Portland Mainers - which neighborhood would you recommend staying in?
June 26, 2011 5:38 PM Subscribe
While looking for a week-long rental in Portland, Maine, I'm wondering what locals can tell me about the different neighborhoods that keep popping up - Eastern and Western Promenade areas and downtown.
Though we'll have a car, are any of these neighborhoods more kid-friendly (toddler/infant) than the others? Are there lot of activities to do within walking distance? I've read through the food/activity recommendations from past threads, but wanted to know if there are any playgrounds/interesting kid museums we could visit as well. Any advice welcome!
Though we'll have a car, are any of these neighborhoods more kid-friendly (toddler/infant) than the others? Are there lot of activities to do within walking distance? I've read through the food/activity recommendations from past threads, but wanted to know if there are any playgrounds/interesting kid museums we could visit as well. Any advice welcome!
Also, how do you define "walking distance"? The walk from downtown to either end of the peninsula is around 30 mins.
posted by Stephanie Duy at 5:53 PM on June 26, 2011
posted by Stephanie Duy at 5:53 PM on June 26, 2011
Response by poster: We'll be there from August 19th to the 28th (bookended by weddings in the North Yarmouth and Freeport areas). Either type of activity is fine - we have a very active 3 year old and an equally active crawler so, anything from the beach/swimming to museums to parks all work. Busy isn't too much of a problem (we live in NYC), but endless shopping isn't much fun for the kiddos (or my husband ;)).
We're ok with driving the car (and will do so, particularly when grocery shopping), but we can walk 15-20 minutes before the kids get antsy in their strollers.
posted by shinyj at 6:11 PM on June 26, 2011
We're ok with driving the car (and will do so, particularly when grocery shopping), but we can walk 15-20 minutes before the kids get antsy in their strollers.
posted by shinyj at 6:11 PM on June 26, 2011
Best answer: The Munjoy Hill and West End areas are pretty varied street to street but in general the East End is a little scruffier and a little more "hip" at the moment. There are some very wealthy folks over on the West End and some lovely houses, but it's pretty quiet. In your shoes I would rent in the East End up on Munjoy Hill somewhere.
The Eastern Prom has a large park to play around in and fly kites/have picnics. There is a playground which as I recall has swings and a climbing thing; not sure what else. You can go down to the beach there, but I don't think swimming is allowed. You can also follow the trail around to the back cove.
There's also a park on North Street where you can look out over the whole city; it's called Standpipe Park on Google Maps. A bit farther down the street is the community elementary school which has a playground, but I'm not sure what the access rules are.
You could take a ferry out to Peaks and explore the island; I bet kids would have fun with that.
Just a random thought; you could also rent a place in South Portland (if you could find something?) The area developing around Willard Square is really cool and there's a beach, a lighthouse, and a park with kite flying within walking distance.
posted by selfnoise at 6:17 PM on June 26, 2011
The Eastern Prom has a large park to play around in and fly kites/have picnics. There is a playground which as I recall has swings and a climbing thing; not sure what else. You can go down to the beach there, but I don't think swimming is allowed. You can also follow the trail around to the back cove.
There's also a park on North Street where you can look out over the whole city; it's called Standpipe Park on Google Maps. A bit farther down the street is the community elementary school which has a playground, but I'm not sure what the access rules are.
You could take a ferry out to Peaks and explore the island; I bet kids would have fun with that.
Just a random thought; you could also rent a place in South Portland (if you could find something?) The area developing around Willard Square is really cool and there's a beach, a lighthouse, and a park with kite flying within walking distance.
posted by selfnoise at 6:17 PM on June 26, 2011
Some other thoughts:
-Flatbread Company is a great place to go with kids, just be aware that it gets REALLY busy at night and typically you have to wait a while to get a table. Another option if you are on the East End is Silly's on Washington Ave; they are really friendly, the inside of the restaurant is great wacky fun for kids and the food is awesome. They also have a great patio if its nice out.
-Not within walking distance really, but Mackworth Island just up route 1 in Falmouth has a great little trail around the island with numerous opportunities to explore rocky beaches. There's also the Falmouth audobon preserve a little up the road but it might not be quite as interesting for kids.
-If you want a traditional sand/swimming beach, Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth is probably the closest. Hit Portland Head/Fort Williams on that car trip if you go, it's on the way.
