The Portland center is around the area of Children's Museum of Maine and the area of Portland Museum of Art.
While temperatures can reach 90 degrees during the summer months, the average high temperature is between 69 and 78 degrees. Winter is equally diverse with lows averaging 13 to 25 degrees.
Portland receives over 200 days a year of sunshine, but the city also experiences over 130 days of precipitation, averaging 43 inches per year of rain and 72 inches per year of snowfall.
What you want to do on your vacation determines the best time of year to visit Portland. Snow enthusiasts want access to skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling while water enthusiasts want warmer temperature for boating, sailing, fishing, cruises, and hiking.
Portland's busy season runs from mid-June to October. With perfect weather, the days are ideal for adventures and sightseeing, and the nights are comfortable with mild temperatures. Travelers can expect higher rates and crowds during these months. Due to an influx of visitors, book by March or April for summer vacations or business travel.
The most economical travel time is the spring and winter slow months of November and January to April. Prices are generally lower and there are fewer visitors.
Discounts and package deals are available during the shoulder season that runs from May to mid-June and throughout the month of December. Overall, traffic is moderate and heaviest on weekends, even in the wintertime.
The Fireside Inn & Suites is warm and inviting. In each room, guests are surrounded by soft colors and natural sunlight, plush bedding, comfortable furniture, and either a fireplace or Jacuzzi. Rooms are smoke free and pet-friendly, too. Hotel amenities address guest needs with a heated indoor and outdoor pool, garden courtyard, health spa, full-service lounge, and breakfast and dinner at Zackery's Fireside Restaurant. Guests enjoy complimentary afternoon coffee, free parking, and a courtesy airport shuttle. Groups requesting banquet facilities for meetings and special events can expect excellent service at a great price as the hotel has a group friendly rating of 10.0/10 and group savings averaging 20.9 percent.
Stately and stylish, the Embassy Suites Portland takes convenience to another level with a location within walking distance of Portland International Jetport. This all-suite hotel offers two-room suites with a living room, bedroom, and sofa bed. For guest comfort and entertainment, suites feature free Wi-Fi, refrigerators, microwaves, and two flat-screen TVs so everyone can watch their favorite programs. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is available each morning, and for lunch and dinner, stop by the Café Stroudwater. Business and event groups have access to meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment, and full-service catering. Groups rate the hotel a 10.0/10 and report an average savings of 21 percent.
Staying at the Doubletree by Hilton means double the comfort and amenities. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a freshly baked treat, sending the message that guest satisfaction is a priority. Amenities are the highlight of any stay, and the Doubletree won't let you down. Enjoy shopping at The Maine Mall and area restaurants all within walking distance. A heated pool will relax you, and the fully equipped fitness center removes tension. The hotel is only two miles from the jetport and offers complimentary shuttle service. To please the palate, The Blue Wave Grille provides a diverse menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Clarion Portland Hotel combines location, convenience, and comfort. Just a short distance from Portland International Jetport and the downtown district, guests have the convenience of all the city has to offer just minutes away. On the comfort level, guest rooms maintain a level of polished decor and attention to detail. Guests enjoy several complimentary amenities including on-site parking, access to an equipped business center, Wi-Fi, heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and fitness center, and pets stay free without a fee. Dine on delectable creations at Pete and Larry's Restaurant for breakfast or dinner, order room service, or try one of the nearby downtown eateries.
Spending the day in the lush forest landscape exploring the hiking and back-country trails of a state park is one activity that's sure to please. Portland has three nearby parks to tempt your walking shoes. At Grafton Notch State Park, less than two hours from Portland, enjoy an adventure with activities that range from birdwatching to cross-country skiing among the Mahoosuc Range. Have a picnic at Two Lights State Park and enjoy 41 acres of panoramic views of Casco Bay and the Atlantic. Just 30 minutes away, the 200-acre Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park offers up close observation of many bird species during a guided nature walk.
Some points of interest to include in your exploration are the historic nineteenth century Victoria Mansion with the original interior and furnishings, Portland Head Light Museum at Fort Williams Park, and the Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow House with its exquisite collection of vintage objects, memorabilia, and formal gardens.
A fun outing is a cruise across Casco Bay to the surrounding islands, or a visit to Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum for vintage exhibits, tours, and a waterfront train ride.
