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Sight Seeing
Amusement Parks & Attractions
Ocean Recreation
Parks & Nature Preserves
Shopping
Sporting Events
Golf Courses
Driving Ranges & Mini Golf Courses
Kid's Stuff
Restaurants
- Portland
Restaurants
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Sight Seeing
Horseback Riding Plus
Beach and trail rides, 207-883-6400.
Mainely Tours
Daily excursions to Portland! Enjoy a fully narrated city tour (with a stop at The Lighthouse!), a 90 minute harbor cruise, plus shopping in the Old Port. Pick-ups at all motels and campgrounds. 207-774-0808.
Amusement Parks & Attractions
Aquaboggan Park 207-282-3112
Waterslides, bumper boats, gigantic wave pool, mini golf and more! Route 1, Saco.
Funtown/ Splashtown U.S.A. 207-284-4512
Family amusement and water park. Dozens of rides, kiddie rides, Grand Prix Racers; Seafood, Mexican and American food; giftshop, games, baseball batting cages, unlimited ride pass available, free parking; picnic area, group rates. Rt. 1, Saco. 284-5139. Maine Aquarium Exhibits of marine life, penguins, sharks, a giant octopus, and more. Open daily. Rt. 1, Saco.
Palace Playland 207-934-2001
Maine's premier beachfront amusement park. Giant arcade, 1908 PTC Hand Carved Carousel, Kiddieland. Maine's largest waterslide.G ondola Ferris Wheel and Galaxy Coaster. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fireworks every Thursday night. By the Pier, Old Orchard Beach.
Village Park 207-934-7666
Games of skill, arcade, kiddie rides and much more. At the entrance to the Pier.
Ocean Recreation
Cape Arundel Cruises 207-967-5595
Scenic cruises, deep sea fishing, whale watching. Kennebunkport.
Casco Bay Lines 207-774-7871
Year-round narrated cruises on Casco Bay. Daily ferry sevice to 5 Casco Bay Islands. From Casco Bay Ferry Terminal at Commercial and Franklin Streets, Portland.
First Chance Whale Watches 207-967-5507
4 Western Ave (at bridge), Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Saco Bay Cruises 207-284-9535
Whale watch and river cruises aboard the 60' Elizabeth 2.
Second Chance Scenic Lobster Cruise 207-967-5507
4Western Ave (at bridge), Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Scotia Prince 1-800-341-7540
Cruise to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Cabins, entertainment, casino. Shy-Ann Deep Sea Fishing 28 Snow Road, Scarborough.
Theatre Cruise 207-641-2313
Chilling and unusual sunset Theatre Cruise along Maine's mysterious rockbound coast. True tales of intrigue and horror from our maritime past and present. Ghost ships, cannibalism and more. Every evening June - October (weather permitting). Kennebunkport Harbor.
Trina Lyn Fishing Charter 207-284-2352
Camp Ellis, Saco.
Venture Inn Charters 1-800-853-5002
Deep sea fishing on new 62 foot party boat with full galley. Full and half-day fishing.
Parks & Nature Preserves
Ferry Beach State Park 207-283-0067
117 acres of beach and nature trails. Off Route 9 in Saco. .
Gilsland Farm 207-781-2330
Maine Audubon Sanctuary offering trails, field trips and a gift shop. North of Portland in Falmouth off Route 1.
Portland Headlight & Museum 207-799-2661
Maine's oldest lighthouse. Commissioned by George Washington in 1791. Adjacent to Fort Williams Park. Large grounds with picnic facilities and museum on the premises. 1000 Shore Rd. (off Rt. 77) Cape Elizabeth. .
Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge 207-646-1555
Open sunrise to sunset for bird watching and self-guided tours. Rt. 1 to Wells, East on Rt. 9.
Scarborough Marsh Nature Center 207-883-5100
Maine's largest salt marsh is best explored by canoe. Abundant and unexpected wildlife sightings. Nature center offers slide shows, exhibits. Rt. 9, Scarborough.
Two Lights State Park
Two lighthouses are perched atop the rocky shoreline. Off Rt. 77 in Cape Elizabeth.
Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm 207-646-1555
1600 scenic acres of research reserve including a 19th century saltwater farm, Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge area, Laudholm Farm Visitors Center, exhibits, and seven miles of trails along marshes, fields, and wetlands. Open year round. 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells.
Shopping
The Maine Mall 207-774-0303
Over 100 stores including restaurants, theaters and more. 364 Maine Mall Road, So. Portland.
