Things to Do in Portland Maine
One thing I love? When people come to visit Portland, Maine! It is my hometown, my favorite state and I adore showing it off to friends and family who visit. There are so many small businesses to support, foods to try and drinks to sip. Skip the tourist spots and explore the city like a local. Is there any other way to do it?
Breakfast
Bagels? Yes Please.
Rose Foods - Debatably some of the best bagels in Portland. If you are a lox fan, this is the spot for you!
Scratch Baking Co. - My personal favorite bagel in my personal favorite South Portland neighborhood. Grab a sea salt bagel, and coffee and walk Willard Beach, or visit Spring Point Lighthouse.
A Real Brunch Experience
The Front Room - Hands down, my favorite breakfast in Portland. Go. If there is a long wait, walk the Eastern Prom because it is worth the wait. Try their fennel sausage and grilled blueberry muffins. You won’t regret it.
American Bayside Cafe - It might not be in the best location, but they do have some of the best breakfast in town. Try their cinnamon roll pancakes while you are there. It’s a must!
Donuts + Bakeries
Standard Baking Co. - Looking for the best croissant outside of Paris? I swear. Just go and get yourself an array of croissants. I recommend almond, plain, and chocolate. The line here gets wild in the fall and summer, so go when they open!
BLVL - Their almond croissants are to die for. Do yourself a favor and go. If you want a croissant tour, just stop in here after your stop at Standard Baking Co. Do a little Portland baked good taste test.
Hifi Donuts - This is a favorite! Their glazes are incredible. I recommend the swirly thing or the calico glaze! If you are looking for some of the best breakfast sandwiches in town, you are going to find them here too. Make sure you order a hash brown!
The Holy Donut - Listen closely. This place has gained insane popularity for their potato donuts. If you go, I highly recommend the dark chocolate sea salt. If the line is out the door at their downtown location, head down to their Park Ave. location and grab a donut and go!
It’s Coffee Time
Speckled Ax - My personal favorite spot for an almond milk latte! Be sure to check out their new, Commercial St. location. It’s gorgeous! PS. You can also snag a Rose Foods bagel here. Win-win.
Bard - When you are walking around the Old Port, stop by Bard and get yourself a large cold brew. It’s some of the best in town!
Arabica - Super yummy cold brew and gorgeous windows to sit in! One of my favorite spots for working downtown.
Tandem - If you want to try their baked goods, go to their West End location and get yourself a breakfast sandwich and a cinnamon bun. If you don’t want to wait in line and just want some espresso, head to Little Tandem, their East End location. You’ll be glad you did!
Coffee By Design - These are all over town. Their draft old brew is off the charts. I also recommend stocking up on their Black & Tan whole beans!
Dinner
Street & Co. - Some of the best seafood in town. Make reservations far in advance. They book up, especially in the summer!
Fore Street - One of the best, highest-reviewed restaurants in Portland. If you are looking for a romantic night out, stop by Fore Street.
Scales - Some great seafood right on the water. Request a window table and don’t forget to try their desserts.
The Corner Room - Some of the yummiest Italian food in town. Grab some garlic bread, a glass of wine, and a charcuterie board to start. It is just so good. This is one of my favorite date-night spots!
Flatbread - Yes it can be a bit touristy, but it is one of the best pizza places in town with an incredible beer list!
The Lobster Shack - If you are one of those people that HAVE to eat a whole lobster while you are in Maine, skip the overpriced restaurants, don’t ruin your nice clothes, and head to The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth. It is right on the water and has very traditional New England seafood. It’s a great spot for locals and visitors alike!
Luke’s Lobster - A great spot right on the water for local lobster in a traditional, laid-back style. Great cocktails too!
Drinks
Cocktails
Hunt + Alpine: Debatably the best cocktails in town. Order a side of their popcorn while you sip something yummy!
Blythe & Burrows: Great cocktails right downtown. Grab a window seat if you can! PS. The decor in this bar is off the charts.
Sagamore Hill Lounge: Super cute bar with really cozy vibes in Portland’s West End. A more local spot for sure.
The Garden Cafe - This outdoor location is one of my favorite things about summer. It is attached to the Portland Regency, or the old Armory. Without a doubt, it has the best vibes in town for sipping in the garden.
Breweries
Novare Res - Not really a brewery, but it’s a great place to taste some of the best beer both locally and from all over the world. Plus, their outdoor patio is amazing.
Austin Street - My personal favorite. Go visit their Fox St. location and grab a flight! PS. Their coffee stout is one of the best!
Oxbow - Calling all sour and Saison fans, go to Oxbow and don’t look back!
Bunker - Make sure you use Google Maps to find this one, but trust me, they are one of the best breweries here in Portland.
Allagash - Portland’s most well-known breweries. Be sure to visit and when you do, try some of the surrounding breweries. There are a handful in that same industrial park.
Belleflower - This spot has some of the yummiest IPA’s in town, plus their outdoor mural is the perfect spot for a photo op.
Shopping
Bliss - A great little spot on Exchange Street for women’s clothing, accessories, and some of my favorite perfumes.
Blanche + Mimi - A really cute spot for home goods and baby clothing! You have to stop in.
Fitz & Bennett - Whether you need some great gifts, candles, or wall decor from local Maine artists, Fitz and Bennett is a great spot hidden on Milk St.
Portland Trading Co. - A super unique boutique with some excellent men’s apparel and home decor.
Gus & Ruby - Everyone loves a letterpress store! Go browse. You’ll leave with something, I promise.
Activities
Lighthouse Tour - You can visit three lighthouses in an hour! Go visit Portland Headlight, Bug Light, and Spring Point Ledge Light. You can even grab coffee at Omi’s on your way to your tour!
Beach Day - If you visit in the summer, plan yourself a beach day! Some local favorites are Willard Beach, Higgins Beach, Kettle Cove, and Crescent Beach State Park. Don’t forget to get ice cream at Kettle Cove Creamery while you are out by the beaches!
Pineland Farms - If you visit in the fall, visit Pineland Farms! They have a corn maze, incredible gardens, and a bakery with some of the best chocolate chip cookies on the globe. They also have a killer pumpkin patch!
Apple Picking - If you visit in the early fall, be sure to go apple picking! My personal favorite is Hansel’s in North Yarmouth.
Take a Ferry - This is a great activity year round! See Portland from Casco Bay by taking a ferry ride to one of the surrounding islands. It is a very cost-effective way to boat around Portland. It is even gorgeous in the winter!
Wine & Sail - If you want a classier boating experience, book a wine and sail with Wine Wise.
Take a Hike - The Greater Portland area has so many gorgeous walking trails and hiking spots. Take a drive about an hour north and walk the Harpswell Cliff Trail. It’s stunning!
Visit The Mountains - Depending on how long you are visiting, and the time of year, consider taking a day trip to the mountains for hiking, skiing, or fall foliage! Consider North Conway New Hampshire to visit the White Mountain National Forest or head to Rangeley or Sugarloaf in Maine for hiking, biking, skiing and more!
Visit the Mid-Coast - Just an hour north, the coast of Maine changes dramatically. From sandy beaches to a rockier coastline, the mid-coast is a beautiful part of Maine. Visit Damariscotta in the summer and join in the local oyster scene. So good!