Start or end the day with a stroll along the Old Port district in downtown Portland along the waterfront. Visit a local cafe for coffee, stop in at a friendly pub, see gallery exhibits, shop at specialty boutiques, or just enjoy the walk along brick-paved streets while you soak up the ambiance, architecture, and history emanating from the many brick walls.
Any time of year is a good time to visit Portland. With its scenic backdrop along the bay and a bevy of activities, visitors have a nearly endless choice of indoor and outdoor activities.
Portland has a variety of hotels that are reasonably priced and conveniently located near the jetport and downtown district to fit the needs of business and leisure travelers. No matter what your choice in accommodations, guests can expect friendly service, attention to detail, and the best available amenities and features to make your stay in Portland one you'll want to repeat.
Below are reviews of the city of Portland, ME from an actual visitor's perspective.
Fun city! Great food and breweries!
Portland is a beautiful, manageable city with many choices of restaurants and bars. We love it!
Nice area to walk around!
I like the working class vibe of Portland.
What can be better than the ocean?
We've stayed in Portland several times and just enjoy the shops and the restaurants.
Crescent Beach
Portland has SO many dining options! Based on reviews read, we chose Shay's Grill Pub. Located right on Monument Square, we could quickly see why it is so popular. One might have to wait for a table, but it is well worth it. Speaking of waiting for a table, Becky's Diner is a must-visit despite the likely required wait time. YUM!
The large variety of restaurants.
Sports and theater events!
Great old port city with history and great restaurants!
The atmosphere and the food! Portland is a very nice place to visit
The staff was friendly and The room was clean and comfortable. Loved the city, Thompsons Point is a great venue.
We stop on the way to and from NJ to eat at Kon Asian Bistro Chinese Japanese Sushi at 1140 Brighton Ave. We are never disappointed. Servings are generous, food is delicious, wines are good as are the prices. Excellent food!
We ate at Boones, the Porthole an Irish Pub and restaurant, Becky's and The Chocolate Bar. All food at each restaurant was fabulous.
Lots of fun shopping, great restaurants; very walkable!
The variety of restaurants was amazing. We attended a graduation, it was easy to walk to the arena.
The variety of restaurants was amazing. We attended a graduation and it was easy to walk to the arena.
We went to the Cross Insurance Arena and had a great time! The view of the Bay was awesome!
Love the Old Port, the bars and restaurants there.
Portland is the city I grew up in. We came to visit and shop. Enjoyed our stay.
The mall!
The hotel is near the airport.
Good restaurants and shopping. Art Museum deserves a visit!
We love Portland! Friendly people and great restaurants.
The rooms were very clean and comfy. Walking distance to and from the hotel!
Fantastic food and unique shops!
Great small city and food, art, sites!
Walkable downtown area. Variety of activities
Fun walking city. Great food places. Beautiful water views. Lots to do.
Great restaurants, wonderful bike and walking paths.
Everything was more than I expected. The atmosphere of the hotel made me feel like I was being cared for by them while my husband was in the Maine Medical Center. I will definitely stay at this hotel again! Thank you all!
Everyone in town was so friendly. Always felt safe walking streets even at night. Food in Portland is to die for!
Portland is known for its superb restaurant scene. The Old Port area is great for walking around and shopping as well.
It's near the hospital and had a shuttle van running the morning I needed it. I appreciate that.
Very nice!
I have been to Portland many times. I love the Portland Head Light, all the great food, and just walking around the waterfront area.
The hotel was near the hospital.
Walking distance to everything!!!
The old port is the place to be if you are staying. The restaurants are ALL good, not a chain in site! I am from Maine so I know what I'm talking about:-)
It's a beautiful city.
It's a beautiful city.
The State Theater was a good venue to see a show. Staff was very friendly.
The State Theatre was a good venue to see a show. The hotel has very friendly staff.
The State Theatre was a good venue to see a show. The hotel staff was very friendly.
There are a lot of nearby restaurants to choose from.
Most of the staff tried hard to be pleasant and helpful including housekeeping.
Portland has everything . Ocean. Great places to eat and shop
I love Portland, best city around.
We didn't see much of Portland, but we did go the Willard Beach & the mall. Both were great stops. If you go to Willard, make sure you bring an umbrella of some kind as there are very few shaded areas.
The Duck tour was great and the shops on Commercial street were great. Victorian Mansion was extremely uncooperative.