Why You Should Visit Portland Maine

Portland, Maine is a small city just two hours northeast of Boston.  For anyone who hasn't visited the area, it might come as a surprise that the hardy "Mainers" are also artsy, interested in culture, and love gourmet and ethnic foods. 

With just under 70,000 citizens, Portland is small enough to not be overwhelming to a newcomer, but large enough to support a vibrant arts, music, and event scene.

Prospective visitors would be wise to check out a few websites when planning their trip.  The first is simply www.portlandmaine.com   This site is focused on downtown Portland, and is helpful for maps, event calendars, and listings of shops and restaurants in the downtown Old Port Exchange area. 

For travelers interested in the history of the area, check out www.portlandlandmarks.org.  An insider's tip: click on Kidstuff to find some great self-guided walking tours complete with maps, photos of notable sites, and historical information.

The pace of life in Portland is slower and more relaxed than that of other New England cities, and tourists should take advantage of this during their trip.  For that reason, I'd like to suggest some potential "outings" in lieu of full day jam packed itineraries.  (These are also budget conscious recommendations - travel on the cheap in Portland is easy!)

#1 - Sea Life
One of the main attractions in Portland is the Old Port Exchange area right on the water.  It's full of restaurants, bars, and shops that can please any group from young to old.  Head to Gilbert's Chowder House on Commercial Street and, if the weather abides, sit out back on their "dock" and enjoy a bowl of hearty clam chowder or a big lobster dinner.  For those of you that love spicy food, give the seafood chili a try - it'll knock your socks off.