I don't have kids so kid-specific ideas are not popping up in my head, but I'll post any I think of later.
posted by selfnoise at 6:25 PM on June 26, 2011
-Flatbread Company is a great place to go with kids, just be aware that it gets REALLY busy at night and typically you have to wait a while to get a table. Another option if you are on the East End is Silly's on Washington Ave; they are really friendly, the inside of the restaurant is great wacky fun for kids and the food is awesome. They also have a great patio if its nice out.
-Not within walking distance really, but Mackworth Island just up route 1 in Falmouth has a great little trail around the island with numerous opportunities to explore rocky beaches. There's also the Falmouth audobon preserve a little up the road but it might not be quite as interesting for kids.
-If you want a traditional sand/swimming beach, Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth is probably the closest. Hit Portland Head/Fort Williams on that car trip if you go, it's on the way.
I don't have kids so kid-specific ideas are not popping up in my head, but I'll post any I think of later.
posted by selfnoise at 6:25 PM on June 26, 2011
Response by poster: Awesome, selfnoise and Stephanie! This is why I love ask.mefi.
posted by shinyj at 6:34 PM on June 26, 2011
posted by shinyj at 6:34 PM on June 26, 2011
Best answer: Three is a tough age. My son at three had high energy and almost no attention span, and I coped by tiring him out at playgrounds and then plunking him into a stroller for a nap. Portland has changed a bit since I lived there with a toddler several year ago (he's nine now), but here's what I recall:
Swimming IS allowed on East End beach. It's narrow and pebbly and not really what tourists expect from a beach, but unless there are water quality restrictions (which sometimes happen when it's really hot or really rainy), it's allowed. The beach is small enough that you can't lose sight of your kids, and there are usually a lot of other kids there because it's so easy to drop in for just a little while. It's downhill from the playground, which has a great view of Casco Bay. Note that the ocean never gets warm in Maine, just less cold.
The paved trail around the East End follows the shoreline around the peninsula and ends up in the Old Port. Another nice walk from that area is straight up Congress Street between East End Park and downtown. You pass by all the businesses that have popped up on Congress, and if you're up for it, you can climb the stairs of the old observatory at the top of the hill for what I hear is an amazing view of the bay.
There's also another playground at Payson Park, which is over the big bridge and down about a quarter mile. It has a fenced playground for toddlers and a sprinkler in the summertime. The trail around the Back Cove, which runs just across the street from Payson Park, has nice parts and not-so nice parts (some of it is kind of close to 295 and loud), but is a pleasant and popular walk, about 3.5 miles all the way around.
The park at Fort Williams also has a small sandy beach, and a big playground at the other end of the park. Other than that, it's pretty boring for little kids. Agree that Crescent Beach is a nice big, sandy beach that looks like you'd expect one to, and is a popular destination with kids in the summertime. Higgins Beach behind CMCC in South Portland has playground equipment pretty much right up by the water, and a snack bar.
On Saturday mornings there's a big farmers' market at Deering Oaks park, on the edge of downtown. Deering Oaks also has a playground and sprinklers, so you can do a stroll through the market then hit the playground. (sense a theme here?)
If you have any questions feel free to memail me.
posted by mneekadon at 4:24 AM on June 27, 2011
Swimming IS allowed on East End beach. It's narrow and pebbly and not really what tourists expect from a beach, but unless there are water quality restrictions (which sometimes happen when it's really hot or really rainy), it's allowed. The beach is small enough that you can't lose sight of your kids, and there are usually a lot of other kids there because it's so easy to drop in for just a little while. It's downhill from the playground, which has a great view of Casco Bay. Note that the ocean never gets warm in Maine, just less cold.
The paved trail around the East End follows the shoreline around the peninsula and ends up in the Old Port. Another nice walk from that area is straight up Congress Street between East End Park and downtown. You pass by all the businesses that have popped up on Congress, and if you're up for it, you can climb the stairs of the old observatory at the top of the hill for what I hear is an amazing view of the bay.
There's also another playground at Payson Park, which is over the big bridge and down about a quarter mile. It has a fenced playground for toddlers and a sprinkler in the summertime. The trail around the Back Cove, which runs just across the street from Payson Park, has nice parts and not-so nice parts (some of it is kind of close to 295 and loud), but is a pleasant and popular walk, about 3.5 miles all the way around.
