Beaches

The towns comprising the Greater Portland area have some of the finest beaches in the State. Ferry Beach, Higgins Beach, Scarborough Beach, Grand Beach and Pine Point Beach are all within 15 minutes of the Scarborough town center. Cape Elizabeth has Crescent Beach, and South Portland has Willard Beach.

Bird Watching / Nature Preserves

Scarborough has miles of tidal salt water marsh that play host to many different varieties of birds. The Scarborough Marsh Nature Center is Maine's largest salt water marsh, and is well known by bird watchers across the country. You can explore the marsh by renting a canoe from the Nature Center and paddling down the Scarborough River. The Prouts Neck Bird Sanctuary, also in Scarborough, is another popular bird watching spot.

Boating

Mainers love their boats. You will find a full range of boating activities in Maine. From waterskiing on Sebago Lake to sailing regattas on Casco Bay. Many places in the state offer boat rentals if you don't own one. Handy Boat in Falmouth is one of the best boatyards in the state, and it sits adjacent to the Portland Yacht Club, one of the best clubs in the state.

Golf

There are many courses in the Greater Portland Area.
Here are a few public courses:
Pleasant Hill Golf Course -- (207) 883-9340
Willowdale Golf Club --? Scarborough -- (207) 883-9351
Sable Oaks Golf Club -- South Portland -- (207) 775-3056

Here are a few private golf clubs:
The Falmouth Country Club -- Falmouth -- (207) 878-2864
The Purpoodock Club -- Cape Elizabeth -- (207) 799-2273
The Portland Country Club -- Falmouth Foreside -- (207) 781-3053
The Woodlands Club -- Falmouth -- (207) 781-2890

Hot Air Balloon Rides

What better way to see the natural wonders of Maine than from a hot air balloon. Think of it, balloon rides are probably the best way to see Fall foliage. Give it a try!
Balloon Rides, Portland -- (800) 952-2076

Lighthouses

In the words of Maine humorist Tim Sample, there are really only three things that visitors to Maine want to do while here. They want to see a lighthouse, eat a lobster and finally they want to climb the steps to some out of the way country store and hear the local geezer on the front porch say "You caaaan't get theyah from heyah." Well we can help you with the first two. You will have to get yourselves lost in order to find the third. Hint -- try Palmyra, Maine.
Bug Light (or Spring Point Ledge Light), South Portland
Boon Island Light, York -- 9 miles off York Beach.
Cape Neddick Light, York.

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth -- Located in Fort Williams State Park. Undeniably one of the most scenic spots in Maine.
Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth -- Two lighthouses -- talk about bang for the buck.
Wood Island Light, Biddeford -- Located at the entrance to Casco Bay.

Lobster

You cannot possibly come to the State of Maine and not enjoy at least one Maine lobster. Here are a couple of places that will be happy to endulge your cravings:

Bayleys Lobster Pound, Pine Point, Scarborough
Port Lobster Company, Kennebunkport

Parks

If you just want to relax and enjoy a picnic with the family, there are many beautiful parks in the Greater Portland area. Here are a few:
Cresent Beach State Park -- Scarborough/Cape Elizabeth
Deering Oaks Park -- Portland
Fort Williams State Park -- Portland
Two Lights State Park -- Cape Elizabeth

Many beautiful state parks are within only a few hours of Portland. For example:
Sebabo Lake State Park, Casco
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor

Restaurants

The Greater Portland area has one of the highest ratios of restaurants to residents in the entire nation! Here are just a few of our favorites with a few editorial comments:

Fore Street, Portland
From the owners of Street and Company (see below), another open kitchen-style restaurant serving only the best fresh seafood, poultry and meats. More spacious than Street and Company but the same lively atmosphere.

Sapporo, Portland
Good Japanese food with a great sushi bar. Located on the waterfront in Portland.

Fuji, Portland
A great selection of Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

Imperial China, South Portland
Award winning New York style Chinese food. Great menu!

The Roma, Portland
Gourmet Italian served in an intimate atmosphere.

Street and Company, Portland
Fresh local seafood served in a lively bistro atmosphere. An open kitchen adds to the charm.

The White Barn Inn, Kennebunkport
Maine's most highly acclaimed restaurant. They received an excellent review from Bon Appetit magazine and are rated highly in the Michelin Guide. An elegant dining experience.

Skiing

The State of Maine offers some of the best downhill and cross-country skiing in the country. Within two hours of Greater Portland you will find Sugarloaf Mountain (207) 237-6934, Sunday River (207) 824-6400 and Shawnee Peak, to mention a few. For more information, contact the Ski Maine Association at (207) 761-3774.

Sporting Events

Portland is home to two minor league teams: The Portland Sea Dogs, our baseball team and The Portland Pirates, our hockey team. Both teams are very popular with Mainers.

Tennis

There are several public courts in Greater Portland. Most of the public high schools in the area have courts. Public courts are also available at Portland's Deering Oaks Park. "Serious" players usually join one of the racket clubs in the area or pay for weekly court time in order to ensure access to a court, and in order to ensure that they have a place to play through the winter. Here are two of the more popular clubs in the area:

The Racket and Fitness Center . . . . . (207) 775-6128
Located at 2445 Congress Street in Portland. (About 10 minutes from the Scarborough town center). The club offers 9 tennis courts, racquetball courts, walleyball, instruction and a fitness center.

Portland Athletic Club . . . . . . . . . . . . (207) 781-2671
Located at 196 U.S. Route 1 in Falmouth. (About 20 minutes from Scarborough town center). The club has 6 tennis courts.

Theatres

Mad Horse Theatre, Portland . . . . . . . . (207) 797-3338

Portland Stage Company, Portland . . . . (207) 774-0465

The State Theatre, Portland . . . . . . . . . (207) 773-5540

White Water Rafting

Whitewater rafting in Maine has become immensely popular over the past 20 years, probably due to the fact that controlled dam releases on Maine's rivers guarantee the necessary water levels for rafting. Maine's whitewater season extends from May to October. The most popular whitewater rivers are the Kennebec, the Penobscot and Dead River. For more information call (800) 723-8633 (800-RAFT-MEE)