Portland’s duality allows it to exist as both a thriving city while keeping the friendliness and livability of a quaint, New England town. Portland boasts a vibrant art scene, first-class theatre, ballet, opera  and entertainment and as many restaurants per capita as San Francisco. With historic buildings and a working waterfront, a brand new library, island communities dotting the coast, the Portland Seadogs minor league baseball team, the Portland Pirates AHL hockey team, and the Red Claws, Portland’s NBA-D League basketball team, Portland is a kaleidoscope of activities and interests for all kinds. Bon Appetit magazine dubbed Portland the “Foodiest Small Town in America” for its innovative and award-winning restaurants, and perhaps the beautiful scenery, lots of activities and good food led to a recent 2011 distinction: researchers just determined Maine to be the most peaceful state in the nation.

The area has several colleges and the University of Southern Maine, which includes the headquarters of the national Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network (OLLI—formerly called Senior College).  Falmouth, Portland and the Maine Historical Society have outstanding libraries which host educational collections, exhibits and programs.  Amongst the plethora of nearby art museums and galleries is the  Portland Museum of Art which has roughly 15 changing exhibitions per year and houses the largest European art collection north of Boston.

Additionally, Portland houses Maine Medical Center, Maine’s premier hospital that offers services not available elsewhere in the state. One of the country’s consistently highest rated hospitals, Maine Medical Center was rated the fourth safest hospital in the US.

With Portland’s easily accessible International Jetport and multiple, daily Amtrak train and bus service directly to Boston,  Portland acts as a gateway to the rest of the world – and for friends and family visiting, getting here couldn’t be more simple!

For more information about Portland all its offerings, please visit the official Portland, Maine Travel Site at www.visitportland.com.

Additional Local Resources:

Town of Falmouth, Maine
Portland Chamber of Commerce
Maine Audubon Society
Maine Historical Society
Southern Maine Agency on Aging