Tag: Spring

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: There are so many great things to do in Portland but, why make this your only destination spot! Within an hour of Portland, you could find yourself at the state’s capital, on one of Maine’s best beaches, shopping at some of the best outlets or even skiing on the slopes one of Maine’s most popular mountains. So get going and head north on I95 until you find yourself entering the heart of Kennebec Valley and in Maine’s state capital, Augusta. There you can tour the state house, visit the Maine State Museum, walk the grounds of the Governor’s mansion or even explore old Fort Western. Hop in your car and this time head east on Route 1 and you will find yourself entering the center of mid-coast Maine and getting close to one of Maine’s prettiest beaches, Popham Beach in Phippsburg. The beach is amazing with wonderful tidal pools that form when the tide goes out. You can spend hours searching the beach for sea dollars and there is a great island that can be explored at low tide as well. After the beach head back toward Bath and stop in to the quaint downtown area and enjoy an ice cream cone while sitting on the banks of the Kennebec River. If you decide that shopping is on your list of things to do, head south on 295 until you get to the Kittery Outlets and shopping palazzo! After spending time finding some great bargains be sure to swing by Whaleback Lighthouse which looks out over the Piscataqua River, it’s a great place to take some amazing photos! During the winter months you can always find some exciting things to do like skiing Shawnee Peak! You can get to the mountain and be on the slopes in just under an hour drive from Portland. Be sure to try out their night skiing, it’s a great thing to do in the middle of a winter vacation in Maine! Check out Portland and all there is to do in the area, you will be surprised at where it may lead you!

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: Everyone loves to find that “greasy spoon” where the breakfast is real and the portions are hearty. In the Portland area, there are some great breakfast joints you just can’t miss out on. The first place on your list of places to try is Marcy’s Breakfast & Lunch on Oak Street in the downtown area. There isn’t a lot of room in this place but, the food is always good, real home cooked breakfast items which keeps patrons coming back again and again. Of course, there is also Becky’s Diner sitting in the heart of the waterfront district on Commercial Street in Portland. The food is nothing fancy but, you get what you want the way you want it for cheap. This place usually has a waiting line on the weekends but, for the most part it’s worth the wait so it’s the perfect place to go if you are really hungry! Another place to check out for your first meal of the day is Uncle Andy’s which is just over the million dollar bridge in South Portland. This is a true breakfast joint. Whether you decide to sit at the bar or at a table you won’t leave disappointed. Your coffee cup will never run dry and your plate will be overflowing with food. Love the corn beef hash here and the biscuits and gravy are reminiscent of my trips to North Carolina! You won’t be leaving this place feeling like you didn’t get your monies worth. If you are looking for the classic diner atmosphere than the Miss Portland Diner is the place for you to check out. Open since 1949, the Miss Portland Diner has been “slinging hash” as a part of Portland’s community for decades. There are plenty of great breakfast spots in Portland so go take yourself out to breakfast this weekend and enjoy yourself!

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: If you enjoy kicking back and having a few cold ones Portland has plenty of places to choose from that will deliver just what you are looking for. There are plenty of places in town that provide a great atmosphere and the perfect pint. Places like Boru’s, Gritty’s and Rosies are all great spots to hang out with friends and enjoy a cold beer whether it be a local brew or some other, the scene is always relaxed and fun. Another great spot that is not well known is Novare Res Bier Café which is tucked away on Canal Street. This place is a true and authentic beer bar and it is evident that they take their craft very seriously. They offer 25 beers on tap and 230 bottled varieties. The atmosphere is very chill and it is the perfect spot to spend some time meeting friends for happy hour or just stopping by on a Saturday night out. After spending time enjoying theses local hangouts make some time to head over to Maine Brewing Supply where you can find just about whatever you will need to brew your own batch of beer. It’s not as complicated as you may think and you will be amazed at the amount of beer one batch will yield. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to spend some time with a delicious reward at the end. Another place to check out is Allagash Brewing Company where not only you can take tours of the brewery but, you can also find the beer making supplies you’ll need to brew the perfect batch of beer. So next time you are in Portland, be sure to enjoy a beer at one of the many places in town.

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: If you are heading to Portland be sure to take some time to explore the Old Port. This part of town is a great collage of bars, specialty shops and great restaurants. You definitely will not want to miss all it has to offer and you can definitely just show up and find something fun to do. If you are looking for a great place to go grab a drink after work head over to the Sea Grille where this up scale restaurant bar caters to a slightly more mature crowd and is filled with good looking people and great drinks. If you are looking for more of a pub atmosphere then Rira’s is the hot spot. The bar is dark and reminiscent of an Irish pub serving the perfect black & tans. If you are looking for some great dinner spots, there are plenty of places to choose from it all depends on what you are in the mood for. If you want the freshest seafood, hit Street & Co., wonderful food and a great atmosphere. Even if you don’t have a plan, anyone of the restaurants, Vignolia, Fore Street, in the Old Port won’t leave you disappointed. After dinner, head over the Chocolate Bar and either enjoy a late night cordial or a delicious dessert. There are plenty of great specialty shops to check out from clothing to jewelry to art there is something for everyone. The Old Port area is also home to some great coffee shops, most have wireless internet service so you can enjoy your cup of joe while surfing the net. Love books? There are some great bookstores ranging from NY Times best sellers to antique books. There are also some great specialty food stores as well as a fun candy shop that you don’t want to miss on your way out of Portland. Spend some time in the Old Port where you will be sure to find plenty to do and more!

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: Westbrook has gotten a bad rap over the years and you would be surprised at the things you can find to do in this town. First thing to do now that the weather is getting nicer is to head over to the Westbrook River Trail where you will enjoy a nice 1.5 mile walking path along the Presumpscot River where you can catch some great views of Saccarappa Falls. You can also spend some time enjoying your self at Riverbank Park which is a great picnic spot if you have kids because of the new playground that just went in. In the summer months head over to Warren Pool where you can cool off and enjoy this outdoor community center or in the winter plan on doing some skating at Lincoln Street Skate Park (there is rollerblading in the summer). Westbrook is also home to Acorn Productions which will bring out the thesbian in anyone who is interested in taking acting classes or just wants to enjoy a great local production. Walker Memorial Library has been a part of Westbrook’s history since 1894. The building is small but, architecturally interesting and they have a nice selection of books. Westbrook is also right outside of Portland and Gorham which both offer a whole slew of things for you to see and do! Don’t let the rumors ruin your trip to Westbrook, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you discover!