A Short Note on Portland, Maine

I visited Portland for a conference in early October and took the chance to explore this small city. Overall, it’s quite compact—nearly all attractions are within walking distance, which made getting around super convenient. 🚂 Boston-Portland Train: The Downeaster Take the train from Boston’s North Station (⚠️ Don’t mix it up with South Station!)—the ride takes about 3 hours, and there are multiple departures daily. 💡 Portland Head Light Portland’s most famous lighthouse is located in a large park, and admission is free. Note that the park closes after sunset, so don’t arrive too late. The park itself is spacious; after seeing the lighthouse, you can take a leisurely walk around. 🚢 Casco Bay Lines This is a stunning waterfront terminal offering various boat tours. Tickets are very affordable and must be purchased on-site. I took the sunset tour, which lasted around 3 hours—the views were absolutely beautiful. It also seemed like there are many resorts on the nearby islands. 🚒 Fire Truck Tour Portland has several vehicle-based tours, and the fire truck tour I tried was quite fun. The roughly 1-hour tour drives around the city, with commentary on local attractions and the city’s history along the way. 🌳 Western Promenade A small park with incredible views—on clear days, you can even see the White Mountains and take in New England’s autumn scenery. The surrounding neighborhoods are lined with historic buildings, perfect for a casual stroll. 🚂 Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad A short scenic mini-train ride. It travels a small section along the northeastern park, offering views of the waterfront park. However, its route overlaps with the park’s walking trails, so there’s nothing particularly unique to see. If you’re short on time, it’s recommended to skip this. 🔭 Portland Observatory An observation tower that offers guided tours explaining its history. The top of the tower provides fantastic views, allowing you to overlook the entire city. 🏠 Victoria Mansion A classic American mansion museum. The mansion is relatively small, with only two bedrooms, but the first-floor rooms are incredibly elegant. The guides are enthusiastic and share plenty of details about the building’s architecture and history. 🎨 Portland Museum of Art A small but exquisite art museum. Most of its exhibits are related to local culture. The top floor is highly recommended—it features several sets of unique bird sculptures. Don’t miss the free outdoor sculpture garden adjacent to the museum. There are also additional galleries in the nearby Art District. 📖 Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House A history museum and a celebrity former residence—combined tickets are available. The museum is very small, with only 2-3 exhibition halls; the main hall focuses on the history of local music. The residence was the childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a famous American poet. #PortlandMaine #Maine #BostonLife #BostonArea