Maine - Ana Florentina

DESTINATIONS, MAINE, Travel, UNITED STATES · August 15, 2022

12 Very Best Things To Do in Portland, Maine

Bug Light Park Portland Maine — Bug Lighthouse

With its beautiful lighthouses, award-winning lobster rolls, rich historic district, world-class dining scene, and striking scenery, I am adding Portland to the list of cities that are a must-see in the Northeast of the United States!

Whether you are looking to take a vacation with friends, family, or by yourself to Portland, here is a list of fun things to do when you visit Portland!

For those of you familiar with Maine, Portland is located 30 miles north of Kennebunkport, another coastal town in Maine that I recommend you visit.

Very Best Things To Do in Portland, Maine

1. Visit Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (Bug Light Park)

Bug Light Park is one of my favorite spots in Portland!

Originally constructed in 1855, the new 26 ft lighthouse resembles a 4th century Greek monument that was inspired by the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. The light was restored in 1989 and was reactivated in 2002.

The surrounding park is the perfect place for a waterside walk, and if you visit during sunset you might catch one of the prettiest pink sunsets you’ll ever see.

This gem was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and memorializes the shipbuilding efforts of World War II.

Here’s a popular bicycle tour that takes you to the lighthouses:

This park offers free parking. We stopped here the night we arrived in Portland. I captured these photos at 8:02 PM on July 30th!

How to get there: Bug Light, S Portland Greenbelt Pathway, South Portland, ME 04106

2. Climb the Portland Observatory

If you’d like to admire Portland from above, then the Portland Observatory is for you!

The 86-foot high observatory is a historic maritime signal tower that was built in 1807 at the direction of sea captain-turned-entrepreneur Captain Lemuel Moody (1768-1846). It is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States.

At the time, ships entering the harbor could not be seen from the docks of Portland until they rounded the point of land at Spring Point Ledge and were almost in the harbor. Moody identified incoming vessels with his powerful telescope at the top of the tower.

Portland Observatory best things to do in Portland

The Observatory remained a working marine signal tower run by the Moody family until 1923 when the invention of the two-way radio made it obsolete.

I highly recommend the guided tour! My husband was pleasantly surprised – he loved learning the history of the builder, the physical structure of the tower, and the impact it had on Portland’s harbor. We also thought the views from the top were fantastic!

The tour lasts 45 minutes, you will climb 103 steps, and once you reach the top you will enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Portland. The breeze blowing through the open windows made the climb comfortable. The tour stopped on each level for the interesting exhibits, and to allow everyone to sit or move upstairs at a reasonable pace. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6-17.

How to get there: Portland Observatory, 138 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101

SHOP: Cleobella Eyelet Dress

3. Tour the Historic Victoria Mansion

Victoria Mansion was built between 1858 and 1860 as a summer home for two people, Ruggles Sylvester Morse and his wife Olive. When Morse died in 1893, his wife sold the house with most of its furnishings to J.R. Libby, a prominent dry goods merchant. The Libbys occupied the mansion until 1929.

The house has been open to the public as a museum since 1941 and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

Don’t miss this gem! The mansion is one of the finest examples of the Italian Villa style in the United States. It is strategically located near the city’s earliest gas and sewer lines, and the house had hot and cold running water.

I loved stepping back in time, and being able to see 90% of the original interiors of the house! The original wall paintings by the Italian-born artist Giuseppe Guidicini, a master of the trompe l’oeil (“fool the eye”) style, make the surfaces in the house appear to be three-dimensional and will make you look twice! The mansion’s parlor and reception suite are breathtaking.

The guided tour lasts 45 minutes. Tickets are $16 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6-17.

VIDEO: See the video I made after touring Victoria Mansion here.

How to get there: Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101

Shop: Cleobella Dress

4. See the Portland Head Light

The Portland Head Lighthouse is Maine’s oldest lighthouse and the most photographed lighthouse in the United States!

Best things to see Portland Head Lighthouse

Construction began in 1787 at the directive of George Washington and was completed in 1791.

How to get there: Portland Head Light, 12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

This is another popular bicycle tour, that includes a complimentary lobster roll at an award-winning food truck:

5. Walk around the Arts District & Downtown Portland

The Arts District is a section of downtown Portland designated in 1995 to promote the cultural community of the city. It covers a large part of Upper Congress Street towards the West End.

