Portland

Travel Guide

Portland Head Light showing a sunset, general coastal views and rocky coastline
Portland
Fort Williams Park featuring rocky coastline and general coastal views as well as an individual femail
Portland
Portland

Portland Travel Guide Video

The largest city in Maine is a gateway for island hopping in summer, skiing in winter and a thriving cultural center year-round.

Renowned for the many outdoor adventures that are nearby, Portland, Maine, also offers visitors a large downtown arts district and a vibrant food culture.

Kick off your exploration in the Old Port. This historic district with cobblestone streets and converted Victorian warehouses contains many boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Visit the late 18th-century Portland Head Light lighthouse. Although the tower isn’t open to the public, you can still explore the small museum in the former Keepers’ Quarters, which is open seasonally. 

Portland’s creative side is seen in its many downtown museums and galleries. Discover three centuries of American and European fine and decorative art at the Portland Museum of Art. For music, dance and drama, visit the Merrill Auditorium and the Portland Stage theater.

After a tour of the town and its museums, go kayaking or take a boat cruise to explore coastal and inland waterways. On a warm day, swim in a clear lake, relax on the beach or go whitewater rafting down the Kennebec River. Take a short ferry ride out to the Casco Bay Islands, an archipelago off Portland’s coast. Visit the islands’ beaches, woods and villages. Peaks Island is the bay’s most populated island and has an artistic community. Walk its 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) Peaks Island Loop. In winter, go skiing in Sunday River and Sugarloaf, two skiing resorts within driving distance of the city.

Compact Portland is easy to navigate by car and public transport and on foot. There is a fee for parking in the downtown area, except on Sundays. In winter, check the nightly parking ban to avoid blocking snow plows.

The city is 310 miles (499 kilometers) from New York City and daily flights from there and Washington D.C. go into Portland International Jetport. As the city has a working port and cruise terminals, you can also get there and away by ship.

Where to stay in Portland

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Downtown Portland

Downtown Portland is known for its captivating waterfront views, and with sights like Cross Insurance Arena and Merrill Auditorium, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Portland.

Downtown Portland
Old Port showing a bay or harbor

Old Port

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Old Port. A stop by Cross Insurance Arena or Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal might round out your trip.

Old Port
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Back Cove

While Back Cove might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hadlock Field and Merrill Auditorium.

Back Cove
Victoria Mansion showing interior views, heritage elements and a house

West End

If you're spending some time in West End, Victoria Mansion and Portland Fire Museum are top sights worth seeing.

West End
Portland featuring a park

East Bayside

While visiting East Bayside, you might make a stop by sights like Maine Jewish Museum and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

East Bayside
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West Bayside

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Bayside and surrounding area, you can visit Merrill Auditorium and Cross Insurance Arena.

West Bayside
Clarion Hotel Portland

Clarion Hotel Portland

2.5 out of 5
1230 Congress St, Portland, ME
The price is P8,762 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P8,762
P9,694 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,038 reviews)
"The lobby is welcoming. I mean spacious, clean and bright!"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Clarion Hotel Portland
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland

3 out of 5
155 Riverside St, Portland, ME
The price is P7,932 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P7,932
P8,776 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,041 reviews)
"Most comfortable beds! Room could have used a vacuum but sheets were clean and bathtub was clean. No frills, not modern, but served its purpose. Welcome staff was delightful!"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland
The Westin Portland Harborview

The Westin Portland Harborview

4 out of 5
157 High St, Portland, ME
The price is P11,840 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P11,840
P13,297 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Nice property could add some vending machines by ice machines for soft drinks and snacks."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

The Westin Portland Harborview
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Weldon Hotel

The Weldon Hotel

4.5 out of 5
54 York St, Portland, ME
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Thompson's Point ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (68 reviews)
"We had a great stay in the 2 bedroom unit. great set up and was super clean. Loved the proximity to the shopping area and restaurants. Only issue was the front door lock, noticed a lot of the other people were leaving the lock open. Would stay here again"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

The Weldon Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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