Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Portland, Maine. #Top Attractions

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Portland, Maine, will surely surprise you with its many wonders! Check out our curated list of the best things to do in Portland, Maine and the best places to visit in Portland, Maine below. Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3.0 travel startup with ambitious goals to change the world.

Allagash Brewery

Allagash Brewery Portland
Allagash Brewery Portland / Douglas Muth / Flickr

There’s nothing more exciting than crafting your beer and trying it out yourself.

The Allagash Brewery, which is known for its Belgian-style beers, is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Portland.

Established in 1995, the brewery is one of the 50 largest craft breweries in the United States.

The place has enough history to give a fascinating look at how people in New England used to make beer.

Such as how beers from Portland were stored in oak barrels.

While some of the unique beers they offer from the brewery are still aged in wooden barrels.

Rob Tod started Allagash Brewery in Portland, Maine, and won an award for “Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional.

The brewery is best known for its Allagash White wheat beer, making barrel-aged beers and sour beers.

.If you’re undecided on what beer to get, grab a beer glass and try out some of their free samples!

Address: 50 Industrial Way, Portland, ME 04103, USA

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Portland
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Portland / Susan Bell / Flickr

Find out why people from over 63 countries have come to see the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens project, has been going on for 16 years. 

The simple idea of making it into a public garden led to the creation of one of New England’s most extensive botanical gardens.

It all starts with a wide, open landscape that goes on for kilometers in every direction.

The gardens cover more than 300 acres, and 19 of them are for plants that are native to the state. 

Some of the plants in the site’s gardens are rhododendrons, dahlias, and bees.

You can find everything from quiet woods to fish that jump out of the water in the wild.

You’ll never be bored because you can take a boat ride, eat at restaurants, stroll through cafes and gift shops, or visit the butterfly house.

Add the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to your travel list!

Address: 132 Botanical Gardens Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537, USA

Commercial Street

Commercial Street Portland
Commercial Street Portland / Smabs Sputzer (1956-2017) / Flickr

The Commercial Street is one of the top attractions in Maine.

Enjoy the sea breeze and the beautiful view of ships in the commercial street.

Commercial Street, which runs through the city’s downtown, is lined with shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants.

The area has the feel of old Europe because of the cobblestone streets and small, cute buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

This is the place to go if you want a taste of New England’s past.

The Customs House will take you back in time with its unique mix of Renaissance Revival and Second Empire styles.

They have seafood restaurants and shops where you can make your t-shirts. 

They also have a great view of boats docking and fishermen shouting out their catch.

Commercial Street in Portland is a great place for many fun things to do with your family without getting bored.

Make sure you don’t miss out on this other well-known attraction in the city.

Address: 84 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101.

Wondering where to go this holiday? Try Maine. Explore our extensive travel tips for Lewiston and Augusta! Don’t forget to also see the exciting things to do in Lewiston, Maine, and the best things to do in Augusta, Maine.

Crescent Beach State Park

Crescent Beach State Park Portland
Crescent Beach State Park Portland / Mac H (media601) / Flickr

Crescent Beach State Park is the only place in Portland where you can enjoy the beach and the sun.

In 1966, Crescent Beach State Park opened in beautiful Cape Elizabeth, about 8 miles south of Portland. 

Crescent Beach State Park is in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It has a mile-long crescent beach surrounded by sand dunes and woods.

It also has a piece of Maine’s famous rocky shoreline. 

Boardwalks lead past seagrass-covered dunes to the beach, where fishing boats bob around a small island in the water.

Fishermen, nature lovers, water-sports enthusiasts, and beachgoers can all enjoy the rock ledges, saltwater bays, beaches, and forests.

The calm waves and warm water are great for families, and the low rock outcroppings make perfect pools for kids to explore. 

Lifeguards are on duty in the summer to keep swimmers safe. 

If you’re visiting during the off-season, hiking is the only option to get across Crescent Beach.

Address: 109 Bowery Beach Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, USA

Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill

Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill is a BBQ restaurant in the style of Texas that serves tasty ribs.

It is a family-friendly restaurant that serves the best natural craft beers and meat in Portland.