Right behind that green clock on Monument Square, you will find Hifi Donuts, a neighborhood spot in a vintage setting where we grabbed artisanal donuts & lattes one early morning.

In these areas, you will find many coffee shops, bars, restaurants, art galleries, a theater company, and museums. Maine College of Art (MECA) and the Portland Museum of Art are located here as well.

6. Bike around Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

A caisson-style lighthouse located in South Portland that was first lit in 1897 to help watercraft safely navigate Casco Bay!

We enjoyed walking around the trails that surround this lighthouse during sunset. We saw lots of people letting their dogs play in the water.

The views were picturesque and magnificent all around.

How to get there: Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, 2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME 04106

7. Try Honey Wine at Maine Mead Works

Maine Mead Works is a winery that specializes in honey wine. The winery’s brand HoneyMaker is offered in a variety of year-round and seasonal styles and is all hand-crafted in Maine using 100% wildflower honey.

We visited the tasting room at Maine Mead Works and enjoyed a flight of four different meads: lavender lemonade, cranberry, blackberry lavender mint, and dry. These flavors were so good.

How to get there: Maine Mead Works, 51 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101

8. Enjoy Dinner at Scales on the Maine Wharf

Scales is a traditional New England restaurant that offers lobster, seafood, and a raw bar in an elegant setting on the Maine Wharf, on Portland’ Maine’s Historic Waterfront.

We loved our appetizers and dishes: anadama bread, green salad, Maine clam chowder, warm buttered lobster roll, and grilled Maine bluefin tuna.

We also ordered a mint chip frappe to-go! Be sure to make your reservation weeks in advance!

How to get there: Scales Restaurant, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

9. Try the Mini Donuts at Eighty 8 Donuts

Eighty 8 Donuts was highly recommended to us by locals we met during our first night in Portland. When you visit Portland, trying these donuts is a must!

We ordered a box of ‘Specialty Bites’ and the taste was divine. The flavors included: Bamm Bamm (fruity pebbles topped donut), Homer (strawberry glaze with rainbow sprinkles), 007 (maple icing with bourbon cream and candied bacon), Cookies & Cream (cookie on a donut), Boston Cream (chocolate icing with Bavarian cream) and Lemon Zinger (lemon glaze with a raspberry center).

This flavorful walking tour takes you to donut shops in Portland’s Old Port:

Eighty 8 Donuts also has a location at the base lodge of Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley and a donut truck that is based in Portland, Maine.

How to get there: Eighty 8 Donuts, 225 Federal St, Portland, ME 04101

10. Grab a Lobster Roll at The Highroller Lobster Co.

Portland has some of the best lobster you will ever find, and plenty of places offering delicious lobster rolls.

We decided to check out The Highroller Lobster Co., a neighborhood diner that serves a full menu of lobstery options. My husband does not eat shellfish, so after I finished my lobster roll we walked 140 feet to Crispy Gai where he ordered fried chicken.

Luke’s Lobster is one of the favorites among tourists. You can find this spot directly on the working waterfront, off the Portland Pier, in the heart of the Old Port.

How to get there: Highroller Lobster Co., 104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

11. ViA VECCHiA

Via VECCHiA is a trendy restaurant located in the heart of the Old Port in a historic brick and ivy-covered building overlooking cobblestone streets.

How could I not order the Florentina Spritz?!

Be sure to make a reservation in advance because this restaurant fills up quickly! My only regret is not coming here twice!

12. Have Brunch at Bayside American Cafe

This well-known breakfast spot has been a local landmark since 1990. Their famous brunch menu features breakfast, lunch and specialty brunch items such as Maine lobster eggs benedict, homemade corned beef hash, as well as pancakes and French toasts served with 100% local Maine maple syrup.

Because we visited in July, the patio and deck were open for dining. Brunch is served from 7 AM – 2 PM, Wednesday – Monday.

How to get there: Bayside American Cafe, 98 Portland St, Portland, ME 04101

What surprised me the most about Portland was the fantastic food! We are already looking forward to visiting Portland again in the near future.

