Robin

I'm finalizing plans for a coastal Maine trip in a couple of weeks. We fly in and out of Boston, and will be spending almost all of our time in Maine, visiting Newagen, Monhegan Island, Camden, Rockland, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, etc. The question is this: On the drive back, we will spend one night somewhere in the southern coast area, with the next day free to explore that area, before returning to Boston to fly out. I am currently booked in Portland, but I could not get a room right in the historic area, so we are in South Portland. If it were you, would you change to stay in Portsmouth instead? (The fact that one is an hour closer to Boston is irrelevant for the moment) Feel free to be biased--that will help!

Thanks, Robin

Audrey

I love both Portland and Portsmouth, and since you are spending so much time in Maine and since you can't stay in the Old Port area, I would head down to Portsmouth (assuming you'll be able to book something there).

Donna F

You might want to check recent threads because a couple of people have complained about the Sheraton in Portsmouth. I think I would choose Portsmouth. There's a great historic area/museum Strawbery Banke and a lovely waterfront park. There's a couple of choices in theatre and music, good restaurants, and interesting shops. The drive thru Newcastle will take you past the old Wentworth Hotel which hopefully will be renovated and you can drive past the beautiful summer homes in Rye. Sounds like a great trip!

Janie

Depends what you're looking for.

I spent a long weekend in Portland and loved the choice of restaurants, great shops (of the contemporary crafts/gifts
type) and really fine art museum (that is open late Friday nights, I think, until 9PM.) There are easily accessible lighthouses from Portland, though if you'll be driving through Maine, that might not be the draw.
Portland is a city of only 65,000 but seems much bigger, more like a mini-Boston, in the sense of there being so much to do. Of course it's better to stay in town, but it's a short drive from South Portland hotels.

Portsmouth, on the other hand, was a nice place to stop for a leisurely lunch, walk the one or two main shopping streets, and then go. Seems more like a small college-type town to me. If you're looking to spend some walking/touring time and aren't especially interested in Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, personally, I don't think there's that much to do or see.
Just my opinion, of course!

Ted

I agree with the above post. Portland is deceptive in that there is too much to do for one day. There are a ton of great restaurants, 2 nice museums, the Old port district, and mucho shopping (I don't mean Walmarts but art galleries, boutiques, etc.). Portsmouth, while nice, is strictly drive through material.
Just another opinion.