The best place to visit in Portland ME
Tourist Attractions

The 15 Best Places To Visit in Portland ME (Rating and Reviews)

Portland ME is a land of incredible diversity, with something to offer everyone who visits. There are many great places to visit in this city, but if you are looking for the ultimate Portland ME experience, then you need to head to one of the places below. Whichever part of Portland ME you choose to visit, you’re sure to have an amazing time.

The best place to visit in Portland ME
The best place to visit in Portland ME

The Best Place to Visit in Portland ME

Portland Head Light

  • Address: 12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.8 (11406)
  • Phone: +1 207-799-2661
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The best place to visit in Portland ME
The best place to visit in Portland ME

5 Replies to The 15 Best Places To Visit in Portland ME (Rating and Reviews)

  1. You must visit this exquisite place. You will pay for parking but it’s nominal, I think we paid $4 for a couple hours. Get the Passport Parking app and you can pay right from there. You are able to explore the grounds and get right up to the Lighthouse. The views are unbelievable especially in the winter. Although the last time we saw it was in July from a boat so I could be wrong! I believe the actual Lighthouse was closed when we went so we just explored the trails around it. There is a Cliff Walk which runs along the cliff’s edge that you can take. Be careful in the snow; it’s very slippery! There is also a sledding hill with perfect unobstructed views of the ocean. Additionally there are many flat snowy areas to build snowmen or have a snowball fight. In the summer I can imagine picnics or just strolling around to enjoy the views. The neighborhood it’s located in has beautiful homes if you’re like me and enjoy looking at dream homes.

  2. Be prepared for absolutely stunning views of the ocean as far as your eyes can see, waves crashing against the jagged rocks of the cliffs and a beautifully restored historic lighthouse perched high above it all. This is definitely one that you want to see if in the area. It was quite busy on the weekend and we could hardly get any photos without a ton of people walking in them. If you really want some great views of this lighthouse, make sure to take the cliff side trail. It’s well worth the short time it takes and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views.

  3. The surrounding view is breathtaking! Climbing around is fun. We wore hiking shoes and felt quite comfortable climbing the rocks. I saw some people managed with sandals and sneakers but I totally recommend wearing hiking boots. There is a small gift shop here and an ice cream truck nearby. We parked at the 1st lot we saw but there are more parking nearer to the light house. Self paid parking.

  4. Not much to see up close if you go when the lighthouse is closed, but it is beautiful to see from the rock beach nearby. The park itself is great. There’s a nice hiking trail, lots of wildlife, it’s clean, and the views are nice. There’s also an unnamed beach/picnic area a little ways down with super clean sand and water. We went on a beautiful Monday evening and there were barely any people, which is great, because we love a secluded beach.

  5. A very popular historic site during most seasons. Parking can be challenging during tourist season and it can be crowded at peak times. Despite that, it is well worth a visit. The grounds and the house are nice and the views all around are spectacular. The adjacent park has trails for walking and it’s a great place to picnic as well. Plenty of vendors to grab a bite from nearby. A good one not to miss if possible.

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Top 15 Tourist Attractions in Portland ME

The best place to visit in Portland ME
The best place to visit in Portland ME

Portland Museum of Art

  • Address: 7 Congress Sq, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (1565)
  • Phone: +1 207-775-6148
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: Closed
    Tuesday: Closed
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    It has a few great masterpieces that I really enjoyed. For my taste – a little too much of modern art. Would love to see more of older art (at least as temporary exhibits), photo exhibitions.

    The German exhibit was excellent and intense. Recommend to visit at least once!

