Maine doesn’t boast any big cities per say, but Portland comes closest by virtue of its population and humbly metropolitan atmosphere. The historic port settlement is rich with history reflected in its homes and occasional cobblestone streets, and its modest size ensures that it retains the natural beauty that earned Maine the nickname “Vacationland.” Portland is a destination that somehow captures the best parts of a small town and a big city in one. Here are some of Portland Maine’s best tourist attractions.
East End Beach
Portland boasts plenty of prime real estate along the rocky shores of the Atlantic, but it doesn’t have much room for beachfront within the city proper. East End Beach doesn’t have the sandy shores you might want (more on that later), but it’s nestled amidst acres of lovely green space overlooking the ocean and the islands dotting the water only a few miles away from Portland’s bustling harbor. Whether you’re hoping to launch a kayak or relax within earshot of the ocean waves, East End is the best place to do it within Portland.
Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach offers more traditional sandy beaches within easy reach of the city (less than a thirty minute drive south of Portland), and it has the signature beach town atmosphere down to a T as well. This is Maine’s decidedly quieter version of Coney Island, dotted with local haunts and kitschy souvenir shops alike on the way to a beautiful pier littered with carnival booths. But for all the ferris wheels and cotton candy, the true attraction can only be the ocean itself, and the view spanning out endlessly in brilliant colors, especially as the sun sets on the opposite side of the horizon.
The Lobster Shack
You’ll wait in a line that probably winds its way out the front door for a few minutes before ordering the lobster dinner from a cashier, because what else are you going to order? The cashier throws a live lobster from the tank into a boiler in between swiping your credit cards. Whether you’re trying a full cooked lobster or a mayo-slathered lobster roll, here you can enjoy Maine’s signature seafood on short cliffs beside the ocean, almost in the shadow of a proud white pillar of a lighthouse. Places like the Lobster Shack (in Cape Elizabeth, just south of Portland) are why you visit Maine.
Old Port
Portland has the second most restaurants per capita of any city in the US, just after San Francisco, meaning you’ll have plenty of great food to enjoy in what is still a very small city. Much of it is concentrated in the historic old port walking district, a gorgeous waterfront area dominated by picturesque red brick. Walk along the docks, but steer clear of the touristy souvenir shops and waterfront restaurants in favor of more low-key eateries and shops. And don’t forget to stick around long enough to experience the area’s surprisingly diverse nightlife scene on warm nights.
Portland Head Light
An iconic Maine lighthouse just outside the city, Portland Head Light looks just as beautiful up close as it does from a distance, ranking as one of the nation’s most photographed lighthouses for its convenient cliff-side location. Plus, it doubles as an über cheap museum for a fascinating look at the role of lighthouses in maritime history.
Crescent Beach State Park
If Old Orchard Beach wasn’t quite up your alley, you may find solace in the untamed beachfront property at this scenic park on the way back towards Portland. Whiles it’s not exactly a well-kept secret, Crescent Beach boasts a refreshing level of wilderness that invites visitors to explore its forested surroundings and rocky embankments. You’ll drive through hilly countryside dotted with quaint wooden homes before walking through a dense green overgrowth that opens into a fantastic Atlantic shoreline that surpasses most overcrowded options you’ll find elsewhere in New England.
Drive Highway 1
This entry encompasses so much, it hardly feels right to label it as just one more thing to do. Highway 1 is likely one of Portland Maine’s best tourist attractions given its scenic drive, a coastline avenue that winds over water and between the rugged islands that characterize Maine’s seemingly endless miles of oceanfront property. Whether you follow the road north or south out of Portland, you’re guaranteed to encounter more photo opportunities and breathtaking viewpoints than you know what to do with.
