Portland
Around Portland
Photo: Rapidfire · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Maine · 571k people
Portland
Locals say Greater Portland · “The Forest City”, “City of Ships”
Portland · South Portland
Where the sea meets the pines, and the welcome is warm.
Sea Dogs RedMaine Flag BluePine Green
Welcome to Greater Portland! You've landed in a place where the sea meets the city, and every corner has a story—from the working piers to the arts district. Grab a lobster roll, take a deep breath of salt air, and let the rhythm of the tides set your pace.
Clubs for Portland
No clubs for Portland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Portland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Portland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Portland Head Light The most photographed lighthouse in Maine, located in Fort Williams Park.
- Eastern Promenade A scenic park with trails, a beach, and sweeping views of Casco Bay.
- Portland Museum of Art Houses a renowned collection of American and European art, including works by Winslow Homer.
- Portland Farmers Market A year-round market with local produce, seafood, and crafts at multiple locations.
- Hadlock Field Home of the Portland Sea Dogs, a minor-league baseball stadium known for its replica of Fenway's Green Monster.
- Old Port Historic cobblestone streets with shops, restaurants, and working piers.
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Bradbury Mountain State Park
- Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on Casco Bay
- With kids Visit the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
- With kids Ride the Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks Island
- Evenings Catch a show at the State Theatre
- Evenings Bar-hop in the Old Port
- Locals love Lobster shacks
- Locals love Lighthouses
Through the year
- First Friday Art Walk monthly (first Friday) Monthly gallery openings and street performances in the Arts District.
- Maine Craft Brewers Festival November A winter tasting event showcasing dozens of local breweries.
- Old Port Festival June A summer street fair with music, vendors, and family activities in the Old Port.
- Summer in the City Concert Series summer (July-August) Free outdoor concerts at Monument Square and other parks.
- Maine Marathon October A road race through Portland and surrounding towns, including a half marathon.
Greater Portland has a classic New England climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are mild to warm, and spring and fall are transitional. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall, especially on the coast. Best: Late spring through early fall (May–September) offers mild temperatures and long days, ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Wicked”
- Very or extremely, as in 'wicked good'.
- “Ayuh”
- Yes or yeah, a classic Maine affirmation.
- “From away”
- Someone not from Maine, often a tourist or new resident.
- “The Old Port”
- A local's nickname for the historic downtown waterfront area.
Getaways
- Lewiston-Auburn Historic mill town with the Bates Mill complex and the Androscoggin River.
- Augusta Maine's capital, with the State House and the Kennebec River rail trail.
- Laconia Gateway to the Lakes Region and Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee.
- Boston Big-city day trip with museums, sports, and dining.
Local flavour
Teams
- Maine Celtics NBA G League
- Maine Mariners ECHL
- Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- Lobster roll Buttered or mayo-dressed lobster on a toasted roll; a coastal staple.
- New England clam chowder Creamy, potato-rich chowder served in bread bowls at many seaside spots.
- Whoopie pie Maine's official state treat – chocolate cake with creamy filling.
- Italian sandwich A Maine-specific sub with ham, salami, provolone, and a distinctive relish.
- Craft beer Portland is known for its dense concentration of breweries, from Allagash to local micros.
Where people go
- Lobster shacks Casual, often waterfront spots serving fresh lobster and fried seafood.
- Lighthouses Iconic structures like Portland Head Light, a symbol of the coast.
- Craft breweries Portland has one of the highest breweries per capita in the US.
- Working waterfronts Piers and wharves where fishing boats and ferries operate, giving a real maritime feel.
- Farmers markets Local produce, wild blueberries, and artisan goods in a community setting.
Heritage and traditions
Greater Portland is proud of its deep maritime heritage, vibrant arts scene, and fierce independence — from working waterfronts and island ferries to a thriving food and craft beer culture that draws on both the sea and the land.
This time of year in Portland
- Apple picking Fall Orchards in the area open for U-pick in September and October.
