The Perfect Blend of the Present With A Very Special Past

Back coves and portholes. Ferries and festivals. Mansions and microbrews. It seems impossible that a single seaside city jutting into Casco Bay could offer so much. And yet, the entirety of the Greater Portland Region is a tribute to its diversity.

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Casco Bay Adventures

Pack a picnic and cast-off with your four-paw mate on a Casco Bay Lines ferry to one of Portland’s many island communities or take the Mailboat Cruise down the bay and back. You can purchase tickets for your family and your salty sea dog in the dog-friendly Casco Bay ferry terminal. Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours, located on Long Wharf, welcomes mellow mutts to do a scenic lighthouse cruise and soak-up a little maritime history.

Beaches

Portland boasts miles of tongue-hanging coastline where beach dogs can get their paws sandy and paddle around. From Labor Day to Memorial Day, area beaches offer extended beach hours with off-leash play at Portland’s Eastern Beach, South Portland’s Willard Beach, and many Scarborough beaches. During the busy summer season, many area beaches provide beach dog hours around sunrise and sunset. Be sure to follow the posted rules and only leave paw prints.

Trails

Portland Trails, a non-profit land trust, offers a vast network of over 70 miles of wooded trails, coastal paths and green space that you can sniff out with your dog. On a hot day, your dogs can dip their paws into a stream, river or the ocean, depending on the trail. PortlandTrails.org has an interactive map to help you pick your hike. The Eastern Promenade Trail can be accessed near Portland’s Ocean Gateway’s dog-friendly Visitor Center and delivers views towards Fort Gorges and access to Eastern Beach.

Authentic Allue

It’s all right here: great dining and shopping, hopping nightlife, outdoor recreation, historical and cultural attractions, and stunning natural beauty. Its small scale, accessible waterfront, fine architecture, and creative vibe have propelled Portland to the top of many national lists of best places to vacation. But you won’t have to give up the quintessential Maine coast to enjoy all that Greater Portland has to offer – islands, lighthouses, beaches, and surf crashing on the rocky shore are all in proximity of Portland’s vibrant, historic downtown. Portland, Maine Authentic – By Nature.