The park at Fort Williams also has a small sandy beach, and a big playground at the other end of the park. Other than that, it's pretty boring for little kids. Agree that Crescent Beach is a nice big, sandy beach that looks like you'd expect one to, and is a popular destination with kids in the summertime. Higgins Beach behind CMCC in South Portland has playground equipment pretty much right up by the water, and a snack bar.
On Saturday mornings there's a big farmers' market at Deering Oaks park, on the edge of downtown. Deering Oaks also has a playground and sprinklers, so you can do a stroll through the market then hit the playground. (sense a theme here?)
If you have any questions feel free to memail me.
posted by mneekadon at 4:24 AM on June 27, 2011
Best answer: I'm wondering what locals can tell me about the different neighborhoods that keep popping up - Eastern and Western Promenade areas and downtown.
OK, a few things. The promenade (or "prom") generally refers to the walking areas right next to the water. The Western Prom wraps the West End, the Eastern Prom wraps the eastern half of the peninsula (Munjoy Hill and the East End).
Neither the West nor East end have much to do except walk around and look at pretty old buildings. The Eastern Prom looks out on to the bay, and is way more picturesque. The Western Prom has bigger, older Victorian mansions. The East End is generally sketchier. The West End is fine until you hit Congress St. If it's past 8pm don't venture north of Congress St. into East Deering, which is sketchville at night. Same goes for Deering Park, which is otherwise quite nice. Bayside can also be pretty sketchy (East and West).
Congress Street is literally filled with characters for great people watching. That's probably the best street in town (Commercial St. along the wharf is the most touristy, but it's mostly overpriced restuarants). Exchange St. in the Old Port has the fanciest shopping, though Congress could probably give it a run for the money just because it's so much longer of a road. Congress goes from the water along the Eastern Prom through Munjoy Hill past City Hall and the financial district, Monument Square (and a nice public market), Longfellow's House, through the arts area & MECA (Maine College of Art) past tons of excellent restaurants & coffee houses, the Portland Museum & Children's Museum (technically on Free St.) the State theater and just a whole bunch of cool shops, book stores, galleries, stores that sell shiny rocks, discount stores… you name it, you'll find it on Congress St.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:11 AM on June 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
OK, a few things. The promenade (or "prom") generally refers to the walking areas right next to the water. The Western Prom wraps the West End, the Eastern Prom wraps the eastern half of the peninsula (Munjoy Hill and the East End).
Neither the West nor East end have much to do except walk around and look at pretty old buildings. The Eastern Prom looks out on to the bay, and is way more picturesque. The Western Prom has bigger, older Victorian mansions. The East End is generally sketchier. The West End is fine until you hit Congress St. If it's past 8pm don't venture north of Congress St. into East Deering, which is sketchville at night. Same goes for Deering Park, which is otherwise quite nice. Bayside can also be pretty sketchy (East and West).
Congress Street is literally filled with characters for great people watching. That's probably the best street in town (Commercial St. along the wharf is the most touristy, but it's mostly overpriced restuarants). Exchange St. in the Old Port has the fanciest shopping, though Congress could probably give it a run for the money just because it's so much longer of a road. Congress goes from the water along the Eastern Prom through Munjoy Hill past City Hall and the financial district, Monument Square (and a nice public market), Longfellow's House, through the arts area & MECA (Maine College of Art) past tons of excellent restaurants & coffee houses, the Portland Museum & Children's Museum (technically on Free St.) the State theater and just a whole bunch of cool shops, book stores, galleries, stores that sell shiny rocks, discount stores… you name it, you'll find it on Congress St.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:11 AM on June 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Parts of the West End are very nice. If you stayed in the Danforth Inn (which is pretty expensive, I know there are a couple of other Inns but I am not sure what's they are called) you would be in very close walking distance to downtown, but also all the great restaurants on the West End. Local 188, Caiola's, Hot Suppa, and then farther East on Congress st (but not even close to the East Side), Green Elephant, Norm's, Local Sprouts, Pom's Thai, etc. etc.
I'm a little biased because I live here but I think it's more convenient to be West than East. The far West is as many say-- full of big homes and few restaurants/shops. But the eastern side of the West End is very hip, busy, and happening.
Feel free to message me with questions.
