"Portland, Maine....a happening place!! " a Portland Travel Page by ladyanne

Portland, Maine is a small city that is one of the first ports established in America, and is on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It is an architecture's paradise for early buildings and it's history is some of the oldest in the country.

Not only is it a vibrant pretty city full of New England charm and culture, it has all the arts, antiques, and trendy shops and galleries to go with it. The Old Port has been revived and so full of life, both fishermen in their high rubber boots and tourist in their sandles walking along Commercial Street or having something to eat.

But the best thing about it is in a few minutes you can be taken away from the city-life to the waterfront port of fishing and the lobster industry. Gulls squawking and the smell of salt air...Boats, ships, and sailing vessels. Numerous great restaurants, so many it is hard to deside.

Worth mentioning is the Casco Bay Lines Ferrys that will take you out to the many islands of Casco Bay, so rugged and beautiful, it's hard to believe you were in a city moments ago. There are ferrys full of locals going home for the evenings to their island homes, or visitors taking in the fabulous Maine coastal beauty.

The "OLD PORT'" area of Portland, Maine is probably one of the favorite areas for visitors.

It still has it's old world charm with great old buildings, and amongst them are great shops and restaurants. Also the waterfront fishing business mixing in an original cultural flavor.

You could actually stay for stays in Portland and not catch all that it has to offer.

Kyacking is very popular near Portland for groups, their are so many small islands to stop at to rest and get fresh water from or take refuge in. Many different kinds of groups from parepeligics, to scouts, to trouble teens in special camps, etc. You can't get in trouble out there on the water. Too busy having fun and rowing.