Just a one-hour flight from New York City, Portland, Maine ticks all the boxes for a perfect NYC summer escape (there’s a reason they call it ‘Vacationland’). A laid-back community of artists and foodies, the coastal city is the perfect destination for those looking for a laid-back vibe while also having access to world-class dining, craft drinks (cocktails, breweries, coffee!), a buzzy nightlife, nature (think oceans, lakes, pine-scented forests), and general New England charm.
Historic New England Charm
Portland is an active port with lobster boats, fishermen, seagulls (a prerequisite for coastal ambiance), and regular ferries that travel to the six gorgeous islands in Casco Bay (where many Mainers live, often year-round even during the brutal winters!). Spend an afternoon exploring the cobblestone streets of The Old Port, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants nestled amongst 19th-century warehouses. Portland also has no shortage of bakeries with top-notch pastries. I love a Holy Donut (a family-run business known for its creative use of potato-based ingredients that create dense but fluffy doughnuts) or a pastry at Standard Baking Co.
Calling All Foodies
On the topic of baked goods and food—second to only San Francisco, Portland has more restaurants per capita than any other city. From fine dining to seaside eats the city has become a hot spot for established and up-and-coming chefs wanting to gain their chops or experiment (proof point: in 2022, Per Se and Eleven Madison Park alums opened Twelve to rave reviews).
First and foremost are the Maine lobsters (aka ‘lobstahs’ per the Mainer accent). Thanks to the cold temperature of the Atlantic Ocean, Maine lobsters are famously delicious (and typically cheaper per pound than most places, especially NYC). For an authentic New England lobster experience, head to the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, where you’ll dine on park benches on the cliff’s edge. Bonus points: there’s a world-famous lighthouse for a great photo op (lobster roll + ocean views + lighthouse = Maine postcard).
For restaurants, there’s the renowned Duck Fat—famous for its Belgian fries topped with locally sourced cheese curd, duck gravy & fresh chives. But if I had to choose just one restaurant to add to this list, it would be Fore Street Restaurant—a spot that truly put Portland on the foodie map (with a James Beard-decorated chef to boot). Fore Street Restaurant provides nothing short of the perfect dining experience: cozy ambiance; an open kitchen, a farm-to-table seasonable menu that’s updated daily; very reasonable prices; and beyond-elevated service. Don’t leave without trying their steamed Mussels, which are buttery, garlic-y, and ocean-salty. Their sister restaurant, Scales, is another to squeeze into the itinerary.
For oysters, you can’t go wrong with The Shop by Island Creek Oyster—a low-key haunt once a mechanics/car shop. They harvest some of the world’s best oysters (I’d happily eat Damariscotta oysters for my last meal on earth). Then there’s the famous Eventide Oyster Co—but good luck getting a reservation for less than 4 people (walking in for a bar seat is your best bet).
Craft Beverages
Throw a stone, and you’ll hit New York City-quality coffee, cocktails, and craft beer. I’d be remiss not to mention The Proper Cup Coffeehouse, which serves coffee fit for an Aussie’s palette (and free Wifi, if you need to W-F-Coffeeshop). I’m not a breweries gal, but I can confirm that Portland has the most breweries per capita than any other city in America (and is home to Allagash Brewing Co). For cocktails: Paper Tiger or Blyth & Burrows won’t disappoint.
Nature
If you’re looking for a proper nature immersion (Central Park and Prospect Park can only take you so far), you’ll want to take a walk or hike in one of Maine’s state parks—such as Mackworth Island. A short drive from Portland’s city center, a walk around Mackworth Island (about 2.5 kilometers from start to finish) is akin to stepping into a pine and ocean-scented candle wonderland. There’s nothing like the smell of ‘clean’ dirt (anyone that lives in NYC will understand the difference between city dirt and clean dirt). Bring your cozzies for a quick dip in the ocean (that really feels like a lake)!
Due to its islands and inlets, Maine has over 3,500 miles of coastline stretching from the Canadian border in the north down to New Hampshire in the south (which is more than California). The temps of the Atlantic Ocean can be chilly (to put it mildly), but Maine is famous for their beautiful beaches that give peak New England vibes. Options near Portland include Scarborough Beach and Old Orchard Beach (which includes a Pier that features cute shops and fast casual spots).
The Airport
A good airport is nothing to scoff at; when one lives in NYC, one learns to appreciate seamless air travel experiences. My experience of the Portland International Jetport—recently named the best airport in North America—has always been speedy check-in processes, short wait times, and courteous airport staff (they always seem jazzed to see an Aussie passport). It’s also only a 15-minute drive from the city center (meaning that the only airport chaos you’ll experience is when you return to reality and land back in NYC!)
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 