If there is an ideal time to go to Portland, Maine, it is during Lobster season 🙂 I told Nate it had always been a dream of mine to go when Lobster is more common than chicken…he replied “book it.” He’s an easy sell 🙂
We spent 4 nights and 5 days in this beautiful seaside town and it did not disappoint. Perfect weather, too! There was so much to do here I had a hard time deciding what NOT to do…if only we had stayed a few more days. What we did do was wonderful, we still talk about it today. So, here are 4 things we did that I think anyone planning a trip to Portland should consider!! I stand behind these 100%…Enjoy!!
1. Lobster Season:
Yes, you can enjoy Portland all spring and summer…but why not go there when lobster is bountiful and practically being sold on every corner??? Peak lobster season is between late June and December, but I read that it was IDEAL to go in August/September. Fisherman in Maine are lobstering all year round, but the fall seems to be when hard and soft-shell lobsters are available. Now, even though Lobster is falling from the sky, that doesn’t mean it is cheap.
Warning: a lobster roll, although fabulous, is $24 for the small one. Yeppers. So bring some green and gorge on the most delicious lobster roll you’ve ever put in your mouth… (that’s what she said…right Nate? 🙂 )
Everywhere we dined we had lobster. It’s just not the same eating lobster at home so we made sure we had our fill. We also dined on oysters and mussels… something I think I’ll blog about later! The food in Portland is exceptional, and we were told that it has become a foodie destination due to the quality of dining and chefs in the area.
2. Fancy Drinks!
This has become a travel tradition for us. We really lucked out and stumbled upon a place called Vena’s Fizz House. I see on their website that they are temporarily closed. Here’s hoping they open back up so that the world can enjoy these delicious cocktails! I am a subscriber to their newsletter and they regularly send delicious drink recipes featuring their unique products. We are HUGE fans of Vena’s!!! Have yourself a lobster roll at a fabulous restaurant and then head over to Vena’s for the best drink you’ve ever had!
3. Island Biking:
We love a good bike ride. So much so that we almost always book a biking tour wherever we travel. Nate bought me my first bike years ago and we’ve been riding together ever since. The tour we booked in Portland was great… and it ended up being private! Just us and the owner of the tour company out for a 4 hour bike ride with lunch. Summer Feet is the tour company and we did the Pedal Peaks Island tour, which was perfect.
This beautiful little island is only accessible by ferry. It is a popular destination for kayaking and biking, and swimming!! You can go swimming at Sandy and Centennial beaches. Our tour guide took us to Cairn Beach, very rocky but stunning. It would make a PERFECT spot to propose 🙂 Or, just have a quiet moment to thing about….everything 🙂 Just you and the ocean.
The coolest part of the tour? We went to Steele Battery, which is an old World War II military fortification.
It was overgrown with nature, but featured some pretty amazing artwork! It was completed in 1942 and is the largest battery anywhere in the United States. Nate really loved this part of our adventure. After the battery, we toured the museum on the island and had a fabulous fish-n-chips lunch. A great way to spend the morning!
4. Lighthouses
We had to see the famous Portland Head Light lighthouse. I had to know if it was as beautiful in person as it is in all the pictures, paintings, prints, etc. Yes, it was.
This lighthouse is in Cape Elizabeth in Fort Williams park. It is positioned at the entrance of a main shipping channel into Portland harbor. The lighthouse is automated today and maintained immaculately. Such a beautiful spot if your thing is lighthouses. We didn’t do the tour (we had a plane to catch) but we did explore the grounds. So glad we did!
We loved Portland, Maine. We actually spent a day in Camden that I’ll blog about later! And the food….it deserves it’s own foodie-post as well. We hope you can carve out a few days to visit Portland, we can’t wait to go back and do more of the coastline…
Travel safe, and live adventurously!
Heather and Nate
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