Guidebook for South Portland and Area
Essentials
Groceries, pharmacy and alcohol. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
280 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest Ave Groceries, pharmacy and alcohol. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
Groceries and alcohol. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
38 locals recommend
Shaw's
180 Waterman DrGroceries and alcohol. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
Pharmacy with a little bit of everything. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
29 locals recommend
CVS
51 Market StPharmacy with a little bit of everything. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
Big fans of Joe's! A little bit of everything without Whole Foods pricing. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
148 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
87 Marginal WayBig fans of Joe's! A little bit of everything without Whole Foods pricing. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
Another favorite place of ours and 2 minutes away from Trader Joe's. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
151 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
2 Somerset StAnother favorite place of ours and 2 minutes away from Trader Joe's. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
They cannot be beat for the variety or the freshness. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
40 locals recommend
Harbor Fish Market
9 Custom House WharfThey cannot be beat for the variety or the freshness. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
Old school Italian market with an incredible selection of everything Italian. Sicilian slabs to go as well as a variety of frozen & some fresh food options (local breads, cold cuts, cheeses, olives) and wine. This is a local icon in the city of Portland with free off street parking while you shop. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
41 locals recommend
Micucci Grocery Store
45 India StOld school Italian market with an incredible selection of everything Italian. Sicilian slabs to go as well as a variety of frozen & some fresh food options (local breads, cold cuts, cheeses, olives) and wine. This is a local icon in the city of Portland with free off street parking while you shop. Maine has reinstated a ban on plastic bags so when you do your grocery or any retail shopping you will be charged 5 cents per bag. We have a few reusable bags in the back room on the shelf for you to use during your stay.
Veranda Asian Market
695 Forest AveA little bit of everything here.....plus meal options.
Local market for those incidentals and meal options too. Knightville area and a 20 minute walk or short drive.
Barber Brothers Meat & Provisions
Local market for those incidentals and meal options too. Knightville area and a 20 minute walk or short drive.
Sightseeing
Breathtaking location. Picnic tables, small beach, and the perfect place to linger for a few hours. There are a food vendors located throughout. Pay for parking has been recently added and it's well worth it.
346 locals recommend
Portland Harbor Museum
12 Captain Strout CircleBreathtaking location. Picnic tables, small beach, and the perfect place to linger for a few hours. There are a food vendors located throughout. Pay for parking has been recently added and it's well worth it.
Go here. Smaller beach, honor system fee to park, and away from the crowds. Though do get here on the earlier end of the day when it is a warm beach day.
44 locals recommend
Kettle Cove
Kettle Cove RoadGo here. Smaller beach, honor system fee to park, and away from the crowds. Though do get here on the earlier end of the day when it is a warm beach day.
State controlled fee (at the gate) beach that is perfect for family gatherings or just to bring the kids. Bathroom and changing facilities along with showers.
23 locals recommend
Crescent Beach
24 Gold Ribbon DrState controlled fee (at the gate) beach that is perfect for family gatherings or just to bring the kids. Bathroom and changing facilities along with showers.
Perfect place to spend a few hours on the trails. Pack that fishing rod too if the striped bass or mackerel are running. There are several small beaches located around the island. Do check out the pet cemetery that Governor Baxter built for his beloved pets. This is one of those slightly out of the way gems.
130 locals recommend
Mackworth Island State Park
U.S. 1Perfect place to spend a few hours on the trails. Pack that fishing rod too if the striped bass or mackerel are running. There are several small beaches located around the island. Do check out the pet cemetery that Governor Baxter built for his beloved pets. This is one of those slightly out of the way gems.
Picturesque setting and very close to York Beach. Restaurants and shops nearby.
91 locals recommend
Nubble Lighthouse
Sohier Park RoadPicturesque setting and very close to York Beach. Restaurants and shops nearby.
Built in 1807, it is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States. Using both a telescope and signal flags, two-way communication between ship and shore was possible several hours before an incoming vessel reached the docks. The tower was designated a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2006.
132 locals recommend
Portland Observatory
138 Congress StBuilt in 1807, it is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States. Using both a telescope and signal flags, two-way communication between ship and shore was possible several hours before an incoming vessel reached the docks. The tower was designated a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2006.
A great way to take a scenic tour of the local area, beaches, and lighthouses. They are located about a 10 minute drive or 25 minute walk from our house.
Lighthouse Bikes
72 Ocean StA great way to take a scenic tour of the local area, beaches, and lighthouses. They are located about a 10 minute drive or 25 minute walk from our house.