The restaurant was the Elsmere Auto Garage in the city’s Deering Center area. 

It has an impressive full bar with a sign from the 1930s. 

They have something for everyone, like vegetarian and vegan meals, appetizers, grilled seafood, and delicious slow-smoked meats.

They don’t use gas. Instead, they slowly smoke their meats in a smoker they built themselves and named “Mama.” 

They only use wood and their own rubbed recipes.

They serve St. Louis-style ribs, beef briskets, hand-pulled pork, and homemade sausages on the menu.

Baked beans, cornbread, and collard greens are traditional grilled meats that are sold as sides.

Tourists can also make their own Mexican-style dishes, such as burritos and tacos.

Have a bite of their BBQ and fill your stomach with delicious food.

Address: 476 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103

Considering a trip to Maine? Use our travel guides to see and do more on Bangor and Auburn! Look out for fun-filled things to do in Bangor, Maine and interesting things to do in Auburn, Maine.

Eventide Oyster Company

Eventide Oyster Company is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

Eventide’s Oyster Company is said to be a gem to many, so if you want to eat seafood in Portland, there’s no better place than this.

Due to how popular the restaurant is and has received tons of high reviews, vloggers from around the world visit the restaurant and confirm that Eventide lives up to its great reputation.

Stuff your face with lobster and oysters in all shapes and sizes.

Lobster rolls in a steamed bun with brown butter are to die for, and they always have about 20 different kinds of shells on hand. 

Traditional food is given a new twist in several dishes. 

Scallops and oysters that have been seared and then fried are served with a Korean BBQ sauce that tastes like green curry. 

While you wait for a table or stool, you can wait at the bar and order a glass of wine, a house drink, or beer. 

The restaurant can only accommodate a few visitors and has a long line of people, so you might have to wait. 

Take some pictures and stop by at Eventide for a craving-satisfied trip.

Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Fore River Sanctuary

Fore River Sanctuary Portland
Fore River Sanctuary Portland / zyrpscwb79 / Flickr

Listen to the birds singing and the water rushing over the rocks as you relax in the Fore River Sanctuary.

This 85-acre nature area has the Cumberland and Oxford Canals and Portland’s only natural waterfall, Jewell Falls.

The area where saltwater and freshwater marshes meet is a great place to watch birds.

It came from the family of Tom Jewell, who was one of the first people to join Portland Trails. 

The building is open every day of the year, from morning until night. 

Some places will let dogs in as long as they are on a leash. 

Take a trail from Frost Street up to Riverview Street to get to the Capisic Brook Route.

There are signs to help you stay on track and give you modern amenities like seats and bathrooms along the trails.

The Fore River Sanctuary is not only beautiful because of its natural surroundings, but it is also easy to get to.

If you’re looking for things to do in Portland, Fore River Sanctuary should be on your list.

Address: 157-169 Rowe Ave, Portland, ME 04102, USA

Fort Gorges

Fort Gorges Portland
Fort Gorges Portland / Masayuki (Yuki) Kawagishi / Flickr

Fort Gorges is a famous spooky place and is a place for all thrill-seekers.

Between 1858 and 1864, there were no battles or troops in the area. 

Advances in military technology rendered the fort useless before it could be used. 

Sir Ferdinando Gorges was named after Fort Gorges, which Ruben Smart built between 1861 and 1868 in the style of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

Located on the coast of Casco Bay, Fort Gorges is a former military base, but it was shut down in 2010.

In 1973, It was hailed as a place with a rich history by the National Register of Historic Places.

It can only be reached by water taxi, canoe, kayak, or boat.

What makes the place scary is that there’s no telling when bunker walks and decks will come apart!

Fort Gorges became a popular destination in Portland for both locals and tourists due to its beauty and unique view.

If you’re traveling with your children, a picnic on the fort’s grounds is a great way to spend your time there.

It is a self-guided tour, so make sure you plan before you visit the place.

Address: Portland, ME 04101, USA

International Cryptozoology Museum

International Cryptozoology Museum Portland
International Cryptozoology Museum Portland / sports / Flickr

Tired of the usual animal museum? Hailed as one of the seven weirdest museums globally by TIME, the International Cryptozoology Museum isn’t like any other museum you’ll see.

