Guidebook for Portland

Hilda
Guidebook for Portland

Drinks & Nightlife

Bacon Happier Hour EVERYDAY from 4-7pm. FREE bacon! $1 shots! $1 Tacos, $2 Fries and $3 burgers. FREE BACON!! You'd think the place would be packed for this but most Portlanders are too snooty to appreciate country music. Their loss!
Bonfire Country Bar Portland
37 Wharf St
Bacon Happier Hour EVERYDAY from 4-7pm. FREE bacon! $1 shots! $1 Tacos, $2 Fries and $3 burgers. FREE BACON!! You'd think the place would be packed for this but most Portlanders are too snooty to appreciate country music. Their loss!
The legendary Portland, Maine dive bar and performance venue, established in 1983. Geno's is open 7 days a week, striving to provide Maine with quality, 100% original live music - featuring local and national touring acts of all genres, at affordable ticket prices. THE place to be for punk & metal shows.
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Geno's Rock Club
625 Congress St
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The legendary Portland, Maine dive bar and performance venue, established in 1983. Geno's is open 7 days a week, striving to provide Maine with quality, 100% original live music - featuring local and national touring acts of all genres, at affordable ticket prices. THE place to be for punk & metal shows.
Very small venue but always interesting. Hard to describe but glad to have them in our neighborhood.
The Apohadion Theater
107 Hanover St
Very small venue but always interesting. Hard to describe but glad to have them in our neighborhood.
Two bars. Two lighted dance floors. 80's night on Fridays. Taxidermy and antiques. Yes, taxidermy and antiques.
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Bubba's Sulky Lounge
92 Portland St
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Two bars. Two lighted dance floors. 80's night on Fridays. Taxidermy and antiques. Yes, taxidermy and antiques.

Sightseeing

Public Art Portland's web site offers a map of "approved" sculptures and other art installations around the city. Some are iconic images, like the Maine Lobsterman in Canal Plaza or the sculpture of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow at, well, Longfellow Square. Others have been the subject of some controversy such as the "Cloud Couch" near Baxter Boulevard around Back Cove. One complete failure that isn't on the list anymore was called "Tracing the Fore". It looked like circular saw blades sticking up out of a patch of overgrown weeds. It was removed because it was a safety hazard and an eyesore.
Portland Public Art Committee
389 Congress St
Public Art Portland's web site offers a map of "approved" sculptures and other art installations around the city. Some are iconic images, like the Maine Lobsterman in Canal Plaza or the sculpture of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow at, well, Longfellow Square. Others have been the subject of some controversy such as the "Cloud Couch" near Baxter Boulevard around Back Cove. One complete failure that isn't on the list anymore was called "Tracing the Fore". It looked like circular saw blades sticking up out of a patch of overgrown weeds. It was removed because it was a safety hazard and an eyesore.

Parks & Nature

Riverton Trolley Park is part of a network of 70 miles of trails mapped and maintained by Portland Trails. There are only ruins left of the old Trolley Park but the story is really interesting and it's a nice little 2 mile loop that'll take you along the Presumpscot River.
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Riverton Trolley Park
822 Riverside St
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Riverton Trolley Park is part of a network of 70 miles of trails mapped and maintained by Portland Trails. There are only ruins left of the old Trolley Park but the story is really interesting and it's a nice little 2 mile loop that'll take you along the Presumpscot River.
The Longfellow Garden is a quiet little green space behind the Longfellow House, next to the Maine Historical Society right on Congress Street. It's free and open to the public from 10-5 from May through October. I just think it's cool to have a little garden oasis right in the middle of the city.
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Maine Historical Society
489 Congress St
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The Longfellow Garden is a quiet little green space behind the Longfellow House, next to the Maine Historical Society right on Congress Street. It's free and open to the public from 10-5 from May through October. I just think it's cool to have a little garden oasis right in the middle of the city.
Crescent Beach is, by far, my favorite beach. Well worth the $8/adult non-resident fee (only $2 for seniors over 65). It's open ALL YEAR round! I try to go at least once a month to at least put my feet in the water (yes, even in November, see my photo gallery).
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Crescent Beach State Park
109 Bowery Beach Rd
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Crescent Beach is, by far, my favorite beach. Well worth the $8/adult non-resident fee (only $2 for seniors over 65). It's open ALL YEAR round! I try to go at least once a month to at least put my feet in the water (yes, even in November, see my photo gallery).
My second favorite beach is probably Ferry Beach in SCARBOROUGH. Not to be confused with Ferry Beach State Park in Saco. This one is small but it's like 2 different beaches in one. You just have to go to see what I mean.
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Ferry Beach, Scarborough, ME
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My second favorite beach is probably Ferry Beach in SCARBOROUGH. Not to be confused with Ferry Beach State Park in Saco. This one is small but it's like 2 different beaches in one. You just have to go to see what I mean.

