What are the best things to do in Portland?
Top picks in Portland include Portland Observatory, Portland Museum of Art, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Eastern Promenade. See the full list and itinerary on this Portland travel guide.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Portland Travel Guide
Portland, United States
Why visit Portland
Travel guide for Portland, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Portland is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Portland Observatory, Portland Museum of Art, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Portland
1
Portland Observatory
2
Portland Museum of Art
3
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
4
Eastern Promenade
5
Western Promenade
6
East End Beach
Budget travel
Free things to do in Portland
Eastern Promenade
Western Promenade
East End Beach
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Portland itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Portland Observatory
- Visit Portland Museum of Art
- Visit Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
- Eat at Becky's Diner
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Eastern Promenade
- Visit Western Promenade
- Visit East End Beach
- Eat at Flatbread Co.
Budget
Portland trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Portland, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Portland
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Portland mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Becky's Diner
Flatbread Co.
Fore Street Restaurant
Gorgeous Gelato
Ribollita
Susan's Fish and Chips
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Portland Regency Hotel and Spa
Portland Harbor Hotel
The Westin Portland Harborview
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Portland
Holiday Inn
Shopping
- Fore River Gallery
- The Gallery at Toby Rosenberg Pottery
- Caravan Beads
- Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours
- Simply Scandinavian
- Cool As A Moose
Nightlife
- The Great Lost Bear
- The Top of the East
- Gritty McDuffs
- Ri Ra's Irish Pub
- Three Dollar Deweys
- Geno's
Museums & culture
- Portland Museum of Art
- Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
In pictures
Portland gallery
Photos: PhilipC, Quintin Soloviev, Billy Hathorn, Seasider53, Cybrian Southack — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Portland travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Portland?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Portland?
Plan at least 2 days in Portland for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Portland?
Popular stays in Portland include Portland Regency Hotel and Spa, Portland Harbor Hotel, The Westin Portland Harborview. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Portland cost?
On the ground in Portland (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Portland, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
