Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Hole in the Wall Bagel shop in walking distance. I LOVE the Avocruncho. Yum.
24 locals recommend
Union Bagel Company
147 Cumberland AveHole in the Wall Bagel shop in walking distance. I LOVE the Avocruncho. Yum.
The Breakfast Sandwich is a slice of heaven. And super nearby. Walk straight down Sheridan St until you get to Congress; turn right, and you're practically there. In warmer weather, there's nice outdoor seating. Warning: no bathroom on premises, so plan ahead :)
29 locals recommend
Katie Made Bakery
181 Congress StThe Breakfast Sandwich is a slice of heaven. And super nearby. Walk straight down Sheridan St until you get to Congress; turn right, and you're practically there. In warmer weather, there's nice outdoor seating. Warning: no bathroom on premises, so plan ahead :)
Super nice and friendly. No fuss. Nice outside patio in the summer. Check their website though to make sure they're open. Try their Horchata!
21 locals recommend
Tu Casa
70 Washington AveSuper nice and friendly. No fuss. Nice outside patio in the summer. Check their website though to make sure they're open. Try their Horchata!
Just down the block! And check out their locally-made pottery on site.
33 locals recommend
Portland Pottery Cafe
118 Washington AveJust down the block! And check out their locally-made pottery on site.
If you want your hipster coffee, this is where you go. And it's just a hip, hop, and a jump from here. But if you're on your way to some of the East End Breweries, definitely stop in. It's a hole in the wall.
28 locals recommend
Tandem Coffee Roasters
122 Anderson StIf you want your hipster coffee, this is where you go. And it's just a hip, hop, and a jump from here. But if you're on your way to some of the East End Breweries, definitely stop in. It's a hole in the wall.
I know this as "Sarah's tea shop." Sarah is an amazing hostess with lots of knowledge of ayurvedic medicine. If something ails you, whether mental or physical, she will concoct a special blend for you. I have some in my kitchen.
9 locals recommend
Homegrown Herb and Tea
195 Congress StI know this as "Sarah's tea shop." Sarah is an amazing hostess with lots of knowledge of ayurvedic medicine. If something ails you, whether mental or physical, she will concoct a special blend for you. I have some in my kitchen.
Pho, but also (my favorite) there, Lemongrass Curry. So. Good. Also, the restaurant pays their staff a decent wage, so there's no tipping. It's all in the price.
41 locals recommend
Cong Tu Bot
57 Washington AvePho, but also (my favorite) there, Lemongrass Curry. So. Good. Also, the restaurant pays their staff a decent wage, so there's no tipping. It's all in the price.
By all means, GO! and make sure you order the Asian Slaw, and their fried peanut butter mochi dipped in hot chocolate.
63 locals recommend
Bao Bao Dumpling House
133 Spring StBy all means, GO! and make sure you order the Asian Slaw, and their fried peanut butter mochi dipped in hot chocolate.
OK, so it's off-peninsula, but it's an awesome little restaurant. I think it's super cozy inside. And they deliver. They also own Veranda Thai right across the street.
10 locals recommend
Veranda Noodle Bar
14 Veranda StOK, so it's off-peninsula, but it's an awesome little restaurant. I think it's super cozy inside. And they deliver. They also own Veranda Thai right across the street.
Wake up and need a pain au chocolat or double latte? Right down the street, around the corner.
44 locals recommend
Forage Market
123 Washington AveWake up and need a pain au chocolat or double latte? Right down the street, around the corner.
Essentials
Locally sourced food. Excellent wine and cheese selection. A bit pricey, so keep that in mind.
223 locals recommend
Rosemont Market & Bakery
40 Pine StLocally sourced food. Excellent wine and cheese selection. A bit pricey, so keep that in mind.
Whole Foods Market
2 Somerset StWhole Paycheck, what can I say? But is nearby.
Trader Joe's
87 Marginal WayLove it!
Portland Food Co-op
290 Congress StWalking distance
Rite Aid
713 Congress StClosest pharmacy from my place
Parks & Nature
Back Cove Trail
Back Cove TrailGreat views of Portland skyline. Nice running (I'm told)
Great dog beach/park. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is open to dogs before 9AM and after 5PM, so keep that in mind if you're just going there for the beach. You can also rent kayaks, SUPs, and there are classes through Portland Paddle
93 locals recommend
East End Beach
Eastern Promenade TrailGreat dog beach/park. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is open to dogs before 9AM and after 5PM, so keep that in mind if you're just going there for the beach. You can also rent kayaks, SUPs, and there are classes through Portland Paddle
Dogs must be on leash - the island is home to the Maine school for the deaf. It's a beautiful trail, with stunning vistas. If you go, look for the fairy village.
9 locals recommend
Mackworth Island Trail
Mackworth Island TrailDogs must be on leash - the island is home to the Maine school for the deaf. It's a beautiful trail, with stunning vistas. If you go, look for the fairy village.
Presumpscot Falls
Great off-leash trail for pooches. Several accesses to this trail, so just ask.
My go to, for off-leash dog walk. It's a little drive from here, but Oh. So. Worth it.
