Vacationing in Portland, ME for a few days next month

[Anonymous]

Anyone familiar with the area? We booked the trip on a whim and am looking for cool things to do. Just DH and I going. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Eat lobster!

[Anonymous]

So fun. We vacation in Kennebunkport every year (about 30 minutes drive from Portland). I love Southern Maine so much. If it were me, I would hike, go to the beach, and eat lobster rolls every day.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Definitely plan on Kennebunkport and lobster. Is Bar Harbor too far away to drive? I was thinking about a day trip to Acadia but not sure if it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Acadia is definitely worth it but a long drive from Portland. Check out the portland museum of art. From Portland you could drive up the coast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. Definitely plan on Kennebunkport and lobster. Is Bar Harbor too far away to drive? I was thinking about a day trip to Acadia but not sure if it's worth it.

Acadia is worth more than a day trip and it's also too far from P'land (at least 3.5 hrs) to make it feasible in a day. Portland is a great city with lots to do and lots of good restaurants. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

You can take ferries to the various islands in the Casco Bay. Peak's island is the closest, and has a lot of old fashioned sumer fun options - beach, bike rental, ice cream etc. People also recommend Bailey's Islsnd. The Wadsworth Longfellow House is a nicely preserved historic home. You can visit a lot of lighthouses. The museum is nice, but not a huge thrill for a regular Smithsonian visitor. There is also a brewery tour.

The restaurants are great - Fore St, Duckfat, Little Lad's Bakery, Cinque Terre

[Anonymous]

Eat dinner at Street & Co and order the lobster fra diavolo. Best meal of my entire life. Spend an afternoon at the LL bean factory store and check on their outdoor summer concerts. You never know, you might get lucky and be there for a neat show. Cape Elizabeth is gorgeous. Tons of amazing farmers markets. I'm jealous. You will love it!!

[Anonymous]

I think traveling to Bar Harbor is out. Anyone have thoughts on whale watching tours in/around Portland? I did one of these near Bar Harbor years ago and saw a lot of cool stuff (a few whales, a bunch of puffin), but I have read reviews of some of the places around Portland and a significant number of them say that no whales were seen.

Anyone recommend doing a whale tour?

[Anonymous]

bump. any other ideas?

[Anonymous]

I dream of the lobster rolls at Eventide. Non-traditional but so, so good.

[Anonymous]

Where is Eventide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eat dinner at Street & Co and order the lobster fra diavolo. Best meal of my entire life. Spend an afternoon at the LL bean factory store and check on their outdoor summer concerts. You never know, you might get lucky and be there for a neat show. Cape Elizabeth is gorgeous. Tons of amazing farmers markets. I'm jealous. You will love it!!

No, no, you have to go to LL Bean at 3 am, just because you can. No locks on the doors!

[Anonymous]

OP, we're vacationing in Portland too next month, but with our kids. Looking forward to hearing others' recommendations, though no lobster for this vegetarian family!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is Eventide?

It's in Portland on Middle Street not too far from the water/ferries - Middle Street runs roughly parallel to the water about three streets up. Oysters are incredible there.