What to do in Portland, ME

Activities, attractions and tours

Portland Head Light which includes rocky coastline, general coastal views and a lighthouse
Portland Head Light which includes rocky coastline, general coastal views and a lighthouse
Bradbury Mountain State Park featuring a small town or village, fall colors and landscape views
Fort Williams Park showing rugged coastline and general coastal views as well as an individual female
Mother\'s Beach which includes a sandy beach, rugged coastline and a house

Portland Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Portland has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Portland is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Portland to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Portland Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Portland.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Portland attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Portland

Number of things to do
18
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: CA $11
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Portland

Discover the most popular places to visit in Portland

State Theatre showing street scenes as well as an individual female

State Theatre

The beautiful mix of architectural styles, from Art Deco to Moorish, makes this newly renovated performing arts venue one of New England’s best.

State Theatre
Portland Museum of Art which includes interior views and art as well as a small group of people

Portland Museum of Art

Maine’s largest and oldest art institution showcases three centuries of American art and European masters in its architecturally impressive museum complex.

Portland Museum of Art
East End Beach which includes a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a small group of people

East End Beach

Swim in the Atlantic Ocean, stroll along the sand-and-pebble shoreline or enjoy a picnic with unbeatable views at Portland’s public beach.

East End Beach
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style light station in the USA that visitors can walk to. Located on the breakwater at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

University of Southern Maine

Explore the campus of University of Southern Maine during your stay in Portland. Stroll along the seaside or attend a sporting event in the area.

University of Southern Maine
Eastern Promenade featuring general coastal views and a bay or harbour as well as a small group of people

Eastern Promenade

Built on an old rail corridor along the easternmost portion of Portland’s peninsula, this waterfront trail offers stunning views of the harbor and Atlantic Ocean.

Eastern Promenade
Wadsworth-Longfellow House which includes a house, interior views and heritage elements

Wadsworth-Longfellow House

As you tour this historic brick home, trace three generations of Maine family history and learn about the cultural and political impact of its family members.

Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Victoria Mansion featuring interior views, heritage elements and a house

Victoria Mansion

Visit the remarkably preserved 19th-century manor house, located in downtown Portland. Get an authentic impression of life during that era.

Victoria Mansion
Built in 1807 this is the last remaining maritime signal tower left in the USA. Local merchants paid the owner a yearly fee and he would watch for the different merchant ships to come into Portland Harbor then would raise the flag of the merchant the ship belonged to so they would know their ship had arrived.

Portland Observatory

After visiting Portland Observatory, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Portland. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its acclaimed theater scene.

Portland Observatory

Thompson's Point

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Thompson's Point during your travels in Portland. Stroll along the waterfront or attend a sporting event in the area.

Thompson's Point

Explore areas of Portland

State Street Church

Downtown Portland

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Downtown Portland is known for its captivating waterfront views, and with sights like Cross Insurance Arena and Wadsworth-Longfellow House, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Portland.

Downtown Portland
Old Port showing a bay or harbour

Old Port

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Cobblestone streets, 19th-century brick buildings, and fishing piers define this district, offering boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Explore Post Office Park, Tommy's Park with its large mural, and stroll the Eastern Promenade Trail to East End Beach.

Old Port
Bug Lighthouse, Portland

West End

Distinguished by its well-preserved Victorian architecture, this downtown Portland neighborhood boasts the scenic Western Promenade park, offering views of the White Mountains, and several historic structures, such as the Gothic House and Morrill Mansion.

West End
Religious

East Bayside

Bordered by Franklin Street and Washington Avenue, East Bayside offers a community arts venue, Mayo Street Arts, and the relaxing green space of Kennedy Park. Explore nearby Old Port and Munjoy Hill.

East Bayside
Landscape of Fore river and Portland Harbor and Downtown in Maine

Back Cove

While Back Cove might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hadlock Field and Portland Exposition Building.

Back Cove
Charles Q. Clapp House featuring heritage elements and a house

Portland Arts District

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Portland Arts District. A stop by Wadsworth-Longfellow House or Cross Insurance Arena might round out your trip.

Portland Arts District

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Portland

Our trip from the UK had been planned around going to this lighthouse. I was devastated to learn that there would be scaffolding on the lighthouse , but our trip was booked and we still went. I'm so glad we did. We had a glorious morning with spectacular clouds and the scaffolding seemed to add something extra that we couldn't have got at another time. I just love this place.

Cape Elizabeth

Ice Disk, Westbrook, Maine

Westbrook

Bass Harbor Head in Maine

Peaks Island

Frequently asked questions

Is Portland worth visiting?
Famous for its walking trails and culture, finding awesome things to do in Portland is easy. Be sure to add State Theatre to your itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Portland?
Higgins Beach and East End Beach are two awesome places to begin your vacation adventures. Remember to explore the shopping and dining options in Portland while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Portland?
State Theatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Portland and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Portland?
Three days will be enough time to tick off popular city highlights, such as State Theatre, Portland Museum of Art and East End Beach. The average stay in Portland is two days. If you have the urge to extend your vacation, South Portland isn't far away.
Is Portland a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you'd like to see and do in Portland. Several top attractions, including State Theatre and Portland Museum of Art, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Portland's best neighbourhoods, Downtown Portland is 0.64 kilometres away from downtown, while Old Port is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Portland with kids?
If you are after sights and tours for all of your group, take a look at these fantastic ideas for what to do in Portland with kids.

What to do in Portland for adults?
Portland Exposition Building and Portland Club are just a few of the things to do in Portland. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Portland?
From checking out parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's simple to discover free things to do in Portland. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. East End Beach is a top spot for anyone planning to save on their sightseeing activities.

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