Portland, Maine, may be best known for its lighthouses and lobsters, however, there is so much more to be discovered. During my recent getaway, I fell in love with the cobblestone streets, the scenic coastal views, and, of course, the delicious food. I’m excited to share the best things to do in Portland, Maine, AND my top restaurant recommendations.
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Top Things to Do in Portland Maine
From scenic boat tours to cozy candlelit concerts, Portland offers something for everyone. Whether you’re craving outdoor adventures or hoping to dive into the city’s vibrant art and food scene, you’ll find plenty to love. I know that I wish I had more time to keep exploring!
1. Take a Trolley Tour
A trolley tour is a great way to kick off your Portland vacay. During this 60-minute narrated tour, you’ll get to pass by Portland’s top sights. Our guide was so knowledgeable and kept everyone engaged throughout. We sang and did trivia too! I was excited to explore and dive into more of the city’s history on my own time!
2. Explore the Portland Museum of Art
In every new city I visit, I always make a point to check out their art museum. Portland’s Museum of Art may have earned a top spot on my list (& I’ve visited a lot).
It’s the oldest and largest public art museum in the state and features over 42,000 different pieces of art with rotating special exhibits.
It’s right in the heart of Portland’s Arts District, so you can easily add it to any daily itinerary! The museum is open most days from 10 am to 6 pm with free admission every Friday from 4-8 pm. I would plan to spend at least an hour or two exploring!
of Art Display
3. Casco Bay Lighthouse Boat Tour
After a day of exploring the city on foot and by trolley, it’s time to see it from the water! There are several to choose from, but I especially liked this 1.5-hour tour!
As you cruise, you’ll pass by the historic lighthouses, early-19th-century forts, and fishing piers.
4. Enjoy a Candlelight Concert
If you are looking for a unique thing to do in Portland, Maine, you have to check out a Candlelight Concert!
These performances are held at Stevens Square Theater and feature a variety of different songs and themes. It’s truly a magical experience! I found out about these concerts from Instagram. There are a variety of dates and times to choose from, so hopefully you can squeeze one into your itinerary! The night I went I was able to see a concert dedicated to Coldplay (who I love) and Imagine Dragons.
5. Wander Around The Old Port District
During your time in Portland, make sure to save some time to wander the cobblestone streets of downtown. The Old Port District is known for its historic charm and modern culture. You’ll find dozens of unique shops (fudge samples, anyone?), art galleries, cozy cafes, and even a fish market!
I spent way too much money in the cute boutiques! After you’re all shopped out, grab a bite to eat and then go enjoy views of the waterfront!
The Old Port District is also the starting point for many cruises, fishing tours, and haunted tours, so you could combine this stop with many other things on your Portland itinerary!
6. Tour the Morse-Libby House (Victoria Mansion)
Also known as the Morse-Libby House, the Victoria Mansion is an amazing example of 19th-century architecture. Built between 1858 and 1860, the mansion retains over 90% (YES, 90 PERCENT!!) of its original interiors. It was so cool to get a glimpse into the lifestyle of the era.
It’s open 7 days a week and costs 19.25 per adult. I spent just under 1 hour exploring.
7. Shop at The Maine Mall
Located in South Portland, The Maine Mall is the state’s largest shopping center. This is a great stop if you forgot something during your trip or need to spend a rainy day. In addition to shopping, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and other things to do (ropes course, bowling, special events, etc.).
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8. Marvel at the Portland Head Light
Situated in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington in 1791. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of it all over social media, but it’s worth it to see it with your own two eyes.
The lighthouse stands 80 feet tall and offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline. The park features walking trails, historical sites, and picnic areas, making it a perfect spot to spend an afternoon. I highly recommend you pack a picnic to really take in the views. If you’re short on time, the trolley tour I mentioned earlier has an included stop at the head light and can be booked here. Tip: If you’re visiting during the Winter, make sure to dress warm as it’s freezing down there by the water.
Head Light
Restaurants to Try in Portland Maine
Although I love exploring all the fun things to do in new cities, I equally enjoy indulging in the food scene. Portland’s restaurants definitely lived up to my expectations. Here are my favorite restaurants to try during your vacation to Portland, Maine.
1. Hot Suppa
I went to Hot Suppa on my first day for brunch, and it was absolutely delicious! It’s a cozy, no-frills spot with a southern inspired all-day brunch menu! There’s normally a long wait, but I got lucky and was seated right away. It was 100 percent worth it!
2. Pizzaiolo
If you’re craving pizza during your time in Portland (is that even a question?), Pizzaiolo should be your go-to stop. I stopped in here after eating at a restaurant that wasn’t too good (it shall not be named lol). I’m so glad I did, the pizza and fresh cannoli’s were phenomenal. I was so hungry I did not manage to get a picture of the slice, but I do have a picture of the cannoli which I’m currently craving. If you’re wondering what slice I ate, I went with pepperoni.