Arts & Culture

It's really the only reason to go to Peak's Island unless you live there or are going to a wedding. Or having a wedding. I had my first one there, enough said. Anyway, there must be over 100 umbrella covers from all over the world (there's even an adults only room) AND you get serenaded by curator Nancy 3 Hoffman on accordion. What's not to love? It's not a secret spot though, it's been featured on The Weather Channel! OK, maybe it IS secret because who watches The Weather Channel anyway?
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Umbrella Cover Museum
62 Island Ave
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It's really the only reason to go to Peak's Island unless you live there or are going to a wedding. Or having a wedding. I had my first one there, enough said. Anyway, there must be over 100 umbrella covers from all over the world (there's even an adults only room) AND you get serenaded by curator Nancy 3 Hoffman on accordion. What's not to love? It's not a secret spot though, it's been featured on The Weather Channel! OK, maybe it IS secret because who watches The Weather Channel anyway?
Spirits Alive offers tours of the cemetery where you'll learn a little about the history of Portland and how its first residents are now cemetery residents. Art, iconography, stone types, and cemetery development will also be covered. Q&A is included.
Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine
224 Congress St
Spirits Alive offers tours of the cemetery where you'll learn a little about the history of Portland and how its first residents are now cemetery residents. Art, iconography, stone types, and cemetery development will also be covered. Q&A is included.
Because.....Bigfoot! Yeti's! Nessie! Ask about "Wessie-the Presumpscot Python" spotted in Westbrook in 2016! Also, this place is in the same complex as Stroudwater Distillery, Bissell Brothers Brewing and Cellardoor Winery.
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International Cryptozoology Museum
32 Resurgam Pl
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Because.....Bigfoot! Yeti's! Nessie! Ask about "Wessie-the Presumpscot Python" spotted in Westbrook in 2016! Also, this place is in the same complex as Stroudwater Distillery, Bissell Brothers Brewing and Cellardoor Winery.

Shopping

A group shop featuring locally handmade & vintage items PLUS records! Real vinyl records!
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The Merchant Company
656 Congress St
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A group shop featuring locally handmade & vintage items PLUS records! Real vinyl records!
The owner, Diane, MAKES about half of what's featured in her store! She scours the area for fabulous vintage finds to fill up the rest.
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Ferdinand
243 Congress St
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The owner, Diane, MAKES about half of what's featured in her store! She scours the area for fabulous vintage finds to fill up the rest.
The Little Ghost storefront features mostly vintage clothing for men & women and an interesting assortment of collectibles. They also have a booth at the Portland Flea-for-All with more of an emphasis on vintage "stuff" rather than clothing.
Little Ghost
31 Forest Ave
The Little Ghost storefront features mostly vintage clothing for men & women and an interesting assortment of collectibles. They also have a booth at the Portland Flea-for-All with more of an emphasis on vintage "stuff" rather than clothing.
Indie crafts, vintage finds, toys and more! Really fun store with lots of unique inventory.
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Pinecone+Chickadee
6 Free St
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Indie crafts, vintage finds, toys and more! Really fun store with lots of unique inventory.
Finding good homes for books since 2009.
Green Hand Bookshop
661 Congress St
Finding good homes for books since 2009.
Right around the corner, wide assortment of vaping supplies, glassware and more. Open 10AM-10PM (11PM on Fridays & Saturdays). Show your support to a new business in our 'hood!
Wild Side Smoke Shop
102 Portland St
Right around the corner, wide assortment of vaping supplies, glassware and more. Open 10AM-10PM (11PM on Fridays & Saturdays). Show your support to a new business in our 'hood!
A Maine Adventure! Anything you might have forgotten to bring, Reny's has it. Sunscreen, bathing suits, beach towels, hats, gloves & mittens, THERMAL UNDERWEAR! Many name-brand close out lots. Large selection of tacky trinkets but also a very good selection of Maine specialty foods to take back home with you.
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Renys Department Store
540 Congress St
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A Maine Adventure! Anything you might have forgotten to bring, Reny's has it. Sunscreen, bathing suits, beach towels, hats, gloves & mittens, THERMAL UNDERWEAR! Many name-brand close out lots. Large selection of tacky trinkets but also a very good selection of Maine specialty foods to take back home with you.

