Day Trip from Boston to Portland, Maine 🌊

📍 From Boston | Recommended 1-Day Light Travel Route for Portland, Maine 🛣️🌊🦞 Escape the city buzz this summer with a trip to this charming New England harbor town! 👣 Route Overview Boston (by car) 🚗 – ~2-hour drive (112mi/180km) – Portland, Maine 🕘 Suggested Departure Time: Leave between 7:30–8:00 AM for a perfectly paced day 📅 Ideal For: Weekends, getaways (girl’s trips), couples’ photo outings, and boutique food stops 🍩 Stop 1: The Holy Donut (Potato Donuts) ⏰ Recommended Arrival: 10:00 AM 📍 Address: 177 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101 👉 Must-Try Flavors: Beet, Maple Cinnamon, Sea Salt Chocolate 🌟 Specialty: These donuts are made with mashed potatoes, giving them a chewy, moist texture that’s not overly sweet! Perfect for a sweet morning pick-me-up—grab a box to share (or keep all to yourself, no judgment 😋). 🏙️ Stop 2: Old Port District – Stroll & Photo Ops 📍 Location: Commercial Street, Portland, ME 👉 This is Portland’s most charming waterfront neighborhood—think red-brick streets, colorful fishing boats bobbing in the harbor, and quiet nooks that feel like a step back in time. It’s equal parts cozy and picturesque, with local boutiques and cafes dotted along the way. 📸 Photo Tips: The harbor with boats in the background, corner flower shops bursting with blooms, and weathered brick walls make for stunning, Instagram-worthy shots. Take your time wandering—you’ll stumble on hidden gems around every corner 📷! 🦞 Stop 3: Eventide Oyster Co. – Oysters & Lobster Rolls ⏰ Suggested Time: 12:30–1:30 PM (lunch rush!) 📍 Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101 🌟 This spot serves oysters you can’t find in Boston—and their lobster rolls are tiny but explosive in flavor! The lobster meat is sweet, fresh, and piled into a buttery bun, with just the right amount of seasoning. 💡 Pro Tip: Wait times can get long (it’s a local favorite!), so arrive early (right when they open at 11 AM) or try to make a reservation ahead of time. Trust us—this meal is worth the wait 🦪! 🛍️ Stop 4: Portland Head Light – Lighthouse Visit & Picnic ⏰ Recommended Arrival: Around 3:00 PM 📍 Address: 12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 👉 One of New England’s most iconic lighthouses! Perched on rocky cliffs with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, it’s a postcard-perfect spot. The surrounding park has lush lawns, coastal paths, and sweeping ocean views—ideal for a lazy picnic. 📸 Grab a picnic mat, pack snacks from earlier (or grab a coffee to go), and spend an hour or two soaking up the sea breeze. The light at golden hour (late afternoon) makes the lighthouse glow—don’t miss that photo opportunity 🌅! ☕ Stop 5: Tandem Coffee Roasters – Coffee Break ⏰ Suggested Time: 4:30 PM 📍 Address: 742 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102 🌟 This quirky coffee shop is housed in a renovated old gas station—its industrial-chic exterior and cozy interior make it a great spot to unwind before the drive back. The coffee is rich and well-brewed, with a rotating menu of seasonal drinks. 📝 Recommendation: Try their iced latte paired with a cinnamon roll—sweet, warm, and the perfect way to recharge before hitting the road. Sit outside if the weather’s nice and savor the last bits of your Portland day ☕. Just one thing I’ll say: Thank you, AI, for saving me the trouble of looking up all these addresses! #travel