Portland Head Light
Maine's oldest lighthouse, in Fort Williams Park.
Portland
A small port with one of America's best food scenes per capita, cobbled Old Port streets and the most photographed lighthouse in Maine.
Lobster boats still work the wharves below brick warehouses. Portland Head Light, commissioned by George Washington, stands just outside town, and islands are a short ferry ride away.
- Best Time
- June to October
- Time Needed
- 1–2 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Year-round
- Getting There
- About 2 hours by car or train from Boston.
What to See
2 of 4 are freeOld Port
Cobblestones, shops and seafood.
Casco Bay ferries
Mail boat rides among the islands.
Eventide Oyster Co.
Famous for its brown butter lobster roll.
Know Before You Go
- Summer restaurant waits can be long.
- Don't confuse it with Portland, Oregon.
Where to Stay
Stay in the Old Port.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
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Walkable, historic and full of firsts, from the Freedom Trail to Harvard.
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Must-SeeNew England Fall Foliage
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Late September to late October, north to south
Whole hillsides of red and gold in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Drive the back roads and stay in a small-town inn.
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Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Northeast list.