The International Cryptozoology Museum is the first place to honor “cryptozoology,” the study of animals that are hard to find, like cougars and the famously mysterious Bigfoot.

Lorenzo Coleman, one of the most knowledgeable people about strange animals, started looking for them in 1960.

His study includes hidden animals such as okapi, coelacanth, sea serpents, Yetis, Bigfoot, and a hundred other cryptids that haven’t been discovered yet.

The International Cryptozoology Museum, which opened in 2003, has more than a thousand objects on display.

This museum in downtown Portland is suitable for people of all ages.

There are many different exhibits; rare scientific specimens, popular cultural tributes, important anthropological and psychological acknowledgments of sightings, and folk traditions in homology and cryptozoology. 

The museum aims to teach and learn about science and history, native art, and modern artifacts.

If you want to learn more about animals you’ve only seen in movies, visit the International Cryptozoology Museum.

Address: 4 Thompsons Point #106, Portland, Maine 04101

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Portland / Josh Graciano / Flickr

If Thomas and Friends were one of your favorite cartoons growing up, a train museum in Portland would make you feel like a kid again!

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is a must-see in Portland. 

You’ll have fun and learn a lot about the history of railroading.

The museum also has a narrow-gauge railway along the Eastern Promenade for a three-mile round trip. It is educational and interesting at the same time.

From the comfort of a train, it’s a great way to see Casco Bay and the views of the water. 

Take a tour of the museum by riding the train down the beach, cars, and caboose down the beach for three miles.

If you’re visiting Portland on a rainy day, the museum is one of the best options to drop by.

In the museum, a two-foot-gauge railroad is featured.

They also have old coaches, displays about the history of the railroads, and things for kids to do.

Don’t forget to take great photos at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum.

Address: 58 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Munjoy Hill

Munjoy Hill is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

A place in Portland that never gets old due to its always being on-trend is an ideal place for everyone!

Munjoy Hill, which Portlanders often call “the Hill,” is a cool spot in Portland.

This area is in the highlands of Portland’s east end. It is a place to think creatively and a window into the city’s past. 

The neighborhood has a reputation for being close-knit and rough, despite its rough edges, because of its long history of working-class immigrants who made a living along the water. 

In the 1970s and 1980s, a group of artists and restaurant owners moved into the area and turned it into a place where hipsters love to hang out.

They built busy cafes, art galleries, bright shops, and condos in the area, making it more lively.

The city’s best boutiques and restaurants that have won awards can be seen at the Portland Observatory.

The area is a perfect combination of old and modern Portland.

Go to Munjoy Hill and enjoy its beautiful architecture and views!

Address: Portland, ME 04101, USA

Odyssey Whale Watch

Odyssey Whale Watch is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

The Odyssey Whale Watch is one of the best things to do in  Maine.

Be fascinated by the whales as you watch them in their natural habitat in Portland.

Maine’s shores are a great spot to see whales, and Odyssey Whale Watch will get you close to them.

The Odyssey, a comfortable ocean-going yacht with many places to sit and decks with great views, is used for tours. 

The ship is small but comfortable and will help you get closer to the whales.

A naturalist on board will tell you interesting and educational things about the ocean’s ecosystem and the different aquatic species you see.

The four-hour tour takes people 20 miles off the coast to where the whales feed so they can get the best views of them. 

Even if the weather is nice, it’s a good idea to dress warmly, even if the galley is full of food and drinks.

Take great photos with the waves as a background while sipping soft drinks and eating pretzels when on board.

You can watch whales, seabirds, sharks, sunfish, and dolphins while you’re in the city!

Address: 170 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Old Port

Old Port Portland
Old Port Portland / R Boed / Flickr

Go on a food tour or ride a ferry in Portland’s Old Port.

The Old Port neighborhood is in the central business district of Portland. 

It still has the charm of a beach town from the past. 

From the shore, people can take charters, cruises, and other types of trips to the Calendar Islands and other places.

Walk along the beach with a cold drink in your hand and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Old Port. 

