Top 3 Things To Do in Portland, Maine
Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, ME
Top 3 Things To Do in Portland, Maine
Hear me when I say that Maine is a hidden gem! Not only does Maine have the mountains of Acadia National Park, it also has a stunning coastal landscape - all of it is picturesque!
Portland, Maine is a bit more of a drive for us (from Boston), but the views make the drive worth it, and it’s still an ideal weekend getaway! To us, driving around Portland (and Maine in general) kind of felt like stepping into a postcard. It’s a red-brick city filled with plenty to see and eat, but still had a peaceful pace… you know, the slowed-down-coastal-town kind of pace that you look for in a weekend getaway.
While there is plenty to do in and near Portland where you can easily fill up an entire week, here’s how you can spend a day in Portland, ME (including our top 3 things!):
1. Find Some Lobster
It’s no secret that Maine is known for its fresh lobster. For the seafood lovers reading this, Maine is a gold mine, especially during lobster season (they even have a lobster festival over in Rockland, ME). Depending on which restaurant you visit, you can find a lobster roll fully packed at a pretty decent price. “Pretty decent price” can depend from person to person, of course, but from our personal experience, we learned quickly that you sure get a lot of lobster for the price you do pay (especially compared to when you order lobster on the west coast!).
The lobster also just tastes better in Maine… maybe it’s how they prepare it, maybe it really is because it’s fresh. Either way, you have to try it! We highly recommend stopping for lobster rolls at the highly-rated Highroller Lobster Co. With items like Lobster Grilled Cheese, Lobster Cheese Crisp Tacos, Lobster Pops, and of course, Lobster Rolls, you’ll definitely get your lobster somehow! That said, they also have delicious burgers and a BLT as well.
If you’re used to the lobster rolls in Connecticut (warm and buttery!), you should know that Maine serves lobster rolls a bit differently. With 4oz of fresh lobster, it also comes with chopped romaine and is typically served chilled on a baked brioche, with your choice of sauce (like Lime and Jalapeno Mayo or Charred Pineapple Mayo! Yum!). The good news is that if you were looking forward to a warm lobster roll, they’re happy to customize your order… which was exactly what we did. The Charred Pineapple Mayo sauce really hits!
2. Spend Some Time at Portland Head Light
The Portland Head Light is known by many as a Portland, Maine icon. (Admittedly, it’s actually found a little south of the city over in Cape Elizabeth, ME). Remember when I said that the views in Maine felt like we stepped into a postcard? The Portland Head Light is no exception! The historic lighthouse sits on a beautiful rocky cliff along Portland Harbor. There’s something so very peaceful about watching the waves crash against the shore, and the park makes for an excellent place to take a stroll along the water!
3. Try the Whoopie Pie
The Whoopie Pie was new to us during our first visit to Portland, and is commonly known as a Maine novelty. The first Whoopie Pie was sold in Maine, and has become a staple dessert throughout the state (and New England)! After having dinner at the Highroller Lobster Co., we spotted their Whoopie Pie on the dessert menu and couldn’t resist trying it. Filled with a delicious cream filling, the Highroller’s Whoopie Pies are actually made by their co-founder in small batches and sometimes they also offer different flavors!
We tried the Chocolate Marshmallow and… IT. WAS. SO. GOOD!
TIP: If you’re looking for the “original” Whoopie Pie, check out Labadie's Bakery in Lewiston, Maine!
Annnd that’s a wrap!
There’s a lot more to explore in Portland, Maine! As we explore this city in further depth, I’ll be sure to edit this blog post with more recommendations for what to see and eat (we hear that there are some fun murals to check out for our next visit!). For now, these are 3 Things You Can Do for a fantastic day trip to Portland, Maine.
Make it an adventure worth sharing about!
'Til the next one,
Gen
