Travel Guide: Portland, Maine
Nan's favorite spots in and around Portland, Maine
If you follow me on Instagram (or have noticed a few mentions here on Substack), you may know that I’ve been in Maine for the majority of the summer. I feel so immensely lucky to have spent at least part of every summer of my life in Maine…hands down, it’s one of my favorite things in the world.Â
Some years, I’ve visited for long stretches while other years, I only made it up for a few weekends. This year, I’m up for the majority of the summer thanks to being my own boss and being able to work remotely!
I’m often asked for recommendations from people who are planning trips to Maine, so figured it was time to share my favorite spots in a dedicated post. I hope these ideas are helpful if you’re planning a trip (or maybe to just save in your travel inspiration folder!).
I will say, I sometimes wonder if I’m the best person to ask for Maine recommendations because when I’m here, I’m really happiest at home with my family. I don’t get out as much as I do in New York City or even on vacation somewhere else. We always joke that our ideal day is one where we don’t need to get in the car. So, please take all my recommendations with a grain of salt; I am just scratching the surface and have not included all the great spots. Also, Maine is a BIG state! We live in Southern Maine, so the majority of my recommendations are for Portland and the South Portland area.Â
Do you have a favorite Maine spot that I didn’t mention?!
One thing I love about being here on Substack is that you can comment and contribute to the conversation. So please, if you are also a Maine gal or recently visited the state, please share any of your favorites in the comment section. I (selfishly) would love to discover new places to try :)
As always, thank you so much for being here!
XoÂ
NanÂ
MAINE TRAVEL GUIDEÂ
Mostly in/around Portland, MEÂ
EAT
My favorite restaurant in Portland, ME is Fore Street; it’s a Portland institution and never disappoints. (You need a reservation and they can go fast in the summer, so book early!)Â
I also enjoy dinner at Solo Italiano, Street & Co, Scales, Twelve, Central Provisions and Eventide. (I don’t think Central Provisions or Eventide take reservations so plan accordingly.)Â
For something more casual, I would opt for Flatbread, Luke’s Lobster, Bite Into Maine or Otto Pizza.Â
My go-to coffee spot is Tandem Coffee (Congress Street location), less so for their coffee and more for their baked goods. I love their savory scones.Â
SHOPÂ
For home decor and gifts, my favorites are Folly101 and Blanche + Mimi.Â
For clothing, BLISS has a great curation of brands many of us love!
It has gotten a bit big and commercial over the years, but it’s worth stopping into SeaBags for their great tote bags made out of sail cloth. *Note, they will take a old sail or burgee and make it into a custom tote for you!Â
Right outside of downtown Portland in the Willard Square area of South Portland, I love The Willard Gallery, a small art gallery space with a beautiful collection of artwork (many depicting Maine scenes!)Â
A BIT MORE FOOD / ACTIVITIESÂ
If you’re in the Willard Square area in the morning, be sure to also visit Scratch Baking Co. for bagels (they make these amazing sourdough-type bagels that my whole family are obsessed with!) All their other baked goods and breads are also great!Â
If you are that way in the afternoon, grab ice cream from Willard Scoops!Â
Also around Willard Square: You could drive over to Fort Williams Park to see The Portland Head Light (the area’s iconic lighthouse.)Â
HOTELSÂ
I’m afraid I don’t have personal recommendations for Portland hotels because I always stay with family, but I have heard good things about the Press Hotel (right in downtown Portland). Friends have also enjoyed the Inn By The Sea, which is in Cape Elizabeth and has a bit more space (a pool, s'mores at night for kids, etc.)
If you are hoping to be a bit father south, everyone raves about the White Barn Inn (an Auberge resort) in Kennebunk, ME.
If you make it to Kennebunk, my other recommendation is to visit Snug Harbor Farm. My mom and I love to visit this garden center and nursery (and we don’t even really have green thumbs..!) It is just a beautiful spot.Â
And then, much farther north (up on Mount Desert Island), I can recommend the Claremont Hotel. I’ve stayed here twice in the last five years and loved both visits!Â
**Quick note: This is one of my longer Substack posts, so if you are reading this via your email inbox, you might need to click through to the web version or read on the Substack app to see the full post.**
MORE RECS, SOUTH OF PORTLAND
If you continue to travel south of Portland to Cape Elizabeth or Scarborough, here are a few more of my favorites for food:Â
Hank’s (Scarborough, ME) - my favorite spot for lunch and they now have dinner on Thursday and Friday nights, too
Higgins Beach Market (Scarborough, ME) - another spot for grab and go lunch / breakfastÂ
The Cheese Iron (Scarborough, ME) - a delicious cheese & wine shopÂ
The Good Table (Cape Elizabeth, ME) - a nice spot for dinner if you don’t want the hustle and bustle of Portland (it has the same management/owners as Twelve)Â
KIDSÂ
I asked my sister-in-law (who has a almost 4-year-old and almost 2-year-old) for recommendations for activities with little kids and she suggested the Children’s Museum and Smiling Hill Farm.Â
ON THE WATER
Of course, you might want to get out on the water while in Maine! I have heard good things about Portland Schooner Co. but have never personally gone on one of their boats.Â
There are a range of small islands outside of the Portland Harbor that could be fun to visit by ferry or water taxi. We’ve had some fun meals at Crown Jewel on Great Diamond Island.Â
You can also book trips on Lobster Boats which can be fun! I think the go-to company for this is Lucky Catch but I will let you do your own research, as it has been 5+ years since I have done this.
WHAT DID I MISS? LEAVE A COMMENT!
And there you have it, a travel guide to all my favorite spots in and around Portland, Maine. As I mentioned above, please do share any of your Maine recommendations in the comment section below!!
Absolutely LOVE the inclusion of The Willard Gallery - one of my favorite galleries to follow and I cannot wait to visit!! I was also just in Kennebunkport and REALLY enjoyed Bliss's new home store. Probably one of the best curated shops I've seen this year!
Great list! I've been going to Maine every summer for 1-2 weeks my entire life, staying in Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport (about 40 minutes south of Portland). GRB is a gorgeous beach and gentle enough for kids, and there's a community association you can join as a visitor that gives tennis lessons, swimming lessons in the ocean, kids activities, etc. In GRB, Goose Rocks Dairy has amazing ice cream. In the Port (downtown Kennebunkport and Lower Village Kennebunk), Compliments Gallery has great jewelry and interesting art. There's also a BLISS and Sea Bags there. For food, the lobster rolls and fried seafood at The Clam Shack are fantastic, and while I've never stayed at the hotel of the White Barn Inn, the restaurant is wonderful (and was able to accommodate vegans wonderfully). Maine Diner in Wells is also delicious.