Comments please about Porland, Maine.
Downtown area, hotels, tourest things and
etc. Thanks in advance. Bob

Bob,

I don't know that much about Portland, Maine, but I thought I'd say something since I went there for the first time in my life yesterday. My wife and I spent our 17th wedding anniversary in Kennebunkport, and decided to make a day out of going to Portland.

We found Portland very confusing to drive in, but some nice folks helped us with some directions. The downtown looks like most other downtowns, a little run-down. But it is obvious that a real effort is being made to spruce it up.

We enjoyed going to the L.L. Bean Factory Store on Congress (I believe). Looked like a ton of nice restaurants to eat at. We lucked out and ate at a real nice Italian place for lunch on Middle Street, called Anthony's Italian Kitchen. This place has won some awards in Portland, and we could see why. It is super casual, and the price was right.

One of the best parts about Portland is it's proximity to several neat lighthouses. We went through South Portland and say a couple, Cape Elizabeth and Two Lights. Both were very nice.

Hopefully, someone else will fill you in with some nice things to do in Portland. Just thought I'd give you my 2cents.

I was there a few years ago and managed to find some sort of water-bus-ferry that took people to various islands in the harbor. Most seemed to be local people coming or going into town to do their grocery shopping.

The day was beautiful, the bpat was comfortable, I sat on the top deck in the sunshine, and the price was very, very low.

BAK

The Old Port area has some interesting shops. The Public Market, while not anywhere near as large as the one in Seattle is a fun stop for edibles. Early in the morning the coffee places open up. The building is new and beautiful and easily reached via a skywalk from the parking garage. Our friends rave about Natasha's but we weren't that crazy about it. Very expensive and trendy. I thought Portland was a great weekend trip for late Fall when it was time to think about Christmas shopping.

We were there several weeks ago and the Old Port is a fun place to shop and wander in and out. At the Old Market I was able to pick up the local fand famous Stonewall Jams to keep and use as gifts. There is a great little art museum in Portland now. As for restaurants go to www.chowhounds.com and go into the New England site

We flew into Portland the first weekend in June and rented a car for the weekend. I would highly recommend this. We drove north on US 1 all the way to Pemaquid Penninsula. There is a place there called the Lobsterman's co-op where you can have 2 lobster dinners with a pound of clams and corn on the cob for $20. By far the freshest seafood I've ever had. The first night we stayed in Boothbay Harbor which is an absolutely charming town. Then, on our last day we drove all the way south on US 1 to Kittery - through all the small towns along the way. We did spend a couple hours in Portland but I would suggest getting out of the city and seeing some of the beautiful sights along the coast line. We found Portland itself to be very boring.

We take our kids to Portland every summer for a weekend. We love it. We take a lobstering cruise "Lucky Catch" with Captain Tom and Jen - so much fun and a great learning experience for the kids. Adults love it too. Then we head over to the Portland Head Light for a picnic, kite flying, rock climbing and awesome views. At night we go to a Portland Sea Dogs game - tickets are so cheap and there's so much activity. This year we were treated to a really terrific fireworks display after the game. Ya gotta love minor league baseball. Shopping in Old Port is great. Portland is one of my favorite places but admittedly is really only good for a weekend before you have to move on.

My boyfriend and I are in Portland right now on vacation from Philadelphia. We started in Bar Harbor, then Camden, and we're ending our trip here.

I have to say that I think Portland is a bit rundown and not all that pretty. Of course, the harbor area is nice, but the rest of the town is a bunch of parking lots.

We ate at Becky's Diner for breakfast, which was great. Reservations for Fore Street tonight, hopefully we'll leave Portland on a good note....

Just thought I'd add my two cents.

Does anyone else have any Portland, Maine tips? On the spur of the moment, we've decided to visit my sister in Bangor, and we're going to make a day trip into Portland over the holidays! We're game for anything--dining, sightseeing, shopping.

When this posting appeared back in August, I was very surprised by the responses. I love Portland; I think it's a little gem of a city with a lot to offer, and I disagree with the comments here ("run down" and "boring"). Portland has an excellent art museum, fabulous restaurants (Street & Company, Fore Street just to name two), shopping in the Old Port (Carrot & Company)and all those things associated with a city on the coast--lighthouses, cruises on Casco Bay to the islands. It's a short ride to Freeport and points north; you can go south to the Kennebunk areas.

men in portland are the most accepting of fat women.

Jor - sometimes you can be a funny sht!!!!!!!

gyppielou,
thanks, but this morning i saw it on cnn, good morning america, the view, abc.com, and match.com. did you think i couldn't back up what i say?!!!! check it out.

btw, i have my arm in a cast and can only type with one finger....no caps.

Thanks for the extra Portland info, jor, it's comforting to know that when I'm visiting, the men there won't pinch my bottom. Should be much too skinny for their liking.

glad to be of assistance.