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GET TAPPED OUT
Maine is at the forefront of the craft
beverage boom, and Greater Portland
has some of the most accessible, palate-
pleasing imbibing opportunities around!
For a car(e)free experience, join the
Maine Brew Bus or Maine Beer Tours for
a behind-the-scenes look at the
fermentation process with plenty of
samples. The East Bayside and Riverside
neighborhoods contain a concentration
of breweries and distilleries, making it
easy to visit a number at once. As you
wind your way through Portland’s Old
Port, stop into the Sweetgrass tasting
room for a sample of their flavored
dessert wines. Across the street, Vena’s
Fizz House offers its own botanical-
infused fizzes, mocktails, and cocktails.
VISIT PORTLAND / 11
We’ll keep you as busy as you want to be! Here are
some of the top activities our visitors rave about…
let us know yours!
GO AFLOAT
Surf crashing on the rockbound shore,
salty sea breezes, seagulls squawking
overhead—to really experience Greater
Portland in its geographic context, you’ll
want to venture out to sea. Get up close
and personal with seals and lighthouses
on a harbor cruise or haul lobsters that
you can cook up for dinner. Rent a sea
kayak or paddleboard at East End Beach
and take off; you can explore the parapets
of Fort Gorges, the hexagonal stone
structure off the Eastern Prom. Venture to
one of the populated islands on the Casco
Bay Lines ferry or stay aboard for the
round trip excursion. Go whale watching
or deep-sea fishing or sail into the sunset
on a wooden schooner. See listings for
cruises and tours [p. 21-22].
WHAT DO I
NEED
TO SEE?
PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: BENJAMIN WILLIAMSON; BETHANY + DAN PHOTOGRAPHY; DOWN EAST DUCK TOURS; DAN SRIP
ASERT; FREEPORT USA; VISIT PORTLAND/CHRIS RICCARDO; COREY TEMPLETON
BEACHCOMB
Although Maine is renowned for its
many miles of rocky coastline, you
won’t have to give up beautiful sand
beaches when you visit—we’ve got
seven sandy seaside playgrounds
within a stone’s throw of downtown
Portland. You can be sun tanning or surf
boarding in the afternoon and enjoying a
play or live music by nightfall. And many
beaches are dog-friendly, allowing your
furry friends full romping privileges from
fall through spring. Bring or rent bicycles
to explore the islands including beaches
and secluded coves. Nearby, Old Orchard
Beach’s seven sandy miles are crowned
by an historic pier, boardwalk, and Palace
Playland, New England’s only beachfront
amusement park.