Visit the shopper and foodie ’ s paradise any time of year , but especially during leaf-peeping season . BY KERRI TALLMAN
W hen you think of Portland , what comes to mind ? I ’ ll go first : the amazing food scene and local shopping . Somewhere within its thirty-one neighborhoods , all varying in landscape and culture , you ’ ll fall in love with this city by the sea .
SUNDAY AFTERNOON : After a smooth , two-and-a-half-hour drive , I arrive at the waterfront around 1 p . m . and check into the Canopy by Hilton , situated right between downtown and the pier . After unloading my bags ( into what is quite the modern suite ), I immediately walk uphill to downtown .
You know how they say you never really remember a place the first time you see it ? On my second trip to this historic seacoast city , everything seems familiar : cobblestone streets , classic New England architecture and narrow stoops in front of hole-in-the-wall spots . Seeing as many places are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays , I hit up a few shops . I pick up a pair of funky earrings at Pinecone + Chickadee ( pineconeandchickadee . com ) on Free Street and check out the aptly named vintage store Find ( foundatfind . com ) just a few doors down and score on denim , leather and corduroy for the chilly seasons .
SUNDAY EVENING : With my new purchases , I head back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner . While the ivy-covered Via Vecchia ( vvoldport . com ) is tempting ( and an Italian must-visit while in the area ), I opt for a more casual meal at Luke ’ s Lobster Portland Pier ( lukeslobster . com ). When in Maine , eat lots of lobster and order anything with native blueberries , if you can get them past peak season . The signature lobster roll arrives perfectly dressed on a split brioche bun with chips and a pickle . After two blueberry mojitos , brewed with locally sourced blueberries in partnership with local distillery Three of Strong Spirits , I head back to my hotel and rest up for a full day of exploration .
72 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l OCTOBER 2022