Old Port
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The Old Port's fishing piers, cobbled streets, and historic brick buildings will transport you back in time. But the energy of the area is anything but old. It has a buzzing food scene, especially at night when locals and tourists pack into its restaurants and bars. Don't leave without having a taste of the fresh seafood in the area. Grab the ultimate lobster roll along the waterfront's Commercial Street or snag a table at any of its amazing seafood restaurants.
From the port, you can take a ferry to explore the secluded islands in Casco Bay.
– Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Restaurants
460 within 3 miles
Attractions
212 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- HgtravlMarlton, New Jersey1,651 contributionsLove Old PortSeriously love Old Port. Spend a entire day here exploring the beautiful location. So many beautiful buildings, scenes and wonderful shops. The BEST places to dine in Portland are around here. Such a wonderful VIBEVisited November 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten February 6, 2023
- TWBCincinnati, Ohio2,464 contributionsOld Port RocksWe had one day to tour Portland and after researching, chose to explore Old Port. Fantastic decision. You can see a good bit here in a day, days would be good for me too. Beautiful buildings, streets, waterfronts. Enough pubs, restaurants and shopping to keep you otherwise. Parking was tricky, but we knew that going in. We parked at a lower priced lot next to Lincoln Park for the first half of the day, then when that lot closed we relocated and paid more for the last few hours of the day which shaved off enough to buy us dinner.Visited September 2022Written June 8, 2023
- Shane WBrooklyn, Iowa58 contributionsNot our thing.We went in search of a lobster roll since we were in Portland. That part was fine- but afterwards we decided to stroll the much talked about Old Port. Honestly, it’s just a bunch of shops/businesses. You may find a good restaurant but if shopping is not your thing then it’s pretty underwhelming.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 21, 2023
- NHjoSaco, Maine8,455 contributionsA mix of historic charm and grit.I go to Old Port a lot since I live only a 10-minute drive away and friends and visiting family love to go here. It's a great place to see for the historic architecture, restaurants, bakeries, brew pubs, bars, shops, art galleries, cobblestoned streets, entertainment, tours, waterfront, and overall charm. Yes, the traffic and parking during the busy tourist season can be a challenge, but it's really not that bad.Visited July 2023Traveled with friendsWritten July 18, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,294 reviews
Excellent
730
Very good
421
Average
114
Poor
20
Terrible
9
Gregory M
Westchester, IL274 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
The Old Port is your typical tourist area with bars, restaurants, galleries, t-shirt shops and souvenir shops with nothing you need but everything tourists buy. At least it was a nice day for a stroll window shopping and the food was good. It’s only about 8 blocks by 4 blocks so it is easy to cover. There is on street metered parking with a 2 hour limit and parking garages for $5/hour maximum $40.
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JNYCwriter
New York City, NY6,856 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
Of course the Old Port is a destination for anyone visiting Portland and a focal point for the City. You will see the old cobblestone streets and the various docks that comprise the port. These days tourist establishments such as ice cream stores are well represented. However, if you admire the Customs House you can also imagine a working port.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dinerdon
Bayville, NJ1,017 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
The old port still has some charm with the buildings and cobblestones. Some shops still around to browse. My reason for going are the restaurants I like. Fore st, Street and Co, Scales and Becky's diner. Also take the 5am Sunrise cruise on the Casco Bay lines.
Cannabis has made its way there and a lot of shops selling so be aware. Hotels and parking are expensive. Fall is high season so make reservations for restaurants and hotels. Hotels are short staffed and overpriced but its supply and demand. Cruise ships dock there in the fall so daytime are crowded and waits for lunchtime spots neat the dock (ie Gilberts etc) have lines of cruisers looking to sample the seafood. Like all cities these days there were a few homeless around but none were aggressive towards us and we felt fairly safe at night.
Take time to visit Portland light and a drive up to Boothbay to a lobster pound for lunch.
Cannabis has made its way there and a lot of shops selling so be aware. Hotels and parking are expensive. Fall is high season so make reservations for restaurants and hotels. Hotels are short staffed and overpriced but its supply and demand. Cruise ships dock there in the fall so daytime are crowded and waits for lunchtime spots neat the dock (ie Gilberts etc) have lines of cruisers looking to sample the seafood. Like all cities these days there were a few homeless around but none were aggressive towards us and we felt fairly safe at night.
