Portland | Oregon Creative City
Maine’s hip, historical waterfront city
Over the past 400 years, Portland, the hippest town on the East Coast and largest metropolitan region in Maine, has transformed from a modest colonial seaport. It is a historical waterfront metropolis. Modern eateries and art galleries coexist with elegant historic structures in the downtown and waterfront districts that have been revitalized in recent decades by urban regeneration efforts. This is a genteel city with a flourishing fishing harbor that offers a little gritty charm in addition to its cultural and gastronomic flair.
Downtown and the Old Port
The vibrant Old Port neighborhood is close to commercial docks and the odorous warehouses of fishmongers. It is home to microbreweries and innovative art galleries. Wander around the Portland Science Center, see Portland City Hall, and eat fresh seafood from the Portland Fish Market while strolling down cobblestone streets. You can take a fishing charter or a ferry to one of the islands in Casco Bay from the Old Port. Explore the Downtown Arts District, which earned its moniker from housing numerous theaters, galleries, and museums in addition to the renowned Portland Museum of Art. According to Bon Appetit magazine, if you’re a foodie, sign up for one of the many tours that delve into the local cuisine of “the foodiest small city in America.”
Historic and Architectural Landmarks
Portland is fortunate to have many well-preserved buildings that were once home to notable people. Visit Victoria Mansion, a brownstone Italianate estate built in 1860 as hotelier Ruggles Sylvester Morse’s vacation residence. Once held by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s family, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House is now a museum with lovely gardens. Gaze upward at the chandelier of First Parish, the family’s local church. It has a cannonball that was fired into the church during the British Royal Navy’s raid on Portland in 1775. One of the oldest houses from the American Colonial era, Tate House was built in 1775 for Capt. George Tate, chief mast agent for the British Royal Navy.
Head across the water to Bug Light Park, a former World War II shipyard that launched a record number of ships in a single day, for a dose of maritime and military history. It now houses the Liberty Ship Memorial and Portland Breakwater Light, as well as offering expansive views of the Portland skyline. Portland Head Light, the nation’s first lighthouse, was commissioned by President George Washington in 1787 and is located further down the coast.