The Perfect One Day in Portland, Maine - Travel Itinerary

Much like its West Coast counterpart, Portland, Maine offers up an abundance of outstanding coffee, local breweries, and delicious eateries as well as a plethora of outdoor activities. We had the privilege of visiting Portland, ME in our travels to all 50 states and absolutely fell in love! There’s just something about a historic, New England coastal town that just can’t be beat. Even in our short, one day visit, it was easy to see why people return to this beautiful small city time after time. If you’re a time-crunched traveler like us, then you want to get the most out of your time in a city, so we put together this one day itinerary for what we think is the perfect day in Portland!

⬇️ Watch our “One Day in Portland” video for a closer look at our visit! ⬇️

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⬇️ Book the best Tours, Tickets, & Experiences with GetYouGuide! ⬇️

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⬇️ Looking for the perfect stay in Portland? Check out these properties! ⬇️

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Press Hotel

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Canopy

⭐⭐⭐ Cambria Hotel

⭐⭐⭐ AC Hotel

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Now, let’s get into why you're here... To explore Portland!

8:30am: Breakfast at Holy Donut (we went to the 194 Park Ave location)

Home of the famous Maine Potato Donut, The Holy Donut makes delicious craft donuts with all-natural ingredients. And yes, they actually use potatoes in their donuts! It’s what makes them so moist and delicious!

Other options:

▪️ Tandem Coffee Roasters (742 Congress St)

▪️ Coffee By Design (recommended location: 620 Congress St)

▪️ Bard Coffee (185 Middle St)

▪️ Speckled Ax (567 Congress St)

10:00am: Explore the Working Waterfront and the Old Port

Portland's Working Waterfront and Old Port offer a unique blend of history and vibrant modernity. The working waterfront is bustling with activity, where fishing boats and lobster traps showcase the city's rich maritime heritage. Nearby, the Old Port charms visitors with its cobblestone streets, 19th-century brick buildings, and an array of boutique shops, galleries, and restaurants. Together, they are the lively hub of Portland where you can enjoy fresh seafood, craft breweries, and a picturesque harbor view, making it a quintessential New England experience.

Notable sights:

▪️ Lincoln Park (green space)

▪️ Sea Bags Flagship Store (recycled sails turned into bags)

▪️ Portland Dry Goods (clothing and accessories)

▪️ Portland Trading Co. (clothing and accessories)

▪️ Something's Fishy (gift shop - 32 Exchange St #5020)

▪️ Shipwreck & Cargo (gift shop)

12:30pm: Lunch at Luke’s Lobster (60 Portland Pier)

Famous for, you guessed it… Lobster! But really, you can’t go wrong with anything at Luke's. Seafood doesn’t get much fresher than this! Luke’s has become a worldwide seafood chain/supplier at this point, but its roots are in the northeast, and all of their lobster is sourced right from the coast of Maine!

Other options:

▪️ Becky’s Diner (390 Commercial St)

▪️ The High Roller Lobster Co. (104 Exchange St)

▪️ Duckfat (43 Middle St)

2:00pm: Self Guided Lighthouse Tour

No trip to the New England coast would be complete without checking out some lighthouses, so take some time to head out to any or all 6 of the incredible lighthouses within a short 15-minute drive of the city!

1. Portland Head Light (12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME)

Built in 1791, it is the oldest lighthouse in Maine and was commissioned by George Washington. Standing at 80 feet tall, it marks the entrance to Portland Harbor and has guided mariners for over two centuries.

2. Ram Island Light (view from Portland Head Light)

Built in 1905, the granite tower stands 90 feet tall and was constructed to guide mariners safely past the dangerous ledges near the entrance to Portland Harbor. Automated since 1959, the lighthouse is now maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Though it's not accessible to the public, it can be viewed by boat or from nearby shorelines, such as Fort Williams Park (Portland Head Light).

3. Two Lights State Park (7 Tower Dr, Cape Elizabeth, ME)

This scenic 41-acre coastal park is named after two historic lighthouses, which have been guiding mariners since 1828. The eastern light is an active, automated light station, visible 17 miles at sea while the western light ceased operation in 1924 and is now a private home. Though the lighthouses themselves are not open to the public, visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, including picnic areas, walking trails, and opportunities for birdwatching and photography.

4. Portland Breakwater Light, AKA Bug Light (S Portland Greenbelt Pathway)

Built in 1855, this historic lighthouse is located at the end of the breakwater in Bug Light Park in South Portland, Maine. Designed by Thomas U. Walter, architect of the U.S. Capitol dome, it features a unique Greek Revival style, resembling a small Greek temple.

5. Spring Point Ledge Light (2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME)

Built in 1897, this "sparkplug" style lighthouse was constructed to mark a dangerous ledge in Portland Harbor. The light is situated at the end of a 900-foot breakwater, which visitors can walk along to reach the lighthouse. It stands 54 feet tall and is open for tours during the summer months, offering stunning views of Casco Bay.

5:00pm: Sunset Cruise (times vary based on the time of year you’re visiting)

Is there a better place to watch the sunset over the Portland Skyline and nearby lighthouses than on a lobster boat in Casco Bay with an ice-cold drink in your hand? The answer… No! We booked our sunset cruise with Rocky Bottom Fisheries and can't recommend them enough, but there are a number of companies offering Casco Bay Sunset cruises, so pick the one that's best for you! If you do book with Rocky Bottom, just remember it’s BYOB! If you’re looking for something local, check out Allagash Brewing Company, Austin Street Brewery, or Banded Brewing Co.! And if you’re short on time like we were, you can just swing by a convenience store, because many of them carry local brews! We really enjoyed the Allagash White which is a Belgian-Style Wheat Beer.

Tour providers:

▪️ Rocky Bottom Fisheries (60 Portland Pier… who we used)

▪️ Portland Schooner (56 Commercial Street)

▪️ Lucky Catch Cruises (170 Commercial St)

7:00pm: Seafood Dinner at Portland Lobster Co. (180 Commercial S)

This is THE place to be for an amazing, casual dinner on the water. Voted the “Best Lobster Roll in Portland”, “Best Waterfront Dining in Portland”, “Best Patio/Deck in Portland”, AND “Best Music Venue in Portland”, Portland Lobster Co. has it all and shouldn’t be missed!

Other options:

▪️ J's Oyster (5 Portland Pier)

▪️ DiMillo's On The Water (25 Long Wharf)

▪️ Eventide Oyster Company (86 Middle St)

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And just like that, your one day in Portland, Maine has come to an end. We hope that this blog has helped you plan your visit and make the most of your time in Portland! If you did find it helpful, please consider heading over to our YouTube Channel and subscribing and following us on Instagram for more travel content!

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