Portland, Maine

 out of 6  reviews
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 out of 6 reviews
Things To Do
Adventure
History
Affordability
Relaxation
Local Food
Romance
Nightlife
Traveling While Black

6 Reviews

  1. CZ
    CZ
    11 Oct 2024
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    Traveling While Black

    Back in August I was itching to go away for a bit and I came across an ig post on the green book page about Portland Maine. I decided to go on a solo trip based on how great that post was and I can say it was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. I felt so safe and there was so much to see and do within walking distance. The boat tour was phenomenal and I’m still daydreaming about the lobster rolls. 10/10

  2. author
    Nwoodby
    20 Sep 2024
    Rating
    Traveling While Black
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    Traveling While Black

    Portland Maine was such a hidden gem for us! I traveled to Portland for the first time this summer and was completely blown away by everything there was to do and how many great food options there were. We traveled with our 4 year old daughter and 2 month infant and found that it was an extremely family friendly destination from the lake and ocean beaches to the children’s museum and even a winery that was super family friendly with different board games that you could play while sampling the wine. While I grew up going to Martha’s Vineyard for a few weeks each summer and have had plenty of lobster rolls- the lobster rolls in Maine blew the Martha’s Vineyard lobster rolls out of the water! What was most surprising to me about Portland is that there were actually a few black owned businesses.

    Since Maine is predominately white, I wasn’t expecting to see many black people at all and definitely was not expecting it to have a few black owned businesses including a Jamaican restaurant called YARDIE TING. While there I would definitely recommend checking it out- it’s a very authentic Jamaican restaurant ran by a husband and wife team and they have everything from oxtails to stewed chicken to patties.

    And if you’re looking for a good late night option check out Oga Suya- it’s a Nigerian bbq spot at the Portland Zoo (an outdoor beer garden type of vibe with DJ’s, etc.)

  3. Nichole
    Nichole
    09 Aug 2024
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    Traveling While Black
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    Traveling While Black

    I can’t really say that I had anything remarkable happen.
    I was in Peabody Mass for a couple of days and stayed at the Homewood Suites with my son and his girlfriend.
    Wandered around Salem and the Village during that time (it was the week leading up to Halloween so it was mostly festive), at a beautiful restaurant (Sea Level Oyster Bar) outside of the main areas of Salem on the water, then drove to Maine.
    Stayed at my son’s place in Brunswick. Went to Portland and ate lobster on the waterfront, drank local beers at the lobster place and also in Bath at Bath Brewing, but we mostly just stayed close as his girlfriend worked early mornings and my son had to drive and pick her up.
    It’s an odd area as it’s not unusual to see a house with both a “don’t tread on me” flag along with a rainbow flag flying (or similar displays along those lines).
    Everywhere we went, I didn’t feel any “tension” and was encouraged enough to want to return but my son has moved from the area so I don’t see it happening now.

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  5. Deondra Berry
    Deondra Berry
    24 Jul 2024
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    Traveling While Black

    I traveled to Portland, Maine solo as a black female. I had a wonderful experience. I was in Portland for three days and two nights. All of the people I encountered (workers, locals, other travelers) were very friendly. I went to Scales, Blyth & Borrows, Commercial Street Pub, The Holy Donut, Eventide, Luke’s Lobster, Cocktail Mary and a few other places. There were a lot of nice shops around the area. I felt safe my entire trip, even when walking home from bars at night. A stayed at the Aloft Hotel, my only complaint is that the walls were super thin.

  6. Brian Oliver
    Brian Oliver
    24 Jul 2024
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    Traveling While Black

    I visited Maine with no clue what to expect. While I knew that the state had much to see and do, I had no idea how receptive locals were to Black travelers. From the time I landed in Portland I was welcomed with open arms and well wishes. Each city I traveled to felt comfortable and safe. It was also great to connect with other Black locals and travelers to enjoy the experience and activities with. Maine is full of great restaurants, deep history and great experiences such as sailing. I would definitely revisit and encourage others to visit as well.

  7. author
    Megan Truman
    24 Jul 2024
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    Traveling While Black

    During our long weekend in Portland, Maine, my husband, and I stayed at the Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront for four nights (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pwmoppy-canopy-portland-waterfront/). We really enjoyed staying there, plus they have an amazing rooftop bar, Luna Rooftop Bar (https://lunarooftopbarmaine.com/). We enjoyed it most at night as it has a breathtaking view of the Old Port Waterfront and a beautiful sightline. Great place to unwind and enjoy a night among the stars or want to enjoy the sunset before a night out on the town. Just so you know, only about 1.44% of people in the city are Black, according to the latest U.S. Census info. Walking around, we often noticed we were the only Black folks in the crowd, but surprisingly, we still had a good time in Portland.

    One of our go-to breakfast spots was Macy’s Diner (https://marcysdiner.com/), a local joint with a friendly staff. They close shop early at 1 PM, and when we were leaving, they offered us some leftover pastries. If you’re into cozy and quick breakfasts, Macy’s is a solid choice.

    We also hit up Local 188 for brunch (https://local188.com/). I’m big on supporting local farmers, and this place had the vibe. I ordered Trent’s Picadillo Hash, and it was tasty. They even had a Homegrown Tea—I went with the Flower Child, which hit the spot on a snowy day. I love supporting Black owned, places and in Maine is it was tough, but we managed to grab lunch at Hi Bombay, an Indian spot near our hotel.

    We enjoyed some other spots too, like Eventide Oyster Co, $3 Dollar Deweys, Butcher Burger (they surprisingly do a yummy lobster roll).

    Now, onto the not-so-great part. We tried out Street & Co.(https://www.streetandcompany.net/), which comes highly recommended for its pricey but delicious food. Be ready to drop at least $50–100 per person. The food was good, but the service was subpar. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but being the only Black people there, with the busboys being the only Black faces we saw, didn’t make it any better. I hopped into that back and chatted with them to see if they could recommend any places that for Black folks, sadly they couldn’t offer up any options. If I had to rate the experience out of 5, it would be Food: 4, Service: 2, Atmosphere: 3.

    We had a blast in terms of entertainment! One evening, we checked out Blue, a local jazz club. The intimate grown and sexy vibe and fantastic drinks made it a memorable night. The only downside was the limited food options during our visit.

    My absolute favorite activity was the beer tasting at Allagash Brewing Company’s (https://www.allagash.com/visit/tasting-room/) “The Cellars.” It was a solid 10/10, hands down the highlight and best experience on our trip. The staff was incredible—super friendly and informative. We did the tasting and tour with three other couples, that were a blast and it turned into such a fun time.

    During the daytime, we explored various sights, museums, and thrift shops. A standout was Weekend Vintage, a thrift store that I really enjoyed.

    Our time in Portland was truly fantastic—it’s all about what you make of it. The city’s unique charm, delicious food, and outdoor adventures, along with unforgettable experiences, have left us eagerly anticipating a return. Specifically, we’re looking forward to revisiting in the summer when the warmer weather will add an extra layer to the cities already Hallmark movie-like charm.

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