My Portland, Maine weekend: lighthouse mornings, donuts and lobster rolls in the Old Port, a ferry ride on Casco Bay, and a brewery crawl on Industrial Way. These are the spots I send every friend heading up the Maine coast.
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I always drive out to Portland Head Light first, because watching waves crash below Maine's most famous lighthouse never gets old.
Portland Head light Cliff Walk
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I picnic on the cliffs at Fort Williams Park and poke around the old fort ruins after visiting the lighthouse.
Fort Williams Park
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I watch the sunrise over Casco Bay from the Eastern Prom's hillside, then walk down to the little beach at the bottom.
Eastern Promenade
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Climbing the 1807 Portland Observatory gets me the best 360-degree view of the harbor and islands.
Portland Observatory
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The Portland Museum of Art is where I go for Winslow Homer's Maine coast paintings and a rainy-day wander.
Portland Museum of Art
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Victoria Mansion's over-the-top 1860 interiors are the most jaw-dropping house tour I've done in New England.
Victoria Mansion
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I tour Longfellow's childhood home and then sit in its quiet garden right off busy Congress Street.
Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House
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I hop a Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks Island for a cheap harbor cruise and a bike loop around the island.
Casco Bay Lines
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Harbor Fish Market on the wharf is where I pick up live lobsters and watch the fishmongers work.
Harbor Fish Market
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Duckfat's Belgian fries cooked in duck fat, with a milkshake on the side, are my non-negotiable Portland lunch.
Duckfat
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Eventide's brown butter lobster roll on a steamed bun and its raw bar of Maine oysters are why I keep coming back.
Eventide Oyster Co.
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When Eventide's line is long, I walk next door to The Honey Paw for spicy noodles and a cold cocktail.
The Honey Paw
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I grab a dark chocolate sea salt potato donut at The Holy Donut before I do anything else in the Old Port.
The Holy Donut
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Standard Baking's morning buns and crusty baguettes are my breakfast with a view of the ferry terminal.
Standard Baking Co
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Fore Street's wood-fired hearth and seasonal Maine menu make it my splurge dinner, and I grab a bar seat early.
Fore Street Restaurant
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I share small plates at Central Provisions in its old brick counting house, ideally from a seat at the bar.
Central Provisions
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Mr. Tuna's hand rolls and sushi are my quick, excellent lunch when I want a break from lobster.
Mr. Tuna
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Highroller's lobster on a stick and lobster grilled cheese are the fun, messy side of Portland lobster for me.
The Highroller Lobster Co.
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J's Oyster is my old-school harborside dive for a dozen oysters and a cold beer at the oval bar.
Findmeglutenfree
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Street & Co. on cobblestone Wharf Street is my pick for big copper pans of mussels and linguine with clams.
Street & Co
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Becky's opens before dawn for the fishermen, and I join them for blueberry pancakes and a haddock sandwich.
Becky's Diner
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Portland Hunt + Alpine Club is my favorite cocktail bar in town, with Scandinavian snacks and perfect drinks.
Hunt & Alpine
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Hot Suppa's fried chicken and biscuits and corned beef hash are the Southern-comfort brunch I wait in line for.
Hot Suppa
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Tandem's converted gas station is my morning spot for a pour-over and a slice of whatever pie or biscuit is out.
Tandem Coffee and Bakery
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Coffee By Design is the local roaster I stop at on India Street before walking up to Munjoy Hill.
Coffee By Design
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I do the free tasting at Allagash, where Allagash White and their sour barrel beers taste best at the source.
Allagash Brewing Company
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Foundation is my second stop on Industrial Way for hazy farmhouse ales in a laid-back taproom.
Foundation Brewing Company
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Bissell Brothers at Thompson's Point is where I get a pint of Substance and catch a show in summer.
Bissell Brothers
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Rising Tide in East Bayside is my sunny-afternoon brewery with food trucks parked right outside.
Rising Tide Brewing Company
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Oxbow's East Bayside tasting room is where I sip farmhouse ales and grab wood-fired pizza next door.
Oxbow Brewing Company - Portland (Blending & Bottling)
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I walk the 3.5-mile Back Cove Trail loop for wide skyline views across the water, especially at sunset.
Preble St & Back Cove Trail
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I cross the bridge to Bug Light Park in South Portland for a tiny lighthouse, kite flying, and harbor views.
