What To Do in Portland, Maine
Travel is fun and exciting but one of the downsides particularly for us vacation starved Americans is trying to figure out what do to maximize your vacation experience. This is the first in a series of posts that will answer the question, What to do in Portland, Maine? Since summer and fall are the most popular times of year to visit and Maine no longer has winter we will focus on spring, summer, and fall things to to do. Our first post is all about activities:
Ride Your Bike
2 of our 13 Maine Bicycle Tours are day tours of Portland. Our 5 Lighthouse Bicycle Tour is a very easy 4 to 5 hour excursion along the shores of Casco Bay that features visits Bug Light, Spring Point Light, Portland Head Light and Two Lights and features Portland’s history and a gourmet picnic lunch. Trips run daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
Our Exploring Casco Bay Bike Tour features a scenic ride through Casco Bay, a short bike ride around Chebeague Island and lunch overlooking the ocean at an award winning inn.
www.summerfeet.net 866-857-9544
Looking for utilitarian information on cycling? The Portland Maine Bike Map offers a good map with traffic volumes it is available at Local Bike Shops and Coffee by Design on india Street.
For information on biking beyond Portland Check the state of Maine Bicycle Book featuring route nores for rides throughout Maine and the East Coast Greenway which has mapped a route from the Canadian Border to Key West Florida.
Go For a Walk
looking to explore Portland on foot you have several options.
Maine Foodie Tours 207 233 7485 offers a 2 to 2.5 hour Culinary Walking Tour of Portland that features local seafood, cheeses and beers. They also offer Chocolate Tours in Portland and Freeport.
Looking for independent exploration? Greater Portland landmarks offers a multi-part set of maps that offer Walking Tours of Historic Portland featuring Portland’s history and architecture. Maps are available via the greater Portland Landmarks website or at the Portland Observatory which is one of my favorite spots in Portland. The large gray building on the backside of the observatory was my first address when I returned to Portland. I nicknamed it the binging sailor because the floors were warped and would often send me stumbling when I was not paying attention.
Looking to explore nature in Portland? Portland Trails offers an excellent map featuring trials, green spaces and parks in the greater Portland area. Here are a couple favorites.
This 85-acre preserve is the home of Jewell Falls, Portland ‘s only natural waterfall, as well as the site of the former Cumberland and Oxford Canal. The lowland area, where salt and freshwater marsh meet, provides great bird-watching opportunities. Red oak and white pine contribute to a habitat for many songbirds and small mammals in the upland area. The land around the falls was donated to Portland Trails by the family of Tom Jewell, one of Portland Trails’ founders. Open from dawn to dusk, year-round
If you enter from the Brighton Avenue side be shore to visit the award winning Rosemont Market for great treats.
This exceptionally beautiful trail follows a deep ravine away from the residential neighborhood and into the Preserve. The trail is very steep in places. Boardwalks and bridges pass over wet areas, while allowing for mountain bike access. Once the trail reaches the river’s edge, signs direct the visitor upstream or downstream, both offering spectacular river views. Upstream, the trail features several short loops into wooded, upland areas. That trail continues along the shoreline under the highway overpass for another ¾ mile. Downstream, the trail crosses through property protected by the Falmouth Conservation Trust before it reaches Presumpscot Falls . The trail includes a portage to help paddlers around these swift rapids. Please respect private property at the end of the trail.
Mackworth Island is a legislated bird sanctuary and is connected to Falmouth by a causeway at the mouth of the Presumpscot River . It is the former home of James Phinney Baxter and of his son, Governor Percival Baxter, and was deeded to the State of Maine in 1943. Currently it is the site of the Baxter School for the Deaf. The island is open to visitors from dawn to dusk. The perimeter path is maintained by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. A detailed trail map can be borrowed from the guard at the gatehouse near the parking area. An outhouse is also available in the parking lot.
This easy trail circles Mackworth Island and offers excellent views of Casco Bay. The trail surface is wood chips and packed soil, which may be slippery when wet, but the terrain is generally level, with moderate slopes not exceeding 10%. There are no steps or other major barriers to wheelchairs on the main loop. Small side trails follow steep slopes to the shore and may be inaccessible to some visitors. A new staircase with handrail has been added to a side trail on the south side of the island.
Get on the Water
Maine Island Kayak 207 766 2373 located on Peaks island, a 20 minute ferry ride from Portland, offers full and half day tours from May 15 to Columbus Day
Maine Sailing Adventures 207 749 9619 offers two-hour sails as well as charters and educational tours. Be sure to ask the crew about building the boat which they did here in Casco Bay. Stop by Black Tie Catering on Commercial Street for a bottle of wine and great snacks for your sail
Sopssup 207 767 7676 offers stand up paddleboarding lessons and rentals. This new and upcoming sport involves standing on a surf board like board and paddling from a standing position and is a great way to see Casco Bay.