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Portland is similar to Newport with its many wharves , downtown shopping and hyper-local focus . This city is alive with buskers no matter the time of year , be it on the streets or in Post Office Park . After checking out a few of the shops , including Maine Body and
Bath , which claims to be Maine ’ s smallest shop ( but did not lack in quantity of products ) ( instagram . com / mainebodyandbath ), I grab a slice of lobster mac and cheese pizza at Old Port Slice ( oldport slicebar . com ).
As a total book nerd , I have to check out a few of the shops . Sherman ’ s Maine Coast Book Shop ( shermans . com ) claims to be Maine ’ s oldest bookstore . Floor-to-ceiling shelves are stacked with books , both old and new . I grab two new titles and make my way to Yes Books used and rare bookstore in the West End . I cross the street with a heavy backpack . While downtown promotes local and small boutiques , and the East End has more big brand names , the West End boasts vintage and thrifted finds , including vinyl . Moody Lords Vinyl / Vintage procures clothing tagged from the ’ 80s and ’ 90s , and records line the walls . I find a few funky albums for my friend and trek back downhill to get ready for dinner .
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NUTS & BOLTS
Travel time : Two-and-a-half hours from Providence .
Miles : 156 miles .
How to Get There : 1-95 North . Bring your E-ZPass !
Best Season to Go : All year ! Summer is peak tourist-season , while fall draws in leaf-peepers , but holiday time on the waterfront is quiet and peaceful .
Bucket List for Next Time : More of the food scene in downtown Portland , for sure .
Worth a Detour : When in Maine , take an obligatory photo at the L . L . Bean boot in Freeport , about twenty minutes north of Portland .
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
LEFT : Classic cobblestone streets on Wharf Street in Old Port ; Fore Street in Old Port ; Bug Light
Park Lighthouse in South Portland ; seafood scampi at
Harbor Bistro and Terrace ;
State Street Traditional Jazz Band on Exchange Street ; Pinecone and Chickadee gift shop ; Portland Harbor ; Elements : Books Coffee
Beer in Biddeford . RIGHT : Exchange Street in Old Port ; the view of the harbor from Luke ’ s Lobster Portland Pier ; fun stationery and gifts at Gus and Ruby Letterpress .
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MONDAY EVENING : Due to inclement weather , the terrace at Harbor Bistro and Terrace ( harborbistroandterrace . com ) is closed , but it sure looks beautiful from the interior . Open seasonally throughout the summer and fall months , the restaurant serves an elevated bistro menu and small bites for the terrace . The grilled stone fruit and burrata salad is heavenly , followed by seafood scampi which includes shrimp , salmon and lobster . I return to my hotel room before heading back out to Arcadia ( arcadiaportland . com ) barcade for a night of fun cocktails and nostalgic games .
TUESDAY MORNING : I check out of my hotel and decide to explore the surrounding areas of Biddeford and Saco . I take the scenic route through Scarborough and pass Old Orchard Beach . I ’ ve heard stories of floating down the famed Saco River , but since I didn ’ t exactly come prepared , I hit downtown instead . I find myself at yet another bookstore , Elements : Books Coffee Beer ( elementsbookscoffeebeer . com ). While it is too early for a drink , a nice chai and everything bagel with herb cream cheese hits the spot . I pick up one more book ( I swear I am done now !) and head into the local shops . I find a few fun pieces and deals at Luscious Curves Boutique ( instagram . com / luscious . curves . boutique ), then grab a drink at Sea Dog Brewing Co . ( seadogbrewing . com ) while I leaf through my new books , eager to read the rest .
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PHOTOGRAPHY : COURTESY OF VISIT MAINE ( DOWNTOWN PORTLAND ); GETTY IMAGES / STU 99 ( LIGHTHOUSE ); VISIT PORTLAND / SERENA FOLING ( HARBOR ); VISIT MAINE ( DOWNTOWN PORTLAND ON BIKE ); ALL OTHER IMAGES BY KERRI TALLMAN . |