Portland
Country: USA · Region: Canada and New England · Currency: US Dollar
Portland is Maine's largest city, located on a peninsula in Casco Bay approximately 100 miles north of Boston. It offers a high concentration of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and waterfront attractions ideal for cruise visitors.
Top sights
Portland Observatory, Portland Museum of Art, Old Port, Victoria Mansion, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum, Deering Oaks Park
Things to do
- Portland Observatory
- Built in 1807, this National Historic Landmark maritime signal tower offers 65-foot views of the waterfront with educational tours and climbing access.
- Portland Museum of Art
- Features extensive works by Winslow Homer and 17,000 sculptures, paintings, and objects from the 18th century onward in historic and modern buildings.
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum
- Museum with antique and vintage locomotives housed in a former railroad yard, offering scenic train rides along the waterfront.
- Victoria Mansion
- Pre-Civil War era mansion with superb architecture and well-preserved original interiors considered the finest example of residential design from that period in America.
Beaches
- East End Beach
- Swimming and recreation area located on top of Munjoy Hill with views and walking trails.
Where to eat
- Holy Donut
- Local shop specializing in handmade potato donuts, open daily 7AM-2PM and closes upon selling out.
- Old Port Restaurants
- The Old Port district offers numerous high-end and casual restaurants and cafés with European-style narrow cobbled streets.
Bars and nightlife
- Fore Street and Wharf Street Bars
- Multiple bars in the Old Port that fill with partiers on Friday and Saturday nights in summer.
Forecast for Portland
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Weather in Portland by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F | 36°F | 7.5 in | 18 |
| February | 49°F | 36°F | 5.8 in | 16 |
| March | 55°F | 38°F | 5.5 in | 18 |
| April | 61°F | 42°F | 4.5 in | 16 |
| May | 69°F | 49°F | 2.9 in | 11 |
| June | 77°F | 54°F | 2.3 in | 8 |
| July | 85°F | 58°F | 0.3 in | 3 |
| August | 86°F | 60°F | 0.5 in | 3 |
| September | 77°F | 55°F | 2.5 in | 8 |
| October | 64°F | 48°F | 5.3 in | 13 |
| November | 52°F | 41°F | 7.6 in | 17 |
| December | 46°F | 36°F | 8.9 in | 19 |
Getting around
Walking is best for the Old Port and downtown areas; rent a car for broader exploration or use Metro bus service, taxis, or Uber.
What to eat
The Old Port offers numerous restaurants and cafés ranging from casual to high-end local establishments, and Holy Donut serves locally made potato donuts.
Tips
Allow time to explore the walkable Old Port district with its cobbled streets, brick buildings, and waterfront views along Commercial Street.
Best for
History, museums, coastal views
More ports in Canada and New England
Bar Harbor · Charlottetown · Corner Brook · Halifax · Quebec City · Saguenay · Saint John · Sydney