Portland is a small city that mixes urban sophistication with home-town friendliness. On the southern Maine coast, only a two-hour drive from Boston, Portland lies at the mouth of Casco Bay. With a population of about 65,000, this coastal hub has more than its share of interesting shops and great restaurants. Museums and theaters tend to be small and friendly. Art galleries and musical performances reflect the area's wealth of creativity.
Most first-time visitors to Portland start their trip by exploring the Old Port, a collection of cobble-stoned streets lined with brick buildings packed with shops, restaurants, boutiques, bakeries and coffee shops.
Portland is a small city that mixes urban sophistication with home-town friendliness. On the southern Maine coast, only a two-hour drive from Boston, Portland lies at the mouth of Casco Bay. With a population of about 65,000, this coastal hub has more than its share of interesting shops and great restaurants. Museums and theaters tend to be small and friendly. Art galleries and musical performances reflect the area's wealth of creativity.
Most first-time visitors to Portland start their trip by exploring the Old Port, a collection of cobble-stoned streets lined with brick buildings packed with shops, restaurants, boutiques, bakeries and coffee shops.
If the weather's fine, you can take a stroll along East End beach and gaze out across Casco Bay. A trail connects the Old Port, from Commercial Street, along the harbor to East End Beach. If you're feeling strong, keep going: the trail connects to the Back Cove trail, a 3.25-mile path that circles the picturesque bay that separates the downtown peninsula from the rest of the city.
Congress Street, Portland's Main Street, is turning into a veritable arts district, anchored at the State Street end by the fine Portland Museum of Art and the Children's Museum of Maine. Galleries, cafes, funky clothes stores and the Maine College of Art's galleries and buildings line Congress and its side streets.
Portland is home to two minor league sports teams. In summer, the Portland Sea Dogs take up residence at Hadlock Field, and in winter, the Portland Pirates play at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
Also worth checking out: The Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill, a ride on the Casco Bay Lines ferry, the Farmer's Market on Wednesdays in Monument Square, and the Portland Public Market. Just south of Portland, Cape Elizabeth is home to Portland Head Light, the most-photographed lighthouse in Maine.
Fairs, Festivals & Annual Events in Greater Portland
Maine Short Play Festival 03/29/2007 - 04/08/2007
The tradition of presenting the best in new one - act plays by local
authors continues when Acorn offers a rotating schedule of workshop
performances of plays in process. Fees: $10 - $14. Location: St.
Lawrence Arts & Community Center, 76 Congress St, Portland.
www.acorn-productions.org.
21st Annual Chocolate Lover's Fling 04/01/2007
Here is a chance to sample some of the best chocolate goodies from
southern Maine restaurants, bakeries and candy companies to benefit
SARSSM (Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine). Prizes
will be awarded. Fees: Adults $20, children under 10 - free. Location:
Holiday Inn by the Bay, Spring Street, Portland. Times: 1:00 p.m. -
4:00 p.m.
www.sarsonline.org.
Old Port Festival 06/03/2007
The kick - off to the festival season in Maine, this family festival is
sure to be fun for all. A parade featuring Portland's own Shoestring
Theater Puppet Company, music, entertainment, cuisine from around the
world, and children's activities. Times: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Old Port District, Downtown Portland. www.portlandmaine.com.
Annual Greek Heritage Festival 06/21/2007 - 06/23/2007
This spectacular three - day
Greek Festival is a wonderful family event that each year draws more
than 10,000 visitors from around the greater Portland area. Along with
exquisite Greek cuisine, there will be live music and traditional
dancing. Times: 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Location: Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant Street, Portland.
www.holytrinityportland.org.
Maine Festival of the Book -
A Celebration of Reading and Writing 06/23/2007 - 06/24/2007
Join us for a weekend of
readings, book sales, author signings, discussions, interviews,
children's programs, and performances celebrating writers, readers, and
publishers. The Gala opening will be on Friday, June 22. Location:
Downtown Portland, Monument Square, Congress Street, Portland. Fees:
All events are free except the Gala. Tickets are open seating and
available on a first - come, first - serve basis.
www.mainereads.org.
Annual Maine Bike Rally 07/06/2007 - 07/08/2007
You'll find rides just your
size! 60 miles of great mountain bike trails. Family ride, time trial
race, stargazing night ride and more! Many events for non - cycling
family members, friends, and resting cyclists. Fees: Call for fees.
Times: TBA. Location: Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth. Contact:
Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Telephone: 207 - 623 - 4511. E - mail:
bcm@bikemaine.org. www.bikemaine.org.
