Portland, ME over MLK Weekend...
 

Hello…
Over the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend (January 13-16, 2006), we will be heading to Portland, Maine.

Looking forward to a relaxed weekend trip. I have booked a hotel suite. My questions are more about the area and what sights/attractions we should take in… We’ll head to the Portland Museum of Art and the Old Port area. Perhaps we’ll make the trip to Freeport for L.L. Bean or maybe Kennebunkport for an afternoon. Do you have any other ideas? A number of attractions will be closed as we are traveling during the low season. (Ex. Victoria Mansion.)

Any restaurants you might recommend? Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
-JC

Additional info: First visit. 26/27 couple. Traveling without children.

Hi,
Since you folks have picked mid-winter to come up for a visit maybe you like winter? If you are heading up to Freeport to LLBeans they do some low key drop-in winter sports like snowshoeing and cross country skiing where they provide all the equip. You just show up and pay a nominal fee. Check out their website.

The art museum is a gem. I'm a painter and the first time I went there I was very impressed with how beautiful and strong a collection it is. There are lots of artists and crafters in town and a fair number of galleries. Most shops & restaurants in town show art. We have some fine restaurants. My personal faves are Walter's and Cinque Terre, then Back Bay Grill.

Hope this helps, Bmc

Just an aside - my husband and I went to Maine for our honeymoon (along with my Dutch in-laws who had never seen the US)in 1999. We both fell in love with Portland - hands down, it beat Boston. The art and restaurant scene was wonderful. Haven't been back but it's a gem - have a great time!

Thank you. Look forward to the trip. We aren't going to have a strict itinerary, but wanted to get some ideas together. The museum is on our list too. Any other favorites?

We love the Old Port Sea Grill. Excellent seafood - a bit pricey but not out of the ordinary for Portland. If you just want to eat lobster, or lobster rolls, don't waste your money going high end. Go to J's Oyster Bar, right next to Dimillo's Floating Restaurant. It's a local hang out but don't let the crowd at the bar scare you (we really aren't THAT bad) - dive right in and order up.

I love Kennebunkport, but most of it will be shut down in Jan-March.
In Portland, Fore St is the most talked-about high-end place, but it's itty bitty portions for very high prices. There's another one with "Street" in the name, as well, that is supposed to be very good. Maybe someone else can remember... You might want to take a drive out to the Black Point Inn in Scarborough for brunch or dinner one day - lovely location, very good food. We LOVE the Flatbread Pizza Co right on the wharf in Portland, for organic gourmet pizzas in a rustic atmosphere.
Have fun, and bundle up!!!

The restaurant is Street an Co. located on Wharf St. It was always a solid restaurant although it has been a few years since I livd up that way.

The Center for History on Congress St. Just down the road from the art museum often has very interesting exhibits dealing with local history.

If the weather is decent, it is a good walking city. The Munjoy Hill area has some interesting architecture.

The Great Lost Bear was always a solid casual restaurant with many different beers available. It's been a few years, as I said but I think they are still there.

The Black Point Inn is not open this time of year. It would still be a pretty ride out there.

My wife and I are also going to the Portland area from 1/14 - 1/17. We have never been to Maine.

We are interested in a snowmobile tour (never done that). Any suggestions within a decent driving distance to Portland?

Outside of Portland, are there any neat places to see during the winter?