Take time to visit Portland light and a drive up to Boothbay to a lobster pound for lunch.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msu_mom
Troy, MI1,427 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We expected so much more. Parking was a nuisance. Street parking is free on Sunday but when we arrived shortly after 10 there was none available. So we paid $8.50 an hour for a lot.
Walked around for a while but didn't find it particularly charming and there were many homeless people. We wouldn't return.
Walked around for a while but didn't find it particularly charming and there were many homeless people. We wouldn't return.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave N
Tewksbury, MA1 contribution
Jul 2022
My wife and 2 dogs are staying in Wells, ME for the week and thought it would be nice to visit Portland. I did a little research and off we went to the section called Old Port. We found a parking lot and the guy told us where to park and pointed us where to pay. When I went to pay I couldn’t believe it……$45 to park….up until 2am…..it was a little after 11am and we were going to be there may 3 hours. So thinking something must be wrong I asked the parking person and he said welcome to Portland in the summer. On top of it when I did complete the transaction they also charged me a 7% fee because I was using a credit card which by the way is the only option given. I check a couple of other lots managed by UPP and all where the same amount. NEVER AGAIN. Portland and UPP you should be ashamed of yourself. Just a complete money grab. Lunch was great at the Lobster Pound with the dogs sitting on the deck. The shops were very dog friendly. But I will never go back with parking that high.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHjo
Saco, ME8,455 contributions
Oct 2021
Old Port is packed with mostly tourists day and night. When we went on a Saturday in mid-October, it was still busy. It's a great place to spend some time, whether you're strolling, browsing, shopping, eating, drinking, going on some scenic boat trips, or just admiring the historic architecture. The unusually warm mid-October weather makes all the outdoor dining spaces that are lit up with colorful lights and lanterns especially nice.
Written October 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TWB
Cincinnati, OH2,464 contributions
Sep 2022
We had one day to tour Portland and after researching, chose to explore Old Port. Fantastic decision. You can see a good bit here in a day, days would be good for me too. Beautiful buildings, streets, waterfronts. Enough pubs, restaurants and shopping to keep you otherwise. Parking was tricky, but we knew that going in. We parked at a lower priced lot next to Lincoln Park for the first half of the day, then when that lot closed we relocated and paid more for the last few hours of the day which shaved off enough to buy us dinner.
Written June 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaineMountainOwl
Maine287 contributions
Jun 2021
Pandemic or no pandemic, the sidewalks in Portland’s Old Port were bustling during the sunnier, warmer days that came after a long, cool, damp holiday weekend. All of the district’s main arteries – Commercial, Middle, Market, Fore, Exchange – had knots and clots of visitors. Several cobblestoned streets – Wharf, Dana, Moulton – were closed to traffic to accommodate outdoor seating for restaurants. The tour boat ticket line snaked down the sidewalk on Commercial; the line for Standard Bakery was just as long. At our destination, Casco Bay Lines, the waiting area was only half full, perhaps due to our timing or its abbreviated springtime ferry schedule. We most liked the varied places to find coffee (Standard Bakery was our choice) near the ferries; we disliked only the need to pay for parking on the weekdays.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PAboyinFL
Ocala, FL1,248 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Old Port is made up of many blocks worth of old buildings lining the area around the waterfront. There are many shops and restaurants to explore.
Had we realized the scope of the area, we would have made arrangements with one of the local tours offered in Old Port.
We did a lot of walking on a hot, humid day, and did not get to see a large portion of this interesting and historic area.
Had we realized the scope of the area, we would have made arrangements with one of the local tours offered in Old Port.
We did a lot of walking on a hot, humid day, and did not get to see a large portion of this interesting and historic area.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane W
Brooklyn, IA58 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We went in search of a lobster roll since we were in Portland. That part was fine- but afterwards we decided to stroll the much talked about Old Port. Honestly, it’s just a bunch of shops/businesses. You may find a good restaurant but if shopping is not your thing then it’s pretty underwhelming.
Written June 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this area within walking distance of the AC Hotel Portland Downtown/Waterfront???
NHjo
Saco, ME8,455 contributions
It's about a 3-minute walk.
Hgtravl
Marlton, NJ1,651 contributions
Parking? Were to park to find the shops at? Thank you
Portland Old Port
Portland, ME12 contributions
There are two major parking garages in the old port, one on Fore St. and one on Pearl St. They are near all of the stores.
