City Meets the Sea
A beguiling convergence of historic and contemporary, Portland offers all the attractions of a modern US city, with the charm of a historic waterfront community. A robust foodie scene only makes a visit all the more tempting.
Portland, Maine
Distance from Boston: 112 miles
Get your blood pumping with a walk along the Eastern Promenade, which delivers sweeping views of Casco Bay, along with a community garden, multi-use trail, and playground, among the many other attractions.
Head over to the Front Room for a hearty breakfast; we’re fans of the duck confit benedict, but there’s an entire menu full of other delicious options, too.
Ramble through the cobblestone streets of Old Port, a historic district packed with clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and more pubs, breweries, and cocktail bars than you can shake a stick at.
Catch the salt breezes along the Harborwalk Trail, which connects Portland’s East End Beach and South Portland’s Bug Light Park, and includes paved trails, sidewalks, bridges, and portions of the South Portland Greenbelt Walkway. There plenty of places to stop for a picnic, or just to enjoy the views.
Is it dinner time yet? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you’ll want to experience the hand cut Belgian fries at Duck Fat, which achieve superlative status from being fried in - you guessed it - duck fat.
Catch a show at the historic State Theatre, which hosts everything from international music acts, to cult classic movies, to stand-up comedy.