Portland, ME, Guide and Information

Start the day with breakfast at Becky’s Diner, a waterfront institution. Aim for an outdoor table with a harbor view. Keep with the theme by ordering a lobster and Swiss omelet or indulge in another Maine favorite, blueberry pancakes—do splurge on the real maple syrup.

Among hardcore hikers, there is quite a bit of fanfare about achieving a 4,000-footer. But while there’s a certain sense of victory that comes from summiting a high mountain peak, there’s something to be said about short, sweet day hikes. And good news for visitors: Maine is filled with trails. Make time during your trip to the Pine Tree State to embark on one of these five scenic day hikes, all located conveniently near Portland.

The waterfront still reflects Portland's long maritime history, and the Victorian homes and tenement houses are a testament to the men and women — the wealthy and the working class — who made this city.

Built between 1858 and 1860, Victoria Mansion is a Victorian-era Italianate home built by Ruggles Sylvester Morse as a summer residence. Surviving changes in ownership and plans for the home to be demolished in 1940, the Mansion remains remarkably intact, along with over ninety percent of its original interiors. Victoria Mansion is open daily May through October and the Christmas season. Check www.victoriamansion.org for hours and season info. Eat and drink nearby: Consider an early dinner reservation at Tempo Dulu located just a short stroll down Danforth St.

There’s several of them, actually! The climbable coastal rocks, the sandy beaches and cool breezes, the woods filled with hiking trails and the overall perfection that is a Maine summer.