Peggy R
Tallahassee, FL30 contributions
Dining reps for downtown area on foot.
aebcpama
Lenox, MA191 contributions
EVO on Fore St was excellent and fun, small plates, eclectic food, good beer and wine, little pricey but worth it.
Central Provisions on Fore St also was a good one
and Andy's down on Commercial St.
Tina W
Strongsville, OH139 contributions
Would this area be dog friendly for walking around?? We will be there early June 2019. Thanks
mainemountainbear
Texas Gulf Coast, TX1,191 contributions
So much depends on the dog and on what you want to do while you are in the Old Port. The Old Port area is famed for its diverse places to shop, dine, and drink. A dog may more OK for some, less OK for others. Exchange Street, in Old Port's heart, has two pocket parks; another is on Commercial Street near Casco Bay Lines. In high season, local summer traffic can be intense at times, both on sidewalks and on streets, and it's not limited just to rush hour times, but extends well into evenings. Early June should be a little less thronged than other summer months. Best of luck to you!
dstertz
Kansas City, MO147 contributions
Hello. Myself and two other adults are visiting this Sept. Any casual dining recommendations? Our itinerary includes flying into Manchester NH and traveling through Portland and Bangor. We like lighthouses, beaches and historic buildings or areas. Thank you in advance.
Dyanne D
60 contributions
You'll have a wonderful time in Bangor as well as Portland. There are trolleys in Portland that do a combination 1-2 hour trolley trip through the historic spots of Portland which are tremendously informative and cover the entire town in an open-air trolley. They do a short 15 minute stop at one of the best lighthouses surrounded by wonderful gardens... you can even get a lobster roll there at one of the food stands. Then, the boat trip provides a cruise which shows you all of the lighthouses from the ocean-side. It has clean bathrooms, a bar with mixed drinks/beer/wine/soft drinks and light snacks. You can sit outside or inside. In all cases, the views are great. Check my reviews on Portland and Bangor for more details.
Best hotel in old port?
Navigate824593
41 contributions
I visited Portland Maine at the beginning of October (2018) and stayed in the Holiday Inn by the bay, it was fabulous and all the staff were friendly and helpful, we had a fridge and a microwave in our room, which was helpful as we stayed their for a week
Ricardo Varona
Seminole, FL313 contributions
cousins maine lobster
Gaetano A
Malton, UK709 contributions
To give a proper answer this traveller must make his question clearer.
travel97Alabama
Alabama20 contributions
Are shops and restaurants in old port open by April 26, 2018
Sheryl F
14 contributions
Yes they are!
lindamir
US43 contributions
Is this an area to visit at night, as well? How late do stores stay open? Thanks!
Jenna C
Tenants Harbor, ME174 contributions
Shops are open later. Especially in the summer. There are a lot of local places all throughout the old port. Tons of restaurants which a lot are open late as well. Good night life as well. Whether you want to go to a pub or dancing it's down there.
theused72588
boca raton305 contributions
Most is ADA with some effort ie cobble stones, not great door thresholds but probably mangable.
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Claim your listingOld Port - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Port
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Old Port:
- Old Port Culinary Walking Tour from Portland (From $139.99)
- A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland (From $48.99)
- The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local (From $62.00)
- Old Port "Seafood Lovers" Walking Lunch Tour in Portland, Maine (From $150.00)
- Vintage Fire Truck Sightseeing Tour of Portland Maine (From $35.00)
- Hotels near Old Port:
- (0.00 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
- (0.10 mi) Hampton Inn Portland Downtown - Waterfront
- (0.15 mi) The Docent's Collection
- (0.14 mi) Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
- (0.09 mi) Luxury Old Port Penthouse Suite w/Stunning Harbor Views. Parking. Safe + Secure.
- Restaurants near Old Port:
- (0.00 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Restaurant
- (0.01 mi) Port 65
- (0.02 mi) Standard Baking Co.
- (0.03 mi) Rí Rá
- (0.05 mi) Flatbread Company
- Attractions near Old Port:
- (0.03 mi) Maine Brews Cruise
- (0.03 mi) Maine Beer Tours
- (0.04 mi) Rita B. Offshore Fishing
- (0.08 mi) The Real Portland Tour
- (0.09 mi) Portland Explorer
Old Port Information
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