Knight's Pond Preserve
477 Greely Road ExtensionMy go to, for off-leash dog walk. It's a little drive from here, but Oh. So. Worth it.
You've got: trails, beach, scenic views, and in the summer, a food cart usually parked on Eastern Prom at the bottom of Congress Street.
251 locals recommend
Eastern Promenade Trail
Eastern PromenadeYou've got: trails, beach, scenic views, and in the summer, a food cart usually parked on Eastern Prom at the bottom of Congress Street.
That Fort you see out in Casco Bay? That's Fort Gorges, pronounced just like "gorgeous" even if technically that's not how it's supposed to be pronounced. It's being cared for by Friends of Fort Gorges and there is a water taxi that will take you there. If you're interested, let me know, and I'll put you in touch with a man with a plan. And a boat!
12 locals recommend
Fort Gorges
That Fort you see out in Casco Bay? That's Fort Gorges, pronounced just like "gorgeous" even if technically that's not how it's supposed to be pronounced. It's being cared for by Friends of Fort Gorges and there is a water taxi that will take you there. If you're interested, let me know, and I'll put you in touch with a man with a plan. And a boat!
Stunning views of the city! Just walk down Sheridan, past that first swanky condo on your right, and take the steps up to the park. In the summer, there's sometimes music up there. It's a great place for pooches, and although dogs must be kept on leash, past 6PM they often just run around.
13 locals recommend
Fort Sumner Park
64 North StreetStunning views of the city! Just walk down Sheridan, past that first swanky condo on your right, and take the steps up to the park. In the summer, there's sometimes music up there. It's a great place for pooches, and although dogs must be kept on leash, past 6PM they often just run around.
Shopping
Lots of fun and unique handmade (owner or local) gifts here! T-shirts, cards, wacky gifts, trinkets under 5$. A perfect go-to if you're looking to buy gifts from friends back home.
17 locals recommend
Ferdinand
243 Congress StLots of fun and unique handmade (owner or local) gifts here! T-shirts, cards, wacky gifts, trinkets under 5$. A perfect go-to if you're looking to buy gifts from friends back home.
Material Objects
500 Congress StNice consignment store. Short walk to downtown.
Find
16 Free StAnother consignment store.
Really a lot of fun walking around this three level Salvage Store.
12 locals recommend
Portland Architectural salvage
131 Preble StReally a lot of fun walking around this three level Salvage Store.
Fun place to get lost browsing, antiques, vintage furniture, etc. in the heart of the Arts District, and reasonably priced. Highly recommend.
41 locals recommend
Portland Flea-for-All
585 Congress StFun place to get lost browsing, antiques, vintage furniture, etc. in the heart of the Arts District, and reasonably priced. Highly recommend.
Entertainment & Activities
Music concerts, Puppet shows, films, dance... lots of fun things going on in this beautifully renovated church.
9 locals recommend
Mayo Street Arts
10 Mayo StMusic concerts, Puppet shows, films, dance... lots of fun things going on in this beautifully renovated church.
Also known among locals as "The Nickelodeon," or simply "The Nick." Movie theater right downtown.
53 locals recommend
Nickelodeon Cinema (Patriot Cinemas)
1 Temple StAlso known among locals as "The Nickelodeon," or simply "The Nick." Movie theater right downtown.
Drinks & Nightlife
You can bring in take-out from any establishment that offers it. So it's really a win-win. Plus it's nearby so you can stumble back to the house.
27 locals recommend
The Snug Pub
223 Congress StYou can bring in take-out from any establishment that offers it. So it's really a win-win. Plus it's nearby so you can stumble back to the house.
Urban Farm Fermentory
200 Anderson StUFF specializes in cider, mead, kombucha.
Rising Tide Brewing Company
103 Fox StPooch friendly in the outdoor area.
They serve some light food fare. There's sometimes live music also.
106 locals recommend
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
49 Washington AveThey serve some light food fare. There's sometimes live music also.
Space is THE alternative arts venue here in town. There are concerts, art shows, talks, film screenings... it's been the creative heartbeat of Portland for a while. I hang their events calendar on my fridge. It's a good 20 minute walk there from my house.
72 locals recommend
SPACE
534-538 Congress StSpace is THE alternative arts venue here in town. There are concerts, art shows, talks, film screenings... it's been the creative heartbeat of Portland for a while. I hang their events calendar on my fridge. It's a good 20 minute walk there from my house.
Portland House of Music and Events (HOME)
25 Temple StGreat music shows there!
Arts & Culture
Go on a Friday for free entry. If you go, you MUST go to the back room on the first floor - early American period? - and find the painting (by a traveling painter?) of what is, perhaps, the ugliest portrait ever made. You'll know when you've found it. Is it man? A woman? You decide.
412 locals recommend
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqGo on a Friday for free entry. If you go, you MUST go to the back room on the first floor - early American period? - and find the painting (by a traveling painter?) of what is, perhaps, the ugliest portrait ever made. You'll know when you've found it. Is it man? A woman? You decide.
Saint Lawrence Arts Center
76 Congress St