【New England in Summer ⭐】Beautiful Maine – Portland Head Light

When you visit Maine, make sure to stop in Portland! Admire the deep blue coast and snow-white Portland Head Light, soak up the historical atmosphere of the Age of Sail ⛵, and savor delicious Maine oysters 🦪 and lobsters 🦞—it’s a coastal delight you won’t forget! Portland is Maine’s largest city and a top travel spot for Americans. Many tourists heading to Acadia National Park pause here for a break. As a historic port city, its convenient location has made it a key Atlantic hub for shipping, fishing, and exports. Unlike many former industrial cities in the Eastern U.S., Portland successfully reinvented itself: shipbuilding and fishing are now part of its past, but tourists have replaced factory workers. Its clean, charming Old Port, picture-perfect brick streets, unique maritime activities, and stunning coastlines with lighthouses draw visitors from all over the country. On sunny days, glance out at the water—countless private yachts dock at the harbor, while sailboats and ferries carrying tourists glide back and forth. It’s like a modern echo of the 18th century, when merchant ships filled the port in a bustling display of maritime trade. No trip to Maine is complete without seeing its lighthouses—and Portland’s most iconic one is Portland Head Light. This elegant lighthouse, built in 1791 under George Washington’s orders, is Maine’s oldest. Another local favorite is Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, affectionately nicknamed “Bug Light” for its small, cute size. Don’t let its diminutive appearance fool you: it was designed by Thomas U. Walter, the same architect behind the U.S. Capitol and Philadelphia City Hall. The lighthouse is packed with details: the breakwater forms a graceful curve, Corinthian columns support the tower, and the top features black-and-white decorative bands—like a tiny crown and skirt, adding a whimsical touch 🗼. Portland is also a city of naval heroes. The heavy cruiser USS Portland CA-33 is one of the most decorated ships in U.S. Navy history; its main mast, conning tower, and ship’s bell are preserved in Fort Allen Park. During World War II, the South Portland Shipyard built 274 emergency cargo ships (dubbed “Liberty Ships” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt), providing crucial support to the European front 🚢. How to Get to Portland 🚃 Amtrak Downeaster: Departs from Boston North Station, 2-hour ride. 🚌 Concord Coach: Departs from Boston South Station; combined tickets available on Amtrak’s website. 🛬 Portland International Jetport: 15 minutes from downtown, near Maine Mall (great for post-travel shopping!). How to Get to the Lighthouses 🚴 Highly Recommended: Cycling: Take the S Portland Greenbelt Pathway—scenic and eco-friendly! P.S. A common mix-up: There’s a more famous “Portland” (home to the NBA’s Trail Blazers) on the U.S. West Coast (in Oregon)—and it was actually named after Portland, Maine! #Maine #Portland #Lighthouses #AmericanHistory #NewEngland #AgeOfSail #StudyAbroadTravel