TravelFilter: Portland, Maine (and surrounds) things to do, see, eat
September 28, 2023 7:50 AM Subscribe
We are going to Portland, Maine for a weekend in October. We plan to go for a drive to see foliage (and we are willing to do a long drive for that), but what else should we do, see and eat? Snowflake details inside!
We are staying near the Art Museum. We are considering driving all the way to Acadia and back one day, although that may not be reasonable - feel free to talk me down. But if there is a good place within a 2-3 hour radius to head out to, see foliage, go for a light hike, and get lunch / cider donuts, we would love to know about it.
We would like recommendations for good places to eat with vegetarian options that offer outside dining or takeout, because we are COVID-cautious and don't unmask indoors.
We are fans of cider, beer, wine, and cocktails...but again with that pesky "we don't unmask indoors" thing.
Are there good places in the immediate Portland area to go for a scenic walk? It does not have to be a mountain - in fact, I can say definitively I am not in any shape to hike up a mountain! Coastal paths, botanic gardens, etc. are delightful to us.
Any museums, shops or other attractions we should see? The weirder the better. (We are big fans of The Museum of Jurassic Technology and Miniatur Wunderland, to give a couple of our favorite spots in other locales.)
We are also very, very big into thrift shopping, so if there are any truly excellent thrift stores - they can cater to locals rather than tourists - we would love to know. We live only a couple of hours away and have a decently sized cargo area in our vehicle, so if we find something we love we can cart it back.
You may have something for which you're thinking, "Well, this is my favorite thing, but it's not on their list of interests." Lay it on us! We really love to explore any interesting niche we can find.
We are staying near the Art Museum. We are considering driving all the way to Acadia and back one day, although that may not be reasonable - feel free to talk me down. But if there is a good place within a 2-3 hour radius to head out to, see foliage, go for a light hike, and get lunch / cider donuts, we would love to know about it.
We would like recommendations for good places to eat with vegetarian options that offer outside dining or takeout, because we are COVID-cautious and don't unmask indoors.
We are fans of cider, beer, wine, and cocktails...but again with that pesky "we don't unmask indoors" thing.
Are there good places in the immediate Portland area to go for a scenic walk? It does not have to be a mountain - in fact, I can say definitively I am not in any shape to hike up a mountain! Coastal paths, botanic gardens, etc. are delightful to us.
Any museums, shops or other attractions we should see? The weirder the better. (We are big fans of The Museum of Jurassic Technology and Miniatur Wunderland, to give a couple of our favorite spots in other locales.)
We are also very, very big into thrift shopping, so if there are any truly excellent thrift stores - they can cater to locals rather than tourists - we would love to know. We live only a couple of hours away and have a decently sized cargo area in our vehicle, so if we find something we love we can cart it back.
You may have something for which you're thinking, "Well, this is my favorite thing, but it's not on their list of interests." Lay it on us! We really love to explore any interesting niche we can find.
Best answer: Then you definitely need to check out the International Cryptozoology Museum!
Yes! Go see the sculpture of the Dover Demon, created by a former MeFite! (I don't want to link to the user because they may not want their real name being linked to it)
We are also very, very big into thrift shopping, so if there are any truly excellent thrift stores
Can't speak to any stores specifically but if you drive around Maine for any length of time you'll stumble upon plenty antique malls and random flea markets. They're everywhere up there.
We are considering driving all the way to Acadia and back one day
This could be done from Portland easily enough, though it would be a long day. I'd say it's about a three hour drive up the coast, which is very pretty and you could always just decide you've had enough and stop at any number of quaint coastal towns. If you make it to Acadia you'd have time to drive the loop road and grab some seafood somewhere, if you eat seafood. My favorite lobster pound on the island is Thurston's in Southwest Harbor. My favorite lobster roll is at Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast, which is on the way to Acadia.
posted by bondcliff at 8:29 AM on September 28, 2023
Yes! Go see the sculpture of the Dover Demon, created by a former MeFite! (I don't want to link to the user because they may not want their real name being linked to it)
We are also very, very big into thrift shopping, so if there are any truly excellent thrift stores
Can't speak to any stores specifically but if you drive around Maine for any length of time you'll stumble upon plenty antique malls and random flea markets. They're everywhere up there.
