Best Things to Do in Portland Maine: The Ultimate Guide

There are so many fun things to do in Portland Maine that I loved, and I'm excited to share them with you. Whether you're spending one day in Portland, three days in Portland, or even longer, you'll have a total blast in this New England gem.

From marveling at lighthouses to eating all of the delicious food and drink, Portland has plenty to offer. I visited Portland while attending a travel blogger conference. While I spent five days and nights in the city, two of those days were mostly taken up at the conference. This means that I saw most of the attractions and activities listed below with 3 days in Portland, Maine.

Getting Around Portland

I drove my own car from Toronto on a road trip to Portland, Maine. Some of my stops included Albany and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. You might also consider checking out Dutchess County (NY), Western Massachusetts, or Boston on a New England road trip.

My hotel was within walking distance of downtown Portland and Old Port. However, to get to many other neighborhoods and the lighthouses, I really needed my car to get around.

Taking an Uber from place to place to place will definitely add up. I suggest renting a car to get around Portland. Plus, you can also continue your adventures to Southern Maine, too.

Best Things to Do in Portland Maine: Visit the Lighthouses

If you think about coastal New England, the crashing waves and picturesque lighthouses immediately spring to mind. There are numerous lighthouses to check out in Portland and all over the coast of Maine. Here are three lighthouses in Portland that aren't too far from one another.

You can easily visit all three lighthouses in one short drive, and they're worthy additions to your Portland Maine itinerary. They're fascinating and picture-perfect, so discovering these lighthouses is surely one of the most fun things to do in Portland, Maine.

Portland Head Light

The Portland Head Light is one of the most iconic lighthouses in New England, and it's right here in Portland. It's located right at the shores of Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, about a 10 minute drive from downtown Portland. This is one of the top attractions in Portland.

The lamps within this historic lighthouse were first lit in 1791, and it's still in operation to this day. It's had a few updates over the years as it once used oil lamps to light the way in the late 1700s. The keepers' quarters was updated over the years, too. The current keeper's house was built in 1891, and it was home to the lighthouse keepers up until 1989.

Fort Williams Park is open all year long and you are welcome to walk on the paths along the coast. When I visited the Portland Head Light, the museum and gift shop were closed (they're open from Independence Day to Columbus Day). Visiting the park, the lighthouse, and the museum is free of charge.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

The Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse was built in 1897 at the end of a granite breakwater. You can walk out on this lengthy ledge right up to the lighthouse itself. The lighthouse was actually constructed on this ledge jetting out from the mainland to warn the ship captains of a ledge in the Portland Harbor.

Spring Point Ledge Light looks a bit like a giant spark plug. Seeing this lighthouse is one of the most unique things to do in Portland Maine. It has its own individual look that sets it apart from other lighthouses in the area. Sitting in Casco Bay, this lighthouse has become a symbol of South Portland for many years. It's free to visit, too!

Bug Light

Not too far from Spring Point Ledge Light, you'll find Bug Light, another cute lighthouse in Portland. Bug Light is right at the edge of the South Portland Greenbelt Pathway, which runs through Bug Light Park and beyond.

Bug Light, also known as Portland Breakwater Light, was built in 1875. It's made out of curved cast-iron plates, and the seams are disguised by Greek columns. By visiting the park, you can view this adorable little lighthouse up close. Plus, there are various events at Bug Light Park throughout the year, like the Kite Festival, 4th of July celebrations, and outdoor movie nights.

Portland Maine Lighthouse Tour

Fun Things to Do in Portland Maine: Try Local Craft Beverages

Sampling delicious craft beverages from local small businesses is one of the top things to do in Portland, Maine. You'll have a blast sampling the best beer, wine, and spirits that the city has to offer. While you can hit up the local pubs and cocktail bars, sometimes it's best to try samples right at the source!

I suggest booking a tour so you don't need to drive from place to place. This Portland local brewery tour takes you on a walking tour to three different craft breweries.

I visited a brewery, a winery, and a distillery during my trip to Portland. Also, I made sure to sample more local beer right in town at some bars and restaurants. Here are my three suggested stops for craft beer, wine, and alcohol.

