recommend
Portland Transportation Center
100 Thompson's Point RoadTrain and Bus station, less than a mile from the house. Downeaster is a nice train to Boston, and there is Concord Trailways that runs a shuttle on the half hour to Logan Airport in Boston.