- Foliage drives Fall Peak leaf-peeping in October along coastal and inland routes.
Say it like a local: “Wicked” — Very, extremely
Festivals
- La Kermesse June Franco-American festival in Biddeford with food, music, and a parade.
- Maine Jewish Film Festival March Screenings of Jewish-themed films from around the world.
- Portland Greek Festival September Greek food, dancing, and tours of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
- Portland Reggae Festival Summer Live reggae bands and Caribbean food along the waterfront.
- Portland Winter Lights December Holiday light displays and ice sculptures in the Old Port.
- Portland Craft Beer Week May Tastings, brewery tours, and special releases at local breweries.
Landmarks with a story
- Victoria Mansion A stunning 19th-century Italianate mansion with original interiors.
- Wadsworth-Longfellow House Childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, now a museum.
- Portland Observatory The last surviving maritime signal tower in the United States.
- Fort Gorges A Civil War-era granite fort on a Casco Bay island, accessible by boat.
- Spring Point Ledge Light A sparkplug lighthouse in South Portland, walkable via a breakwater.
- St. John's Catholic Church A Gothic Revival church with a soaring spire and rich history.
Food traditions
- Whole-belly fried clams Sweet, briny clams battered and fried; a summer staple at clam shacks.
- Moxie The signature Maine soda, a bitter herbal drink with a fierce following.
- Red snapper hot dogs Natural-casing beef and pork dogs with a distinct snap, often served at cookouts.
- Needhams Chocolate-covered coconut and potato candy, a Maine Easter tradition.
- Wild blueberry pie Tiny, tart berries baked into a classic pie; a summer dessert.
Music and arts
- Indie rock scene Bands like Rustic Overtones and The Mallett Brothers have roots here.
- Portland Symphony Orchestra Maine's largest professional orchestra, performing at Merrill Auditorium.
- Maritime folk music Sea shanties and traditional songs at pubs and festivals.
- Franco-American music Accordion and fiddle traditions from Biddeford and Saco's French Canadian heritage.
A little history
- 1820 Maine becomes a state
- 1866 Great Fire of Portland destroys much of the city
- 19th century Portland thrives as a shipping and trade hub
- Late 19th–early 20th century Immigration waves of Irish, Italian, and French Canadian workers
- 1940s South Portland shipyards build Liberty ships for WWII
- Game day Portland Curling Club bonspiels
- Game day Casco Bay sailing regattas
- Outdoors Hike Mackworth Island
- Outdoors Kayak the Scarborough Marsh
- With kids Ride the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad
- With kids Visit the International Cryptozoology Museum
Mainers often drop the final 'r' (pahk, cah, lobstah) and use 'wicked' as an intensifier. In Biddeford and Saco, French heritage shows in phrases like 'bonjour' and a distinct Franco-American accent.
Only here
- Portland Observatory is the last maritime signal tower in the US.
- Maine is the only state with a one-syllable name (a local joke).
- Maine's coastline, including islands, is longer than California's.
- The whoopie pie is the official state treat.
New here? A few tips
- Layer up: winters are cold and windy, with snow from November to April.
- Learn to say 'pahk the cah' — dropping the 'r' is part of the charm.
- Park in a garage, not on the street, in the Old Port; spaces are scarce.
- Try a lobster roll and a whoopie pie within your first week.
- Take a Casco Bay Lines ferry to an island — it's a local rite of passage.
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Part of Portland area
Nearby
Every areaLewistonMaineTwo cities, one river, a Franco-American heart.Oxford CountyMaineWhere the mountains meet the riversAugustaMaineRiver town charm, Maine style.Mount Washington ValleyNew HampshireBig mountains, clear lakes, and a slower pace.FarmingtonMaineWhere the mountains meet the riverLaconiaNew HampshireThe heart of the Lakes RegionConcordNew HampshireThe granite heart of New England.Manchester–NashuaNew HampshireWhere the Merrimack winds through mill towns and maple groves.
Portland-South Portland, ME. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.