Tag: Winter

Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: The kids are running around, it’s raining outside and all of a sudden you need to find something to do! How about taking everyone bowling! Bowling is a great time and it’s not just for family, it’s a fun way to spend a night out with some friends as well. The Portland area offers a couple of bowling spots. If you like bowling the big balls you should check out Yankee Lanes. On weekend nights they offer “Rock n’ Bowl” where the black lights are turned on and the music is turned up. It’s a lot of fun and the kids really love it. In addition to having great bowling, Yankee Lanes has a snack bar, a video arcade, pool tables and entertainment like karaoke in the lounge area. There is a Yankee Lanes in Brunswick too so if you find yourself in the Mid-coast area be sure to check it out. If you are looking for candlepin bowling, which by the way is a New England thing only, you may want to head to Scarborough where you will find the Big 20 bowling alley. This is truly an original, the whole bowling center looks probably very similar as it did 40 plus years ago. There is a snack bar where you buy fries and hot dogs if you get a hankering. Westbrook offers two candlepin bowling alleys one is West-Port Bowling and the other is Colonial Lanes. Be advised that most of these bowling centers have leagues and there are times where the public is not allowed in so make sure you call ahead to find out lane availability. I also want to mention that the shoes, well they haven’t improved much in looks but, at both Yankee and Big 20 they were newer so don’t be alarmed!

Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: Feel like a good laugh? If you are looking for a fun night out with friends you should check out Portland’s Comedy Connection. The Comedy Connection is located right next to the famous Porthole on Custom House Wharf in the Old Port. Bob Marley, one of Maine’s funniest comedians is a regular and his act is enough to keep you bent over and laughing hysterically for hours! The Comedy Connection also offers both local and national talent Thursday through Sunday. Show times vary so you will want to make sure you check their calendar of events. In addition, the place is somewhat small so you will need to make a reservation if you plan on attending with a group of friends. There is a bar so drinks are available and you do have to be at least 18 years old to even enter so keep that in mind. We went with a group of friends one Saturday night recently. Before the show, we enjoyed some drinks and appetizers at Ri Ra’s just down the street. Ri Ra’s is a lively Irish pub that offers good food, cold drinks and also has a great couch area that faces a roaring fire. We were all cozy on the couch chatting and looking forward to the show to come. Overall, it was a fun night and the show was worth our time. We all were laughing so hard that we promised to go back again soon.

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: People love to do crafts and it’s a great way to keep the kids busy during down time at home. From scrapbooking to painting and jewelry making there is plenty to choose from. If you are looking for craft classes a great place to start is your local adult education program at your area high school. There is usually a good selection that can be found and the prices are always very reasonable. Another place to check out is your local craft supply shops like Michaels. Often they will have a schedule available and classes range from wreath making and flower arranging to beading classes and jewelry making. The great thing about these classes are they are held on site and all the supplies you need can be found right in the store. If you are looking for more formalized craft classes the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle offers a full range of craft classes using formats from clay, glass and wood to blacksmithing classes. They offer a wide variety of on-going hands on workshops to more intense 2 week training sessions and the best part is you don’t have to be an artist or have any artistic background to attend this school. Craft classes are not hard to find it just depends on what you are looking for. Consider taking a craft class, you could be opening the door to a whole new hobby and world of enjoyment for yourself.

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: If you are looking for the top bakeries in the Portland area then look no further. Whether you need to order a cake for that special occasion or just want the best bread in town you will find it in Portland. For the sweeter side of your search, Two Fat Cat’s Bakery on India St. is the only place to go. They specialize in cakes and pies and only use the freshest of ingredients. The frosting is pure buttercream, no shortening which means it melts in your mouth! My absolute favorite is the Bourbon Pecan pie with flaky buttery crust and the perfect combo of pecans and gooey Bourbon laced filling. If you are looking for killer sticky buns or some of the best brioche around than Standard Baking Company is the place for you. They offer a great bread selection and the baguettes are to die for. Big Sky Bread Company is another great Portland bakery. They have a great collection of fresh, homemade breads from honey oatmeal, anadama to sensational English muffins. In addition to great breads they also have a wonderful luncheon menu which includes at least five homemade soups and a sandwich menu a mile long all made on their incredibly fresh bread. They also have wonderful scones, cinnamon buns and muffins. Portland has a great variety of wonderful bakeries to choose from. Make sure to check them out for your morning breakfast run, fresh bread for dinner or a fabulous cake for that special event.

Fall,Winter,Spring & Summer: Three Dollar Deweys offers patrons a relaxed pub style atmosphere with great microbrew selection and tasty treats to eat. Deweys is a Portland landmark and has been welcoming visitors for over 20 years now. Deweys lives up to it’s motto, “Portland’s Best Copied by the Rest”. There have been lots of bars that have come and gone but, Deweys still stands strong among Portlanders. The atmosphere makes it a great place to stop in after work with friends for a round during happy hour or a nice retreat on a cold fall evening. If you decide it’s food you want then try the gumbo with hot grilled corn bread and a cold Octoberfest…you can’t beat it. Maybe you are feeling a bit more traditional, than the fish and chips just may do the trick along with a brown ale. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed and you will enjoy the fun and friendly atmosphere that Deweys has to offer.