00_Cover

OFF-SEASON SENSATIONS Weathering a Greater Portland winter is similar to doing so in other northern cities—just easier and more affordable! I n many ways, the best time to enjoy Greater Portland is after the peak- season travelers head home, so visitors have the sites streets to themselves. Dining turns indoors to fireplaces and aperitifs, and the warming acoustics of dance clubs and concert halls cause music and dancing to heat up the city’s winter nights. Over 1,900 patrons regularly pack Merrill Auditorium, Portland’s grand 1912 concert hall, to indulge in a Portland Ovations production of a national headliner or Broadway musical. Merrill’s stage also presents high-caliber performances by the Portland Symphony Orchestra, OperaMaine, and the Portland Ballet’s annual Victorian Nutcracker. The massive Kotzschmar Pipe Organ fills the hall with robust sounds of classical, holiday, and pops concerts. Beyond Merrill, the metro area offers plays, live acts, and concerts of every genre at many warm venues. Greater Portland’s theatrical, musical, and dance performances are on a par with the most culturally-renowned cities, but come with more reasonable rates. Here’s another benefit of visiting off-season—favorite restaurants often require no waiting, and when reservations are needed, they are often attained the same day, an impossibility during the busier summer months. During Maine Restaurant Week in early March, area eateries roll out multi-course meals for a set price, letting foodies try great local restaurants at a range of budgets. For those who want to imbibe the spirit of the season, Merry Madness pairs down- town shopping with complimentary wine pours at participating stores. Shortly after Thanksgiving, tree lightings abound, including in Portland’s city center, and

Continued on page 49

46 / visitportland.com / @visitportland / #visitportland