Portland is a four-season destination in southern Maine offering mountains, lakes and sea coast to explore. In 2009, this old seacoast town was named America's most livable city by Forbes Magazine, most certainly because the same things that attract tourists make this city a wonderful place to live. While visiting Portland you can enjoy fresh Maine lobster, the smell of the sea and an incredible choice of outdoor recreational activities.
Walking Tours
Take a Wicked Walking Tour through Portland's revitalized warehouse district, the Old Port. You'll learn about Portland's history as you listen to twisted tales and walk through creepy buildings. You'll see many bridges as you walk the 1.5-mile Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade that extends north from the Hawthorne Bridge. When strolling through the International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park, take the time to smell the roses. A few blocks uptown from the waterfront, you can explore the Arts District. Your walk along Congress Street will take you past antique shops, artist studios and galleries.
Kayaking
Maine Island Kayak offers full- and half-day kayak trips that will allow you to view Portland from the water. The Delights of Casco Bay trip departs from its home base on Peaks Island and takes you paddling past lighthouses and historical sights on the bay. You can rent a sea kayak and paddle the waters of Casco Bay, explore the many islands and watch Portland's bustling waterfront activity. Access Back Cove from the Eastern Promenade and paddle, for just a little over a mile, to Fort Gorges to visit the remains of a fort built in 1848.
Biking
Rent a bike from Wheelie Good Bike Rental and ride down a quiet path to the shoreline. You can take the ferry across Casco Bay and visit Peaks Island. The four-mile Peaks Island Loop offers views of Casco Bay, the neighboring islands and the Atlantic Ocean. You can cycle through Evergreen Cemetery's network of wooded trails and stop to view the noteworthy headstones. The 85-acre Fore River Sanctuary is home to Jewell Falls, Portland's only natural waterfall. The southern end of Congress Street will lead to the Fore River and Stroudwater trails that you can bike to the falls.
Golfing
Enjoy 18 holes of golf at Riverside Municipal Golf Course or Sable Oaks Golf Club. You'll find at least a dozen public courses within 15 miles or less of downtown Portland, including Willowdale Golf Club and Twin Falls Golf Club. The area is also home to private championship courses, such as The Woodlands, Portland Country Club and Purpoodock Club.
Winter Fun
Visit Portland in the winter and enjoy the outdoor activities. You can snowshoe or cross-country ski along most of Portland's hiking trails in the winter months. The Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, located within 10 miles of downtown, has 2.5 miles of Nordic trails. If you don't own skates, you can rent them at the Portland Ice Arena, which offers public skating seven days a week. You can go downhill skiing, race down a tubing hill or try out the toboggan chute at Camden Snow Bowl, located minutes from downtown Portland.
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