Travel Journal | Maine 2-Day 1-Night Essential Trip: Day 2️⃣

On Day 2, we focused our itinerary on downtown Portland—and let me tell you, this city is so convenient! The drive between any two attractions is no more than 15 minutes. 🗼 Lighthouse Hopping: North to South We checked out three lighthouses in a “north-to-south” order, taking a quick tour of each: Portland Head Light: The most famous one, but it’s the only one that charges for parking. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse & Bug Light: Both offer free parking, which is a nice bonus! It was a cloudy, rainy day, so the lighthouses didn’t look as “photo-perfect” as they do on sunny days—but that gray, misty vibe gave them a unique, quiet charm. Sometimes, overcast weather makes scenic spots feel more intimate! 🌧️ 🚂 Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad We took a scenic little train ride that lasted about 40 minutes. The route passes by several of Portland’s famous spots—on a clear day, this must be such a lovely way to see the city! Ticket prices: $16 for coach class, $21 for first class (which includes free drinks and snacks). If you’re traveling with family or love slow, nostalgic rides, it’s worth a try—just cross your fingers for good weather! 🍽️ Becky’s Diner This is a popular local family-style diner. We’d stuffed ourselves with lobster rolls the day before, so we skipped all lobster-related dishes this time. Instead, we tried the fried scallops and clam chowder—both were tasty! The chowder was creamy with plenty of clams, and the scallops were crispy on the outside and tender inside. It’s a no-fuss spot with that cozy, hometown feel. 🦞 ISF Trading We’d heard a lot about this seafood spot, so we stopped by for sashimi and sea urchin. The sashimi and urchin were fresh enough, but the urchin was pretty thin and not as sweet as we hoped. It wasn’t nearly as amazing as the rave reviews on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) made it out to be—honestly, it’s not a must-visit if you’re short on time. 🍩 The Holy Donut As someone who’s tried countless donuts (shoutout to my time in Montreal!), I have to say: their potato flour donuts are actually worth the hype! If you prefer less sweet flavors: Go for the Old Fashioned—it’s mild and not overly sugary. For bold, sweet-savory vibes: Try the Maple Bacon (maple glaze + crispy bacon bits) or Holy Cannoli (filled with cannoli cream)—total flavor bombs! They’re dense but fluffy, with a unique texture thanks to the potato flour—definitely a Portland treat you shouldn’t miss. 🍦 Gorgeous Gelato This place serves authentic Italian gelato, and I highly recommend the blueberry flavor—it’s made with Maine’s famous wild blueberries, so it’s sweet-tart and bursting with berry goodness. It’s rich, creamy, and the perfect pick-me-up on a cool day. 🫐 🛍️ Fore Street This street is lined with tons of Portland’s local specialty shops—most sell handcrafted ceramics and local artworks. It’s way more fun to browse than Commercial Street (the main tourist strip)! You can find unique, one-of-a-kind souvenirs here, which makes it great for picking up gifts or mementos. 🅿️ Pro Tip for Sundays If you’re visiting on a Sunday, try to find street parking! Most public parking lots charge around $20 per day—street parking is way cheaper (or sometimes free, depending on the spot). 🌟 A Happy Detour on the Way Back On our drive home, we stopped to refuel and accidentally wandered into Newport, a tiny town in Vermont. The town has a lakeside park, and the lake water was a beautiful pale blue-gray. There was such a peaceful, quiet energy there—I could’ve sat by the water and daydreamed all day. In that moment, I really felt the meaning of travel: it’s not just about checking off attractions, but also about those unexpected, unplanned moments of beauty. I’m so grateful for those little surprises along the way. #Maine #MaineTravel #PortlandMaine #BostonSurroundings #MontrealSurroundings #TravelSnippets #TravelDiary #MaineTravelGuide