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/ visitportland.com
Once you’ve sated your hunger, it’s time
to feed the mind. Historic buildings
abound on the cobblestone streets. In
the summer, live music never seems
to stop in Monument Square, and you
can always enjoy a concert at one of
Portland’s many music venues. First-
time visitors to the Portland Museum of
Art will be blown away by the collection
of American and European art. To truly
soak in the cultural offerings, be sure to
check out a First Friday Art Walk, where
artists line the streets and galleries
open for business. You can chat with
a local artist, buy paintings straight
from the source, or just enjoy the
carnival-like scene.
For the serious shopper, there are many
places to fill your closet. Fashion in
Maine is a funny thing, often defined by
L.L. Bean boots and nautical wear. But
there’s more to it than that—just stroll
through the Arts District and the Old
Port to visit a myriad of local boutiques
offering sophisticated modern designs
and fun lifestyle products. Much of
what you’ll find inMaine is locally-made:
from pottery to jewelry to clever T-shirts
displaying that famous Maine sense
of humor.
Finally, no visit to Portland would be
complete without a day spent outdoors.
Hop a ferry from the Old Port for the
short ride to Peaks Island, or just stroll
along the breathtaking Eastern
Promenade with summer views straight
out of a Seurat painting. The authentic
working waterfront is worth a visit;
grab a seat at one of the many outdoor
restaurants and watch as boats arrive
and depart or wend your way down the
wharfs to see fishermen unloading their
catch. A truly bike-friendly city, cyclists
will find that trails stretch all the way
from downtown up onto the mainland
and feature sweeping views of the
harbor. Or if you would rather take it
slow, grab a coffee from one of our
expert roasters (Portlanders love their
local coffee) and join the locals at the
Saturday morning farmers’ market in
Deering Oaks Park, where the people-
watching is excellent and the fountains
truly lovely.
Island life.
It’s a phrase that
holds an almost mystical amount of
power. Who among us hasn’t wished
for our own private island? While
you may not be able to buy a plot of
aquatic land, you can find your own
paradise on Maine’s beautiful, serene,
and pristine islands.
Scattered throughout the Atlantic
Ocean is a seemingly limitless number
of islands, running all the way from
southern Maine to the northernmost
tip. While devoted sailors can spend
years exploring our islands, many
tourists prefer the lovely archipelago
in Casco Bay for its accessibility
and natural beauty. Serviced by the
Casco Bay Ferry Lines, it’s easy to
visit the
C
ALENDAR
I
SLANDS
, as this
smattering of sea-surrounded lands
is called. From the small wonders on
L
ITTLE
D
IAMOND
I
SLAND
to the
sprawling community on 25-square-mile
C
HEBEAGUE
I
SLAND
,
this region
encompasses a wide variety of beaches,
towns, scenic vistas, and charming
seaside homes. With literally hundreds
of islands to choose from, it’s not always
easy to pick your destination.
Fortunately, ferry services narrow down
the options significantly.
P
EAKS
I
SLAND
,
Little Diamond Island,
G
REAT
D
IAMOND
I
SLAND
,
L
ONG
I
SLAND
, Chebeague Island,
C
LIFF
I
SLAND
, and
B
AILEY
I
SLAND
are all
Photos from top: The streets of Portland’s historic
Old Port district are lined with shops and restaurants,
Amy Tolk; Casco Bay Lines’ ferry–the oldest continually
operating mail boat service of its kind, Corey Templeton
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