Street & Co is my favorite Portland casual dining. Fore St is my next favorite (but pricier). Get reservations for both, they fill up.

Yes, Portland has a large, visible homeless population. I’ve never been bothered or felt unsafe. That said, we don’t walk around late at night.

Activities: we use Portland as a base for day trips.
-Head out to Boothbay and explore their beautiful Botanical Gardens.

-Take a ferry to Peak’s Island and rent bikes (on the island) and bike around the perimeter. It takes less than an hour. There’s a great swimming spot near the ferry so wear swimsuits. Be prepared for the COLD Casco bay.

-Take a lunch out to Popham Beach. Look up the tides and time it when you’re there for low tide. It’s magical to walk out to the little island from the beach.

I love walking around Portland and perusing the shops. There’s a great little bookstore there too. Have fun! Maine is my favorite!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look out for the homeless and drug users. It has become so bad my friend moved back to MI from Maine this year. She lived in Portland.

Really? Are you sure you don’t mean Portland Oregon?

Maine has issues with drugs. But also, so what? What does LOOK OUT mean?

NP

Portland is very small geographically and the increase in homeless folks is visible everywhere. It has definitely changed the vibe. I lived and worked in Portland for 7 years and am a Maine native. Visit downeast. We don’t love outsiders but people are generally friendly if you are not an ass.

Is it worse than DC?

No. Portland is fine. It might be shocking to people who live in gated communities and only spend time in places with security, but for people who spend time in American cities it's just...an American city.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look out for the homeless and drug users. It has become so bad my friend moved back to MI from Maine this year. She lived in Portland.

Really? Are you sure you don’t mean Portland Oregon?

Maine has issues with drugs. But also, so what? What does LOOK OUT mean?

NP

Portland is very small geographically and the increase in homeless folks is visible everywhere. It has definitely changed the vibe. I lived and worked in Portland for 7 years and am a Maine native. Visit downeast. We don’t love outsiders but people are generally friendly if you are not an ass.

Do you mean past Acadia? If people want to visit there they absolutely should, but Portland is much more accessible and easy for weekend visitors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look out for the homeless and drug users. It has become so bad my friend moved back to MI from Maine this year. She lived in Portland.

Really? Are you sure you don’t mean Portland Oregon?

Maine has issues with drugs. But also, so what? What does LOOK OUT mean?

NP

Portland is very small geographically and the increase in homeless folks is visible everywhere. It has definitely changed the vibe. I lived and worked in Portland for 7 years and am a Maine native. Visit downeast. We don’t love outsiders but people are generally friendly if you are not an ass.

Is it worse than DC?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look out for the homeless and drug users. It has become so bad my friend moved back to MI from Maine this year. She lived in Portland.

Really? Are you sure you don’t mean Portland Oregon?

Maine has issues with drugs. But also, so what? What does LOOK OUT mean?

NP

Portland is very small geographically and the increase in homeless folks is visible everywhere. It has definitely changed the vibe. I lived and worked in Portland for 7 years and am a Maine native. Visit downeast. We don’t love outsiders but people are generally friendly if you are not an ass.

Anonymous wrote:Any place that sells Round Top ice cream.

Ocotillo. https://www.ocotillo.me/

Becky's Diner.

Take the mail boat cruise. It's a boat that goes to all of the islands in Casco Bay to deliver mail. Fun experience.

You can take the ferry to Peak's Island to go to the beach.

Also, Gelato Fiasco.

Any place that sells Round Top ice cream.

Ocotillo. https://www.ocotillo.me/

Becky's Diner.

Take the mail boat cruise. It's a boat that goes to all of the islands in Casco Bay to deliver mail. Fun experience.

You can take the ferry to Peak's Island to go to the beach.

I was just there this week and can confirm there were a ton of homeless people. You do have to be aware of your surroundings.

Allagash Brewery is 20 mins outside of Portland and has food/drinks for everyone and some fun games for kids. There is a Bite into Maine food truck.

Highroller is another Lobster place in town.

Things to do:
- Children's Museum
- Take one of the ferry boats out into the bay
- Portland Museum of Art

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look out for the homeless and drug users. It has become so bad my friend moved back to MI from Maine this year. She lived in Portland.

Really? Are you sure you don’t mean Portland Oregon?

Maine has issues with drugs. But also, so what? What does LOOK OUT mean?

NP

It means a drug crazed person can run after you on Congress Street. It’s generally not horrible but you do have to be aware. Post Covid the Peninsula is sketchy in a way it wasn’t