    ✭✭✭✭ By Yulia Berry (3 months ago)
    A few galleries were closed off for installation or repairs. Mostly paintings/2d artwork on display. Good group of contemporary to modern works, with a mixture of well known artists and some lesser. Staff was friendly and helpful. Great spot to stop in if in the area and an art junkie. Took me about 2 hours casually + gift shop.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Froobaba (5 months ago)
    I came here with my family all the way from NYC. This is a pretty small art museum. You can finish browsing the entire place (4 floors) in 45-60 minutes. A few artworks have caught my eyes and got me staring. If you enjoy art a lot, check out this place. It’s a nice spacious area but I wish there were more to see for the $15-18 entry fee.
    ✭✭✭ By Melissa F (2 months ago)
    Beautiful art exhibits and plenty of room to walk around. There were places to sit all over, which was nice. The museum has restrooms in the basement level which was a little inconvenient but it was fine. A lovely clean museum, I enjoyed it. Only took a few hours to see everything so I didn’t feel like I was missing out.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Melanie Isganitis (11 months ago)
    If you enjoy art then make sure you stop here. The museum is free on Friday 4 – 8pm and it was a happy accident that this was the time we arrived.
    Lots to see here and keep you busy. From Monet to Picasso and everything inbetween can be found here. So glad we stopped and took time to drink in the art…
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jenne Holmes (2 months ago)

Fort Allen Park

  • Address: 49 Eastern Promenade, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (1558)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    Thursday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    Friday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    Saturday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    Sunday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Very beautiful area. If I wasn’t there working (as a photographer) I could have sat there all day just watching the boats. It was extremely peaceful even with the crowd of people walking around.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By tracy pohl (5 months ago)
    What a beautiful place! Loved it. Lots of great trails and views of the water. We watched a yacht club training people which was very interesting to see. Great view of the fort. It was a perfect day, sunny and mid-70s. I would definitely go back. The house is along the promenade are magnificent
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Judy Harrelson (a year ago)
    Nice place to see. My youngest son loved it. It was windy that day so we didn’t stay long. But its pretty cool to know the history.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Luz Celeste Segarra Ramos (8 months ago)
    Had a small gathering here after our friends wedding. Breath taking view from the central gazebo. Definitely a nice place on a summer day and only a short walk from downtown. Amazing public place.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Josh Allan (3 months ago)
    A beautiful, seaside park. Visited on an early evening in December and the fog was heavy. Portland is truly one of the most beautiful cities in New England
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Ian Davis (10 months ago)

Bug Light Park

  • Address: South Portland, ME 04106, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (1453)
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    We had an amazing time here! The light house is so cute and you can go up around it and have a “Jack & Rose” (from Titanic for you youngsters) moment facing the shoreline with some fresh sea, seagulls, and boats to watch.
    But too touristy, picnic areas, dog friendly, and historical information to read if that’s your thing.
    Not as big a location as Big Light but we had a better time here than at Big Light.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Nómada (3 months ago)
    I absolutely love this park. I follow the bike path on morning my walk/dances ( more fun then power walking.) There are lots of little off paths to explore and rock cliffs of that’s your thing. You can walk out to the light house or sit on the many benches placed facing out at the water. I love all the tree areas. Great place to take a break in the shade and feels like ur all alone in a big park.?
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Danielle Tardy (5 months ago)
    We really enjoyed it here! The light house is beautiful and the trail is beautiful! The views are absolutely beautiful, the parking lot is little bit small but I am not sure if they have more parking spaces somewhere else but it’s still worth it to come visit this place!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By mani agg (4 weeks ago)
    Bug Light Park is one of my most favorite places on earth honestly! It is a perfect bike ride or walk from my house and such a great place to fly my drone! I’m able to fly to Fort Gorges and across the water into Portland from Bug Light. I took these photos today 🙂
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Hit Man (4 months ago)
    Cute little park. Do not follow your GPS into the marina park, you’ll have to pay for parking. Turn right just before the booth and follow the road back to the parking.

    Benches available for sitting. Handicapping parking, but the smooth path only goes so far. Wheelchairs and walkers won’t make it on the walkway up to the lighthouse.