Getting Around
Amtrak
100 Thompsons PointAbout 10 minute drive from the house.
Ideal way to see the Casco Bay Islands.Travel over to Peaks Island (restaurant and dining options) or take the mail-boat cruise to see all of the islands.
140 locals recommend
Casco Bay Lines station
Ideal way to see the Casco Bay Islands.Travel over to Peaks Island (restaurant and dining options) or take the mail-boat cruise to see all of the islands.
Parks & Nature
Not too far from the house if you are walking and a very short drive with bathroom facilities. Scratch Bakery and Willard Scoops are both nearby.
135 locals recommend
Willard Beach
Not too far from the house if you are walking and a very short drive with bathroom facilities. Scratch Bakery and Willard Scoops are both nearby.
A really special beach. Parking is super tight so get there a little early and use the pay for parking lot. If you're there at low tide do look for the ship wreck on the north end of the beach.
115 locals recommend
Higgins Beach
A really special beach. Parking is super tight so get there a little early and use the pay for parking lot. If you're there at low tide do look for the ship wreck on the north end of the beach.
Picturesque location and worth checking out. A 15 minute walk from the house along the Greenbelt Walkway or on Broadway.
105 locals recommend
Bug Light Park
Picturesque location and worth checking out. A 15 minute walk from the house along the Greenbelt Walkway or on Broadway.
Historic caisson-style lighthouse constructed on a rocky breakwater in 1897 that is occasionally open for tours. A short 15 minute walk along the Greenbelt Walkway close to SMCC.
45 locals recommend
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
2 Fort RdHistoric caisson-style lighthouse constructed on a rocky breakwater in 1897 that is occasionally open for tours. A short 15 minute walk along the Greenbelt Walkway close to SMCC.
Maine Audubon
20 Gilsland Farm RdTrails, events, and a short drive from the house.
Arts & Culture
Bug Light/Spring Point area with views of the Casco Bay Islands and Portland. Check online for their hours.
6 locals recommend
South Portland Historical Society Museum
Bug Light/Spring Point area with views of the Casco Bay Islands and Portland. Check online for their hours.
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress SqEntertainment & Activities
Perfect way to see the local area and maybe even a sunset cruise.
31 locals recommend
Portland Schooner Co.
Maine State PierPerfect way to see the local area and maybe even a sunset cruise.
Cruises gives passengers tours on Casco Bay in Portland, Maine. Each lobster tour lasts 80-90 minutes. Everyone gets to be a lobsterman. Some of our summer 2021 guests have tried this tour and highly recommended it.
40 locals recommend
Lucky Catch Cruises
170 Commercial StCruises gives passengers tours on Casco Bay in Portland, Maine. Each lobster tour lasts 80-90 minutes. Everyone gets to be a lobsterman. Some of our summer 2021 guests have tried this tour and highly recommended it.
Use their website to reserve a variety of boat options. Travel from Brandy Pond to Long Lake or to Sebago Lake. Great option for 4 hours or the whole day.
9 locals recommend
Moose Landing Marina
32 Moose Landing TrailUse their website to reserve a variety of boat options. Travel from Brandy Pond to Long Lake or to Sebago Lake. Great option for 4 hours or the whole day.
Songo River Queen II
841 Roosevelt TrailA wonderful way to see the Lakes region.
Drinks & Nightlife
Panoramic view of the city and surrounding area. Enjoy drinks and the bar menu.
68 locals recommend
Top of the East
157 High StPanoramic view of the city and surrounding area. Enjoy drinks and the bar menu.
Bissell Brothers
38 Resurgam PlBeer
Allagash Brewing Company
50 Industrial WayWinner of James Beard Awards.
South Portland Beer and less than a 10 minute drive from the house.
23 locals recommend
Fore River Brewing Company
45 Huntress AveSouth Portland Beer and less than a 10 minute drive from the house.
Voted Best Beer Bar in New England by USA Today readers. Taproom & beer garden hidden off the street with a rotating, international list of drafts & bottles.
85 locals recommend
Novare Res Bier Cafe
4 Canal PlazaVoted Best Beer Bar in New England by USA Today readers. Taproom & beer garden hidden off the street with a rotating, international list of drafts & bottles.
This is the place to go when you need a change from beer to another adult beverage.
51 locals recommend
Maine Craft Distilling
123 Washington AveThis is the place to go when you need a change from beer to another adult beverage.