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Downtown Neighborhoods
Portland is locally organized by neighborhoods, each with their own flavor and characteristics. Click here for a pdf map of downtown Portland neighborhoods
ARTS DISTRICT
Portland’s Cultural Center Uptown, a few blocks from the waterfront, is Portland’s secret treasure–the Arts District. With Congress Street as its spine, this once traditional shopping street has turned into a mecca of museums, educational institutions, art galleries, contemporary music venues, and art studios.
The world class Portland Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the Maine College of Art, the renovated State Theatre, Portland Stage Company, the Center for Maine History, Museum of African Culture and the stunningly-renovated Merrill Auditorium all line Congress Street. Walking Congress Street provides a glimpse of office buildings intermingled with historically preserved buildings. Some highlights are the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the 19th century childhood home of the poet and the First Parish Church with an original cannon ball from the revolutionary war as a chandelier.
Portland’s City Hall was built by Carrere and Hastings, best known for their design of the New York Public Library. And Portland High School is the oldest standing high school in the country. If you listen closely, you can hear history continuously in the making.
OLD PORT – Portland’s Historic Waterfront District
Portland’s Old Port is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country. Seamlessly connected to the waterfront, the Old Port is both a working waterfront and a local shopping, dining, and entertainment district.
Taking a walk at the water’s edge along Commercial Street provides a window into the working waterfront. Just steps from the water, one can stroll down the cobblestone streets and experience the quaint charm of this district. The boutique shopping, one-of-a-kind stores, restaurants serving Maine’s famous lobster dishes or the latest nouvelle cuisine, and a vibrant nightlife are all unparalleled to any other New England city.
The smell of the sea air, the sound of a foghorn, and the chatter of seagulls add to an atmosphere that is undeniably Portland, undeniably Maine.
WEST END
West End neighborhood is famous for its architecture and boasts some of Portland’s largest historic homes including the historic Victoria Mansion museum. Located on the Western side of the peninsula, with parks, and Victorian neighborhoods the West End is not to be missed.
EAST END
At the far Eastern end of the promenade is the East End neighborhood that encompasses Munjoy Hill, the Eastern Promenade, East End Beach and the Portland Observatory. Just a few minutes walk to the Old Port, and a large lawn to enjoy the water views, the East End has a lot to offer!
BAYSIDE
Bordered by Forest Avenue, Marginal Way, Cumberland Avenue, and Franklin Street, the Bayside Neighborhood hosts an eclectic mix of families and singles, immigrants, businesses and an active neighborhood association. It is also home to Whole Foods, Trader Joes and the Bayside Trail.
