Visitor's Guide 2024-2025

FOR LOVE OF…

Greater Portland is as varied as the visitors who flock to the vibrant region—pick your passion and get started!

THE COAST Getting on or around mesmerizing and ever-changing ocean waters is easy in Greater Portland. Enjoy the sea while dining at waterfront lobster shacks and restaurants, swimming in a cove, strolling along scenic trails, or taking a driving tour of the six lighthouses within 20 minutes of downtown. Although Maine is renowned for its miles of rocky coastline, you won’t have to give up beautiful sand beaches when you visit—we’ve got uncrowded seaside playgrounds and many beaches are dog-friendly, allowing your furry friends full romping privileges from fall through spring. Bring or rent bicycles to explore the Casco Bay islands accessible by ferry. Nearby, Old Orchard Beach’s seven sandy miles are crowned by an historic pier and Palace Playland, New England’s only

THE ARTS Performing arts are flourishing in Greater Portland with Broadway-level theatre, two ballet companies, Portland’s own Symphony Orchestra (which turns 100 this year!), a Bach Festival, a Chamber Music Festival, Opera Maine, Portland Ovations productions from traditional to contemporary, and renowned summer theaters nearby. On First Friday Art Walks the esteemed Portland Museum of Art in Congress Square and dozens of galleries and studios open their doors in a festive celebration. The State Theatre and Thompson’s Point bring musical acts of every genre while immigrants from many countries have brought their own music and dance to town, infusing the region with new sounds and energy. Even the most cultured travelers will be amazed at the vibrant arts scene that’s grown up in Maine. (More on pages 18-19)

HISTORY Portland, with a consistent attention to landmark preservation, has kept a down-to earth charm and wears its history openly. Five centuries of historical impact have shaped Portland and its surrounding towns into a vibrant destination with deep-planted roots, from the Colonial-era through the wealth and opulence of the industrial age. Museum homes give a glimpse into the lives of formative residents including the beloved poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and narrated tours share fascinating tidbits of lore. The self-guided Portland Freedom Trail will take you to important sites in African American history and the fight against slavery. 30 miles north of Portland, the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath chronicles the state’s rich maritime history with immersive exhibits on its 20-acre riverside campus. (More on pages 24-25)

beachfront amusement park. (More on pages 17, 19-24, 58 )

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