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.
Tours
Portland has a good variety of affordable tours available. Even if you’ve been to Portland before, it’s worth the spending time with a local resident and experiencing some new food, sights, and learning something you didn’t know before.
For an hour of nature, wildlife and historic military site viewing from a hovercraft on the Hover ME tour, book this tour for you and five of your best friends
Portland has so many incredible restaurants, I’m not sure how you choose or know where to start. Visit a few of them on a tour of sustainably sourced local food through Maine Food for Thought.
Taste a few other delicacies on a foodie or happy hour tour from Maine Foodie Tours during your girls weekend getaway.
Did you know that Portland is one of the top craft beer cities in the United States? Taste some local brews, wine or mead and let someone else be the designated driver on the Maine Brew Bus Tour.
When I’m traveling, I love to do something historical. It helps me feel like I understand the culture and essence of a place better. This historical Wicked Walking Tour looks like so much fun.
Interesting Places to Stay for a Girls Weekend Getaway in Portland, Maine
There are so many places to stay in Portland. These are some of my top places I would consider for a girls weekend getaway.
Built in 1876, this beautiful historic home is available to rent.
This large penthouse condominium is located above Monument Square.
This affordable home is right on the ocean with gorgeous views.
Another beach house just steps from the ocean, and it looks adorable.
This luxury estate with a swimming pool sleeps 12 if you have a larger group.
Are you ready to start planning your own girls weekend getaway to Portland or somewhere else? Here are some tips to help you get started. For more girls weekend getaway ideas, don’t miss our Portland, Maine Girls Getaway Ideas board on Pinterest.
Portland is OH so far away from where this girl is BUT it sounds like a wonderful place to visit! Maybe one day we can make our way there. I’ll have to keep your recommendations in mind!
Sounds like such a fun trip to take with the girls! Thanks for sharing!
Never been to Portland but it’s on my list of places to visit. So pretty, thanks for sharing!
Great guide to Portland Maine! I would like to check out a different Portland since I live in Portland, Oregon!