P.S. Artemisia is not in the West End. It's in the edge of downtown. The West End is defined as beginning West of State St.
posted by miss tea at 5:47 AM on June 27, 2011
I'm a little biased because I live here but I think it's more convenient to be West than East. The far West is as many say-- full of big homes and few restaurants/shops. But the eastern side of the West End is very hip, busy, and happening.
Feel free to message me with questions.
P.S. Artemisia is not in the West End. It's in the edge of downtown. The West End is defined as beginning West of State St.
posted by miss tea at 5:47 AM on June 27, 2011
Best answer: PS I have a 16-month-old baby so I take her everywhere. She does love the splash pond in Deering Oaks, and the playground there is great too. A 3-yr-old would too. There's also a pretty great playground on the Reiche School property. My daughter also loves the Children's Museum, which is a brief walk from the near West End end. (Maybe 7 minutes from my house?)
posted by miss tea at 5:51 AM on June 27, 2011
posted by miss tea at 5:51 AM on June 27, 2011
Response by poster: Since we'll be staying for a week with young kids, we wanted to find a rental with a kitchen so we didn't have to go out every night (even though we'd love to).
All the specific info about safety and the nuances of each neighborhood, in addition to all the activities/places to go are wonderful! You guys rock.
posted by shinyj at 6:10 AM on June 27, 2011
All the specific info about safety and the nuances of each neighborhood, in addition to all the activities/places to go are wonderful! You guys rock.
posted by shinyj at 6:10 AM on June 27, 2011
Check your memail.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:29 AM on June 27, 2011
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:29 AM on June 27, 2011
Civil_Disobedient: just a quibble, but as far as I know, East Deering is off the peninsula, on the other side of Tookey's Bridge. That's my old neighborhood. There are two restaurants on Veranda street just over the bridge, a Thai place and a Vietnamese noodle shop, both of which are new since I left the area. Also there is a hugely popular Beal's ice cream stand. Not worth a special trip, especially since they have locations in the Old Port and S. Portland, but nice if you're hanging at the playground in Payson Park.
North of Congress on the peninsula is still Munjoy Hill. Oh, and the Meadery across the street from Silly's (two blocks north of Congress) is really cool, as is the Salvadoran restaurant a couple of blocks past that.
posted by mneekadon at 6:55 AM on June 27, 2011
North of Congress on the peninsula is still Munjoy Hill. Oh, and the Meadery across the street from Silly's (two blocks north of Congress) is really cool, as is the Salvadoran restaurant a couple of blocks past that.
posted by mneekadon at 6:55 AM on June 27, 2011
Best answer: The Children's Museum is worth a visit; but it will be packed on a rainy or cool day so be forewarned. There is also the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill which should have gorgeous views. A little more upscale restaurant than Silly's is the Front Room on Congress Street near the Observatory - it's a neighborhood place, and welcomes kids, especially if you arrive early. If you ferry to Peak's Island, there is a beach and also a school with a small playground, and several restaurants.
If you're willing to go a little further afield, Winslow Park and Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport are both great stops. Winslow Park has a playground and a small beach (mud at low tide, but very shallow so good for little kids) and is rarely crowded. WNF has a full stable of animals, walking trails and is just a gorgeous salt water farm. They run a day camp during the week but I think visitors would still be welcome. LL Bean often has kids activities going on as well - check the schedule.
posted by Sukey Says at 11:31 AM on June 27, 2011
If you're willing to go a little further afield, Winslow Park and Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport are both great stops. Winslow Park has a playground and a small beach (mud at low tide, but very shallow so good for little kids) and is rarely crowded. WNF has a full stable of animals, walking trails and is just a gorgeous salt water farm. They run a day camp during the week but I think visitors would still be welcome. LL Bean often has kids activities going on as well - check the schedule.
posted by Sukey Says at 11:31 AM on June 27, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
For children, Portland's Children's Museum is downtown. I've never been, but I've heard it's good. I'd also try Flatbread Pizza on Commercial St.
I would personally recommend the East End to stay in--there's at least one big playground, and great views of the ocean. Downtown's nice, but it seems a little too busy for kids to enjoy themselves in. The West End has a lot more historic buildings (and great brunch at Artemisia Cafe), but not a lot of stuff to do, from my experience.
posted by Stephanie Duy at 5:52 PM on June 26, 2011