A girls weekend getaway to the beach is enjoyable at any time of the year. Don’t you even love a quick escape during the winter? The ice cold salty ocean breeze, a nice warm drink when you go back in the house or cabin and continue to watch the waves and the boats float by.
Not only is Portland on the Atlantic ocean and just a couple hours away from Boston, it’s known for it’s abundance of excellent food and craft beer. There is plenty of shopping and sightseeing to keep you and your friends occupied on a girls weekend getaway in Portland, Maine. Time to start planning a girls trip!
When to Go
For a good chance of nice weather without paying premium summer prices for places to stay, September is the best time to visit Portland, Maine. If price is no object, there are a lot of festivals and fairs, as well as nicer weather, May through August.
As long as the weather isn’t too harsh, I love a good trip to the beach in the off-season rain too. (Wrapped up in a soft blanket with a good book and a mug of local craft beer, cider or mead next to the fire, of course!)
What to Do
Whether you make firm plans and reservations for your girls weekend getaway activities, there are so many things to do in Portland.
Here are some of my top choices:
Stroll down the cobblestone streets of the historic waterfront Old Port District and Commercial Street for some shopping, sightseeing and eating.
Visit the beautifully historic Portland Head Light lighthouse at Fort Williams Park.
Take a free walk along the water on the Eastern Promenade.
Explore the house that famous poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow grew up in. The Colonial Revival-style garden behind the home can be toured as well.
Tour the beautiful Victoria Mansion, built before the civil war.
Looking for some instagrammable photo ops? Here are some pretty and interesting places to explore.
Purchase some local craft cider, mead or beer and have a tasting with your friends back at your rental. Daina Grazulis from Life Lived Curiously wrote a great blog post with recommendations for the best breweries in Portland.