2013 Visitor's Guide

I T’S A MAD GIRL WORLD Portland’s shops and boutiques showcase the city’s unique fashion sense. And inside The Madhouse, that fashion sense becomes wonderfully more unique and unexpected. Passersby are lured in by the lively and curious window display, and locals go to check out the custom items, accessories, and up-cycled vintage — and to let their ears do some perusing in the local listening lounge. THE BEST BANDI T IN TOWN Downtown Portland is showered with love every Valentine’s Day (since 1976) when the mysterious Valentine’s Day Bandit posts red hearts on store fronts and restaurant windows around the city under the cover of night. Even the Fire Station flagpole flies a heart flag. Who’s behind all the hearts? That’s a secret no one’s sharing. And Portland doesn’t mind having a secret admirer. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Quirky Side of PORTLAND

HOPS ON BOARD Ride the bus to Maine’s beer scene. The Maine Brew Bus — painted green and lovingly named Lenny — chauffeurs guests to an array of local breweries and distilleries for tours, chats with brewers, and plenty of tasting. The Local Pour Tour even includes libations beyond beer, including stops at Maine Mead Works and Urban Farm Fermentory. A CLAUS TO PAUSE There’s no shortage of holiday spirit during Santacon, Portland’s annual barcrawling Santa convention. During one night in early December, hundreds of locals decked in red suits and faux beards descend on downtown, caroling from bar to bar, drinking in good cheer, and perplexing passersby. COFFEE CONTEST ISTAS Locals may be serious about their coffee, but the monthly Thursday Night Throwdown at Bard Coffee offers area coffee slingers some friendly competition for a good cause. Baristas compete in caffeinated art, creating designs in latte foam and aiming to impress the judges. Winners earn bragging rights and proceeds support Coffee Kids. TERMINAL T IDES At low tide, the Mood Tide Garden adjacent to Ocean Gate- way Terminal appears to be a simple rock garden. There are

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