24 Hours In Portland, ME

The one good thing about growing up in New England is being able to enjoy the autumn months. Autumn in Maine is absolutely beautiful. My hometown itself doesn’t offer much, but the Portland, Maine area can be a blast! There are so many fairs and festivals and hiking trails and other fun things to do in the area.  There’s fun to be had for the whole family!

If you’re traveling to a new city, one of the best apps to use is Eventbrite. Eventbrite is free to download and allows you to find local events and attractions while you’re traveling. They also offer event management software if you wanted to create and promote your own event. So if you ever have 24 hours to spend in Portland, ME, then here’s what I recommend you do.

First, you should start your morning at Becky’s Diner. It’s delicious. It’s a cute little diner with a bit of a 50’s vibe on Commercial Street which is right on the water. I mainly eat there for breakfast or brunch but have gone for a later lunch as well and couldn’t recommend it more! Sometimes it can be a bit packed, but if you don’t mind the wait, then stop in and get some breakfast.

Another great breakfast option is the Crooked Mile. They too have a delicious breakfast menu at super affordable prices. You could also stop at the Holy Donut for a cup of coffee and a donut made from Maine potatoes (these are AMAZING).

Related: Eating Real Maine Potato Donuts At The Holy Donut

If you’re not a big breakfast kind of person and just need a cup of coffee, then you have plenty of options down in the Old Port. Coffee by Design is one of my favorites. I also love and recommend Bard Coffee, Tandem Coffee Roasters, and Arabica Coffee.

After you’ve had your morning cup of coffee, there are so many great things you can do in the Old Port. If you love art and culture, then I recommend checking out the Portland Museum of Art.  There are always new exhibits being shown. You also have tons of cute little galleries in the Old Port as well. Congress Street would be the best street for you to check out for anything art related. If it’s the first Friday of the month, then I recommend checking out the First Friday Art Walk which is tons of fun. There are lots of street vendors and the galleries are open to the public for free!

If you’re not as into the art scene, there’s plenty of shopping to be done! One of the best things about the Old Port is that a very good majority of the shops and restaurants are locally owned and operated. They’re not chain stores. If you happen to want bigger, chain stores, then you can head on over to the Maine Mall in South Portland.

I love knowing that I’m helping out small businesses when I’m making purchases in the Old Port. Some of my favorite shops include Shipwreck and Cargo, The Blue Lobster, Boutique Little (adorable for those of you with kids!), and Earthbound Trading Co. I could sit here all day naming all the wonderful shops so you’ll have to just explore and see what you can find!

Lunch must be had at the Portland Lobster Co. It’s essential that you get a lobster roll while you’re in Maine. I promise it’s much better than lobster anywhere else! I’m craving a lobster roll as we speak. If you happen to not like seafood (which is super strange to me) then there are plenty of other options throughout the Old Port. You have Otto Pizza, Gilbert’s Chowder House, Hot Suppa, and so many others! I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like.

After lunch, I recommend taking a cruise on the Casco Bay. This is a great way to see Portland and the surrounding area from a different angle. It can be a little chilly this time of year so I highly recommend bringing a good jacket, but it’s so much fun to be out on the water and get the full tour!

After your cruise, you’ll likely need a snack. This would be the perfect time to check out Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. A friend of mine in college introduced me to the Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. and I’ve been hooked ever since! You can see a full list of their popcorn flavors by clicking here. Everyone can find a flavor that they like. Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream is another great option for a snack break along with the Maine Squeeze,  Old Port Candy Co., and The Gelato Fiasco.

Once you have your snack, you can then head back into the Old Port! I would recommend taking a stroll on the Eastern Promenade. There are tons of walking trails down there with gorgeous views of the ocean. You could also check out the Portland Science Center, the Cryptozoology Museum, the galleries, or even take a tour of some of the older homes such as Victoria Mansion. If you’re of age, you can even check out some of the breweries like Allagash Brewing Company!

The amount of dinner options in the Old Port is crazy. Personally, I highly recommend checking out Eventide Oyster Co. It’s a bit pricey considering it’s fresh seafood, but it’s so worth it if you want a splurge meal. I’m also a huge fan of Nosh, Duckfat, Green Elephant (vegetarian), and The Porthole.

If you’re still in town when the sun goes down, then there are plenty of bars and taverns in the Old Port for you to check out. Ri Ra is one of my favorites. It’s an Irish pub with delicious food, lots of drink options, and live music and dancing. Bull Feeny’s is another fun Irish pub. If you’re into country music then I also recommend checking out Bonfire Country Bar. If none of these sound interesting to you, a quick walk downtown will give you many more options to check out.

You can also find a concert to see at the State Theater which is a smaller venue that I happen to love.  To me, it makes concerts feel more personal. There’s less security because there are fewer people and it makes it easier to get right up to the stage.

Again, if you’re heading to a new city, one of the best apps to use is Eventbrite. Eventbrite is free to download and allows you to find local events and attractions while you’re traveling!  It’s the best sidekick for helping you navigate a new area.

What are your favorite things to do while in Portland, Maine?