FamilyGetaways
Fun Trips, Helpful Tips, Family-to-Family Advice, and Memorable Adventures
Catching the
views on the
Maine Narrow
Gauge Railroad
Co. & Museum
steam-train ride
Walking the
cobblestone
streets through
the historic
Old Port
neighborhood
Spend a Day in ...
Portland, Maine
A family delights in small-town charms and big-city attractions in
this historic Maine seaport • By Jodi Butler
✩
My husband’s family has been vacationing in southern Maine for more than three decades, but we were
still surprised when his parents announced they were
retiring there. “Portland, Maine?” Doug asked, visions
of cheap winter vacations in a warm-weather clime
vanishing from both of our heads.
But this waterfront city, just two hours’ drive from
Boston, has become one of our favorite getaways. Sure,
winters are cold, but summers are glorious, especially when there’s a brisk ocean breeze blowing in
from Casco Bay.
Portland is a great walking town. On a day’s visit
we can do almost everything on foot, from taking a
steam-train ride at the railroad museum to wandering
around the Old Port neighborhood, where cruise
ships and fishing boats dock near historic brick
buildings that house shops and galleries. Just a quick
drive uptown brings us to two of Portland’s best
museums.
On a recent visit, Doug and I, and our kids, Olivia,
age 4, and Owen, 2, decided to do all our sightseeing in one day, so we could spend Sunday playing with
Grandma and Grandpa and stepping out for brunch
at our favorite local breakfast joint, Hot Suppa!
Portland is a mecca for foodies as well as families, so
we always end our trips happy and full.