I hope today’s post helps you plan a trip to this must-see destination in Maine!

Keep reading to see more fun things that you can add to your Portland itinerary!

MAP OF PORTLAND MAINE

In the map below I marked the location of the best things to do in Portland ME:

How many days do I need in Portland, Maine?

2-3 days in Portland, Maine is the perfect amount of time to discover the city’s history and enjoy some of the best craft brews and bites you’ll ever have.

What is the best time of year to visit Portland, Maine?

The best time to visit Portland is June – September.

More Things To Do in Portland

Here are popular activities to add to your itinerary:

Lighthouse Cruise in Portland
Portland Museum of Art
Visit Peaks Island
Eastern Promenade Trail (2.1 miles long)
Allagash Brewing Company
Austin Street Brewery

BEST PLACES TO STAY

We needed a pet-friendly hotel and stayed at Westin Portland Harborview where our dogs stayed for free. We liked the location of this hotel, it was in the heart of Downtown Portland.

Here are more great options, click on any hotel below to see the rates:

The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection
Portland Harbor Hotel
Canopy By Hilton Portland Waterfront
Blind Tiger Guest House
The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast
AC Hotel by Marriott Portland Downtown
The Francis

MORE CITIES YOU WILL ENJOY

MAINE: Epic Lighthouses in Portland, Maine
RHODE ISLAND: Things to Do in Newport
FLORIDA: St. Augustine: 2-Day Itinerary
VERMONT: 2 Days in Woodstock & Where To Stay
GEORGIA: 5 Hours in Savannah

what to do in newport ri best restaurants

DESTINATIONS, MAINE, UNITED STATES · August 7, 2022

3 Epic Lighthouses in Portland, Maine

The Best Lighthouses in Portland, Maine

We just returned from Portland, the largest city in the State of Maine, set on a peninsula that extends into Casco Bay.

Portland has everything you’d expect from a seaside New England town: charm, an incredibly delicious culinary scene, a scenic coastline, the freshest lobster you’ll ever eat, lots of breweries, landmarks, and of course, lighthouses.

Seeing lighthouses is definitely one of the best things to do in Portland, so if you are planning to visit this city in Maine, add at least one of these lighthouses to your list.

Here’s the popular bicycle guided tour that shows you the lighthouses:

Or take this scenic cruise through Casco Bay to see the lighthouses.

How many lighthouses are in Portland Maine?

Portland has six lighthouses located within 20 minutes of the city.

Here are three lighthouses that I loved:

1. SPRING POINT LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style light station in the United States that visitors can walk to.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse Portland Maine

This lighthouse was constructed in 1897 by the government after seven steamship companies stated that many of their vessels ran aground on Spring Point Ledge.

The light resembles a giant spark plug, sitting at the end of a granite breakwater in South Portland. We took these photos during sunset and it was incredibly lovely.

Be sure to allocate an hour to explore the surrounding area! We saw lots of people playing frisbee with their dogs in the water, riding bicycles, and walking along the trails.

2. PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT

Portland Head Light is a quintessential coastal landmark, Maine’s most famous lighthouse, and the most photographed lighthouse in the United States.

George Washington commissioned this lighthouse which has been in operation since 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in Maine. You can find it along the shores of Fort Williams Park, in Cape Elizabeth.

Fort Williams Park is open from sunrise to sunset, and with over 90 acres of recreational space, you will find plenty of areas to explore.

Portland Head Lighthouse — Portland Head Light

If you are interested in climbing the Portland Head Light, you can do so on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. This is a popular annual event that attracts 18,000 visitors and offers the public the opportunity to climb over two dozen historic Maine lights.

The Portland Head Light will only have 280 tickets available on a first-come first-serve basis. All lighthouses will be open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

3. PORTLAND BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE (BUG LIGHT)

Bug Light is perhaps my favorite lighthouse!

We drove to see Bug Light the night that we arrived in Portland, right before we checked into our hotel. As I approached the lighthouse, the sky turned into a beautiful shade of pink and purple, and my jaw dropped – it was absolutely breathtaking!

There is a park adjacent to the lighthouse (we walked our pups here), and you will get to see great views of Portland Harbor. There is also a free parking lot nearby.

