And Portland High School is the oldest standing high school in the country. Portland’s City Hall was built by Carrere and Hastings, best known for their design of the New York Public Library. Church with an original cannon ball from the revolutionary war as a chandelier. The smell of the sea air, the sound of a foghorn, and the chatter of seagulls add to an atmosphere that is undeniably Portland, undeniably Maine.

The boutique shopping, one-of-a-kind stores, restaurants serving Maine’s famous lobster dishes or the latest farm/ocean-to-table restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife are all unparalleled to any other New England city. Sunset Lighthouse Harbor Cruise from Portland's Old Port (47 reviews) from 105.00. Just steps from the water, one can stroll down the cobblestone streets and experience the quaint charm of this district. Map & Neighborhoods Photos 23 Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine. Taking a walk at the water’s edge along Commercial Street provides a window into the working waterfront. Seamlessly connected to the waterfront, the Old Port is both a working waterfront and a local shopping, dining, residential, and entertainment district. Portland’s Old Port is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country. OLD PORT Portland’s Historic Waterfront District The Arts District is also our newest residential neighborhood featuring new condominiums, artist housing, student dorms, and other housing for Portland’s vibrant and diverse residents.

Walking Congress Street provides a glimpse of office buildings intermingled with historically preserved buildings such as the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the 19th century childhood home of the poet, and the First Parish Church with an original cannon ball from the revolutionary war as a chandelier. A few blocks from the waterfront, Portland’s Arts District has been re-imagined from the original department store shopping area to be the home of our world class Portland Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, the Maine College of Art (MECA), Salt Institute of Documentary Studies, Cross Insurance Arena, the renovated State Theatre, Portland Stage Company, the Maine Historical Society, the stunningly-renovated Merrill Auditorium, and many more museums and art galleries mingled with numerous contemporary music and performance venues, fine and ethnic dining choices.

Portland old port map