I traveled to Portland, ME earlier in the summer and I have to say I was truly impressed. My friend and I had wanted to get away for a quick and inexpensive trip and after researching places such as Cape Cod, MA and Newport, RI- we found that Portland offered more of the serene/nature-like feel we were looking for at a much more affordable price. Although tripadvisor had a few listings on the attractions, there weren't too many personal reviews written, which leads me to believe that this must be a "secret."

Places to see:
We visited the Victoria Mansion, which was a quick-guided tour through a 19th-century mansion for $10 (and they also grant AAA discounts). We also went to the Portland Headlight, one of the country's most famous lighthouse. And it was breath-taking! The view is free, but there is a museam with an admission for $2.00. All around the lighthouse are parks where you can sit and have a nice picnic or run around and play- great for kids. We also strolled around Portland's downtown district which houses many cute shops, restaurants in and along the waterfront.
Although we never got around to dining, we were told by a friendly local that Streets & Co. is the best and although Fore Street gets a lot of attention- it was the over-rated/priced choice. We did eat at a couple of other places for lunch/breakfast (but can't recall names).

Over all the people are friendly, the place is historic, and everything is affordable. A great weekend getaway indeed!

We flew into Boston, rented a car, and drove to Maine. We first stopped in Ogunquit, Maine, to grab lunch and go on a lobster educational boat tour. This was great fun. We then drove to Portland. Portland is a very walkable city. We stayed at the Eastland Park Hotel. It was great. The food in Portland was wonderful. We actually decided to come here after watching the Food Network Awards for the top culinary cities in the US. We loved Hugo's and Fore Street. Portland has a lot of great little shops and art galleries. We did a driving lighthouse tour that started in Portland and ended in Cape Elizabeth at the Lobster Shack restaurant. It was great. Portland is a beautiful, laid back, quiet city. I would highly recommend a long weekend in Portland.

As a local, I may be a little biased in my opinions, but I have lived in many other states and cities and always return. If your here for business or pleasure, Portland has it all. Accomodations are great, (I would prefer either Eastland Park, The Regency on Milk St. in the Old Port- which has the best steak house in the area) more restaurants per capita on the east coast, in all ranges to suit any pallette. Beckys on Commercial St. was Racheal Rays choice for breakfast, but I may have chosen the Brea-Lu on Forest Ave or Bintliffes on Park St. over that. Lunch in the area again, depending on your "taste" can be casual or high end. My choices would be one of the commercial restaurants by the Maine Mall in So.Portland, just over the bridge for casual or Sea Grille or Joe's Boat House for the more high end lunch. (both of these over the bridge in So. Portland. Sea Grille has a great view of Portland from accross the bay and Joe's BH is set in a Marina off Spring Point. Dinner for me is always high end unless with too many friends and then it one of several sports bars around. Dinner choices are the restaurant at The Regency hotel, Fore St on (you guessed it) Fore St in the Old Port or several other excellent spots. Ask around for more locals opinions, you'll get a lot of it. This is just the food tour, we also have great local sports with the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox farm team) and the Portland Pirates hockey. Have fun in Portland...we do!

Portland is absolutely beautiful. It was extremely clean. One of the best cities I have ever seen.