Things To Do
In between the ceremony and reception
> Walk the cobblestone streets of Exchange street or Commercial street > Stop by the Portland Lobster Company for a drink and (hopefully) some live music > Grab a local brew or glass of wine at Brickyard Hollow or Shipyard Brewing Company > Walk along the Maine State Pier and watch boats & lobstermen come in and out > Be ready to be picked up at the Hilton Garden Inn at 3:30 pm sharp!
Restaurants within walking distance of hotels
> Coffee and pastries – Standard Baking Company, Speckled Ax, HiFi Donuts, Coffee by Design > Fun and local charm (and great for lunch) – Eventide, Jay’s Oysters, Portland Lobster Company, Gilbert’s Chowder House, RiRa Irish Pub, Luke’s Lobster, Duckfat, Boones > Dinner and more up-scale dining – Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, Scales, Solo Italiano, Via Vecchia, Street & Company > Bars & places to grab a drink – Blyth & Barrow, RiRa Irish Pub, Boones, Brickyard Hollow… anything on Wharf Street or Exchange street that looks like a fun vibe!
Activities in Portland
> Outdoor Activities – Lucky Catch Lobster Tour, Portland Discovery tours (take a trolly or boat on a tour of the area), Ferry to Peak’s Island, Wine Wise events (daily sailboat ride with wine tasting!), historic lighthouse visits (drive or uber to Portland Headlight, Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge Light) > Cultural Activities – Portland Museum of Art, Victoria Mansion, Wadsworth-Longfellow House > Food & Drink – one of Portland's main attractions...see above for list of recommendations, or go on an adventure on a food tour
Activities outside of Portland
> Freeport – home to L.L. Bean flagship store, and many other shopping opportunities among the outlet stores. (30 mins from Portland) > Boothbay Harbor – check out their botanical gardens, whale watching and puffin cruises, and world famous aquarium. (1 hour 15 mins from Portland) > Rangeley Lakes Region – a special place that Sarah went to growing up with her family; check it out if you have an extra few days, for those feeling adventurous, rent a boat out on the lake, or go on a guided moose tour! (2 hours 30 mins from Portland) > Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor – Maine's only National Park, known for dramatic coastal landscapes, granite peaks, and diverse wildlife. Bar Harbor is on the outskirt of the park and is the quintessential coastal Maine town. (3 hours from Portland)