3. Standard Baking Co.
Located near the waterfront in the Old Port District, Standard Baking Co. is the best neighborhood bakery, known for its artisan breads and flaky pastries.
From crusty baguettes to buttery croissants, everything is baked fresh daily with high-quality ingredients. It’s the perfect stop for a morning bite or an afternoon treat as they are open from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm every day. I went here twice (that’s how much I enjoyed it). I tried their marinated olive roll, rosemary focaccia, and lemon tart. The rosemary focaccia is huge and can easily be shared between two people.
4. The Holy Donut
I’ve talked about my love for donuts here, so you knew this was coming lol. Just down the street from the Standard Baking Co., you’ll find The Holy Donut. They are known throughout Maine for their potato-based donuts, with around 20 rotating flavors available every single day.
And if you fall in love with the taste, they can even deliver your favorites to you when you get back home! While there, I tried their seasonal key lime pie donut which was HEAVENLY.
5. Root Wild Kombuchery
If you are looking for a healthy and refreshing pick-me-up during your Portland adventures, head to Root Wild Kombuchery. At home, I am a Kombucha drinker, so I found it so fun to visit this tasting room!
You’ll find a rotating selection of house-brewed kombucha on tap in a laid-back setting. Make sure to get a flight to try 4 different flavors of this gut-friendly drink! They do have some small bites available, and there’s usually a food truck outside! I went with their wild blueberry and found it very tasty and light.
6. Tandem Bakery
Can you tell breakfast is my favorite meal? Tandem Bakery is one of Portland’s most popular spots. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, but I promise you won’t regret it.
I ordered their classic biscuit sandwich and a spicy ginger molasses cookie with toasted white chocolate and enjoyed it on the patio. FYI: Please try this cookie, the flavors are immaculate!
breakfast sandwich
toasted white chocolate cookie
7. Lil’ Chippy
And finally, when you need your East Coast seafood fix, Lil’ Chippy is one of the best. I ordered the classic fish and chips and man it was slammin! I can’t wait to go back here.
Tip: Although they are known for their crispy fish and chips, there are also a variety of different seafood sandwiches and starters on the menu. Bonus! Stop in for their daily happy hour (from 3 to 5) for 1-dollar oysters!
Best Things to do in Portland Maine Final Thoughts
Have I convinced you that you NEED to add Portland, Maine, to your bucket list? This East Coast gem is jam-packed with exciting things to do and delicious restaurants to try. Which stop are you heading to first?! Comment below and don’t forget to save and pin this post for later. Looking for some more of my favorite East Coast gems? Read this.
FYI: Although Portland, Maine is a walkable city, I recommend renting a car if you plan to explore beyond the downtown area. I initially relied on Uber and Lyft, but the costs added up quickly. Discover Cars ended up being a more affordable and convenient option. If you’re looking for affordable hotel options, I use Booking.com to save and get the best deals.
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I did not know there were so many fun things to do in Portland Maine! The libby house looks stunning and the trolley tour so much fun!
Believe me it was! Such an interesting piece of history. The trolley tour was super fun too!
Lighthouses immediately spring to mind when I think of Maine, but it’s nice to see so many other things to see and do in Portland. I won’t lie though, the lighthouse tour would be top of my list. What a fun adventure, and an opportunity to spend time on the water. While the weather might look a little unpredictable, that’s all the more reason to keep dipping in and out of the good looking food and drink places.
Of course! I think the weather just adds to the atmosphere. The views are always great regardless of the climate.
Despite visiting Portland many times, we haven’t been to the candlelight concerts. Looks like a neat thing to add to our next visit!
It was such a magical evening, I’d highly recommend checking it out!
Look, you had me at Tandem Bakery…. Mouth officially watering!!!!
I completely understand, my mouth is still watering thinking about it!
I just drove by Portland Maine last week on a trip down east. We didn’t end up stopping, but your list of restaurants would definitely encourage me to stop next time. Portland is indeed a lovely city.
Oh no! I wish you had time to stop. That’s okay though, you can always return and visit the restaurants I listed. Let me know when you do!
Hello! I didn’t even think of Portland as a place suitable for gastronomy tour, but it looks like this and I like it!
Yes! It’s a well known foodie destination. Definitely worth checking out.
Portland, Maine looks like a great place to spend a few days, with lots of food choices, and an interesting historic location.
It was truly an enjoyable trip. I can’t wait to return and spend a few more days there!
I would love to do a road trip in Maine during autumn and see all the colouful leaves but I would also enjoy spending some time in Portland, it looks so picturesque. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations, they always come in handy.
Honestly, Fall would be a great time to visit as well. I’m hoping to return during Summer and Fall one year as the experience will be completely different depending on when you go.