You will see street performers in the Old Port; make sure you leave a tip for them.

If you’re craving seafood, several crab restaurants can be found in the area. 

You can walk to galleries, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings that line the cobblestone streets of the Old Port.

On a guided tour on a vintage fire engine, you can see the Old Port neighborhood and other parts of Portland from a different point of view. 

From the engine’s perch, it’s easy to see all of Portland’s landmarks, making it a great place for tourists to take pictures.

Pack your swimsuit and go to Old Port for a fun summer vacation.

Address: Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Palace Playland

Palace Playland Portland
Palace Playland Portland / Paul VanDerWerf / Flickr

The Palace Playland is one of the best places to visit in  Maine.

Looking for something thrilling to do in Portland? Palace Playland’s roller-coaster ride will surely keep you on the edge of your seat!

Established in the early 1900s, the Playland used to be a small amusement park with a merry-go-round and a roller skating rink as rides.

Along with their rides, they used to sell cheap lemonade drinks to the locals and tourists.

Located in Old Orchard Beach, Palace Playland is the only amusement park in Maine with a beachfront view. 

Ride their famous Ferris wheel and roller coaster and see the great ocean view while you scream with excitement.

Palace Playland also has several other things to do.

At the amusement park, there are all kinds of fun things for kids and adults to do.

In a typical arcade, you can find photo booths and skeeball lanes.

Several foods stands on every corner of the park where visitors can grab a bite of their food and drinks. 

Spend your weekend in Portland, Maine, and visit Palace Playland.

Address: 1 Old Orchard St, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064, USA

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light Portland
Portland Head Light Portland / Paul VanDerWerf / Flickr

For more than 200 years, Portland Head Light has helped sailors find their way.

The Portland Head Light is one of the city’s most well-known landmarks.

Since it was built on the coast of Maine in 1791, this lighthouse has helped ships, soldiers, and people get to New England.

The 90-acre Fort Williams Park is not far away. It has its own beach and a number of gardens, hiking trails, and picnic tables along the coast. 

It’s hard to avoid seeing Portland’s Head Light.

A foghorn and a lighthouse help people find their way along the shore at night.

The only difference between the tower’s past and present is that electric lights have replaced the whale oil lamps.

People can now enjoy the view, go on a tour, look around the museum, or lie down on the grass and relax.

Don’t forget to drop by since it’s a great place to relax and take in the smell of the sea.

Address: 12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, USA

Portland Museum of Art

Portland Museum of Art is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

Experiencing Portland’s art and culture back in 1882 will enable you to experience their way of life before.

It has the oldest art collections in Maine. 

The museum has about 17,000 pieces of fine and decorative art from the 18th century and modern art.

Some of the prominent individuals whose works are displayed are the Collection of Maine, Elizabeth B. Noyce Collection, Collection from Europe, which Degas made, Wyeth, Bellows, Rodin, and Degas.

Since it opened in 1983, the Charles Shipman Payson Building has been the landmark of the Museum of American History. 

It has three important buildings connecting America’s history for 300 years ago.

Many educational events at the museum, such as PMA films, special shows, and gallery talks.

The place isn’t only for art enthusiasts but is open to everyone.

If you’d like to learn more about the place’s history, you must go to a one-of-a-kind museum.

Don’t miss out on visiting the places in the state!

Address: 7 Congress Square, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Portland Symphony Orchestra

Portland Symphony Orchestra is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

The Merril Auditorium is undoubtedly the heart of Portland, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s performance will make you experience all sorts of feelings.

Founded in 1923, the Portland Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional symphony orchestra that performs concerts all year long at Merill Auditorium.

They have been putting on “The Magic of Christmas” for over 25 years and are led by Robert Moody. They frequently have guest musicians join them.

The Merrill Auditorium is the most popular place for concerts and theater in Portland. Several great shows are held at the venue.

The building’s main feature is a beautiful, huge pipe organ.

The Portland Ballet and Kotzschmar Organ Friends are two other groups that put on shows in the Auditorium.

At the end of the year, the theater helps put on the well-known Polar Express event in the city.

You could use the historic building as a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos while on Portland’s honeymoon.

