Portland, Maine info needed

[kpgclark]

My DH has a conference in Portland, Maine in August. I'm considering going with him and our children. If you live there or if you've been there, can you tell me something about Portland? How are the beaches? Is there a lot to do there? Is a week too long to stay? Have you ever taken the ship that goes to Nova Scotia? Any other info would be most appreciated.

 

[clh2]

Where is delswife when you need her?

 

[winniedapooh]

We go to Old Orchard Beach at least 3 times a year and that is less than 20 minutes from Portland. Gorgeous 7 miles of sandy beaches. Very family friendly and they don't care what you look like There are many things to do at Old Orchard and in Portland. I would go to the Old Orhcard Beach Camber of commerce web site and check it out. I have never done the boat to Nova Scotia but had a client once who did and she loved it. Portland has a great mall, the Maine Mall with many different shops and a load of restaurants around there. There is a children's musuem in Portland, we have yet to go-spend too much time at the beach. At OOB there is a pier that has a small amusement park and lots of food stuff to eat. I guess I just love it there because it is so family friendly but I can also go by myself or with a friend. I am already planning my next trip up for late February early March! Hope this helped some. Oh yeah, forgot to tell you but the water, if you are not used to it is said to be a might cold. Doesn't bother me, but hey I walked the beach in March last year barefoot in a snowstorm, but some people think the water is cold!

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks for the info. Do you have any recommendations on where to stay? Are there any places on the beach? If not, is it difficult to get to the beach due to crowds? How is parking?

 

[stamper]

Another great spot is in Cape Elizabeth where you can have a picnic, check out ruins of an old fort, fly a kite and see Portland Head Light.

The Children's Museum is quite nice for the younger kids. Also shopping in the Old Port is not to be missed! I'd also head over to Freeport( a short drive) and visit all the outlets and LL Bean's. A drive down Rt. 1 is very pretty (toward Ogunquit and Kennebunk Port)...just be warned that the traffic is HEAVY, but this makes you take it slow and see the sights.

OOB is a nice beach as mentioned. Quite busy and not my fave, but that's JMHO Too commercialized for me. The water is cold, but at least you're coming in Aug. so it wil be a bit warmer.

There is a small amusement park- Fun Town - in Saco that's not bad. If you like roller coasters, they have a GREAT wooden one!

If I think of something else, I'll post again.

Be sure to have some lobster and other seafood.....yummy!

 

[emagirl]

kpgclark -
I grew up in the Greater Portland area and still live here. I've been on the Scotia Prince twice and spent much of my youth at the beaches.

Old Orchard Beach can get VERY crowded in the summer and parking is expensive and tight but many people love it. We usually go in the evening when things quiet down a bit. (they have fireworks every Thursday evening on the beach) There are many hotels on the "strip" that also have beach access. There is also another amusement park "Funtown USA" in Saco which is more family oriented and has a water park, too.

If you want quiet beaches try Pine Point (Scarborough) just a few miles from OOB. (water will probably be around 58 degrees)

The Scotia Prince is Ok for a quick trip to Nova Scotia. They have gambling, pretty good food, activities and shows but the accomodations are just fair.

There are a lot of restaurants in the Portland area(a lot of seafood) and most are very good.

Where is the conference being held? Portland also has a very nice art museum, a beautiful park, many movie theaters and shopping in the "Old Port" (and area of small shops that specialize in everything from candles to designer clothing.)
(The Maine Mall is located in South Portland - a different city - about 5 miles away)

If you have any other questions, just ask.

 

[kpgclark]

I'm not sure which hotel the meeting will be at yet, but we'll only be there for two nights. My DH will be at a conference and I'll have the car. The conference begins on a Friday (I think the first Friday in August) and ends Sunday. So I'm trying to decide if there is enough to do in the Portland area to keep us busy for a week. I've heard the water is cold, but hopefully the air temp won't be too bad. If we stay in Portland we might stay in a hotel- preferably close to the water or maybe rent a house for a week. I'm a little nervous about renting since we don't know the area at all though. I also thought it would be nice to go to Nova Scotia but I don't want to go just for a day. I'd like to spend at least a couple of days there since I've never been. I looked at the WEB site for the Scotia Prince but I don't really understand how that ship works. Does everyone bring their car? Does the ship stop in Nova Scotia for a few days so you can sightsee? What exactly are the accommodations like? I have to search around that site to get a brochure.

 

[emagirl]

I think you would definately be able to find enough to keep you busy for a week. The air temp in Augusta has been known to be in the 90's so it won't be cold.

There are lots of camps to rent on the ocean but they will be very expensive. You would probably be better off in a hotel near the beaches.