Foundation Brewing Company

Foundation Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Portland, founded in 2014. They're passionate about creating delicious brews, whether it's their core beers or limited edition ones. Foundation even has cellar beers, aged in bourbon, rye, rum, oak, or scotch barrels.

Not only did I get to sample quite a few different beers, but I also took a tour around the brewery, including the barrel room. Foundation Brewing Company has a spacious tasting room, and they've also got a massive outdoor heated tent right now, too.

If you aren't able to visit the brewery, you might be able to find Foundation Brewing Company beer at a pub near you. You'll also be able to find them at a variety of establishments in New England and beyond. Please note that Foundation Brewing Company has moved from its original location and it's a bit farther away from downtown Portland now.

Eighteen Twenty Wines

Eighteen Twenty Wines is one of the most unique wines that I've ever sampled. It's made entirely from Maine-grown rhubarb! Have you ever tried rhubarb wine before?

Portland, Maine is precisely where you can try this interesting wine. The winery likens their wine to a French Rosé, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc.

Some of this rhubarb wine also has strawberries or blueberries added to it as well. It's like summer in a glass! You can also use this wine as a spritzer or a base for a sangria. Eighteen Twenty wines are super refreshing, and they have sweet, semi-sweet, and dry wines, too.

Hardshore Distilling Company

Hardshore Distilling Company is best known for their award winning gin, Hardshore Original Gin. This flagship product took four years to perfect, and it's made with five botanicals (rosemary, mint, orris root (iris), coriander, and Tuscan juniper).

What to Do in Portland Maine: Discover Street Art

I was really surprised by the sheer amount of street art in Portland, Maine. While there might not be too many obvious graffiti alleys in town, there's quite a bit of street art, if you know where to look. I'm going to show you a few hotspots for murals and graffiti in town where you can go for a wander.

Street Art in Downtown Portland

First, the best place to find street art in Portland is right downtown. As you wander around the city streets, you'll find murals and graffiti in some obvious and not-so-obvious places.

It might take poking your head around some alleys and behind some buildings to find the best ones. There are some murals right downtown in some urban parks, on the sides of businesses, and even some colorful designs on outdoor tabletops. Street art hunting is one of the most fun things to do in Portland Maine.

Murals in East Bayside

One of the best places to visit in Portland Maine for street art is in the East Bayside neighborhood. You'll find quite a few on Anderson Street.

However, be sure to walk behind the buildings on Anderson Street on the Bayside Trail. Some of the most interesting street art and graffiti can be viewed from the Bayside Trail.

If you continue south on Anderson Street to Fox Street, you'll also be able to see some cool street art at Kennedy Park by the basketball court. There's also some interesting mosaic tile work on the building across the road from it, too.

Street Art in East End/Munjoy Hill

Lastly, there are some more murals in the East End/Munjoy Hill neighborhood. As part of the Portland Mural Initiative, artist Susan Bartlett Rice painted a mural depicting Maine clam diggers at the intersection of Congress Street and Washington Avenue.

I also found some colorful painted fences just up the street from the clam digger mural. I'm not sure if there are any more murals in the neighborhood, but maybe some more have popped up since my trip to Portland!

Explore Downtown and Old Port

One of the most fun things to do in Portland Maine is simply wandering around the city streets. You can definitely get some retail therapy with many boutique shops along the way. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, gelato shops, and pubs if you get hungry or thirsty on the way.

Walking around downtown and Old Port are some of the most fun things to do in Portland Maine. Here are a few spots that are a must see in Portland, Maine.

Architecture in Downtown Portland

Downtown Portland is a great place to marvel at Victorian architecture. You might wonder why most of the buildings were constructed in the late 1800s when Portland was founded in the 1600s?

In 1866, a massive fire broke out in Portland as the city was celebrating the 4th of July after the Civil War. Most of the buildings, churches, and homes were reduced to rubble.

Even still, I loved walking around downtown Portland to see the buildings and the architecture. There are lots of beautiful Victorian homes should you choose to walk through the residential streets, too.

