What to do in South Portland, ME

Activities, attractions and tours

Portland Harbor aerial view from Eastern Promenade in East End, city of Portland, Maine ME, USA.
Portland Harbor aerial view from Eastern Promenade in East End, city of Portland, Maine ME, USA.
H3M0PA South Portland, Maine, USA at the Portland Breakwater Light.
The Portland Breakwater Light aka Bug Light. located in South Portland, ME near the campus of Southern Maine CC. The light was built in 1875 and represents the 2nd light here. The light was restored in 1989 and reactivated in 2002. The light is part of a beautiful park that overlooks the harbor. This area was once a shipyard used to build Liberty Ships for the war effort durring WW2. This is a great location to come to watch fireworks on July 4th, have a nice walk or have a picnic and watch the ship traffic. Technical Info: Camera: Canon 80D Lens: Canon 10-18mm Exposure: 3/5 second @ f/25 18mm ISO 100 4 stop ND Soft Grad filter
Ultimate Maine lighthouse.

South Portland Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that South 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

South 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 South 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.

South 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 South 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 South Portland attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in South 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 South Portland

Discover the most popular places to visit in South Portland

Fort Preble which includes heritage elements

Southern Maine Community College

Walk around the campus at Southern Maine Community College as part of your travels around South Portland. Amble around this family-friendly area's waterfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, Maine, USA at the Portland Breakwater Light.; Shutterstock ID 688189870; Purchase Order: -

Bug Light

You can find out about the history of South Portland with a visit to Bug Light. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene and great live music.

Bug Light
Fort Preble featuring a lighthouse and a garden as well as a small group of people

Fort Preble

On the South Portland waterfront, survey the scene of the Battle of Portland Harbor, which is the only known Civil War conflict fought in Maine.

Fort Preble
Venetian Masks

Lyric Music Theater

You can enjoy a show at Lyric Music Theater during your trip to South Portland. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Lyric Music Theater

Maine Mall

4/5(64 reviews)

You can do some window-shopping at Maine Mall during your visit to South Portland. Experience the area's entertainment choices and great live music.

Maine Mall

Willard Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Willard Beach during your travels in South Portland?

Willard Beach

South Portland Historical Society Museum

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in South Portland Historical Society Museum during your travels in South Portland. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene and entertainment choices.

South Portland Historical Society Museum

Maine Military Museum

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Maine Military Museum during your travels in South Portland. Experience the area's entertainment choices and great live music.

Maine Military Museum

Explore areas of South Portland

Bug Light

Willard Beach

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Willard Beach and surrounding area, you can visit Willard Beach and Portland Harbor Museum.

Willard Beach
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Ferry Village

While there might not be top attractions in Ferry Village, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Willard Beach and Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal.

Ferry Village
Spring in a picture

Willard

While Willard might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Willard Beach and Victoria Mansion.

Willard
Bug light lighthouse in Portland, Maine at sunset as a sailboat sails into the harbor

Meetinghouse Hill

While Meetinghouse Hill isn't home to many top sights, Willard Beach and Victoria Mansion are some notable places to visit nearby.

Meetinghouse Hill
Panoramic view of the harbor of Portland, Maine, New England, USA

Knightville

When in Knightville, you can plan a visit to Victoria Mansion and Portland Museum of Art, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Knightville
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Loveitts Field

While there might not be top attractions in Loveitts Field, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Willard Beach and Fort Preble.

Loveitts Field

 

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 South Portland

Scarborough featuring a coastal town and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Scarborough

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

Portland Head Light which includes rocky coastline, general coastal views and a lighthouse

Portland

Frequently asked questions

Is South Portland worth visiting?
South Portland has an interesting mix of local charm, attractions and culture. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or regional cuisine, there's a lot here to enjoy.
How do I spend a day in South Portland?
Higgins Beach and East End Beach are two excellent places to kick-start your sightseeing adventures. Remember to explore the dining and retail options in South Portland while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in South Portland?
You can't go home without exploring State Theatre, rated the top tourist attraction in South Portland.
Is three days enough to stay in South Portland?
You can easily visit top sights like State Theatre, Higgins Beach and Portland Museum of Art with a three-day trip to South Portland. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a little longer and check out Portland.
Is South Portland a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and top sights within walking distance of the city centre, South Portland is a good destination to see on foot. Wander between State Theatre and Portland Museum of Art. Then take a stroll through Downtown Portland, located 2 kilometres from the centre, and Old Port, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in South Portland with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in South Portland with kids.

What to do in South Portland for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or fan of Mother Nature, there are loads of things to do in South Portland for adults including Portland Exposition Building and Portland Club.
Are there free things to do in South Portland?
From visiting parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in South Portland. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Higgins Beach is a must for anyone wishing to save on their sightseeing adventures.