Travel with Terri
Nautical Sights and Culinary Delights
By Terri Farris
Photos by Gregory Holder
The bay is dotted with sailboats and ferries, lighthouses stand proudly on the shore, an abundance of lobster, shrimp and clam chowder populate the menus of local restaurants and historical buildings are given new life – this is Portland, Maine.
Maine is a geographically diverse state with mountains, lakes, rocky beaches and stunning coastal views. Portland is situated on a peninsula that juts into the Casco Bay and getting out into the bay is an excellent way to begin any Maine experience. Options for exploration by water include ferries, tour boats, sailboats and kayaks.
Casco Bay is filled with islands. In 1700, Colonel Wolfgang William Romer, an English military engineer, reportedly said “there are as many islands as there are days in the year”, resulting in the popular myth that there are 365 islands. Due to this myth, the islands are often referred to as the Calendar Islands.
The Casco Bay Line ferries transports visitors and residents to the islands. For your adventure, you can opt to visit a specific island or go along with the postman on the daily Mail Run Boats which deliver mail to the residents on all of the islands. www.cascobaylines.com
Offering the “Lighthouse Lovers Cruise”, dinner cruises and a combination Land & Sea tour, the Portland Discovery Company is an excellent option for exploring. The 90 minute trolley tour is narrated by locals with insightful information and anecdotes to inform
and entertain. The water tour cruises past several lighthouses including the Spring Point Ledge Light – a caisson lighthouse constructed in 1897- and the oldest lighthouse in Maine, the Portland Head Light. Built in 1791 and authorized by President George Washington, this beautiful lighthouse is said to be the most photographed in the country. www.portlanddiscovery.com
For a truly unique experience in Casco Bay, climb aboard a vintage wooden sailboat for a two hour wind jammer cruise with the Portland Schooner Company. Pack a picnic lunch and a favorite bottle of wine and take happy hour to the sea! Experience the thrill of sailing while taking in the sights of the lighthouses, rocky beaches, old military forts and sea life. Energetic guests are invited to help with the hoisting of the sails while the more leisurely can sit back and enjoy the ride. These magnificent boats were built in Maine in the early 1900’s and have been beautifully restored. www.portlandschooner.com
Portland’s water adventures are only part of the story. On land there are numerous boutique shops for exploration in the historic Old Port district. Most are owned by local merchants and are filled with unique gifts, clothing and specialty items. One of the more unusual shops, Fetch, is the place to go for discerning dogs and cats! Fetch opened on “April Stools Day” in 2000 with the mission of providing a high quality of life for the dogs and cats (and their people) in the Portland area. Dogs and cats are encouraged to come into the shop to check out all of the unique toys and accessories. You are welcome to join your pet – as long as you remain on a leash. In fact, Portland is an extremely pet friendly community with most restaurants and several hotels accommodating the furriest member of the family. www.fetchportland.wordpress.com
Everyone associates Maine with lobster, but did you know it is also the number one producer of blueberries? Maine’s Pantry, located along the waterfront is a family owned business dedicated to bringing the bounty of Maine specialty foods to its customers. Traditional blueberry muffin mix, syrups, jams and pancake mixes fill the shelves alongside the more unusual Blueberry Coffee, Blueberry Crème Soda, Blueberry Hot Sauce and Blueberry Salsa. www.mainespantry.com
For foodies, Portland is paradise beyond the bounty of blueberries.
Sample the lobster rolls, crab cakes, clams and shrimp in a casual atmosphere at Portland Lobster Company located on the harbor in the Old Port district. Enjoy live music while dining outside on the deck watching the harbor activity. www.portlandlobstercompany.com
If you are a fan of clam chowder, don’t miss Gilbert’s Chowder House. Loved by locals and tourists, this is quite possibly the best clam chowder anywhere. www.gilbertschowderhouse.com
Chef Harding Lee Smith has three restaurants in Portland, The Corner Room – a casual Italian-inspired restaurant, The Front Room – serving new American comfort food made from the finest local ingredients, and The Grill Room – serving the best in wood grilled meats, fish and chicken and wood fired pizzas. The lobster mashed potatoes are unbelievably delicious! www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com
Nautical sights and culinary delights are just part of the experience; history buffs will also love Portland’s offerings. Step back in time with a visit to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and museum. Climb aboard the antique cars pulled by steam or diesel powered locomotives for a scenic ride along Portland’s waterfront. Visit the museum and learn how these unique two-foot gauge steam trains connected rural Maine with the rest of the world from 1879 until just before World War II. www.mngrr.org
Portland’s historic Old Port is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country. The centerpiece of the Old Port District is the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa. Built in 1895, this neo-classic structure was originally The State of Maine Armory. It served as a naval recreation center during World War II and later as the city’s public bath house. Today this beautiful structure serves as the home of the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa. Guests stay in old world luxury with superior service. Add a little romance to your
vacation with a couples’ massage at the hotel spa. Enjoy an elegant dinner at Twenty Milk Street followed by a nightcap at the Armory Lounge. Whatever your preference, the hotel, spa and restaurant staff are committed to making your visit memorable. www.theregency.com
In the Greater Portland area, the quintessential Maine experience awaits. What are you waiting for? www.visitportland.com