How to Spend Summer in Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine. Photo by Patrick Lalonde on Unsplash

Winter gets quite cold, but late August and September bring some truly spectacular weather that any traveler visiting Maine will be sure to enjoy. Maine has been known locally as “Vacationland” for over 85 years, and rightfully so. The beaches are beautiful, the air smells like salt, and there are tons of fun attractions to explore. Here are a few of our favorites:

Try a Lobster Roll

If there’s one thing Maine is known for, it’s lobster. Whole lobsters are available year-round at restaurants around the state, but come summer, lobster meat served with a little mayo and some spices on a toasted bun should surely not be missed. They’re even available at some ice cream shops. 

Visit the Portland Headlight

The Portland headlight is actually in Cape Elizabeth, not Portland, but we’ll give it a pass since it’s such a beautiful spot. It was built in 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in the state.

Take a Ferry to an Island

You can take an extended stay and book a hotel room or just venture out for one day. Whatever you prefer, we highly recommend taking a ferry out to one of the islands in Casco Bay off of Portland. We love Peaks, where you can rent bikes and ride around the island, relax on the beach, and enjoy an ice cream at Down Front.