Portland is a working seaport with a compact peninsula core, so the Old Port's cobblestone streets, fishing piers, and converted 19th-century warehouses are all walkable from one parking spot. It pairs a genuine lobster industry (boats still unload at Portland Fish Pier) with galleries, breweries, and a food scene built around that same seafood supply chain. A day here works well as a coastal contrast to New Hampshire's mountains and lakes.
| Distance | 55 miles from Portsmouth (90 minutes via I-95 N) |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 90 minutes from Portsmouth; 2 hours from Manchester |
| Getting there | Car via I-95 N; Amtrak Downeaster (Portsmouth/Exeter to Portland, ~90 min, from $25 USD); Concord Coach from Manchester (from $22 USD) |
| Address | Portland, ME 04101 (Old Port district: 1 Commercial St, Portland, ME) |
How to get there
- Car (I-95 N)
- Amtrak Downeaster
- Concord Coach bus
Location
Portland, ME 04101 (Old Port district: 1 Commercial St, Portland, ME)
43.6591, -70.2568 View on map
Highlights
- Old Port district - brick warehouses and cobblestone streets now holding shops, bars, and seafood restaurants
- Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth - the oldest lighthouse in Maine, set in Fort Williams Park with coastal walking paths
- Portland Fish Pier - working commercial fishing dock, a reminder this is a real port town, not a themed one
- Casco Bay Lines ferry - passenger ferries out to the Calendar Islands for anyone who wants to add water to the day
- Eastern Promenade - a waterfront park with views over Casco Bay, good for walking off a lobster roll