Portland, ME

Date: 8/28/2008 11:34:52 AM
Author: BeachRunner
I've never been to Maine and know nothing about it!

But I've gotten NO suggestions

Date: 8/28/2008 11:57:06 AM
Author: Selkie


Hi BeachRunner! Your post must have slipped under the radar, because there are quite a few people here from Maine, or who have vacationed there. Maybe ZoeBartlett, Luckystar112, or other 'Maine-iacs' will see this and chime in too. Fall is a great time to go. It's never SUPER crowded in Maine, but you'll definitely have more places to yourself.


Portland is an awesome small city, and definitely one I would considered living in or near if I move to Maine. It's got a great waterfront shopping area. There's an L.L. Bean outlet. There's a brewpub called Gritty McDuff's. Plenty of great seafood restaurants. The jeweler where we got my e-ring is there, Cross Jewelers, and they are definitely worth visiting if you're into looking at jewelry! South of Portland is Cape Elizabeth and the Portland Head lighthouse.


If you are flying into Portland and driving up the coast, there are a ton of cool towns to stop in. Bath, Wiscasset, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockland. If you like sailing, try a day or weekend sail on a schooner (Camden/Rockland day sails). Take a trip out to Monhegan Island, a little island with vacation cottages and an artist's colony. Belfast is another cool small city. On our honeymoon we stayed in Searsport at the Carriage House Inn, and loved it. The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport is a nice snapshot of Maine history.


And, I could go on! I think you'll just have a great time driving the coast and discovering all the small towns and islands.

Date: 10/1/2008 10:55:10 PM
Author: Allison D.
BeachRunner, I grew up in Portland and my parents still live there, so I can help a bit.


Portland has grown quite a bit and has much to offer if you're looking to move. One of the crown jewels of the city is Back Bay/Baxter Boulevard area. 3.5-ish mile walking/bike trail around the bay; that's what I miss the most.


Portland is very family friendly and a good place for raising children. Deering and Portland High School are the public schools; there are also a few parochial and private schools as well. It's also home to University of New England's Westbrook College campus and University of Southern Maine. It has several hospitals including Maine Medical Center, which is in the top 10 cardiac hospitals in the entire country.


Good areas of the city to live include Deering, Woodford's Corner, Brighton Avenue, Back Cove, USM area, and Northgate. More gritty areas include the Kennedy Park area, Munjoy Hill, and East End.


The Old Port area boasts some nightlife, but it's relatively tame. There's a nice museum downtown, as well at the Cumberland County Civic Center (concert/event venue).


It's only about 20 minutes from the Scarborough/Old Orchard Beach area, and about 45 minutes from Sebago Lake. Decent downhill skiing can be had within 90 or so minutes north of the city; freshwater lake fishing and ocean fishing abound.


Given your screenname, I'd definitely include a plan to visit Old Orchard Beach - the stretch from there to Pine Point represents about a 2-mile-plus stretch of beach to enjoy, and it's especially nice now (off-season) when the tourists aren't in command.


Neighboring towns include Falmouth and Falmouth Foreside (the ritzy area), Yarmouth (home to the annual clam festival), South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth. In Cape E is the most photographed lighthouse in the world, Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park. Two Lights State Park is just beyond that. These would be especially pretty destinations in the fall.


Acadia region is approximately 3 hour-plus drive from Portland up the coast, so it really requires at least an overnight stay.


If you can mention what you're interested in, I might be able to help more.