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 the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Portland, ME excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Cumberland / Sagadahoc
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | October 31, 2026 | $199.00 | $80.00 |
| November 1, 2026 | May 31, 2027 | $114.00 | $80.00 |
| June 1, 2027 | August 31, 2027 | $211.00 | $80.00 |
| September 1, 2027 | September 30, 2027 | $199.00 | $80.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Portland, ME from an actual visitor's perspective.
Portland has many fine restaurants, concert venues, sporting events, theaters and museums.
The museum, the waterfront restaurants, the lighthouse.
Portland is larger than I expected but the harbor is fabulous.
Gorgeous walkable city!!
Everything is so close by. Tons of places to eat. Downtown is fun. Laid back. Great people!!
The cobblestone streets, bookshops and architecture. A great walkable city.
Nice
Thrift shops, antique shops etc-
Lots of history and fun excursions. Great food and bars!
Maine Historical society and Brown Library were the purpose of my trip and they didn't disappoint.
The sites, the shopping, the dining experiences cannot be beat.
Restaurants.. atmosphere.. people
The restaurants and shopping malls!
everything in walking distance, restaurents the best,great night life.
Plenty to do, eat, and see in Portland in any season.
Plenty to do, eat, and see in Portland in any season.
Plenty to do, eat, and see in Portland in any season.
Plenty to do, eat, and see in Portland in any season.
Plenty to do, eat, and see in Portland in any season.
The history, the amazing restaurants and its walkability. Love love Portland. The hotal is in a great location.
Food
Spent 5 days visiting my husband at Maine Medical center.
Enjoyed that people were out late at night walking the waterfront area...felt very safe.
Jeff and I grew up in Maine and love coming back to the Old port! Dinner at Fore Street was 10+! The live music in the hotel lobby was wonderful.
Location of hotel is perfect. Great views and excellent shops and restaurants close by.
DiMillos, Holy Donut, hike around Back Cove.
Portland has many wonderful areas to explore & each one not far apart!
Food
Food, vibe, and bars.
The Salt Water Grille in South Portland served an incredible meal, and had outstanding views of the city lit up at night. Highly recommend it!
The multitude of shops and restaurants! The Merrill Auditorium! The overall inclusivity!
Portland Symphony orchestra Magic of Christmas. Scales restaurant. Forage bagel shop.
Old Port was shopping and a lot of fun.
Friendly people.
I love Portland.
We went to the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. The trolls were amazing.
Love Portland! Always have
The seafood and the coast!
Everything!
People and food are amazing. Love the small town feel!
Stacks Pancakes and Dunkin are walking distance from the hotel. So many spots in Portland to see the water and relax. Lots to do. Downtown Portland is great for souvenir shopping and eating by the water.
Nice city to visit overall
Only there for Unity Environmental University graduation but clean town.
It was very easy to get to Mercy from the hotel
It's a very welcoming, family friendly and plenty to do!
Lots of places to eat!
Back and forth to bus station via shuttle- all good.
Via Vecchia Restaurant!
We stayed only overnight before our morning flight out.
It was not congested. There was something for everyone and it took very little time to get around.
I live on Peaks Island. I love Portland and all the upscale restaurants. My stay this time was for medical reasons. The proximity of the hotel to Maine Medical Center was perfect.
Great city. Very walkable with nice shops, restaurants and museums!
Fun bar scene!
The Diner across the street GREAT!
Restaurants, scenery, shopping and walkability!
It is a fun place to explore.
Easy walk and very comfortable place.
My daughter lives there and they have the best parks in the country!
My mom was in Maine Medical.
Portland rocks!
Food scene and unique shopping
Portland was beautiful with great oceanfront views, interesting shops and great food.
Great dining and bowling!
We live an hour away. Flew out on an early flight.
Great walking in a friendly city!
Great walking in a friendly city!
The front desk staff are the nicest people. They are always positive and as cliche as it may seem, they make you feel like family!
Good Restaurants
Good Food!
It was a bustling city but not too big, really enjoyed the diversity and all the different types of restaurants. Everything we were interested in was in walking distance.
It was a bustling city but not too big, really enjoyed the diversity and all the different types of restaurants. Everything we were interested in was in walking distance.
Exciting!
Visit Portland often. Love many things about it.
I'm from mid-coast there are a lot more to see and places to explore here in the city.