Visitor's Guide 2023-2024

that won’t break the bank. POCKET FRIENDLY

Top things to do in Greater Portland

FREE FAVES WALK THE STREETS

LOW-COST FUN Sample a flyte of craft beverages at Allagash, Island Dog, or another of Portland’s hopping breweries, wineries, and distilleries. See the grid on pg. 31 for tasting room locations. Interact with exhibits at the Children’s Museum where kids learn from hands-on exploration. Join Greater Portland Landmarks for a walking tour of one of Portland’s historic neighborhoods or learn about the prominent figures buried in Eastern Cemetery with a tour conducted by Spirits Alive. From late December through February, skate on the outdoor rink at Thompson’s Point and stay toasty in their warming room and heated lounge. Snack and drink bars on-site. Enjoy fresh air all year long with an outdoor yoga class led by Ashley Flowers in Payson Park.

Catch a movie (and awesome views) on Bayside Bowl’s rooftop on select summer nights. Unleash your inner child at the Old Port Candy Co., an old fashioned candy shop with a large fill-your-own candy bar and a whimsical selection of nostalgia candy. Climb the Portland Observatory , the last remaining maritime signal tower in the US, for spectacular views across the city and Casco Bay. Open for guided tours late May–early October. Take a slow ride on the Narrow Gauge Railroad alongside Portland’s scenic waterfront. Delight in the velvety texture and intense flavor of Gorgeous Gelato ’s authentic Italian gelato, made with all natural ingredients, sourced locally when possible.

Immerse yourself in architecture and history, and art with self-guided walking tours available at Ocean Gateway Visitor Center and downloadable at greaterportlandlandmarks.org. SNAP AWAY Seek out scenic backgrounds for shareable photos of your Maine adventure. From lighthouses to beaches to the Old Port’s cobblestone streets, there are so many good views to choose. GO FLY A KITE Bug Light Park in South Portland, Cape Elizabeth’s Fort Williams Park, and Scarborough’s Pine Point are ideal for soaring good times. FOLLOW THE TRAIL Find all 16 markers of the Portland Freedom Trail’s Underground Railroad to learn about Maine’s abolitionist movement. Self-guided walking tour maps: visitportland.com/ blog/2022/03/15/black-history-maine/ PLAY BALL Let the kids expend their exuberant energy at The Point Community Center’s indoor Playscape and Turf Field. APPRECIATE ART On the first Friday of each month, Portland art galleries and museums open their doors for free and Congress Street is lined with performers and artists. Seek out many murals, sculpture, and statues that enliven the region. MAKE A SPLASH Take a dip or bring your kayak to East End Beach or Willard Beach. Make a day trip to Old Orchard Beach’s and chomp on Pier Fries. TAKE A HIKE Over 70 miles of trails in Greater Portland offer a diversity of settings from woodland escapes to waterfront wanderings. trails.org

Space out at an astronomy show at Southworth Planetarium and geek out at other nature shows about the human body, dinosaurs, and more.

PHOTO: CHRIS LAWRENCE, MAINE PHOTOGRAPHY

VISIT PORTLAND / 21