Portland, Maine: Attractions, Art and Dining
Attractions
The old and cool beach town in Maine
Portland, Maine: Attractions, Art, and Dining. In 400 years, Portland has grown from a small harbor in the colonies to the biggest city in Maine. It has a very rich past, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the coolest cities on the East Coast. In the last few decades, urban renewal projects have given old downtown and coastal neighborhoods a new lease on life. Now, trendy restaurants and art galleries sit next to beautiful historic landmarks. This city has an obvious taste for culture and food, but it is still a successful fishing port, which gives it a personality that is sometimes elegant and refined and sometimes rough and real.
The old port and the city center
In the lively old port area, there are microbreweries and experimental art galleries. The commercial quays and warehouses where fishermen and fishmongers talk are only a stone’s throw away. Walk along the cobblestone streets and enjoy fresh fish at the Portland Fish Market. Take a moment to admire Portland City Hall and don’t forget to stop by the Portland Science Center. You can catch a fishing boat for a trip out to sea or a ship to get to one of the islands in Casco Bay from the old port center. Check out the Downtown Arts District. It’s where the famous Portland Museum of Art is located, along with many other shows, art galleries, and museums. People who love food can go on one of the many gastronomic trips that explore Portland’s food scene. Bon Appetit magazine named Portland the “foodiest small city in America.”
Historical sites and architectural marvels
Luckily for Portland, there are well-kept houses here that used to belong to important people. Visit Victoria Mansion, a red sandstone house built in 1860 in the style of the Italian Renaissance. It was the summer home of Ruggles hotelier Sylvester Morse. The Wadsworth-Longfellow House used to belong to the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s family. It is now a museum with beautiful grounds. First Parish, don’t miss the chandelier in the family chapel. There is now a shot that she aimed at during the British Royal Navy attack on Portland in 1775. Tate House is one of the oldest colonial homes in the country. It was built in 1775 for Captain George Tate, who was a Senior Mast Agent in the British Royal Navy.
Cross the bay to get to Bug Light Park, which is a former shipyard from World War II that holds the record for the most boats launched in a single day. This is a great place to learn about the area’s military and maritime past. Now, the Portland Breakwater Light and the Liberty Ship Memorial are there, along with beautiful views of the city of Portland. Another lighthouse is further south on the coast. It is called Portland Head Light, and it was the first lighthouse in the United States. It was built by President George Washington in 1787.