
When in Portland…
Be sure to check out these great businesses for adventurous activities and delicious food!
Maximize your sightseeing in Portland and save money with one of Portland Discovery’s exceptional combo tours! Simply choose a cruise and combine it with a trolley tour for a fabulous land and sea adventure! Take the tours in any way that fits your schedule, just be sure that when you choose your times that the boat tour and city tour times don’t overlap. For example, many people will choose the 10:00 a.m. Portland City and Lighthouse Tour then enjoy lunch and shopping in the Old Port before boarding an afternoon cruise. To see the best of Portland, visit Portlanddiscovery.com or call 207-774-0808.
Portland Paddle offers guided sea kayaking trips and paddleboard rentals at the East End Beach on the Portland waterfront. It’s amazing how rugged and wild the coastline gets just a short paddle away from the bustling Portland harbor.
The great variety of islands in Casco Bay offer endless possibilities for exploration. Look out for seals, lighthouses, wave-battered cliffs, seabirds, hidden beaches, wooden schooners, and 19th-century granite forts. Portland Paddle’s guided trips and lessons are led by licensed Maine Guides who are passionate about sharing their love of sea kayaking and their knowledge of the history and ecology of the Maine coast. Multi-day trips, advanced paddling lessons, and rentals are also offered at Portland Paddle.
The Great Lost Bear has been a Portland institution since opening in 1979. The Bear is located about two miles from Portland’s touristy Old Port but well worth the journey across town to the mysterious Woodfords Corner. The Great Lost Bear features an enormous, eclectic family-friendly menu with something for everyone, all served in an entertaining atmosphere. They have added more taps as new breweries open throughout the Northeast. Now, with the craft beer revolution in full throttle, GLB offers an amazing selection of hard-to-find beers with most of them brewed in Maine. Come taste some of the freshest local beer around at the GLB!
Portland Schooner Company has been making memories for Casco Bay visitors since 2002. Owned and operated by husband and wife team, Scott Reischmann and Michelle Thresher, they offer an authentic, Old World sailing experience from May through October aboard Portland’s only historic windjammers. Whether you’re looking to experience the Portland waterfront from a unique perspective or just hoping to step back to a simpler time for a couple hours, Portland Schooner Company offers an experience you don’t want to miss.
The adventure begins aboard one of their classic wooden schooners, Wendameen or Bagheera. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, both schooners were designed by famed naval architect, John G. Alden, in the early 1900s and built by some of the best craftsmen in the world at the shipyards of East Boothbay, Maine. Two-hour sails depart from the Maine State Pier in Portland’s Old Port and are offered four times daily, presenting visitors with a perfect vantage point for viewing Portland’s unforgettable sights and sounds – from lighthouses and seabirds to seals and the rocky coastline. The friendly, professional crew is not only there to provide you with a safe trip … they’re happy to share a bit of Casco Bay history and trivia. You’re invited to join in any way you’d like: hoisting the sails alongside a deckhand, taking a turn at the ship’s wheel, or just relaxing and enjoying the ocean breeze and salt air. And you’re welcome to bring food and drink, including beer and wine, aboard. Though not required, reservations are strongly encouraged.
If you’ve got more time to spend on Casco Bay, Portland Schooner Company also offers charters for family or corporate functions, lunchtime lobster bakes on scenic Cow Island, and overnight excursions where you can spend an evening nestled in a quiet island anchorage.
Kon Asian Bistro has a unique modern look and features 10 hibachi tables with amazing entertainment as your meals are prepared right in front of you. They also have a private party room available.