A Girl in the Portland

Portland, Maine is a darling, quaint town that is worth a visit. A long weekend is the perfect amount of time to explore and experience it. It’s a great place to add as a stop if you are on an east coast tour. I did stop in Boston, MA for a night and could have added Portsmouth, NH to the list too. Made a stop for lunch there and it was charming as well.

I saw that my favorite band was playing in town, so I grabbed a friend (lucky her!), and planned the entire trip around this. Use this website to help plan further details, Visit Portland.

Where to Stay

Hands down you should stay at The Westin Portland Harborview. It’s a great central area which makes it easy to get around and see the sights. It might be one of the older hotels in the area but the charm and uniqueness make it a gem. It may have gone through an upgrade since I’ve been but regardless it’s my recommendation. The room we had was so large, we kept calling it our apartment.

Experience the Culture

When on the East Coast, Allegash White WITH Lemon is a must. Nice and light and refreshing with the lemon twist. It was a new experience…a beer with lemon? Count me in! It was the summer too, so just the sound of it was perfect. I’m not much for beer lately but I’d probably order this one again. It’s brewed right here in Portland which is a plus.

When in Maine, Lobster Roll is just something you have to do. Find a quaint restaurant on the water and order up. When you’re in the lobster capital of the world, you can’t go wrong! It’s a fresh as you’ll ever experience it.

Another obvious must do is Maine Blueberry Pie. Heavenly. The same place I ordered Lobster Roll is the same place I had this desert. I love experiencing culture and trying all the local favorites is something fun to do while traveling.

See the Sights

Stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Port in downtown. Charming shops line the streets and offer a fun day of shopping. Stop for lunch, drinks, or coffee along the way. There are many options to choose from. Sea Bags was a favorite shop there where they make bags from old sails.

Top of the East is your happy hour, sunset, must do. It’s the best rooftop bar and lounge in all the land. It doesn’t disappoint. It’s at the top of The Westin Portland Harborview, so if you are staying here that’s a bonus. Trust me, you’ll thank me.

Find a music venue and see a concert. Port City Music Hall was the perfect place to see one of my favorites, Wolfparade. It looks like they might not be open anymore but search for other options to see a local band or a favorite who might be in town.

Go see the Portland Sea Dogs. They are a Double-A affiliate for the Boston Red Sox. Of course the baseball lover in me is going to recommend this. Grab a hot dog, a beer, and a cheap seat to cheer on the home team. Then check this stadium off of your stadium list.

Do a Duck Tour. I’m not always one to recommend this but this was a great way to see the city and learn it’s history. It’s the hometown of Stephen King which I had no idea. The bay views alone and the fact that the duck boat can go on land and water made it a really fun and engaging tour.

When will you plan your trip??

xx