The Scotia Prince site is a bit hard to navigate. They have several trips to choose from. There is a 23 hour trip (sail to NS, pick up people, sail back to Portland). there is an option of staying in NS when you get there (there are several Bed & Breakfasts', & Motels in the area) for a day or longer then taking the ship back to Portland. Not everyone takes a car but if you plan to stay in NS for a day or more, you should bring it.
Here is the page on their site to request a brochure.

http://www.scotiaprince.com/brochure.php

Oh, and I forgot another thing to do...Portland Seadogs!!! (Our minor league baseball team - Associated with the Boston Red Sox) Great fun!!

 

[kpgclark]

Better be careful or I'm really going to start picking your brain! Do you have any hotel recommendations? Now my parents said they'd like to join us so it will be our family (me, DH, DD7 and DS10) and my parents. It's not manditory, but my parents would enjoy bringing their dog (hey they're from Vermont and have the requisite Labrador)

 

[emagirl]

Well, I don't mind having by brain picked a bit.

I've never stayed in a motel/hotel in the area but I found this website that you might get infor from. It includes places in the OOB/Saco/Scarborough area (Major Beach Areas) with their ammenities & if they accept pets. Some even have links to their own websites. The only thing I will say is that any located on East Grand Ave., or West Grand Ave. are right on the main strip to OOB so traffic at times can be heavy but not terrible.

Here you go...

http://www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com/hotel_motel.htm

 

[kpgclark]

Wow, thanks for the info. Who would have thought that Portland would have so many hotels? It will take me a while to process all of that!

 

[ennazus]

Maine is wonderful in the summer!!

Funtown & Splashtown in Saco are must sees with children. You could easily spend two separate days there. One day in the amusement section and another day in the waterpark. There is also another waterpark in Saco, but I'm partial to Splashtown.
http://www.funtownsplashtownusa.com/

Old Orchard Beach has an amusement area and it's nice to walk on the pier and grab a slice of pizza and pier fries (with ketchup & vinegar.. mmmmm) As far as amusements rides.... Funtown beats OOB hands down!

I'll ditto that Fort Williams & Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth are fun for children with the trails that run along the beach and the forts to explore.

How old are your children?

On the Portland waterfront, there are many little day cruises. (or a couple hours for an evening) They go around Casco Bay to see old forts and/or seals. You could also do a whale watching trip if that interests you. My father & son did one last year out of Kennebunkport.

I live in southern Maine, so if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to help you. Just drop me a PM.

 

[ennazus]

oh, you could also take Amtrak for a day trip to Boston.

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks for the info. I have a DD7 and DS who will be 10. My parents say they want to join us too.

 

[kpgclark]

Anyone else have anything to add or suggest about Portland?

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Hi there! Writing this from Portland as I type. I think you've pretty much got it all covered above! The only thing I would point out is that the hotels site listed above is for Old Orchard Beach, NOT Portland. You can check Travelocity for hotels right in Portland, if that is your preference. For right in-town, there isn't much--the Eastland, a Holiday Inn, and...Portland Harbor Hotel? I think?--but there are more in the immediate surrounding areas, and with a car you'll be just fine.

One more suggestion, if you don't want to commit to the Scotia Prince gig, you could always take the ferry over to Peaks Island, which is a lovely little island community just off Portland, with many daily shuttles. It's a small island with a couple of cute restaurants, and you can rent bikes over there to go around the island. You can even rent cottages there, which is popular in the summer. Just google "peaks island maine cottages" or something similar if you want more info.

Enjoy your visit to our fair city!

 

[kpgclark]

I just found out that for the first few days (while my hubby is attending a conference) we'll be at the Sheraton. Is that a decent location?

 

[Oh Kay!]

A great thread kpgclark! DH and I have been thinking about going to Maine for a week at the end of August (that is if we don't go to Disney.) When you do decide where to stay, would you mind letting me know? We have two kids (though a little younger than yours) and my parents might join us too. We've been talking about going to Maine for the last three years and never made it farther north than Mystic.

 

[stamper]

I believe the Sheraton is the one that is 2 round buildings....someone correct me if I'm wrong. DH always says he wants to stay there sometime, just to see what shape the rooms are ! It is directly across from the Maine Mall in SO. Portland...just off the turnpike. Lots of restarants around. One of our faves is Bugaboo Creek....atmospere is like a Canadian hunting lodge and the food is good...love the chicken strips!!!

You have gotten some great suggestions here.

A whale watch is great fun!!

 

[BedKnobbery2]

The Sheraton is a very nice hotel, although exteriorly (is that a word) one of the ugliest buildings I've ever seen. Stamper, it is the round buildings, and the rooms are wedge-shaped--narrow at the entry, and wide at the windows, with great big windows! The rooms are decorated in a similar fashion to many Sheratons I've stayed at--dark Navy and white being the predominant colors. The staff there is excellent. The location is also very good, right across the street from the Mall and there are many, many restaurants in the area. There is also a Chuck E. Cheese in the mall parking lot, should you want to take your kids there.