The Old Port 207-772-6828
Portland's Historic District offering over 158 shops, 65 restaurants, 28 galleries, and numerous pubs. 400 Congress St., Portland.
L.L. Bean 207-865-1212
World famous and open 24 hours 365 days per year 40 minutes north in Freeport. Freeport also offers over 100 outlet stores.
Kittery Outlets 1-888-KITTERY
Just 45 minutes south of Old Orchard Beach offers over 120 outlets and the Kittery Trading Post with savings of 20-70% daily. This shopping mecca is often referred to as America's Maine Street for Outlet Shopping. Kittery.
Saco Valley Shopping Center
12 stores, 2 banks and a restaurant. Free parking. Just off Route 1, Saco.
Sporting Events
The Ballpark
Entertainment venue featuring sporting events, concerts, fairs, car shows, festivals, and family shows. Capacity 12,500, parking for 2,000 cars. April-Oct. (207) 934-1124.
Beech Ridge Motor Speedway 207-883-5227
Auto racing every Saturday night. Holmes Road, Scarborough.
Portland Pirates Hockey 207-838-4665
AHL affiliate of NHL Washington Capitals. 1994 Calder Cup Champions. Play in Cumberland County Civic Center. Regular Season: October to early April. Tickets $6-$14 with senior, child, and group discounts available.
Portland Sea Dogs Baseball 207-874-9300
AA Farm Team for the Florida Marlins. Home games held at Hadlock Field, Portland, from April 18 through September 5. Tickets $4 and $6, with senior, child, and group discounts available.
Scarborough Downs 207-883-4331
Seasonal harness racing, Rt. 1, Scarborough.
Golf Courses
Biddeford & Saco Country Club 207-282-5883
18 holes, 6300 yd. Par 70, 101 Old Orchard Rd., Saco.
Dunegrass Golf Club 800-521-1029
18 holes, 6508 yd., par 71, Wild Dunes Way (off Ross Rd.) Old Orchard Beach.
Old Orchard Beach Country Club 800-521-1029
9 holes, 3000 yd., par 35, Wild Dunes Way (off Ross Rd.) Old Orchard Beach.
Willowdale Golf Club 207-883-9351
18 Holes, 5980 yd., Par 70, off Rt. 1, Scarborough.
Driving Ranges and Mini Golf Courses
Cascade Golf Range 207-282-3524
Golf driving range and mini golf. Your swing on video tape to improve your game. 5 minutes to the beach at 955 Portland Rd., US Route 1, Saco.
Dunegrass Country Club Driving Range 800-521-1029
Full practice hole, lessons available, Wild Dunes Way (off Ross Rd.) Old Orchard Beach.
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf 207-934-5086
36 holes of championship mini golf within an easy walk of Town Square and the beach. 70 First St., Old Orchard Beach.
Westerly Winds 207-854-5139
Golf driving range, mini golf, batting cages. 853 Cumberland St., Westbrook.
Kid's Stuff
Children's Theater of Maine 207-874-0371
Live theater for adults and children. 765 Main St., Westbrook.
Discovery Zone 207-772-5437
50 Foden Rd., S. Portland.
Portland Public Library 207-871-1707
Story telling and entertainment for children. 5 Monument Sq., Portland.
Aquaboggan Park 207-282-3112
Waterslides, bumper boats, gigantic wave pool, mini golf and more! Route 1, Saco.
Funtown/ Splashtown U.S.A. 207-284-4512
Family amusement and water park. Dozens of rides, kiddie rides, Grand Prix Racers; Seafood, Mexican and American food; giftshop, games, baseball batting cages, unlimited ride pass available, free parking; picnic area, group rates. Rt. 1, Saco. 284-5139. Maine Aquarium Exhibits of marine life, penguins, sharks, a giant octopus, and more. Open daily. Rt. 1, Saco.
Palace Playland 207-934-2001
Maine's premier beachfront amusement park. Giant arcade, 1908 PTC Hand Carved Carousel, Kiddieland. Maine's largest waterslide.G ondola Ferris Wheel and Galaxy Coaster. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fireworks every Thursday night. By the Pier, Old Orchard Beach.
Restaurants
The Clambake Restaurant
Barley's Lobster Pound (207) 883-4571
Pine Point Seafood 1-800-863-4701
The Dunstan School House Restaurant
Portland Restaurants
Fore Street 207-775-2717
In the Old Port; incredible food (specialty is woodgrilled dishes), excellent bar if you just want to sit and have wine and appetizers, or even a full dinner; great atmosphere; get the soup of the dayit's always awesome; crème brulee for dessert is a must (they always have a different kindsometimes vanilla bean, sometimes ginger, sometimes lavenderscented)
Standard Baking Co.