If you’re looking for something entertaining to do in Portland, drop by Merrill Auditorium and find out why the Portland Symphony Orchestra is one of the most anticipated performers.

Address: 50 Monument Square 2nd floor, Portland, Maine 04101

SPACE

SPACE Portland
SPACE Portland / Peat Bakke / Flickr

A SPACE is a place for people who love art and will keep you entertained with its amazing displays and shows.

SPACE is a non-profit contemporary art center in the middle of Portland, Maine. 

It offers movies, live music and performances, talks, visual arts, and other community events. 

It is a place with a different, new, and interesting modern art gallery that supports local artists.

SPACE’s goal is to promote the free flow of ideas, contemporary artists, and art projects in the community.

They aim to build vibrant communities by giving a wide range of people the chance to try new things, make friends, and talk to each other through arts programming and events that break the rules. 

Over 30 artist studios in downtown Portland were offered help by SPACE to avoid shutting down.

Visitors can also go to training, seminars, and workshops in SPACE.

Unleash your creativity and productivity by visiting SPACE.

Address: 538 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, USA

Standard Baking Co

Standard Baking Co Portland
Standard Baking Co Portland / Rebecca Siegel / Flickr

You can never go wrong with a freshly baked European good served hot from a stone-deck oven at Standard Baking Co.

Standard Baking Co. is Portland’s most popular bakery, located right across from the port and below Fore Street Restaurant. 

Matt James and Alison Pray are the bakery owners of Standard Baking Co., a landmark in Portland.

They have been running the bakery since 1995 and are finalists for the 2018 James Beard Award.

Brioche, scones, baguettes, and croissants are popular among the customers on the menu.

Due to its successful advertising strategy, visitors often line up outside the bakery’s door to try the sweets.

There is only one bench inside, so you’ll have to bring your things. 

When it’s warm outside, you can sit under the arbor and eat your pastries while they’re still hot. 

Standard Baking Co. tries to make its bread and pastries with organic and locally grown ingredients as much as possible. 

They use unbleached wheat and organic, whole-grain flour.

Visit Portland and drop by Standard Baking Co. for some delicious bread and pastries.

Address: 75 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101

The Maine Mall

The Maine Mall is one of the best places to go in Portland, Maine.

The Maine Mall is where all shopaholics should go when visiting Portland!

The first store in Maine, Jordan Marsh, first opened its doors to the public in 1969.

The Maine Mall is the biggest shopping center in Maine and is the second-largest in New England.

It has more than 100 stores and more than 1.1 million square feet of floor space.

You can shop until you drop at the Maine Mall without worrying about running out of money.

They have different services and amenities, such as stroller rentals and free Wi-Fi, to ensure a good time when visiting the mall.

It’s a great place to shop because it has everything from expensive shops to cheap kiosks.

You can always look forward to something nice on a normal weekday or during the busiest time of the year.

You won’t go hungry because of the food court, and if you walk quickly through the halls, you’ll burn calories.

It is one of the best things to do in Maine, so don’t miss the chance to shop here!

Address: 364 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, USA

Volunteer At Animal Shelters

Animal Shelters in Portland, Maine
Animal Shelters in Portland, Maine

Think about helping out at an animal shelter near you. This is one of the most meaningful things to do. There are too many abandoned pets because people let them have babies and don’t take care of them. Steps need to be taken right away to stop the growing number of stray and homeless cats and dogs. We need animal shelters to deal with the problems that arise when too many pets are abandoned.

Volunteering to aid animals enables people to positively influence their community. It allows them to see how they can help their community and animals in need.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year to focus on people who are less fortunate than we are. Animals are frequently overlooked but helping out when you can significantly impact your neighborhood. Consider adding regional animal welfare organizations to your list this year when you get into the giving mood! Happy holidays, howls!

Check out the list of animal shelters in Portland, Maine where you can volunteer. Help needy animals!

Traveling and having fun in the USA? You have to check out this page – the best states to visit in USA for the most fun and unusual travel ideas.

You haven’t made up your mind to go to Portland, Maine, yet, have you? Check out reasons to visit Portland, Maine, at least once in your lifetime here.

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