    ✭✭✭✭ By R Davis (4 months ago)

Victoria Mansion

  • Address: 109 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (783)
  • Phone: +1 207-772-4841
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: Closed
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Victoria Mansion was an ideal visit for any lover of art and history. The Mansion has amazing architecture and extraordinary interiors with hand-painted walls. The Morse family owned the house and made a fortune operating luxury hotels, they were also very active participant in the slave economy. This Mansion holds alot of history and you get to experience that history first hand. The ticket prices were reasonable ( I recommend buying tickets online) and they had a guide in every room to explain all the details of that room. I highly recommend the tour, I highly recommend buying tickets online and mask are required.
    ✭✭✭✭ By Miscellaneous Muzik (2 months ago)
    Good place to spend time and understand the history of wealthy American heritage and downfall. The entire tour is guided and takes around an hour. Wished all the rooms were available for a visit. Since it’s guided, per slot occupancy is limited to 7-8 people. Parking available along streets and are paid as free parking is only for 15-30 minutes. Recommended to book the tour prior to visit.

    Service 4.5/5
    Value for Money 3.5/5

    ✭✭✭✭ By Viraj Gadgil (2 months ago)
    If you enjoy history, art or visiting historical places, this is a must! It’s a beautiful piece of history and artwork and the ornate detail the original owner had is amazing. Very ahead of his time and extremely ostentatious.

    Located right in downtown Portland. Parking is a bit limited, so arrive early to find a parking spot which is limited to street parking only. We visit on August 19, 2022 and had 3 adults in our party and adult tickets are $17. They still require you to wear a mask at this time, we did not have ours as most of Portland does not require them, but the mansion staff kindly provided us with some at the time we purchased our tickets.

    We were the last group of the day. Our tour guide was very pleasant and informative. She guided through the house and answered every question we had. We did run into two other groups, which must’ve been groups that started before us since we were the last one for the day. Even though we were the last group to start, we finished our tour much earlier than the other two groups that started before us and were the same size as ours. Our tour was completed in about 30-35 minutes, which was fine but my party would have enjoyed being able to look at the rooms a bit more. My husband joked that we got the expedited tour. We were allowed to take photographs but we had to keep the flash off. Also, it was very important not to touch anything including doors. They were currently working on restoration in the foyer area. The time and extent of detail it takes to do that is just unfathomable to me and just makes you appreciate it that much more. Overall it was a wonderful time spent exploring.

    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Ali M (3 months ago)
    It was a great historic house. The tour was very informative. The tour took about an hour overall. The house is absolutely beautiful. The amount of different details from how the house was painted to the furniture was insane. Highly recommend if you are interested in historic homes.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Erica Gleason (5 months ago)
    What a beautiful museum and so wonderfully decorated for the Christmas season. The staff had so many interesting stories and information about the location, I cannot wait to see it again in the warmer months for a new view. I Highly recommend visiting the Victoria Mansion.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Paul J. Manning (11 months ago)

International Cryptozoology Museum

  • Address: 32 Resurgam Pl, Portland, ME 04102, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 3.8 (775)

Bug Light

  • Address: S Portland Greenbelt Pathway, South Portland, ME 04106, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (690)

Monument Square

  • Address: 456 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (532)

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad

  • Address: 49 Thames St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (519)

Western Promenade

  • Address: Valley St, Portland, ME 04102, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (504)

Maine Duck Tours

  • Address: Inside The Blue Lobster Gift Shop, 177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (476)

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

  • Address: 2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.8 (433)

Visit Portland, Maine Information Center

  • Address: 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (288)

Fort Sumner Park

  • Address: 64 North St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (156)

Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

  • Address: 489 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (147)

Lincoln Park

  • Address: Congress St &, Pearl St, Portland, ME 04101, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (143)
The best place to visit in Portland ME
The best place to visit in Portland ME

Although Portland ME is a large state with many amazing places to visit, these 15 locations stand out as the best according to traveler ratings and reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!

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