We are considering driving all the way to Acadia and back one day
This could be done from Portland easily enough, though it would be a long day. I'd say it's about a three hour drive up the coast, which is very pretty and you could always just decide you've had enough and stop at any number of quaint coastal towns. If you make it to Acadia you'd have time to drive the loop road and grab some seafood somewhere, if you eat seafood. My favorite lobster pound on the island is Thurston's in Southwest Harbor. My favorite lobster roll is at Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast, which is on the way to Acadia.
posted by bondcliff at 8:29 AM on September 28, 2023
Best answer: I remember enjoying the Portland Observatory a number of years ago. The guided tour was short but informative!
posted by sriracha at 9:20 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sriracha at 9:20 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you like the idea of seeing a lot of beautiful scenery during the drive itself, and don't mind it being long, I think the Acadia idea could work!
Just note that in the case of a government shutdown that is affecting national parks during your trip, the Acadia Park Loop Road will be closed. There are lots of local roads to take for a beautiful drive around Mount Desert Island, so just plan on those instead, and focus your route more on the west/"quiet" side of the island. The carriage trails within Acadia would be closed to, but there are privately owned carriage trails open to walkers (not cyclists) that would be a lovely way to get into the woods. If the Park Loop Road is open, though, I'd definitely recommend that, and finding a place to walk along carriage trails - perhaps parking near the Eagle Lake lot and strolling in the direction of Jordan Pond?
Bar Harbor has plentiful restaurants with vegetarian options, but you would likely want to look at menus to find the dishes that appeal to you most. Havana is a fantastic option.
posted by neutralhydrogen at 9:45 AM on September 28, 2023
Just note that in the case of a government shutdown that is affecting national parks during your trip, the Acadia Park Loop Road will be closed. There are lots of local roads to take for a beautiful drive around Mount Desert Island, so just plan on those instead, and focus your route more on the west/"quiet" side of the island. The carriage trails within Acadia would be closed to, but there are privately owned carriage trails open to walkers (not cyclists) that would be a lovely way to get into the woods. If the Park Loop Road is open, though, I'd definitely recommend that, and finding a place to walk along carriage trails - perhaps parking near the Eagle Lake lot and strolling in the direction of Jordan Pond?
Bar Harbor has plentiful restaurants with vegetarian options, but you would likely want to look at menus to find the dishes that appeal to you most. Havana is a fantastic option.
posted by neutralhydrogen at 9:45 AM on September 28, 2023
Best answer: October in Portland, ME is gorgeous. You're going to have the best time.
A few things:
*Acadia is way too far to drive if you only have a day trip in mind. It is theoretically possible, but there are many beautiful places to visit that are closer. If you have easy, low-impact hiking in mind, places like Harpswell and Bridgton are good choices. If you're in the mood for a short hike with beer nearby, go to the Shaw Bros. Cherry Farm in Gorham, which is adjacent to Sebago Brewing and its outdoor patio. Me? I'd wait for low tide and head to Timber Island in Biddeford.
*You'll get a lot of mileage out of mainebyfoot.com. I use it every week.
*In Portland and the surrounding area, you'll have what feels like an overwhelming set of options for eating and drinking. This is a best-of list I wrote earlier this year; I hope it helps.
posted by yellowcandy at 10:14 AM on September 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
A few things:
*Acadia is way too far to drive if you only have a day trip in mind. It is theoretically possible, but there are many beautiful places to visit that are closer. If you have easy, low-impact hiking in mind, places like Harpswell and Bridgton are good choices. If you're in the mood for a short hike with beer nearby, go to the Shaw Bros. Cherry Farm in Gorham, which is adjacent to Sebago Brewing and its outdoor patio. Me? I'd wait for low tide and head to Timber Island in Biddeford.
*You'll get a lot of mileage out of mainebyfoot.com. I use it every week.
*In Portland and the surrounding area, you'll have what feels like an overwhelming set of options for eating and drinking. This is a best-of list I wrote earlier this year; I hope it helps.
posted by yellowcandy at 10:14 AM on September 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: There are plenty of good strolls on the way to Portland, assuming you're coming from the south. Cape Neddick lighthouse, Ogunquit (the Marginal Way is the canonical coastal walk), Mount Agamenticus (inland 1 hr trail with views, perhaps leaf peeping), Pine Point (the beach and seafood).
You could do a day trip through Brunswick to Boothbay Harbor. There are several breweries, but dunno what the outdoor seating situation is in October -- might be worth calling them up to ask.
I love Acadia / Bar Harbor but it really deserves longer than a day trip.
posted by credulous at 10:19 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
You could do a day trip through Brunswick to Boothbay Harbor. There are several breweries, but dunno what the outdoor seating situation is in October -- might be worth calling them up to ask.
