{"id":67337,"date":"2023-10-17T10:03:22","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T17:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuringdreamers.com\/staging1\/?p=67337"},"modified":"2024-03-26T20:17:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T03:17:47","slug":"day-trip-to-portland-maine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuringdreamers.com\/staging1\/day-trip-to-portland-maine\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Day Trip to Portland, Maine: The Best 1-Day Itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A One Day Itinerary for Portland, Maine: History, Food, and Lighthouses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Planning a day trip to Portland, Maine? Here\u2019s the perfect one-day Portland itinerary covering the downtown area, history, and lighthouses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adventuring Dreamers contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link on this page, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Please read my <\/em>privacy policy<\/em><\/a> to learn more about affiliate links and how I keep this blog sustainable.<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

A day trip to Portland, Maine, is an ideal getaway for anyone on the East Coast looking to have a quick escape to a beautiful, historic New England town. Just a couple of hours from Boston and a few more hours away from New York City<\/a>, this town is filled with adventures just waiting to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no place quite like Portland, Maine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recently discovered this when I planned a quick trip over to the coastal city by happenstance. A few months ago, I found out that a Canadian musician my mom loves was going on tour and would be visiting limited U.S. cities. The only date and city that made sense for us to go was in Portland in October<\/a>. So, on a whim, I orchestrated a little family vacation for my mom, sister, and me to see the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was just a quick little trip, with the primary motive being to see the concert at Merrill Auditorium. But since none of us had been to Maine before, we decided to stick around for just one day and explore the town. I am so glad we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In just a single day, you can learn about the history of one of the U.S.\u2019s oldest cities. Relish the culinary delights of Portland\u2019s downtown restaurants. And admire the charming lighthouses that pepper the landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland is one of the most unique towns in the U.S., and even if you\u2019ve only got a day to explore, it\u2019s absolutely worth the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Click to save and pin to your travel board!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Table of Contents:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Day Trip to Portland, Maine Itinerary
<\/a>Getting to Portland, Maine<\/a>
How To Get Around in Portland, Maine
<\/a>Where To Stay in Portland, Maine
<\/a>Spending More Than One Day in Portland, Maine?
<\/a>Visiting Portland, Maine: FAQ
<\/a>Final Thoughts on a Day Trip to Portland, Maine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Day Trip to Portland, Maine Itinerary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This day trip to Portland, Maine, itinerary covers everything you need to know to enjoy the absolute best trip to this beautiful New England town. In this guide, we\u2019ll go over all the details from what to do, what to eat, and how to get from place to place. Let\u2019s get into it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When To Arrive in Portland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This day trip to Portland, Maine, itinerary was built with the intention that you have a full day to spend in town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve curated a list of activities starting first thing in the morning and going deep into the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use this Portland day trip itinerary to its fullest extent, try to arrive in Portland no later than 9 a.m.<\/strong> This will give you enough time to grab breakfast and then head over to your first activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morning in Portland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coffee & Breakfast<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Is there a better way to begin a day of exploration than with a delicious coffee and a delectable donut? Me thinks not. Begin your day on the right note by grabbing a cup of coffee and savoring a legendary donut from The Holy Donut<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The caf\u00e9 has been crafting unique potato donuts \u2014 yes, made out of potatoes! <\/em>\u2014 from scratch every morning since 2010. The Holy Donut opens bright and early at 7 a.m., so it\u2019s a superb choice for any early birds looking to get a sugar rush and a little extra exploration in before the day officially begins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the rest of us who like to sleep in (hello, it\u2019s me), the caf\u00e9 is conveniently located on Commerical Street, just a couple of blocks away from the first activity on our day trip to Portland itinerary. So, feel free to grab a moist Apple Cinamon or Fresh Lemon donut as late as 9 a.m. before trotting down the street to start your adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Holy Donut services over 35 original flavors to choose from, including eight vegan options<\/strong>, like Old Fashioned, Toasted Coconut, and Cinnamon Sugar!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Holy Donut: 177 Commercial St. Portland, ME 04102<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk Through Time in Portland Tour<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We started our morning in Portland with a guided walking tour through Portland\u2019s downtown area. It was a great way to get familiar with the area, learn about the history of the port, and gain some insider tips on the best restaurants and speakeasies in town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We did the Walk Through Time in Portland Tour<\/strong><\/a>, which took us through the Old Port, around Downtown, and throughout the waterfront areas. Even though our tour guide, James, was \u201cfrom away\u201d (Portland\u2019s term for anyone who doesn\u2019t have family dating back three generations in the state), he migrated to Portland over 30 years ago and had plenty of local tips to offer our group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We learned a lot about the history of Portland and even got an exclusive VIP peak into the historic Customs Building!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tour starts at 10 a.m. and lasts about 2.5 hours, ending just in time for lunch in the historic downtown Portland area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here to read a full review of my experience with the Walk Through Time in Portland Tour.