Old Port Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Old Port showing a bay or harbour
Old Port which includes a bay or harbour and flowers
Old Port which includes street scenes
Old Port featuring a bay or harbour and a sunset
Old Port which includes street scenes as well as a small group of people

Explore the cobblestone streets in Portland’s historic district, which combines a wealth of history with a thoroughly modern city experience.

Discover metropolitan Maine at its most charming in Old Port. This historic district in Portland is both a working waterfront and a cultural hub. Sample its variety of shops and restaurants as you learn more about the city’s history.

The Old Port district looks remarkably close to its appearance when it was built up in the mid 1800s. Because of its historic significance, much of the Old Port Historic District has been included on the National Register of Historic Places. Stroll down cobblestone streets lined with tidy brick buildings, as seagulls swoop above your head and foghorns blare in the distance.

Although it is a small city, Portland has a world-class dining scene. You will find many of its top dining destinations in Old Port. Duckfat, Eventide Oyster Co. and Fore Street, three of the most celebrated restaurants in the city, are within a three-block radius of each other. Enjoy freshly caught seafood, such as iconic Maine lobster, at one of the many local restaurants in the area.

Surround yourself by the hustle and bustle of Congress Street. The main thoroughfare in Portland serves as a great starting point to experience the city’s galleries, shops, restaurants and bars. Continue along Exchange Street, a quieter tree-lined street that features an array of cafés and boutiques.

Old Port is located where the Fore River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the waterfront and enjoy the views. Watch ships of all sizes sail by or see the fishermen coming home with their catch of the day.

Find things to see and do in every season in Old Port. Enjoy the warm weather in summer or take a snowy stroll down its streets in winter. Because of its central location within Portland, most destinations in the city are within easy driving or even walking distance.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Old Port Hotel Deals

Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront
Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront
4 out of 5
9 Center Street, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$481 per night from 15 June to 16 June
AU$481
15 June - 16 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Great staff, great amenities and overall awesome spot. Love the rooftop bar. Only problem I had was when I got my car valeted back, there was an insane amount of bird droppings on it."

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2025

Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront
Portland Harbor Hotel
Portland Harbor Hotel
4 out of 5
468 Fore Street, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$435 per night from 15 June to 16 June
AU$435
15 June - 16 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 coffee shops/cafes, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,514 reviews)
"Beautiful rooms and close to harbor and restaurants. On our ten day trip to Maine, we stayed here for two days, five days in Bar Harbor, then back to Portland Harbor Hotel before flying out. Will return!!!"

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

Portland Harbor Hotel
Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
3.5 out of 5
20 Milk Street, Portland, ME
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,287 reviews)
"Well maintained helpful staff!"

Reviewed on 10 Jun. 2025

Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
Hyatt Place Portland Downtown - Old Port Square
Hyatt Place Portland Downtown - Old Port Square
3 out of 5
433 Fore St, Portland, ME
Fully refundable
The price is AU$350 per night from 15 June to 16 June
AU$350
15 June - 16 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,130 reviews)
"Awesome"

Reviewed on 2 Jun. 2025

Hyatt Place Portland Downtown - Old Port Square
Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
3 out of 5
65 Commercial St, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$330 per night from 15 June to 16 June
AU$330
15 June - 16 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"The location was perfect for shopping, drinking and eating!"

Reviewed on 6 Jun. 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
Courtyard Portland Downtown/Waterfront
Courtyard Portland Downtown/Waterfront
3 out of 5
321 Commercial St, Portland, ME
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$349 per night from 15 June to 16 June
AU$349
15 June - 16 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"LOCATION FANTASTIC"

Reviewed on 28 May 2025

Courtyard Portland Downtown/Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Port

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Downtown Portland

4/5(1 area review)

A noteworthy feature of Downtown Portland is its captivating waterfront views. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Cross Insurance Arena and Maine College of Art.

Downtown Portland
Portland Museum of Art which includes art and interior views as well as an individual male

Portland Arts District

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Portland Arts District. A stop by Maine College of Art or Cross Insurance Arena might round out your trip.

Portland Arts District
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West Bayside

When in West Bayside, you can plan a visit to Merrill Auditorium and Maine College of Art, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

West Bayside
Portland featuring a park

East Bayside

If you're spending some time in East Bayside, Maine Jewish Museum and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception are top sights worth seeing.

East Bayside
Eastern Promenade featuring general coastal views, a bay or harbour and kayaking or canoeing

East End

While visiting East End, you might make a stop by sights like East End Beach and Portland Observatory.

East End
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Munjoy Hill

While Munjoy Hill may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like East End Beach and Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal.

Munjoy Hill

Old Port Travel Guide

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