I love Acadia / Bar Harbor but it really deserves longer than a day trip.
posted by credulous at 10:19 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Portland is an amazing food city, and most places will have great vegetarian options. If you like Sichuan food, Sichuan Kitchen is extraordinary, right around the corner from where you're staying, and has lots of dishes that can be made vegan. They offer takeout. In that neighborhood, I'd also hit up Green Hand Books, The Merchant Company, Red Squirrel, Tandem Coffee, and Hot Suppa--mostly just walk around and everything you find will be delightful.
There are also lots of places to take beautiful, easy walks in the greater Portland area--Mackworth Island is one lovely option that's extremely close by. Seconding Harpswell, too, or Wolfe's Neck in Freeport. And since you're willing to drive, the Coastal Botanical Garden, which is huge and gorgeous.
posted by dizziest at 10:20 AM on September 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
There are also lots of places to take beautiful, easy walks in the greater Portland area--Mackworth Island is one lovely option that's extremely close by. Seconding Harpswell, too, or Wolfe's Neck in Freeport. And since you're willing to drive, the Coastal Botanical Garden, which is huge and gorgeous.
posted by dizziest at 10:20 AM on September 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Seeing credulous's post, I'll add that Maine Beer Co. in Freeport has heated outdoor seating, which I suspect is likely to be open into the fall, and they have a very veg-friendly food menu.
posted by dizziest at 10:22 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dizziest at 10:22 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seconding the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden which is a little over an hour from Portland and has plenty of beautiful walks.
It also has a nice cafe with outdoor seating.
posted by Preserver at 10:23 AM on September 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
It also has a nice cafe with outdoor seating.
posted by Preserver at 10:23 AM on September 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Hello from Portland!
Portland is a World of Food, and the best guide to it is Portland Food Map. You can sort by just the Vegan/Vegetarian places. I would particularly recommend The Green Elephant and Bam Bam Bakery.
Scenic Walk: Portland is lucky enough to have a great nonprofit called Portland Trails that maintains a HUGE network of walking and biking trails in and around the city. You'll find the complete trail map at the link. I'd also highly highly recommend you take the ferry out to Peaks Island and do the Peaks Island Loop.
Speaking of the ferry, the Mailboat run is a great way to see the islands of Casco Bay.
Thrift Shopping: Portland Flea for All and Find and Material Objects and Little Ghost and Ferdinand and Portland Architectural Salvage and The Green Hand and the Merchant Company.
Portland also has a nonprofit dedicated to promoting locally owned and operated small businesses - here's the Portland Buy Local directory
Museums: Victoria Mansion is really lovely and can be a nice stop. They have a good gift shop. I personally think the museum at the Maine Historical Society is deeply underrated and I've had a lot of nice visits there. As a bonus you can also tour the Longfellow house.
If you go out to Peaks anyhow you can visit the 5th Maine Museum that is dedicated to the 5th Maine regiment in the Civil War, and also the overall history of Peaks. The Umbrella Cover Museum is also out on Peaks and certainly hits the "quirky museum" criteria - it only takes about a half hour to see the whole thing.
The Maine Jewish Museum is lovely and hosts some great art exabits in addition to their main exhibitions. The Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum can be a great visit if trains are your thing (you do get to ride a train along the coast of Casco Bay).
There is also a MASSIVE Farmer's Market in Deering Oaks park every Saturday until mid-November -- it typically has a lot of crafts as well as the actual farms.
Beer and Wine, but outside: Nova Res for sure. A lot of places on Exchange street now have dedicated outdoor seating which replaced parking spaces, so I don't think being able to eat outside will be hard for you.
Acadia: if you're just here for a weekend, don't do it. Its three hours there and three hours home, and with the limited amount of sunlight hours these days you'll have maybe 2-3 solid hours in the park. Do it a different weekend when you can just go directly there and stay.
If you have specific questions feel free to ask.
posted by anastasiav at 10:25 AM on September 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
Portland is a World of Food, and the best guide to it is Portland Food Map. You can sort by just the Vegan/Vegetarian places. I would particularly recommend The Green Elephant and Bam Bam Bakery.
Scenic Walk: Portland is lucky enough to have a great nonprofit called Portland Trails that maintains a HUGE network of walking and biking trails in and around the city. You'll find the complete trail map at the link. I'd also highly highly recommend you take the ferry out to Peaks Island and do the Peaks Island Loop.
Speaking of the ferry, the Mailboat run is a great way to see the islands of Casco Bay.
Thrift Shopping: Portland Flea for All and Find and Material Objects and Little Ghost and Ferdinand and Portland Architectural Salvage and The Green Hand and the Merchant Company.
