24 Hours in Portland, Maine

A trip to the east coast has been on my bucket list for so long. The rocky coastline, harbor views, and all the seafood you can eat seemed like the perfect adventure. Add in fall colors (we were a bit early at the end of September) and I'm sold. We planned to spend the majority of our trip in Bar Harbor, Maine but had some time to explore in Portland before and after our flight and you can bet we made the most of our time. If you only have a day or two in Portland I highly suggest checking these stops off your list. 

Disclaimer: We were hosted by Best Western for one night of our stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own

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Where to Stay: ​

We flew into Portland Jetport which is often where you'll find the cheapest flights deals if you're planning to explore Bar Harbor or other areas of Maine. After picking up our rental car we headed to check in at Best Western Merry Manor Inn for our overnight stay. Not only was this an ideal location for exploring both Portland Head Light (see below) and grabbing dinner in Old Port, it was a beautiful property. I loved all the coastal decor touches that were specific to the area. Another favorite part of any Best Western stay is their free, hot breakfast. It is so convenient (and delicious!) and allowed us to fill out bellies and hit the road to head north. 

Where to Eat:

Dimillos on the Water 

We only had one dinner during our time in Portland so I knew we had to make it count and Dimillos did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is an experience as it's located on the water so it felt like dining on a cruise ship and we got to watch the sun set over the harbor. They accept reservations which I highly suggest making in advance as there was a wait even on a Tuesday night when we were there. There is also a large parking lot on site and they will validate your parking fee while you're dining at the restaurant which is just another added perk. We arrived a bit early for our reservation and were able to walk across the street to check out some of the cute shops. The food here was hands down one of my favorite meals of our whole trip. My husband ordered the lobster roll and I had the scallop roll and they were both delicious. They have a large selection of upscale dishes including lots of seafood options as well as fun cocktails and local beers. 

Holy Donuts

​These donuts have certainly earned their claim to fame in Maine for their unique ingredient: fresh Maine potatoes which gives the donuts a delicious moist texture that makes them melt in your mouth. Their original location on Park Street is counter service where you can choose from a wall of unique flavors as well as Wicked Joe's coffee. Be sure to get there early as they close once they sell out. Thankfully I was able to walk right in when we stopped but I've also heard of people having to wait in long lines. I tried the triple berry and caramel apple (both were huge) and so yummy. Don't forget to snap a photo of your sweet treat with the donut mural on the wall of the shop. 

Where to Drink:

Shipyard Brewing

We love visiting local breweries on our travels and this was a great stop after our dinner at Dimillos. Their taproom is located in Old Port and features a rotating lineup of core and seasonal beers (including their signature Pumpkinhead in the fall) and they also feature unique pilot brews that have not yet hit the market. I tried the melon ale which had a great watermelon flavor. Their is also a store within the taproom if you find a beer you love and want to take some home with you.

Allagash Brewing Company 

​This taproom is an absolute dream and was one of my favorite stops from all of our time in Maine. They have a great outdoor space with games, lots of seating areas, and the Bite of Maine food truck if you want to pair your beer with a signature lobster roll. The staff was super helpful with suggesting different beers and I ended up drinking From Maine, With Love #7 which was a pale ale with lemon and sea salt. And of course let's not forget this adorable photo op with the From Maine, With Love sign! Allagash is also located within walking distance to a few other breweries if you wanted to do a mini brew tour. 

What to See: 

Portland Head Light

Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state so I've definitely seen quite a few while exploring at home, but I knew I couldn't leave Maine without checking Portland Head Light off my list. This was actually our very first stop after landing in Maine and it was exactly what I pictured the east coast to look like. 

The park has free admission from sunrise to sunset but you will have to pay for parking by the hour. There is a museum available for small fee and gift shop on site with limited hours. There are also a few different food trucks to enjoy. Be sure to head to the right of the lighthouse and follow the path for a gate to access the rocky shoreline which you can easily walk out on.