It’s raining, it’s pouring, life is feeling boring. Well, it doesn’t have to if you happen to be in Portland, Maine. While so much of the wonder of Maine happens out of doors, there’s still plenty of in-of-doors memories to be made.
As people that live and work here in Maine, we have some opinions on the best things to see and do in our home state. So below you’ll find a list of some of our favorite rainy-day activities.
Visit the Portland Museum of Art (PMA)
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As soon as you step into the Portland Museum of art, a feeling of calm pervades. There’s something about the spacious white walls, the variety of the art, the way the museum itself seems to keep inviting you further and further, showing so many dazzling, inventive pieces along the way. Visiting the Portland Museum of Art (a museum we also happen to support through the brewery) is a perfect way to step out of whatever mental place you’re in, and simply lose yourself in the beauty that their curated group of artists are able to capture.
Explore the Old Port
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If you have an umbrella and an urge to shop, the Old Port is a choice destination. Bespoke shops of all kinds line this group of narrow streets. And narrow is the key here: you can maximize your inside time without spending too much time in the rain walking from shop to restaurant to bar to shop. Cobblestones. Sea air. Choices galore!
Visit a Brewery Tasting Room
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Did you know that breweries have roofs? In the case of Portland, basically all of them do. And stopping into a tasting room for a little afternoon tipple of local craft beer happens to be an amazing way to pass the time. Because we here at Allagash Brewing Company are, in fact, a brewery, we can’t help but plug our tasting room—which happens to offer an array of award-winning beer and cider, is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and just overall friendly to any and all guests.
Want to see what’s on tap right now? Hit that button below.
Catch a Game
Of course, this one is seasonal, but there are two teams here in Portland that play rain or shine. That would be the Maine Celtics of basketball fame, and the Maine Mariners of hockey game. A perfect trip for you and/or your whole family, both of these teams have reasonable ticket prices and fervent fanbases to cheer along with. Of course, if it’s shining out, then the Sea Dogs, a minor league affiliate of the Red Sox, are always an excellent pick.
Restaurants!
If you have done even a cursory online search of what to do in Portland, restaurants will be high on the list, no matter the weather, time of day, or time of year. And a rainy day is the perfect time to duck inside and tuck in. Alas, we’re going to be supremely unhelpful here by not offering you any specific restaurants to visit. There are too many! They do too many things well! You can pretty much go anywhere and be delighted by the caliber of food offered. This is all to say, look up whatever cuisine you’re in the mood for—burgers, seafood, lobster rolls, pizza, Thai, sushi, Indian, New American, Mexican, vegan, Vietnamese, and more!—and you’ll be able to find something to enjoy. Happy eating!
And to help you whittle down your list, check out one of the most comprehensive and current views of the Portland food scene—the Portland Food Map—through the button below.
And those are our rainy day suggestions. Of course, if you do make it out to the brewery, feel free to ask one of our friendly and helpful staff on more suggestions, as we’re sure they’ll have more than a couple for you!
