CONVENTION + VISITORS BUREAU /
57
SHOPP ING
It’s easy to see why so many people add shopping to their list of reasons to
come to Greater Portland; from handcrafts to haute couture, the pleasures of
unearthing unique items and plentiful bargains are numerous.
The Old Port district of Portland is lined
with one-of-a-kind boutiques featuring
authentic Maine-made and imported
goods. Stroll the cobblestone streets,
duck into a café, and smell the salt air
roll in from the bay. You’ll find shops
and galleries occupying revitalized
warehouses with exposed brick and
beams; sometimes the stores themselves
are as unique as the wares they display!
Portland has specialty shops for fashion
divas, vintage collectors, those who love
to cook (and eat!), and for connoisseurs
of all types of art and handcrafts.
The state’s largest shopping center, The
Maine Mall, is located in South Portland
with over 140 of your favorite stores and
restaurants. The surrounding mall area
contains many smaller shopping plazas
and eateries, and all of it is just 10 min-
utes from downtown Portland.
Several Greater Portland stores have
become destinations unto themselves
such as DeLorme in Yarmouth, where you
can view the world’s largest rotating and
revolving globe while checking out the
most up-to-date navigational products.
At L.L. Bean in Freeport, one of the
most well-respected outdoor outfitters
in the world, you’ll find all the gear
and clothing to make your outdoor
adventures comfortable and successful.
Take advantage of free in-store clinics
on everything from birding essentials
to basic kayaking strokes.
Searching for a great souvenir of your
visit? Bring home a touch of Maine
with a piece of exquisite tourmaline
jewelry fashioned from beautiful gems
unearthed in the state’s western moun-
tains. Or a hand-knit garment made
from alpaca yarn raised and spun in
Maine. Or a retired sail turned into a
fashionable tote by Sea Bags at its
workshop on Custom House Wharf.
Outlet shopping has become a
major-league sport in Maine with Kittery
at the state’s southern entrance, and
Freeport, just 20 minutes north of
Portland, offering scores of designer
and name brand outlets.
Before your visit, check out visitport-
land.com for shopping coupons to
extend your dollars. And be sure to
leave some room in the car.
Photo: Chris Lawrence, Portland’s Old Port
{
GI FTS & GOODI ES
}
Vacations are a
relaxed time to
hunt for bargains,
special gifts, and
lasting mementos;
treat yourself to
something new
in Maine.
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