Picture this: waterfront dining, scenic views, romantic walks, and captivating history. If this interests you, then start packing your bags for the perfect weekend getaway to Portland, Maine. This New England city has much to offer, including fresh seafood, recreational activities, shopping, live music scene, and nightlife. It may sound like a lot to squeeze into a weekend trip, so here are some things to do while you’re in town.

Stroll through the old port

You simply can’t go to this city without passing through the Old Port. It’s the city’s center where you’ll find divine seafood restaurants, lively bars, and boutique shops all which run along cobblestone streets with views overlooking the Fore River. The Old Port is known for its nightlife, bringing in tourists and locals to the district.

Visit one of the Casco Bay Islands

Spend a day off the coast of Portland to enjoy the Casco Bay Islands. It’s simple to get to as six of the islands are just a ferry ride away. Depending on the island you visit, the activities and history will vary. And, if you’re not looking to travel far off the coast, Peaks Island is the closest to Portland and has a lot for tourists to do. The beaches, cafes, shops, museums, and galleries are a few amenities accessible on the island.

Take a tour at a brewery (or three)

You may have heard of Allagash Brewery before as it’s a well-known Portland brewery that distributes its beer nationally. If you’re interested in taking a tour around Allagash book a tour before you leave home. And if you’re in the area, some other breweries you may be interested in visiting are Bissell Brothers Brewing Company, Foundation Brewing Company, and New England Distilling Company.

Dine on some fresh seafood

If you’ve been searching for flights to Portland odds are you’re probably a fan of seafood. So, if you are a seafood lover who enjoys scenic views at a waterfront restaurant then we suggest you go to Portland Lobster Company located on Commercial Street at the Old Port. The restaurant has outdoor seating on the water, perfect for a relaxing brunch or dinner. Portland Lobster Company has live music from local bands every day of the week in the summer so prepare to jam out while dining.

Stroll along the Eastern Promenade trail

After completing your list of things to do in Portland for the day you’ll be ready for a scenic walk or run along the water, go on the Eastern Promenade Trail. The trail runs along the water from downtown Portland to Back Cove Park. Along the way, you’ll find benches, picnic tables, and bathrooms should you require a rest stop. East End Beach is also found on this trail where visitors can go for a swim, rent a kayak, or take out a canoe.

Visit the Portland Museum of Art

If art interests you, we suggest you head to Downtown Portland to the Arts District for a tour of the Portland Museum of Art. The museum houses 18,000 artworks of American, European, and contemporary pieces from artists such as Andy Warhol, Winslow Homer, Louise Nevelson, and Claude Monet. The museum is open 7 days a week for you to explore.

Check out the Victoria Mansion

The Victoria Mansion, built between 1858 and 1860, is a National Historic Landmark, also known as the Morse-Libby House. The mansion is a historic house museum with collections from the mid-Victorian period. Most of the mansion’s interior was designed by Gustave Herter, founder of one of the first furniture makers and interior designers in the United States. The mansion tells a story and gives a look into the life of the 19th century. There are tour guides in the different rooms of the mansion to tell visitors about the history of the mansion and answer any questions.

Observe the Portland Observatory

Built in 1807, the Portland Observatory is the only remaining maritime signal tower in the US and has been named as a National Historic Landmark. Here you’ll get great views of the city, Casco Bay, Back Cove and Mount Washington by climbing the stairs to the top of the tower. Tours are offered here where visitors can learn about the maritime history and importance of the Observatory.

Have you been to Portland, Maine? Tell us what you did on your trip in the comments below!