OK, so it's not officially a restaurant, but it's got the best sticky buns EVER! Delicious breads and cookies, too! It's right "underneath" Fore Street go down the stairs just to the side of the restaurant and into the back parking lot the Standard Baking Co. is on the ground level in the same building as the restaurant.
Back Bay Grill 207-772-8833
Near the Forest Avenue Post Office (maybe ½ mile from the Old Port); excellent food; extensive wine list; go for a romantic, delicious, leisurely dinner (and don't skip dessert!)
Rebulita 207-774-2972
On the fringes of the Old Port; great food (kind of neoItalian); used to be a house, so atmosphere is small and cozy
Perfetto 207-828-0001
In the Old Port on Exchange Street; very popular; bistrotype fare; good for dinner and lunch; awesome Bloody Marys / Sunday brunch
Walter's 207-871-9258
In the Old Port on Exchange Street; great for lunch; fun to sit in the window seat upstairs and watch the crowds on Exchange Street
Joe's Boathouse 207-741-2780
In South Portland on the water; same owner as Walter's; casual and fun; good food
Saltwater Grille 207-799-5400
In South Portland on the water, same owner as Joe's Boathouse & Walter's. Best view of Portland harbor gorgeous sunsets! If it's nice, sit on the deck and have drinks and apps, and watch the sun go down over Portland. Very good food, casual, fun.
Bintliff's American Café 207-774-0005
Near the Forest Avenue Post Office (maybe ½ mile from the Old Port); INCREDIBLE breakfast; always a big crowd, but you can call first and get on their waiting list; during the summer, be sure to ask to sit on the upstairs deckit's right under several big old trees & it's like eating in a tree house!
Becky's 207-773-7070
Near the International Ferry Terminal; great breakfast; it's where all the fishermen eat before they get on their boats (so it's open very early); the opposite of fancy (if you wear anything fancier than sweats and a baseball cap, you'll feel way too overdressed); very inexpensive; lots of good food; one of the best places to get the "local flavor"
Bayou Kitchen 207-774-4935
In the Deering section of Portland; excellent breakfasts with a Cajun influence; delicious!
Nathasha's 207-541-3663
In the Old Port; kind of "contemporary American;" excellent food, moderate prices; bistrotype atmosphere; casual but fashionable
Una
Wine bar in the Old Port; very cool; good for predinner drinks and apps; gets very crowded (and fun!) later in the evening
Café Uffa 207-775-3380
Near the "arts district;" great for Sunday brunch (but if you're trying to decide between this & Bintliff's, go to Bintliff's); also good for dinner; bistrotype fare; very good, kind of funky; younger crowd
Seng Thai Food 2 207-879-2577
On Congress Street, by Hadlock Field (where the Sea Dogs play). Best/freshest Thai food ever! Popular for takeout, but they do have some tables. The Pad Thai is great; another favorite is Thai Spaghetti. When they ask you how spicy you want your food, you can tell them anything from one star (mild) to five stars (watch out). Two stars is doable, with just a little bit of a bite. Three stars starts to get a little tough to handle, and beyond that, you're on your own. Try the spring rolls!
The Friendship
On Congress Street, great little breakfast place inexpensive, delicious food, great wait staff, fun "local" hangout. Best waffles this side of Belgium, and if they have the lobster omelet on the specials board, don't even bother looking at the rest of the menu!
Five Islands Lobster Company 207-371-2990
Not in Portland, but worth the hour or so drive. It is one of the most pristine spots in Maine. You drive out to land's end and come to a little red shack perched in the middle of a bunch of picnic tables. It's on a point, surrounded by a little cove with the ocean visible just beyond. Lobster boats bob in the water, lobstermen call to one another from their boats…you can watch the sunset and eat lobster and steamers fresh from the ocean. Best lobster I've ever had. BYOB and call first because they only have outdoor seating on picnic tables and sometimes close if the weather's lousy.
Directions: Route 1 North through Brunswick and Bath, Cross Bath Bridge (over the Kennebec River), Take immediate right after Bridge onto 127 South, Follow to end about 12 miles of winding road, Five Islands is right there at the end
For Quick Bites:
Granny's Burritos on Fore Street in the Old Port; Federal Spice on Federal Street in the Old Port; Silly's on Washington Ave (on the fringes of the Old Port in the Munjoy Hill section); Big Sky Bakery on Deering Ave (in the U of Southern Maine section of the city) best scones & granola ever, great breads, etc. they also have a kiosk in the Public Market
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