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- Portland
Portland
Portland is Maine's biggest city and is the state's cultural and
economic hub, attracting over three and a half million visitors
each year. Originally a fishing and trading settlement, the town
was destroyed three times over a hundred year period, and finally
regained stability as a shipping port.
Unfortunately, over-zealous Independence Day celebrants managed
to set fire to most of the city's commercial buildings, hundreds of
houses and roughly half the city's churches in 1886, causing it to
be rebuilt once again, this time in a Victorian style. Beautiful
examples of this architecture can be found in the mansions set
along the famous Western Promenade, and in the Victoria Mansion on
Danforth Street, which offers tours of its well-preserved
interiors.
Despite its tough beginning, Portland remains a beautiful city,
ideally situated on a peninsula that juts out into Casco Bay,
flanked by several small islands. Historic architecture blends with
modern amenities and the city is a bustle of activity, making it
one of the country's top cities to live in. Resplendent in natural
beauty, Portland is highly popular in summer and visitors can enjoy
boat rides; sightseeing, shopping, dining and people-watching at
the Old Port historic waterfront and the East End; a visit to the
Downtown Arts District or to the prominent Portland Head Light
Lighthouse. The home of poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow is also
well worth a visit, as is the Maine History Gallery, and for the
kids, there is the Children's Museum of Maine.
Portland has an abundance of good restaurants, especially those
offering renowned local seafood specialties like Maine lobster,
clam chowder, and scallops, which are cheaper and more plentiful
than in any other state. You'll find a variety of cuisines
represented though, including Vietnamese, Thai, African, Greek, and
Indian food, as Portland is the most culturally diverse city in
Maine. The city boasts no fewer than five microbreweries, and
dozens of bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
Portland is a wonderful city to visit in its own right, with
plenty of attractions, activities and sights for the visitor, and
it is also a useful base from which to explore the rest of this
beautiful state. Smaller towns in the area like Freeport, Cape
Elizabeth, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Kennebunkport offer their
own amusements that are worth exploring on a holiday to
Portland.
Information & Facts
Climate
As with the rest of Maine, Portland's temperatures are moderated
by the sea. Portland's climate is continental, with four distinct
seasons. Summers are warm and pleasant, while winters are cold,
with snow. Temperatures range between 60°F and 80°F (16°C to 27°C)
in summer and between 20°F and 40°F (-7°C to 4°C) in winter. Fall
is a popular time to travel to Portland, due to the mild weather
and spectacular fall foliage.
Getting Around
Portland is relatively easy to negotiate on foot, with plenty of
attractions within walking distance of each other. The Old Port is
worth exploring on foot, as is the Downtown Arts District. A car is
worth hiring if exploring surrounding areas and parking is readily
available within the city with free 'park and shop' options
available at downtown parking garages. Tickets can be stamped for
an hour's free parking at a number of downtown locations. The
Portland Explorer Bus is another easy option, particularly for
tourists. Operating from May to October, a ride is $2 (children
under 12 ride free) and the bus connects major tourist attractions
and several hotels.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.