Portland also has a nonprofit dedicated to promoting locally owned and operated small businesses - here's the Portland Buy Local directory
Museums: Victoria Mansion is really lovely and can be a nice stop. They have a good gift shop. I personally think the museum at the Maine Historical Society is deeply underrated and I've had a lot of nice visits there. As a bonus you can also tour the Longfellow house.
If you go out to Peaks anyhow you can visit the 5th Maine Museum that is dedicated to the 5th Maine regiment in the Civil War, and also the overall history of Peaks. The Umbrella Cover Museum is also out on Peaks and certainly hits the "quirky museum" criteria - it only takes about a half hour to see the whole thing.
The Maine Jewish Museum is lovely and hosts some great art exabits in addition to their main exhibitions. The Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum can be a great visit if trains are your thing (you do get to ride a train along the coast of Casco Bay).
There is also a MASSIVE Farmer's Market in Deering Oaks park every Saturday until mid-November -- it typically has a lot of crafts as well as the actual farms.
Beer and Wine, but outside: Nova Res for sure. A lot of places on Exchange street now have dedicated outdoor seating which replaced parking spaces, so I don't think being able to eat outside will be hard for you.
Acadia: if you're just here for a weekend, don't do it. Its three hours there and three hours home, and with the limited amount of sunlight hours these days you'll have maybe 2-3 solid hours in the park. Do it a different weekend when you can just go directly there and stay.
If you have specific questions feel free to ask.
posted by anastasiav at 10:25 AM on September 28, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Eventide's Smoked Tofu sandwich is incredible and they have outdoor and easy take out.
The Costal Maine Botanical Garden also sounds right up your ally. I have yet to go but have heard raves from even Garden Club people. Its up in Boothbay which can be a little touristy but has some restaurants and a town on the water to walk around. Maybe an hours drive north from Portland. You can always stop at the 24 hr LLbean in Freeport along the way just to see it. Thats a much more doable day trip than all the way to Arcadia
posted by zara at 10:31 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Costal Maine Botanical Garden also sounds right up your ally. I have yet to go but have heard raves from even Garden Club people. Its up in Boothbay which can be a little touristy but has some restaurants and a town on the water to walk around. Maybe an hours drive north from Portland. You can always stop at the 24 hr LLbean in Freeport along the way just to see it. Thats a much more doable day trip than all the way to Arcadia
posted by zara at 10:31 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Almost forgot: Portland Head Light and Fort Williams is iconic and most people don't know that the light is surrounded by a huge open park (and tumbled down fort) that is great for hiking and general outdoors stuff. There are often multiple food trucks. If you enjoy light hiking I think you might enjoy this.
Also, I see a lot of folks recommending going to the Maine Botanical Gardens, and I do think that's a good idea. Combine it with a stop in Portland at the LLBean Complex and a walk around Boothbay and its a very nice day. It would be a full day though.
posted by anastasiav at 10:38 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, I see a lot of folks recommending going to the Maine Botanical Gardens, and I do think that's a good idea. Combine it with a stop in Portland at the LLBean Complex and a walk around Boothbay and its a very nice day. It would be a full day though.
posted by anastasiav at 10:38 AM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Boat rides are fun, I recommend Peaks island, part of Portland. And the Umbrella Cover Museum is still open, just as quirky as it sounds, and twice as charming. Peaks has restaurants, nice place to have lunch or watch sunset. Save Acadia for when you have the time. We have beaches- Crescent Beach state park, Willard beach in S Portland. There’sa wide paved walk from Portlands East End beach to the ferry terminal. There are great food trucks at East End beach, a.k.a. Eastern Promenade.
Visit the Old Port, it’s pleasant to wander around. Jays Oyster Bar is, shall we say, authentic, and you should get a drink there. Check out this recent NYT article. There’s a few areas with good brew pubs, Bateson brewing and Wilson barbecue near the fun Bayside Bowl, also Fox St to Anderson St. food trucks, too. Check out the Maine Beer trail.
Sunset from the bar at the top of the Westin is really excellent on a clear-ish evening, or take a picnic to the Western Promenade. If you want the rocky coast experience, visit 2 Lights State Park and/ or Kettle Cove. Bradbury Mtn. State park has an easy climb to a nice view. Get cider donuts at the orchard farm store on Tuttle Rd, just off Rt 9 in Yarmouth. Probably lots of other places, but that’s on the way to Bradbury Mtn and I recently got a good cider donut there, and cider.