We returned to see this lighthouse on our last day in Portland, for a final walk around the park, before heading back to New York City.

Have you visited Portland in Maine?! I’d love to know what you enjoyed the most. Feel free to message me on IG @anaflorentyna with any questions. Talk soon! Xx

Tours recommended for Portland:

More Things To Do in Portland Maine

We had such a great time in Portland, here are more activities for your visit:

PLACES TO STAY

See the Best Hotels in Portland and check their rates here.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR PORTLAND ME TRIP

These are the five essentials that I always bring with me:

SEE MORE TRAVEL GUIDES

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DESTINATIONS, MAINE, Travel, UNITED STATES · October 22, 2020

Our Fall Roadtrip to Kennebunkport, Maine

Our Fall Roadtrip to Kennebunkport, Maine

We just got back from a lovely trip to Kennebunkport in Maine. Getting there was an easy six-hour drive from New York City, and I returned enamored by the beautiful lakes and towns of coastal Maine!

I am excited to share all about where we stayed, where we ate, and what we loved during our stay in Kennebunkport.

Here are three ways to explore the area:

Best Things To Do in Kennebunkport

What to do in Kennebunkport ME

GOOSE ROCKS BEACH – A beautiful area located just north of Kennebunkport by Cape Porpoise. The beach is wide, the sand is incredibly soft, and the horizon is lined with the cutest coastal homes!

Checking out Goose Rocks Beach in October was perfect – we had the entire beach to ourselves. If you visit during the summer months, parking is generally limited.

Goose-Rocks-Beach-kennebunkport-maine — Goose Rocks Beach

WHERE WE STAYED

THE COLONY HOTEL – Our stay at this hotel happened by total chance. We had been planning a trip to Maine but were so focused on work and our wedding planning-cancellation-replanning that we forgot to make a reservation. We were also aware that the weekend we intended to visit Maine, would be one of New England’s busiest weekends.

Kennebunkport is a small coastal town in southern Maine, so on a holiday weekend, hotels get booked fast. Now, we were less than two hours away and every hotel I called replied with “Sorry, we are fully booked!” The receptionist at one hotel suggested that we try The Colony Hotel, in case they had any last-minute cancellations. And, surprisingly, they did! There was only one room available and for that night only. We checked in to The Colony Hotel at around 9 PM, and I will note that our room’s windows were shut.

The following morning I woke up to my husband saying: “Woah! Check out these views!” As you can see from the image below, our room had a breathtaking view of the ocean.

ana-florencia-at-the-colony-hotel-kennebunkport-maine

Shop: Margaux The Pointe Flat

The Colony Hotel is a historic 1914 resort on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. While the colonial revival-style architecture is beautiful, the ancient wood and gorgeous cedar strip floors give this place a super cozy feel.

The first day we enjoyed breakfast outside on the veranda overlooking the water, and the following mornings we ate in the ocean-view dining area. In my husband’s own words, the breakfast was “excellent.” Every dish tasted homemade, so he felt that he was back at his grandmother’s house! On Saturday night, while he watched college football, I ordered the ravioli from the bar area downstairs, and they were delicious.

Because Kennebunkport goes to sleep at 9 PM, be sure to make your dinner plans early! We enjoyed a relaxing stay, and we even got to extend our stay for two more nights.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

PIER 77 RESTAURANT – During our first day in town, we headed to Cape Porpoise for a late lunch at Pier 77. We found the restaurant at the end of a road lined with New England-style homes. Because Pier 77 sits on the harbor, the views from the inside of the restaurant are quintessential Maine.

While in Maine, trying lobster rolls or clam chowder is a total must! I started with clam chowder, while he ordered the burrata-grilled peach salad (both so good!). This was the only time during our stay that we ate indoors, and we were only one of four groups inside the restaurant. Coming here was the perfect way to kickstart our trip!

BATSON RIVER TASTING ROOM – My husband wanted to try craft beer during our stay in Kennebunkport, so one afternoon we checked out Batson River. We sat on the outside deck and ordered a few fantastic appetizers: Cajun dusted, spicy remoulade fries & roasted cauliflowers (lemon, gremolata, grana, and pine nuts!) Great place to close out our vacation!