Added: 01/08/2006 |
Portland vacation - just visit one of the best small cities to live inAlthough destroyed four times, Portland stands as one of the most beautiful cities in New England. Distinguishingly, the city with its strong emphasis on preservation is a sample of the Victorian style architecture, which was popular during Portland's rebuilding, while most cities have only small traces of architecture from this era. Since 1982, the area is included in the National Register of Historic Places. In modern lifestyle surveys, conducted throughout the USA, Portland is often cited as one of America's best small cities to live in. Thus, you are never mistaken to choose a Portland vacation among other travel packages, available throughout the USA.
What can you see and visit, once being on a Portland vacation? Many tourists visit Portland due to its lively downtown and historic Old Port along the Portland Harbor, located at the mouth of the Fore River. The Portland Head Light in nearby Cape Elizabeth, a popular tourist attraction, is often called a symbol of the harbor and the surrounding communities.
The Downtown Arts District is home to the Portland Museum of Art, the Portland Performing Arts Center and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. The Baxter Boulevard (Back Cove), Deering Oaks, Eastern Promenade, Lincoln Park and Western Promenade are historical parks, ideal to take a stroll. A great way to enjoy diverse panoramic views of Portland is to take a tour of Casco Bay on a ferry. Portland also boasts of a reputation for excellent sports and recreation opportunities, featuring eleven professional golf courses, one hundred and twenty four tennis courts, ninety five playgrounds and over hundred miles (hundred and sixty km) of nature trails.
The Old Port is not only the site, featuring historic and cultural attractions and exciting views, but also the home place to many boutiques, shops, restaurants and entertainment. The Maine Mall, South Portland, is the largest mall in the state of Maine with standard mall and department store facilities. The Portland Public Market, located in Cumberland Avenue is a unique market that sells food and crafts, made only in Maine. Simply Scandinavians with two stores in Market St. and Exchange St., sell only Scandinavian food, clothing, toys, books, art, decorations, etc.
As you can imagine, Portland, located on the seashore, is home to many good seafood restaurants with a wide array of dishes, prepared from lobster, haddock, clams, scallops and other seafood. As the most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Maine, Portland features a rich amalgam of Vietnamese, Thai, Polish, African, Middle Eastern and other restaurants. Most of these places are inexpensive and delicious.
For those, who are on a Portland vacation, it is of vital importance to eat at the Fore Street Restaurant for this experience can never be repeated in any other place. The restaurant is reserved weeks and sometimes months in advance, since the news about the restaurant?s most refined dining is spread all over Maine. However, you can get in if you arrive at opening about 5:00 p.m. and get on the list for their open seating. The other good options to dine are Susan's Fish and Chips and Granny's Burritos. Additionally, Portland, and especially the Old Port, is famous for many bars and pubs. Among them there is the Great Lost Bear with over fifty beers on tap, having gained national renown for the variety, quality and depth of its local and imported beers.
Finally, your Portland vacation will be the most enjoyable one if you choose the Portland Harbor Hotel accommodation. The hotel, settled in the heart of the Old Port, has an easy access around the Portland Waterfront and presents guest rooms and suites with alternate views of the Portland cityscape, the hotel garden and Casco Bay.
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