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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Our little group for the history walking tour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Afternoon in Portland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lunch<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As a vegetarian, I can\u2019t tell you which restaurant serves the best lobster rolls. Luckily for you, Portland is frequently named one of the top foodie places in the country, and you probably can\u2019t go wrong with any restaurant downtown when it comes to fresh seafood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you\u2019re a veg-head like me and are looking for vegetarian and vegan options<\/em>, I recommend grabbing a bite at Green Elephant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on the corner of Congress Street and High Street, Green Elephant serves exquisite pan-Asain cuisine, all vegan or vegetarian. Packed with tons of veggies and flavor, every dish here is absolutely delightful. I recommend trying the spring rolls or pad thai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green Elephant: 608 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland Museum of Art<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you dined at Green Elephant, the restaurant will put you right across the street from the Portland Museum of Art<\/strong>, aka the PMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PMA boasts an extensive collection, housing over 18,000 pieces of art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within this collection, you’ll encounter familiar names like Andy Warhol and Claude Monet, as well as lesser-known artists such as Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Eliot Porter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wandering through the exhibition halls of this magnificent structure can easily consume hours of your time. But to make the most of your day trip to Portland, I recommend limiting yourself to one to two hours, so you have time to complete the rest of the itinerary before the day is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make the most of your visit, consider focusing on the specific works that genuinely captivate you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admission for adults is priced at $18, while individuals aged 21 and under can enjoy free entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland Museum of Art: 7 Congress Sq, Portland, ME 04101<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adventurer\u2019s Note: The museum offers free admission to everyone on Fridays from 4-8 p.m. So, if your day trip falls on a Friday, I recommend adjusting this itinerary a bit to take advantage of Free Fridays.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Longfellow Bookstore<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Only a 5-minute walk from the PMA is the historic Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Longfellow Bookstore<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This old brick house stands out from the surrounding industrial buildings of newer Portland and is a testament to the past. The house is the former 19th-century residence of the renowned poet and intellectual Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow. And it\u2019s been a landmark of the Maine Historical Society for over a century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admission is priced at $15 per person, and self-guided tours are available until 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Advanced booking is necessary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re doing both the PMA and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, I recommend only spending an hour at PMA and arriving at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House by 2:30. This will give you enough time to explore both museums before the cut-off time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you opt not to explore the Wadsworth-Longfellow House museum during your day in Portland, Maine, be sure to take a peek inside the bookstore.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Longfellow Bookstore: 489 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adventurer\u2019s Note: If you prefer, guided tours are exclusively offered on weekdays at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping on Exchange Street<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Exploring the Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow House will put you about a 5-minute walk from Exchange Street<\/strong> and the rest of Portland\u2019s downtown shopping area. I highly recommend setting aside some time during your day trip to explore the many artisan shops that dot the cobblestone streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From unique boutiques to metaphysical shops to bookstores to artists’ studios, the shopping district has something for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My favorite shop was The Maine Souvenir Shop<\/strong> \u2014 which is not<\/em> your average souvenir store by far. They carry an extensive inventory of typical souvenir items like magnets, stickers, and t-shirts, but with a twist. Most of their stuff is created by local artists, including the shop owner, and has its own fun personality. It\u2019s very different from your typical souvenir shops filled with mass-produced junk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maine Souvenir Shop: 2 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Maine Souvenir Shop on Exchange Street<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Self-Guided Lighthouse Tour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

More than the shopping or the food, Portland, Maine, is known for its historic lighthouses. I saved visiting the lighthouse for the afternoon because, if you time it right, you\u2019ll be able to catch stunning views of the lighthouses at sunset.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have two options when it comes to visiting the lighthouses \u2014 guided tours or self-guided tours. I\u2019d recommend saving guided lighthouse tours<\/a> for a more extended trip. But for just a quick day trip to Portland, I\u2019d recommend doing a self-guided tour so you can have complete control over your schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start With the Portland Head Light<\/h5>\n\n\n
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Portland Head Light<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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George Washington ordered the creation of the Portland Head Light<\/strong> in 1791, and Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette dedicated it. It\u2019s Maine\u2019s oldest lighthouse and Portland\u2019s most famous lighthouse.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lighthouse remains operational to this day. A glance over the edge shows why \u2014 below the beautiful lighthouse lays a perilous bed of rocks waiting for a misguided ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lighthouse is at Fort Williams Park, a 90-acre park on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Next to the lighthouse tower is a charming keeper\u2019s house, part of which has been transformed into a museum dedicated to the lighthouse\u2019s history. The park also offers picnic areas and hiking trails.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most breathtaking views of the lighthouse, be sure to follow the cliff-side trail. It\u2019s a short 5-minute walk that will take you to vista views of the lighthouse and the rugged coastline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Portland Head Light is a terrific first stop on your self-guided lighthouse tour because, from the base of the lighthouse, you\u2019ll be able to view all the lighthouses in the area:<\/p>\n\n\n\n