Portland and the coast of Maine, the United States: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Portland is the largest city in Maine, located on a peninsula in Casco Bay. Do not confuse it with Portland, Oregon, on the other side of the country: Maine’s Portland is the older of the two, and the western city took its name from it. The downtown was rebuilt in brick after the 1866 fire, and the Old Port neighborhood by the waterfront preserves 19th-century warehouses that today house shops and restaurants alongside lobster fishing boats.

Lobster is the signature of Maine’s coast, served whole or in a roll, and lighthouses are the other hallmark. Portland Head Light, first lit in 1791 at Cape Elizabeth just south of the city, is the oldest in the state. Ferries depart the city for the bay’s islands, and atop Munjoy Hill stands the Portland Observatory, an 1807 signal tower for ships.

About 45 km to the south, Kennebunkport is a village of former shipbuilders at the mouth of the Kennebunk River, with white captains’ houses, the Dock Square center, and sandy beaches such as Goose Rocks. Further south, Ogunquit has a clear sandy beach about 2.4 km long between the ocean and a river, the fishing harbor of Perkins Cove, and the Marginal Way, a path along the rocky coast.

The region is Maine’s gateway for visitors coming from Boston, about two hours from Portland by car or train. The South Coast villages have a short, busy season in summer and become quieter in winter.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Portland, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Portland and the coast of Maine is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Portland and the coast of Maine

✈ Portland International Jetport (PWM) · 5 km to Portland

Portland International Jetport (PWM) is about 5 km from downtown Portland. The Downeaster train links Boston to Portland in roughly two and a half hours, with a stop at Wells near Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. By car, Boston is a little under two hours away.

Suggested arrival point: Portland

Maine · Portland and the coast of Maine Suggested arrival point

Portland

Largest city in Maine, on a peninsula in Casco Bay; not the Portland in Oregon. The Old Port features cobblestone streets and 19th-century brick warehouses, with seafood restaurants along the waterfront. On top of Munjoy Hill stands the Portland Observatory, and downtown houses the Portland Museum of Art. To the south, in Cape Elizabeth, Portland Head Light rises above the rocks. Ferries depart from the pier to the bay’s islands.

Maine · Portland and the coast of Maine

Kennebunkport

A village of former shipyards at the mouth of the Kennebunk River, with 19th-century white captains’ houses. The center, Dock Square, gathers shops, galleries, and restaurants by the river bridge. Ocean Avenue follows the rocky coast to Walker’s Point, the summer home of a family of former presidents, and reaches the fishing harbor of Cape Porpoise. To the east lies the sandy Goose Rocks Beach, and inland is the Seashore Trolley Museum, with streetcars from various cities.

Maine · Portland and the coast of Maine

Ogunquit

Seaside village at the southern tip of Maine that became an artists’ colony in the late 19th century. Ogunquit Beach, with light sand, occupies a stretch of about 2.4 km between the ocean and the Ogunquit River. The Marginal Way, a paved path along the rocky coast, links the town center to Perkins Cove, with lobster fishing boats and a pedestrian drawbridge. The village has a summer theater and a museum of American art.

The local experience

Things to do in Portland and the coast of Maine

Kennebunkport · Maine · Downtown historic district

Dock Square

Kennebunkport’s center, next to the bridge over the Kennebunk River, with 19th-century wooden houses turned into shops, galleries and restaurants, and sightseeing boats on the river.

Portland · Maine · Lighthouse

Portland Head Light

The oldest lighthouse in Maine, first lit in 1791 on the rocks of Cape Elizabeth at the entrance to Casco Bay. It’s located in Fort Williams Park, with seaside paths and a museum in the lighthouse keeper’s house.

Ogunquit · Maine · Trail

Marginal Way

A paved 2 km path over the coastal rocks of Ogunquit, between the center and Perkins Cove, with benches, viewpoints, coves and a small lighthouse along the way.

Ogunquit · Maine · Beach

Ogunquit Beach

Light-sand beach of about 2.4 km in a strip of dunes between the ocean and the Ogunquit River, with the ocean on one side and calm tidal waters on the other.

See 6 more places in Portland and the coast of Maine

Portland · Maine · Historic neighbourhood

Old Port

The old port neighborhood of Portland, with cobblestone streets and brick warehouses rebuilt after the 1866 fire, now home to shops, restaurants and the fishing piers.

Kennebunkport · Maine · Museum

Seashore Trolley Museum

Museum of trolleys and electric buses founded in 1939, with vehicles from dozens of cities and a dedicated line of about 2.4 km for rides on a historic trolley.

Kennebunkport · Maine · Beach

Goose Rocks Beach

A wide beach of fine sand east of Kennebunkport, with shallow water at low tide and rocky islets offshore. It’s calmer than the beaches near the center.

Ogunquit · Maine · Harbour

Perkins Cove Drawbridge

Small fishing harbor of Ogunquit, with lobster boats, fisher cabins turned into shops and restaurants, and a wooden pedestrian drawbridge.

Portland · Maine · Historic tower

Portland Observatory

A wooden signal tower from 1807 on Munjoy Hill, used to warn the port of arriving ships with flags. It is the only surviving tower of this type in the country, with views over Casco Bay.

Portland · Maine · Museum

Portland Museum of Art

The oldest and largest art museum in Maine, in Congress Square, with American and European art and a Winslow Homer collection—he painted the state’s coast.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September, days range from about 20 °C to 27 °C and the sea remains cool, usually between 15 °C and 20 °C. Autumn brings fall foliage, which typically peaks from early to mid-October. Winters bring snow, and much of the seaside village commerce closes for the season.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover Portland and Portland Head Light. With three or four days, you can include a day in Kennebunkport and another in Ogunquit, leaving time for the beach and the Marginal Way.

Which city to stay in

In Portland, the Old Port and downtown put the waterfront, restaurants, and the Portland Museum of Art within walking distance; the West End is more residential and quiet. In Kennebunkport, the area around Dock Square concentrates inns in historic houses; Goose Rocks Beach has lodging near the sand. In Ogunquit, the area between the beach and Perkins Cove makes it possible to do everything on foot in summer. Wells is close to the train station and typically offers lower prices.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Portland and the coast of Maine

How many days should I set aside for Portland and the Maine coast?

Three or four days: two for Portland, covering the Old Port and Portland Head Light, and one or two for the villages of Kennebunkport and Ogunquit to the south.

Do you need a car to explore the Maine coast?

A car makes it much easier to go from one village to another and to reach lighthouses. The Downeaster train links Boston, Wells, and Portland, and the villages have trolleys or local buses in summer, but schedules are limited. In the United States, drive on the right.

Can you take the train from Boston to Portland, Maine?

Yes. The Downeaster departs from North Station in Boston and reaches Portland in about two and a half hours, with stops along the way including Wells. Check schedules before you travel.

What is the best time to go to the Maine coast?

From June to September, when beaches, boats, and lobster restaurants are in full operation. In October, the leaves change color and the villages are quieter.

What time zone is Portland, Maine in?

Eastern Time: UTC−5 in winter and UTC−4 from March to November during daylight saving time.

Portland and the coast of Maine

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip