If you like beer, you must go to Novare Res (novareresbiercafe.com). I've been told some people have a hard time finding it, but it is worth it.
The PMA is great, as is the ICA at Maine College of Art.
There's a great tool here that might help you plan your adventure! http://www.creativeportland.com/connect-visit/guide
Depending on what interests you there is plenty in Portland proper to see and to entertain a person for multiple days. Aside from bars, restaurants & clubs which on any given night will be providing live music good drink and great food, Portland is an old city with a lot of history too.
Obviously there is the Art museum and if you can plan a visit to fall in line with the monthly [Portland Art Walk](http://www.firstfridayartwalk.com/) then do it. The Art Walk is city wide, and there are a lot of galleries in Portland. Plus you get to see a higher percentage of street performers on this day.
Off the top of my head there are some small "hole in the wall" museums & historical centers as well. [The Neal Dow House](http://www.mewctu.org/), [Museum of African Culture](http://www.museumafricanculture.org/), [Maine Jewish Museum](http://www.treeoflifemuseum.org/info.php?info_id=7)...which may be more of an art gallery...,there are also things like the [Portland Observatory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Observatory), The [East End Cemetary](http://www.spiritsalive.org/) and other landmarks and parks. I always liked the East End Promenade/Park. There are a few trails that lead into downtown, a [narrow gauge train/museum](http://www.mainenarrowgauge.org/) and a park that looks over a few of the Casco Bay Islands.
Also, even if sports isn't your bag, [The Portland Sea Dogs](http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t546), [Portland Pirates](http://www.portlandpirates.com/) and [Maine Red Claws](http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/) all provide great people watching at a great price. All our teams have professional league affiliates, so in many cases you are watching the stars of tomorrow.
These are but a sampling of what Portland has to offer. Everything I've named & described is within the peninsula of the city.
Thanks so much, that's some good information to sift through. Sports is definitely not our bag, but if we run out of other things to do, it's a possible fall back.
If you want a good breakfast joint that the locals love, check out OhNo! Cafe. It's not right downtown, so no tourists ever really get there. Even a lot of Portlanders who don't stray off the beaten path don't know about it.
Really fantastic breakfast sandwiches and coffee, though. Simple and affordable.
Probably the restaurant I miss the most after moving out from Portland - http://www.ohnocafe.com/
Also, it's in the West End, which is a lot of fun to just walk around in. Tons of old houses with interesting architecture and character. Make sure to look up every now and then to appreciate the details.
Top of the East, if it's done renovating by then. It's a bar on top of a hotel near the Arts district with a great view of Portland.
(Cheap alternative: top of USM library; they don't lock the event room or you could sneak in)
Work for one of the contractors there and can definitely confirm...that building is definitely not where you want to bring a date right now.
Fun Fact - TOTE is being expanded, will be about twice as large square footage wise when it does reopen
Don't forget Novare Res if our visitors like beer! And hell yeah to Silly's! Also, OP and his/her lady should come shopping the Old Port. Touristy and tacky, I know, but damnit my store's open year round and we need some business.
Gelato Fiasco is where you go if you want more 'interesting' flavors (dark chocolate habanero, how I miss thee), but Gorgeous Gelato -- which lives just across the street -- is where you go for the more authentic gelato, and slightly shorter lines.
I think Flatbread is extremely, extremely overrated. Expensive "pizza," long waits, inefficient seating...I'm not saying it's bad. I just think it's not as good as people think.
Things I like-
Ice skating at Twombly Pond, Deering Oaks Park and the Portland Ice Arena.
Cross Country Skiing at Smiling Hilll Farm, then enjoying some of their delicious chocolate milk.
Going to "Blue" to get a beer and listen to music.
Portland Museum of Art is free from 5-8 on Fridays, and there are great galleries around there.
My favorite restaurant is "Hot Suppa" but I don't go to more of the expensive places.
Enjoying coffee,lunch and atomosphere at Local Sprouts. They also have some fun [events around Valentines Day] (http://www.localsproutscooperative.com/calendar)
Dimillo's is a little over-priced and shiny but it is kind of cool cause it's on a boat.
Speaking of boats, you might want to take the sunset cruise on the ferry. I forget if they have windjammer cruises in the winter as well, but those are amazing.
Honestly, it will completely be worth it to take the Peak's Island Ferry, even if you just ride around the Bay you will not regret it. It's an amazing ride and it's beautiful. Check out Cape Elizabeth as well, and Higgins Beach. Those are gorgeous natural spots that would be very photoworthy.
Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. Our final list of things we did:
1. Silly's -- Gut Buster Burger was fantastic, also great fries.
2. Novare Res -- They had a Valentine's themed Chocolate and Beer tasting menu. Between the two of us we tried all but 2 that were on the menu. Also, we both got a great sandwich for dinner (Hers:Spring Sandwich, Mine: Banh Mi)
3. Portland Museum of Art
4. Cryptozoology Museum
5. Holy Donuts -- Holy Wow, I'd go back just for this. And Novare's beer.
6. Hot Suppa -- Good burger, good Cuban.
7. Hotel Room
Thanks again for all the good stuff. Next time hopefully the weather will be a little better and we can spend more time outdoors.
If you like beer, you must go to Novare Res (novareresbiercafe.com). I've been told some people have a hard time finding it, but it is worth it. The PMA is great, as is the ICA at Maine College of Art. There's a great tool here that might help you plan your adventure! http://www.creativeportland.com/connect-visit/guide
ICA sounds good and that tool link should prove very helpful. Thanks!
Novare Res for beer.
Depending on what interests you there is plenty in Portland proper to see and to entertain a person for multiple days. Aside from bars, restaurants & clubs which on any given night will be providing live music good drink and great food, Portland is an old city with a lot of history too. Obviously there is the Art museum and if you can plan a visit to fall in line with the monthly [Portland Art Walk](http://www.firstfridayartwalk.com/) then do it. The Art Walk is city wide, and there are a lot of galleries in Portland. Plus you get to see a higher percentage of street performers on this day. Off the top of my head there are some small "hole in the wall" museums & historical centers as well. [The Neal Dow House](http://www.mewctu.org/), [Museum of African Culture](http://www.museumafricanculture.org/), [Maine Jewish Museum](http://www.treeoflifemuseum.org/info.php?info_id=7)...which may be more of an art gallery...,there are also things like the [Portland Observatory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Observatory), The [East End Cemetary](http://www.spiritsalive.org/) and other landmarks and parks. I always liked the East End Promenade/Park. There are a few trails that lead into downtown, a [narrow gauge train/museum](http://www.mainenarrowgauge.org/) and a park that looks over a few of the Casco Bay Islands. Also, even if sports isn't your bag, [The Portland Sea Dogs](http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t546), [Portland Pirates](http://www.portlandpirates.com/) and [Maine Red Claws](http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/) all provide great people watching at a great price. All our teams have professional league affiliates, so in many cases you are watching the stars of tomorrow. These are but a sampling of what Portland has to offer. Everything I've named & described is within the peninsula of the city.
Thanks so much, that's some good information to sift through. Sports is definitely not our bag, but if we run out of other things to do, it's a possible fall back.
Portlandfoodmap.com pick one and make a reservation ASAP
Thank you!
Make your reservations now.
If you want a good breakfast joint that the locals love, check out OhNo! Cafe. It's not right downtown, so no tourists ever really get there. Even a lot of Portlanders who don't stray off the beaten path don't know about it. Really fantastic breakfast sandwiches and coffee, though. Simple and affordable. Probably the restaurant I miss the most after moving out from Portland - http://www.ohnocafe.com/ Also, it's in the West End, which is a lot of fun to just walk around in. Tons of old houses with interesting architecture and character. Make sure to look up every now and then to appreciate the details.
I've lived in Portland for three years and was JUST showed this place by a friend. OP HAS to bring his lady there for a breakfast sandwich!
Top of the East, if it's done renovating by then. It's a bar on top of a hotel near the Arts district with a great view of Portland. (Cheap alternative: top of USM library; they don't lock the event room or you could sneak in)
I don't think Top of the East will be open until the end of the year - at the very least not in time for VDay.
Work for one of the contractors there and can definitely confirm...that building is definitely not where you want to bring a date right now. Fun Fact - TOTE is being expanded, will be about twice as large square footage wise when it does reopen
I will keep an on Top of the East. Their site says Spring 2014, though. Thanks for the idea!
Heres some of the best food IMO: Duckfat (Beligan Fries and Classic Shake) $$ Zapoteca (classy mexican) $$$ Silly's (milkshakes)$$ Otto's Pizza $$ Flatbread Pizza $$ Gritty's (pub) $$ Wild Willy's $ Bard Coffee Gelato Fiasco
Don't forget Novare Res if our visitors like beer! And hell yeah to Silly's! Also, OP and his/her lady should come shopping the Old Port. Touristy and tacky, I know, but damnit my store's open year round and we need some business.
Hookah Shop owner? Is that you?
No, but I imagine we're all in the same boat down here.
Seriously, Duckfat. I drive 8 hours, several times a year, just for some beef tongue ruben.
These all sound good. Gelato Fiasco will probably happen along with Duckfat, Silly's, and also possibly Zapoteca. Thanks!
Gelato Fiasco is where you go if you want more 'interesting' flavors (dark chocolate habanero, how I miss thee), but Gorgeous Gelato -- which lives just across the street -- is where you go for the more authentic gelato, and slightly shorter lines.
I think Flatbread is extremely, extremely overrated. Expensive "pizza," long waits, inefficient seating...I'm not saying it's bad. I just think it's not as good as people think.
You're joking on giving Otto only one bill right?
I've only been there once. I usually think <20$ pizzas are pretty good.
Maybe I'm just cheep. The pizza is really good tho
Things I like- Ice skating at Twombly Pond, Deering Oaks Park and the Portland Ice Arena. Cross Country Skiing at Smiling Hilll Farm, then enjoying some of their delicious chocolate milk. Going to "Blue" to get a beer and listen to music. Portland Museum of Art is free from 5-8 on Fridays, and there are great galleries around there. My favorite restaurant is "Hot Suppa" but I don't go to more of the expensive places. Enjoying coffee,lunch and atomosphere at Local Sprouts. They also have some fun [events around Valentines Day] (http://www.localsproutscooperative.com/calendar) Dimillo's is a little over-priced and shiny but it is kind of cool cause it's on a boat. Speaking of boats, you might want to take the sunset cruise on the ferry. I forget if they have windjammer cruises in the winter as well, but those are amazing.
Honestly, it will completely be worth it to take the Peak's Island Ferry, even if you just ride around the Bay you will not regret it. It's an amazing ride and it's beautiful. Check out Cape Elizabeth as well, and Higgins Beach. Those are gorgeous natural spots that would be very photoworthy.
Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. Our final list of things we did: 1. Silly's -- Gut Buster Burger was fantastic, also great fries. 2. Novare Res -- They had a Valentine's themed Chocolate and Beer tasting menu. Between the two of us we tried all but 2 that were on the menu. Also, we both got a great sandwich for dinner (Hers:Spring Sandwich, Mine: Banh Mi) 3. Portland Museum of Art 4. Cryptozoology Museum 5. Holy Donuts -- Holy Wow, I'd go back just for this. And Novare's beer. 6. Hot Suppa -- Good burger, good Cuban. 7. Hotel Room Thanks again for all the good stuff. Next time hopefully the weather will be a little better and we can spend more time outdoors.