Yarmouth Clam Festival - 42nd
Annual 07/20/2007 - 07/22/2007
A 3 - day event including a
parade, free performances, a juried craft show, an art show, sports
contests, a carnival and a variety of free family - oriented activities.
As always, clams are the feature menu item in the locally run food
court. Times: Fri 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Sat 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.;
Sun 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: Main St, Yarmouth. www.clamfestival.com.
5th Annual Greater Portland
Festival of Nations 07/28/2007
This festival promotes the understanding and appreciation for all
ethnic nations in the state of Maine. It will feature nearly 60 booths
showcasing authentic ethnic food, crafts, and performances with a
projected audience of 20,000 people. Fees: Free. Times: 2:00 p.m. -
8:30 p.m. Location: Deering Oak Park, Deering & Park Avenues,
Portland. www.wini.us.
MS Bike to the Breakwater -
Standish 08/04/2007 - 08/05/2007
Hundreds of riders will
participate in this bike tour to benefit Multiple Sclerosis. Riders can
choose from the 50 or 75 mile ride that travels through the picturesque
Lakes Region of Maine. Participants ride at their own pace. Live
entertainment and lobster bake on Sunday. Fees: $250 fundraising
minimum. Times: 7:30 a.m. Location: St. Joseph's College, Standish.
www.msmaine.org.
26th MS Regatta Harborfest
Weekend 08/16/2007 - 08/19/2007
Maine's largest sailing race
with a benefit auction on Thursday night and the sailboat regatta on
Saturday. Over 130 sailboats participate. Cruising categories for
non - racers. Events include the Tugboat Muster, Shoreside Festival,
Powerboat Poker Run and more. Location: Various locations throughout
Portland area and on Casco Bay. www.msmaine.org.
Portland Chamber Music
Festival 2007 Concert Series 08/16/2007 - 08/25/2007
Celebrating its 14th season
with four performances by renowned artists from such ensembles as the
Chicago, Boston, St. Louis symphonies and the New York Philharmonic.
The festival is known for traditional classical and eclectic
repertoire. Fees: $20; 21 and under free; Adult subscriptions $70 -
Senior Subscriptions $60. Times: 8:00 p.m. Location: Abramson Center,
88 Bedford St, USM Portland campus. www.pcmf.org.
Light up your Holidays 11/23/2007 - 12/21/2007 A month - long celebration that
includes festival light displays, free horse and wagon rides, as well
as tree and wreath sales. Tree lighting ceremony in Monument Square on
11/23 at 5:30 p.m. Fees: Free.
www.portlandmaine.com.
Freeport's 14th Annual
Sparkle Weekend 11/30/2007 - 12/02/2007
Main Street Magic Parade of
Lights, carolers, Talking Christmas Tree, Santa, horse drawn carriage
rides, and much more! Fees: Free. Location: Village - wide, Freeport.
www.freeportusa.com
Beaches & Parks
- Want a sandy beach, popular with families? Head on over to Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. Bigger waves and a younger crowd, try Higgins Beach. Got Kids? Wolf Neck Farm on 600-acres in Freeport promotes agriculture and the environment with camping and access to Casco Bay.
More about Maine Beaches and Parks >
For Children
- Beaches and the parks are a great way to be in the outdoors and fill and afternoon. Get on the water with a ferry trip to one of the many nearby islands is sure to produce a memorable adventure. The Children's Museum of Maine is a great idea for downtown Portland and the Desert of Maine will break up that shopping trip to Freeport.
More for Children in Maine >
Outdoor Activities
- From paddling the Casco Bay to the quick but rewarding hike to the top at Bradbury Mountain in Pownal, outdoor adventure is right at your finger tips while in Greater Portland.
More about Outdoor Activities in Maine >
Shopping
- With summer farmers' markets Monument Square, downtown Portland, to the chic boutiques of the cobble-stoned Old Port District, you'll find something to treasure. And the of course there are the Freeport outlets if you're craving those designer labels at bargain prices.
More about Shopping in Maine >
Tastes of Maine
Portland is teeming with restaurants. Go authentic Maine with lobster at the Portland Lobster Company, "chowdah" at Gilbert's Chowder House, or oysters at J's Oyster. For the ultimate experience, buy seafood direct from the docks and cook it yourself. See reviews of Greater Portland restaurants.
More Tastes of Maine >
Maine Short Play Festival
Places to stay 
Retiring 
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