Essentials

"Conventional" grocery store with large selection of natural and organic products. Good produce selection. Lobsters. Not the same as buying them on the waterfront but it's easy.
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Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest Ave
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"Conventional" grocery store with large selection of natural and organic products. Good produce selection. Lobsters. Not the same as buying them on the waterfront but it's easy.
Closest drug store. Pharmacy hours: M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sun Closed. Store hours: M-F 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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CVS
51 Market St
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Closest drug store. Pharmacy hours: M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sun Closed. Store hours: M-F 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Getting Around

I suppose they can pick you up but it's right around the corner.
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1 Marginal Way
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I suppose they can pick you up but it's right around the corner.
The METRO PULSE is the hub for METRO customer service. Representatives available to answer questions and sell bus tickets. Hours Monday - Friday 7AM- 7PM; Sat 9AM- 4:30PM. The METRO bus service offers a variety of routes around Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, and the Maine Mall area of South Portland. Visitors can also connect to Casco Bay Ferry Lines, South Portland City Bus (Willard Beach, Spring Point). You can even get to L.L. Bean in Freeport or to Old Orchard Beach from here. OR, see a different side of Maine for just $6 round trip (M-F) on the Lakes Region Explorer. The 90 minute ride ends in Bridgton with shopping, restaurants & Highland Lake all within walking distance.
greater portland metro
21 Elm St
The METRO PULSE is the hub for METRO customer service. Representatives available to answer questions and sell bus tickets. Hours Monday - Friday 7AM- 7PM; Sat 9AM- 4:30PM. The METRO bus service offers a variety of routes around Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, and the Maine Mall area of South Portland. Visitors can also connect to Casco Bay Ferry Lines, South Portland City Bus (Willard Beach, Spring Point). You can even get to L.L. Bean in Freeport or to Old Orchard Beach from here. OR, see a different side of Maine for just $6 round trip (M-F) on the Lakes Region Explorer. The 90 minute ride ends in Bridgton with shopping, restaurants & Highland Lake all within walking distance.
Well, they don't actually rent bikes but it's the place to go for bicycling information. There's an interactive "Where to Ride" guide on their website that rates routes by difficulty and traffic, etc. Physically, they're actually at 34 Preble Street. You guessed it, right around the corner!
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine
38 Diamond St
Well, they don't actually rent bikes but it's the place to go for bicycling information. There's an interactive "Where to Ride" guide on their website that rates routes by difficulty and traffic, etc. Physically, they're actually at 34 Preble Street. You guessed it, right around the corner!
Great local bike shop in business since 1995! Daily & weekly rentals. (207)773-1700. Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm Sun: 9:00am - 4:00pm
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Gorham Bike & Ski
693 Congress St
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Great local bike shop in business since 1995! Daily & weekly rentals. (207)773-1700. Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm Sun: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Here's some of the gear they typically have for rent: Water Sports: Kayaks, Paddles, PFDs, Stand Up Paddleboards. Hiking/Camping: Packs, Tents, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads. Snow Sports: Cross Country Skis & Boots, Snowshoes, Poles, Mountaineering boots. Selection, availability and prices vary by store so please be sure to call before you stop by, (207)541-1919.
Eastern Mountain Sports
87 Marginal Way
Here's some of the gear they typically have for rent: Water Sports: Kayaks, Paddles, PFDs, Stand Up Paddleboards. Hiking/Camping: Packs, Tents, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads. Snow Sports: Cross Country Skis & Boots, Snowshoes, Poles, Mountaineering boots. Selection, availability and prices vary by store so please be sure to call before you stop by, (207)541-1919.