Things to Do
Portland is consistently named one of the top foodie destinations in the United States. In 2018, Bon Appétit declared Portland the Restaurant City of the Year. Below are some of our favorites along with other fun activities to do! We have also included some activities outside of Portland for all those who are renting a car and making a vacation out of the trip.
NOTE: October in Maine is extremely busy with all the leaf peepers! Make sure to make reservations for restaurants far in advance (months if you can!)
If you want advice on restaurants to make reservations at outside of this list, talk to Becky. She could talk Portland restaurants to you all day!
Restaurants
EVENTIDE OYSTER CO.
One of our favorite restaurants in Portland. Good for a casual lunch or dinner. Be sure to get a brown butter lobster roll and oysters with red onion ice. Be prepared to wait for a table, they do not take reservations.
STREET & CO
A favorite of ours for a nice dinner. Parker recommends the lobster linguine and Becky recommends the whole fish branzino. They accept reservations.
PAI MEN MIYAKE
Cozy ramen restaurant that also has different japanese bowls and sushi rolls. They do not accept reservations. Be prepared to wait for table - grab a drink next door at LFK. To this day, Becky says the ceviche roll is the best bite of food she has ever had in her life.
J'S OYSTER
One of our favorite local spots. Unassuming eatery & bar hidden on a pier is known for its steamed clams & other coastal classics. Get a seat at the bar and you’ll likely be seated next to a lobsterman! Walk in only.
VIA VECCHIA
Amazing Italian food! Also great spot to just grab a drink at the beautiful bar. Parker particularly loves that when you're sitting at the bar, they also give you a complimentary board of snacks! They accept reservations.
FLATBREAD COMPANY
Amazing wood-fired pizza, salads and an extensive beer list! Parker and Becky love this spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Try to snag a seat on the back deck - it is right on the water! They do not accept reservations, but wait should not be too bad!
PORTLAND LOBSTER CO.
Looking for a whole lobster? This spot right on the water offers picnic tables and a true Maine experience. Be prepared to wait for a table! Grab a beer and listen to the live music while you wait!
THE HONEY PAW
Bright, contemporary bistro offering Asian-inspired noodles & other bites with local craft beer. Get the lobster toast! They do not accept reservations.
THE HOLY DONUT
Worth the hype! These donuts are made with potatoes & local ingredients at this artisanal dessert shop.
DUCKFAT
Best french fries you will ever have! Also has great sandwiches and milkshakes. Be prepared for a nap after a meal here. A great spot for lunch, they do not accept reservations.
SCALES
For a fancier meal, visit Scales a spacious seaside venue for local seafood, raw bar, wine & New England comfort classics. They accept reservations 2 months in advance - make them early!
BECKY’S DINER
Fishermen & others often pack this waterfront, no-nonsense American diner serving all-day eats.
HOT SUPPA
One of Becky's favorite brunch spots! The fare includes eggs benedicts, biscuits & sausage gravy and corned beef hash. They accept reservations.
FORE STREET
Another nicer spot, this rustic spot's open wood-fire grill, oven & spit lend smoky flavors to upscale American fare. They also accept reservations.
STANDARD BAKING COMPANY
Family-owned bakery offering a diverse array of daily breads & sweets, plus breakfast pastries.
Bars & Breweries
OXBOW BLENDING AND BOTTLING
Our favorite brewery! There is also a Duckfat fries shack conveniently located in a hip part of town.
CENTRAL PROVISIONS
Seasonal inspired small plates with international influences, local beer, pre-prohibition cocktails, and eclectic wine. A great spot for a pre-dinner drink!
NOVARE RES BIER CAFE
Like beer? This place has over 450 beers for you to choose from and over 45 are on tap!
Vintage-inspired cocktail bar with a maritime theme serving house cocktails & upscale small plates.
Attractions
PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT
There are 65 historic lighthouses in Maine (we got engaged at one!), and while some dispute whether this is the most photographed one, everyone agrees it is the oldest one! Built in 1791 it is definitely still worth a visit. If you do not have a car, we suggest checking out Portland Discovery for one of their many tours!
TWO LIGHTS STATE PARK
Another fun place to see a light house, conveniently located next to a great lobster shack! This is about a 15 minute drive from Portland.
PORTLAND SCHOONER CO.
Sail aboard Bagheera, Wendameen, or Timberwind for a two-hour cruise from Portland, Maine on Casco Bay. Sailing is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Maine coast, complete with lighthouses, seals, seabirds and the rugged coastline. Pack a meal, bring your favorite wine or beer and sit back and relax as you slip through the cool waters of Maine.
HANSELS ORCHARD
A fun, fall activity to do with the family! Parker and I actually picked apples here about an hour before we got engaged! About 10 minutes outside of Portland.
KENNEBUNK
30 minutes south of Portland, Kennebunk is a quaint coastal town that is particularly beautiful in the fall. The Dock Square area has a district of souvenir shops, art galleries, schooner attractions, seafood restaurants, and bed and breakfasts.
L.L.BEAN
The L.L.Bean Flagship Store, the first and largest, has been located on Main Street for over a century. At the Freeport campus you’ll find quality apparel, camping gear, home furnishings and much more - all made for the shared joy of the outdoors. Freeport is about 20 minutes north of Portland.
CAMDEN
If you're making a trip out of it and have a car, Camden is worth swinging through! Camden is proud to call itself the "Jewel of the Coast." A beautiful seaport town with a harbor full of sail boats, Camden is a quaint place to spend a night in one of its many bed and breakfasts. Parker and Becky spent the night in Camden the day they got engaged! Parker compares Camden to the fictional town of Stars Hollow from the TV show, Gilmore Girls. He's not wrong!
PEMAQUID POINT
Where we got engaged! Pemaquid Point is a beautiful lighthouse and park about 15 minutes outside Damariscotta. Stop at Shuck Station for lunch after!
BAR HARBOR/ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island along Maine’s Frenchman Bay. It serves as a gateway to the mountains and cliffs of neighboring Acadia National Park. Towering over the park, Cadillac Mountain has trails and views of the town, the bay and the Cranberry Islands. Sand Beach is ringed by mountains. From the town pier, the Shore Path winds along the bay overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Porcupine Islands.