I’ll try to think of good thrift shopping and maybe comment again.
posted by theora55 at 1:06 PM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Visit the Old Port, it’s pleasant to wander around. Jays Oyster Bar is, shall we say, authentic, and you should get a drink there. Check out this recent NYT article. There’s a few areas with good brew pubs, Bateson brewing and Wilson barbecue near the fun Bayside Bowl, also Fox St to Anderson St. food trucks, too. Check out the Maine Beer trail.
Sunset from the bar at the top of the Westin is really excellent on a clear-ish evening, or take a picnic to the Western Promenade. If you want the rocky coast experience, visit 2 Lights State Park and/ or Kettle Cove. Bradbury Mtn. State park has an easy climb to a nice view. Get cider donuts at the orchard farm store on Tuttle Rd, just off Rt 9 in Yarmouth. Probably lots of other places, but that’s on the way to Bradbury Mtn and I recently got a good cider donut there, and cider.
I’ll try to think of good thrift shopping and maybe comment again.
posted by theora55 at 1:06 PM on September 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Since you're considering a long drive to Acadia, I'll suggest you go to Monhegan Island instead. The ferry leaves from Port Clyde, two hours from Portland, but I think there's a closer ferry.
Monhegan has the craggy rocks, high cliffs, dramatic ocean, woodland hikes, without so many tourists. But first, make sure the brewery is still open. And I can't guarantee colorful foliage. I was there late last summer and recall a lot of pine trees, but maybe...
posted by booth at 7:03 AM on September 29, 2023
Monhegan has the craggy rocks, high cliffs, dramatic ocean, woodland hikes, without so many tourists. But first, make sure the brewery is still open. And I can't guarantee colorful foliage. I was there late last summer and recall a lot of pine trees, but maybe...
posted by booth at 7:03 AM on September 29, 2023
Best answer: Susan’s Fish n Chips. It has been around for decades. The fish chowder is so good that when I was pregnant I literally cried on multiple days because I was hundreds of miles from the glorious fish chowder of my youth.
posted by donut_princess at 8:11 AM on September 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by donut_princess at 8:11 AM on September 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
Also on preview I see you said vegetarian but I’m going to let my comment stand in case others need to know about Susan’s.
posted by donut_princess at 8:14 AM on September 29, 2023
posted by donut_princess at 8:14 AM on September 29, 2023
Best answer: Great suggestions so far.
I'll add the Eastern Promenade trail looping back down Congress (past the last-of-its-kind Observatory) and then on to Washington Ave (to the brewery, cidery, kombuchery et al.).
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is another personal favorite.
Green Hand and Flea-For-All, as others have said, are both awesome and just the tip of the iceberg. A shop that might appeal to you as vegetarians is Heritage Seaweed. (I'm the owner.)
Have fun!
posted by Text TK at 2:04 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'll add the Eastern Promenade trail looping back down Congress (past the last-of-its-kind Observatory) and then on to Washington Ave (to the brewery, cidery, kombuchery et al.).
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is another personal favorite.
Green Hand and Flea-For-All, as others have said, are both awesome and just the tip of the iceberg. A shop that might appeal to you as vegetarians is Heritage Seaweed. (I'm the owner.)
Have fun!
posted by Text TK at 2:04 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry to report that the Umbrella Cover Museum is closed for the season.
posted by theora55 at 8:00 PM on September 29, 2023
posted by theora55 at 8:00 PM on September 29, 2023
Best answer: There's a consignment shop right in Freeport, as well as another in a strip center on Rt. 1 going in to Freeport. And Freeport Community Service has a really good thrift shop. There's a visitor's center in Yarmouth, same exit as Eartha, a giant globe that you should stop and gaze upon. In Portland, I always enjoy the Portland Flea-for-All, Cherished Possessions on Washington Ave, and google lists a bunch in Portland.
posted by theora55 at 8:05 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 8:05 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You have so many good options above. I support the "not time for Acadia" crowd. If you go to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the giant troll installation is a complete delight and really adds to the whole experience. Seconding Bradbury Mountain and Two Lights State Park as gorgeous hikes, the mail boat as a fun thing to do, and that you'll have more food choices in walking distance than you know what to do with. If you like cider, the Absolem Cidery in Winthrop is about an hour away, should be a pretty drive, and has really nice grounds to wander and a large deck/outdoor seating area, plus often a food truck.
posted by donnagirl at 8:13 AM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by donnagirl at 8:13 AM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
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Then you definitely need to check out the International Cryptozoology Museum!
posted by Ragged Richard at 8:00 AM on September 28, 2023 [3 favorites]