Location: Portland
Top Things to do in Portland
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8 Specialty Museums in Portland That You Shouldn't Miss
From ornate mansions to ocean views, this charming city - the largest in Maine - will enchant you. Saunter down the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets of the revitalized Old Port District, where you can browse through bookstores, explore craft shops and eat to your heart's content. Visit the Portland Head Light, which dates back to 1791, and is the oldest lighthouse still in continuous use in the U.S. The great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the city's native son, and you can visit his childhood home, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. With kids in hand, enjoy the highly interactive Children's Museum of Maine. And then go next door to the calmer Portland Museum of Art, a small, but eclectic museum with Impressionist works, Maine landscapes by Homer and Wyeth and other collections. Land or sea is an option here, so if you're tired of the street life, take one of the popular scenic cruises or whale watches, or hop on a ferry to the islands in Casco Bay. At the end of the day, and without kids in hand, unwind and rest your tired feet at one of the city's brewpubs.
Restaurants in Portland
1. 5th Maine Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
2. Umbrella Cover Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Quirky museum for all ages. Exhibits, games, music. Umbrella covers from 65 countries. Winner of Guinness World Record! Open summers only. Check by email or text for hours.
Reviewed By tektektek - Tamworth, United States
The sign above the entrance says it all- "Celebrate the Mundane". Did you ever lose a cover to an umbrella? Mayhaps it ended up here, at the Umbrella Cover Museum, holder of the Guinness Book of World Records title of largest unique umbrella cover collection in the world- 730; it has a collection totaling more than 2000 covers overall. There are things that look like umbrella covers, and things that look NOTHING like a cover for an umbrella. There is a sports section and a Broadway section (and when I mentioned the name Seth Rudetsky of Sirius XM Channel 72 "On Broadway"), and docent and guide immediately knew the name. The founder of the museum, Nancy 3. Hoffman (and if your mind went to Tom Lehrer, join the club), was not present during this peak weekend (it being PEAKSFEST 2019), but her story was there around us. There are also R and X rated umbrella covers in a different room (with mood lighting). To be a part of this museum, you have to be committed, and the joy and enthusiasm was evident throughout the tour and talk. There are games (guess the real Scottish plaid umbrella cover) and stories galore. It is small, it is right on the main street, and if you want to spend a few minute (or more) being entertained, playing games, singing the umbrella cover theme song, then this is a must-see attraction, worthy of any location but fitting right in on Peaks Island. If you are not in a good mood going in, you will be coming out. And if you aren't in a good mood coming out, go back in- you must have missed something. This is the kind of place I dream about running into, and I am so glad we did. Admission is free, but donations are accepted (and gently solicited), and there is even a "gift shop" of sorts. PS- we mentioned it was our anniversary celebration to come to Peaks Island, and somehow it became well known and we were greeted in many places with a "Happy Anniversary".
3. Maine Jewish Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
A turn of the century immigrant era synagogue celebrating Jewish art, history, and culture in downtown Portland.
Reviewed By 243lauries
No matter ones religious or cultural leanings, the Maine Jewish Museum is a wonderful place to spend an hour. Great displays, all informed and supported by the director, Nancy. Highly recommended!
4. Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 316 reviews
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum preserves and operates Maine's two foot gauge railway equipment for the education and enjoyment of the public. Visitors can enjoy a scenic train ride along Casco Bay or explore the museum which features historic rail cars, exhibits and activities for children. The museum is open daily from mid-April through late October (9:30am-4:00pm) and seasonally for events including the Polar Express. Visit our website for more information including a full schedule of events.
Reviewed By 829marleneMac - Middleton, Canada
Just by accident, we stumbled onto this railroad company and took a little trip with them around Portland Harbor. My parents, husband and I were delighted with this authentic rail system, with its original cars and engines! The conductor was a woman! I was so proud! She posed for pictures with us and provided a very entertaining commentary during the trip. So informative! The price was extremely reasonable and something visitors to the area should not miss. If you are into authentic trains and a history buff, this place is for you. It is incredible to see what a roll the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad played in the development and commerce of Portland and neighboring States!
5. International Cryptozoology Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 209 reviews
Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and Yeti. Please come and visit the only museum of its type in the world, the newly expanded International Cryptozoology Museum. Founder and Director, author and television personality Loren Coleman has been collecting, researching, and curating for over fifty years. Conveniently located at Thompson's Point, Portland, Maine.
Reviewed By 747leahl - Beaverton, United States
This is not the type of museum that is a dime a dozen which is precisely what makes it cool. The entry fee is $10 which is reasonable for the 20 minutes most would spend going through. There are display cases housing abwide variety of objects related to carotid s everywhere. Some said it felt like you were simply looking at a private collection rather than a museum and I get that as museums typically have limited display and lots of interpretation. This basically assumes you already know the science and I was cool with that. Having visited the Roswell museum which is just a series of newspaper clippings and long written scientific explanations I much prefer this. There are items more along the science spectrum but also cryptic toys and other man made items. I liked that too. There was a display of beer bottles with cryptic son them for example - it was neat to see how many there were. I liked the mix of scientific and pop culture it made it so there was something for everybody. I liked the little gift shop and wound up buying a lot of tshirts, patches etc for gifts for family back home.
6. Portland Fire Museum
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 8 reviews
Learn how a Maine community has fought fires over the past century through a vast collection of memorabilia and exhibits including 19th-century water pumps and original horse stalls.
7. Maine Sports Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
2.0 based on 2 reviews
A tribute to Maine's sports greats.
