Portland, Maine, is one of the most under-appreciated spots I've visited thus far. I'll preface the rest of this by saying I LOVE PORTLAND and cannot wait to go back (which will be within the month). A quick 3 1/2 hour drive from CT, I spent just Thursday-Sunday in the hip, trendy city. If you're located in New England and looking for a mini-vacation you can drive to, stop looking. And if you're on the West Coast or outside of the United States, I highly recommend considering Portland, ME if you're looking for a chill, welcoming city with lots to do.
One of my favorite things about this city is that it doesn't actually feel like a city. Despite the business developments, the area is a living tribute to all things art. The town praises diversity of every kind - a vibe that radiates from the buildings themselves through artistic renditions of graffiti.
​
Portland provides a heavy mix of outdoor adventure and artistic, trendy vibes. If you like to walk (anything from walking streets lined with stores to hiking in the wilderness) this is the place for you.
Where To Stay
Although there are tons of affordable hotels, motels, and B&B's in the area, I wouldn't suggest anything other than AirBnb if you're looking for an authentic experience. Specifically, look for an apartment as close to Old Port as possible (there are tons of them). I stayed directly on Congress Street, which leads into Old Port and Downtown. I obviously loved the excursions we went on, but one of my favorite parts was our ability to wake up and walk a few blocks to an artsy cafe without a second thought.
Despite going up on Thursday, I had to work on Friday (crazy I know) so I found a small local cafe to chill at. The staff was super friendly and not annoyed in the slightest by turning a corner of the place into my own personal office. Also, their home fries with mixed veggies (I think it's literally called Veggie Home Fries) were TO DIE FOR. Also super affordable for an entire breakfast portion (the small is big enough for one). You can check out Local Sprouts here.
​
A second chill cafe I fell in love with was Bard Coffee. This is a bit further towards Downtown, but snatch a seat by the window and you can people-watch for days. It's also directly across from Urban Outfitters so it's a win-win.
The Locals
The Portland crowd, to say the least, is unique. When I say Portland celebrates diversity, I mean it. Every individual you meet has an equally eclectic and welcoming personality. You can feel the relaxed vibe the second you enter the city. Your typical New England judgmental bs disappears and MAN is it refreshing. As mentioned above, the streets are filled with art and live music, creating the perfect environment for the homeless men and women to let lose and dance freely - they appreciate a dance partner, so don't be shy! Also take a second to check out the small-businesses lining the streets. You can immediately tell when the owners are locals by their warm smiles and friendly demeanors.
​
​
Peaks Island
I twenty minute ferry ride ($7.50 or something like that) away from Downtown Portland lies Peaks Island, home to dozens of unique inlets. Despite the cute golf-cart riding opportunities, I don't suggest taking a tour on the island. A 4-mile paved road lines the perimeter of the island and makes for the perfect self-guided walking tour. By the amount of people on the Casco Bay Line (the ferry) you'd expect the island to be packed, but it was actually extremely private.
​
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is about 2 1/2 hours outside of Portland, but it is more than worth dedicating a day to. Over 47,000 acres of hike-able, breathtaking land spread across the Atlantic Coast. The popular bayside town of Bar Harbor is the perfect stop for lunch and some souvenir shopping. Heads up - it's free to enter the park if you don't plan on hiking. If you want to explore the grounds outside of the main tourist areas (DO IT!) you must pay a $30 per car fee.
​
If you do decide to pay the fee and spend the day hiking, there are over 127 miles of hikable paths. We went for the 500 ft Gorham Mtn. for a relaxed 1 mile hike. There are plenty of longer, more intense trials if you're looking for something more physical.
​
We parked our car at the Frazer Point picnic area and entered the Gorham trail from a manmade entrance off the side of the road. I'm sure there are a multitude of entrance ways. HEADS UP! When you purchase a park pass they'll provide you with a generic map - if you want a more detailed map of the individual trails you have to pay for it, so print one out before you go.
​
We entered Gorham from the South and exited down the North side, which brought us out by Sandy Beach. If you're up for some more "hiking", walk all the way to the left of the beach and find another man-made path to the top of the rocks. You can walk alongside the rocks and you'll (normally) be the only one there. Following the beach we walked along the perimeter of the park for a scenic hike back to the car.
I fully intend on heading back up to Portland in the next month...so more to come soon!
obv I took my Be Bottle with me