Told you guys I'd be heading back! My second week in Portland was filled with the beach, good food, and an excursion to New Hampshire.
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It took me less than three weeks to drive back to Portland (it's about a four hour drive from home) and I'm ALREADY planning a third visit. If that doesn't show you how IN LOVE with this city I am, not much will.
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Let's get to the good stuff.
Fort Williams Park is absolutely breathtaking. Located on Cape Elizabeth, the park and its famous Portland Head Light embody enough beauty to justify dedicating half a day (at least) of your trip to seeing the sights. We walked along the coast from the lighthouse to the forts and Goddard Mansion. The mansion is currently closed off to the public...but you can climb up and maneuver your way through one of the windows. Just be careful!
If you're looking for a relaxing walk close to town, follow the Eastern Promenade Trail. The 2-mile path follows an old rail corridor, passes a small dog-friendly beach (ADORABLE), leads to an abandoned, burnt-down railroad bridge, and flows through a sketchy water treatment plant that feels like it's straight out of Stranger Things. Plan your walk around sunset for an amazing view over the water.
sporting a Gxxd Gang Tee & REKOVR sunglasses
We hit up three different beaches, two local and one about 45 minutes south. Higgins and Crescent Beach are both a quick 20 minutes from the center of Portland. If you're looking for a quiet, no-wave sort of location, Crescent is for you. It's long enough to enjoy a walk and has a ton of small campsites located further inland. It's also extremely isolated and PERFECT for a late-night fire. Since the property is a State Park, the entrance closes around sunset. If you park outside the entrance you have about a 3/4 mile walk to the beachfront. We were "greeted" by a cop around 1:00 AM as we made it back to our car, but he was super friendly and only concerned about whether or not we were okay. Not sure how strict the local PD/rangers are about visits once the park is closed, so keep an eye out.
If the wind & weather is right, Higgins is the place to go for beginner surfers. After a small sand front, the beach transforms into a rock-ledge and makes for an adventuresome, unique walk. This small gem is pretty busy, especially with surfers if the waves amp up. You'll find professional photographers snapping action shots and locals and their dogs out and about throughout the day.
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45 minutes South of Portland lies Ogunquit, a lively, diverse spot and home to Ogunquit Beach. The beach alone is worth the drive. A long, sandy peninsula meets a gorgeous cliff walk that expands from the center of town along the coast. Hop the fence onto the rocky ledge to find some KILLER sea-glass. You also have access to the back end of the beach (technically the Ogunquit River) that was equally as beautiful and completely empty of beachgoers. If you're looking for more than a day of tanning, rent a kayak and fight against the current at high tide. Be sure to check out the Harbor Candy Store in the center of town - prices are relatively cheap and the candy is DELICIOUS. I recommend the sea salt malt balls. TO DIE FOR.
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New Hampshire's picturesque White Mountains are the perfect day excursion for an outdoor adventure. ​The drive to Conway is about 1.5 hours from Portland. From here, you can enter the National Forest and drive through for another 1 - 1.5 hours to the opposite side. We drove through to the Franconia Ridge Loop and hiked the three mile Falling Waters Trail. This hike is NOT for beginners. The uphill climb weaves in and out of the river and its waterfalls with some pretty steep off-the-beaten-path paths.
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As you're driving through the mountains, be sure to stop along the river where there is no designated sightseeing location. Chances are there won't be other visitors within sight, and the isolated beauty of the river is surreal. The rocks are pastel shades of purple, turquoise and white and the water (although cold at first) is the cleanest, most refreshing water I've seen in a river. Hands down the most beautiful, peaceful natural river I've found so far.
The Food
RAMEN: If you're a ramen-lover, you HAVE to check out Pai Men Miyake. This small shop offers a mix of ramen with broths rich in pork, chicken & vegetables. Obviously I had the vegan Shojin Ramen. I've never been a big tofu fan, but the two slices in this bowl were UNREAL. I'll be spending this weekend attempting to recreate the flavor...we'll see how that goes. Safe to say I'm all for tofu now (for all you skeptics, the meat-eater with me agreed). The staff was also extremely kind and super hipster - they made the atmosphere fun and welcoming.
THAI: HOLY HELL was this place delicious. Absolutely the best meal I've had in Portland. Boda, a late-night kitchen & bar, is on the pricier side, but every dollar is worth it. I devoured the seasonal vegetarian curry (it has a kick to it) along with a DELICIOUS "awesome coffee" cocktail. The drinks were just as good as our meals.
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SUBS: Joe's Super Variety is a family owned convenience store located on Congress. Sure, you don't think "sit down and dine" when you think of a convenience store, but their small Italian-style deli is the perfect stop for a quick lunch. I randomly happened upon Joe's in search of a cheap, quick meal and asked them to give me whatever veggie sandwich they had. I ended up with a $5 Veggie Italian - a simple mix of cheese and veggies on a hot-dog style roll, topped with oil, salt & pepper. It may not sound like much, but this sub was SO refreshing and the perfect mid-week lunch. The staff was also super friendly - highly recommended!
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As if I need to say it again...I LOVE PORTLAND. ​Between the relaxed vibe of the locals and the outdoor adventure-land that is Maine, Portland offers everything you could ever want. Winter in Portland, however, is probably a MUCH different story. I'm sure it's equally as desirable for snowboarding/skiing, but I've heard a good portion of the local shops and activities shut down. Guess I'll just have to take a trip out this winter to let you guys know. Poor me.