What to Do in Old Port

From downtown Portland, continue walking to Old Port where you'll catch glimpses of the waterfront. A section of the Berlin Wall is along the waterfront, and there's also a piece of an old love lock fence beside it. The fence was dismantled when it became unsafe, but this portion was saved.

There are more shops and restaurants in Old Port to discover, so you'll be able to eat and drink your way through the city here, too. From the northeastern side of Old Port, you can walk on the Eastern Promenade Trail towards Fort Allen Park.

Take a Walking Tour of Portland

While I really love walking around new places and soaking up all of the sights, you can learn more about the history of a place from an experienced and knowledgeable guide. By taking a walking tour of Portland, you'll learn interesting facts and an intriguing history of Portland that dates back to 1632.

Things to Do in Portland, Maine: The Eastern Promenade

The Eastern Promenade was designed by the Olmstead Brothers Landscape Firm in 1905. They also designed the Mont Royal Park in Montreal and Central Park in NYC.

It's two miles in length and connects downtown Portland with the Bayside Trail, wrapping right around the coast. There are stunning views of the Portland Harbor and Casco Bay.

Along the Eastern Promenade, you'll find East End Beach, Portland's only public beach. If it's warm enough outside, you can stop for a beach day on this picturesque, pebble covered beach.

It's also a great place to launch your kayaks and standup paddleboards. When I visited in May, it wasn't nearly warm enough to go swimming, but the views here are lovely.

Fort Allen Park

Fort Allen Park is another place to visit on the Eastern Promenade Trail. It's a great place to enjoy a picnic or a summer concert at the bandstand. It was once the site of a Revolutionary Fort built in 1775 to protect Portland during the War of 1812.

It became a park in 1890 and there are many monuments and tributes, as well as a restored ship mast from the USS Portland. Going for a walk on the Eastern Promenade and stopping to admire the scenery is one of the best things to do in Portland Maine.

Things to Do in Portland Maine: Farmers Market

Who doesn't love a good farmers market? The Portland Farmers Market is open all year long. Their website states that they've been "feeding Portland since 1768" so it's certainly one of the longest standing farmers markets I've ever visited.

Throughout the spring, summer and fall (mid-April until the end of November), the market operates on Saturdays and Wednesdays in Deering Oaks Park. From December until mid-April, the indoor Portland Winter Farmers' Market takes place inside Stevens Square Community Center.

This is the best place place to connect with local farmers and pick up the freshest, locally grown food. There's a seemingly endless supply of fresh produce, flowers, organic vegetables, mushrooms, plants and seedlings, and so much more.

Things to Do in Portland Maine: Outdoor Adventures

Even with a few days in the city, there are still even more fun things to do in Portland, Maine. Feel free to add these to your Portland Maine itinerary if you love exploring the great outdoors.

While I've added walking tours and beer tours to my article, how about a bike tour of Portland? Let's go for a ride around the Portland Peninsula on a guided cycling tour. You'll borrow a bicycle and peddle along the waterfront bike path until you reach the Back Cove Trail.

Want to get out on the water? Here's an exciting sea kayaking tour of Casco Bay to float among the waves and possibly see some wildlife. Stand-up paddle boarding more your style? Take a SUP tour of Casco Bay!

Here's something a little different. You can take a painting class in a beautiful natural setting. This is some of the most beautiful scenery in the USA and your expert instructor will help you capture it on your canvas. No experience required!

Where to Stay in Portland Maine

My top choice if you're looking for where to stay in Portland Maine is the La Quinta by Wyndham Portland. It's not too far from downtown Portland, and it's both an affordable and comfortable place to stay.

Where to Eat in Portland Maine

Portland Maine was named the Restaurant City of the Year by Bon Appetit magazine. The city celebrates all sorts of cuisines and restaurants from a variety of culinary backgrounds.

Best Coffee Shops in Portland, Maine

Looking for amazing coffee shops in Portland, Maine? You're not alone! I always seek the best coffee wherever I travel (which is why I write so many coffee guides - to share the best coffee with you, too!).