Sights in Portland
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Museum at Portland Head Light
Fort Williams Park, on Cape Elizabeth, has rolling lawns dotted with bunkers and gun emplacements, from WWII, although the fort actively guarded the entrance to Casco Bay from 1873 to 1964. Right next to the park stands Portland Head Light, the oldest of Maine’s 52 functioning lighthouses. It was commissioned by President George Washington in 1791 and staffed until 1989, when machines took over. The keeper’s house has been passed into service as the Museum at Portland Head Light, which traces the maritime and military history of the region.
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Desert of Maine
William Tuttle came to Freeport in 1797 to farm potatoes, but his deadly combination of clear-cutting and overgrazing caused enough erosion to expose the glacial desert hidden beneath the topsoil. The shifting dunes, which are 70ft deep in some areas, cover entire trees and the old farm’s buildings. Admission includes a 30-minute tram tour and lots of kiddy activities. To reach the farm, take I-95 exit 19 and head west of the highway for 2 miles.
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Portland Museum of Art
Works of Maine painters Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth are showcased at the Portland Museum of Art. Maine's finest art museum also boasts solid contemporary collections; post-Impressionist works by Picasso, Monet and Renoir; and a brilliant collection of Portland art glass. If you enjoy period homes, be sure to stroll through the restored 1801 McLellan House, entered through the museum and included in the ticket price.
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Shaker Museum
The nation's only active Shaker community is at Sabbathday Lake, 25 miles north of Portland. Founded in the early 18th century, a handful of devotees keep the Shaker tradition of simple living, hard work and fine artistry alive. You can tour several of their buildings on a visit to the Shaker Museum. To get there, take exit 63 off the Maine Turnpike and continue north for 8 miles on ME 26.
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Museum of African Culture
This museum houses over 1500 pieces of art and craftwork from sub-Saharan Africa, with a particularly impressive collection of ceremonial masks. Traditional pottery, ivory flutes and nicely executed changing exhibitions add to the portfolio. At the time of research the museum was temporarily closed in preparation for a move to its new Brown Street location.
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Bradbury Mountain State Park
Bradbury Mountain State Park has several miles of forested hiking trails, including an easy 10-minute hike to a 485-foot summit. It yields a spectacular view all the way to the ocean. There are 35 rustic campsites here. To reach it, take ME 125 and ME 136 north from Freeport, and turn left just after crossing I-95; from there, follow the state park signs.
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Portland Observatory Museum
The hilltop Portland Observatory Museum, built in 1807 as a maritime signal station to direct ships entering the bustling harbor. Its function was roughly on par with that of an airport traffic control tower today. From the top of this observatory, the last of its kind remaining in the USA, you'll be rewarded with a sweeping view of Casco Bay.
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Victoria Mansion
Victoria Mansion, just a few blocks southeast of the art museum, is an outstanding Italianate palace dating back to 1860. Inside, it’s decorated sumptuously with rich furniture, frescoes, paintings, carpets, gilt and exotic woods and stone. Admission includes a 45-minute guided tour.
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Longfellow House
The Longfellow House, the childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82), retains its original character, complete with the poet's family furnishings. Admission includes entry to the adjacent Maine Historical Society Museum, which has exhibits on the state's history.
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Fort Williams Park
Up for a picnic in an unbeatable setting? Head 4 miles south of central Portland to Cape Elizabeth and the 90-acre Fort Williams Park where you'll find Portland Head Light, New England's most photographed lighthouse and the oldest (1791) of Maine's more than 60 lighthouses.
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DeLorme Mapping Company
Don’t miss a visit to this office with its giant 5300 sq ft rotating globe, Eartha, in nearby Yarmouth at exit 17 off I-95. Maker of the essential Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, DeLorme also creates maps and software for every destination in the United States.
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Wolf Neck Woods State Park
Wolf Neck Woods State Park, just outside Freeport, has 5 miles of easy hiking trails, including a scenic Shoreline Walk that skirts Casco Bay. To reach the park, take Bow Street and turn right on Wolf Neck Rd.
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Space
This alternative arts space shows some of Portland’s most imaginative sculptures, video art, installations and other mixed-media projects. It also hosts live music, film fests and literary readings.
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Institute of Contemporary Art
Located at the Maine College of Art (MECA), this progressive gallery hosts impressive exhibitions of established and emerging artists in MECA’s Porteous Building location.
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Salt Gallery
The arm of a documentary institute that isn’t afraid of multimedia exhibitions. Visitors can peruse photo essays, audio recordings and works in prose and poetry.
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Winslow Memorial Park
Overlooking the islands of Casco Bay, the Winslow Memorial Park, is a 90-acre seaside park with a short nature trail and a beach area for swimming.
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Domaine Gallery
Domaine specializes in fine-art photography, with prints that feature the rugged geography of Maine. You’ll also find jewelry crafted by Maine artisans.
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Fore Street Gallery
This well-located gallery displays watercolors, oil paintings and photographs of Maine landscapes, all created by regional artists.
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Children's Museum of Maine
Folks with kids in tow should head for the Children's Museum of Maine.
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