How to Spend 1 Day in Portland, Maine with Kids
As we made our way through our 10-day New England road trip, stopping in Portland, Maine with kids served as the perfect stop between Boston and Acadia National Park. While you could definitely spend several days exploring this charming city, we only had 24 hours, and found it to be just enough time to experience some of Portland’s most iconic attractions while soaking in its charming coastal atmosphere.
From learning how to check lobster traps on a real working lobster boat to indulging in Maine’s famous potato donuts and exploring one of the most beautiful lighthouses in New England, our quick visit packed in plenty of memorable moments.
Here’s exactly how we spent 24 hours in Portland, Maine with kids.
Day 1: All About the Maine Lobsters 🦞
After spending the morning finishing up our time in Boston, we headed to Portland mid afternoon. When we arrived, we headed straight to The Holy Donut to try some of their famous potato donuts. It’s famous for a reason, so expect a line! Luckily it moves fast.
Then we headed right across the street to check in for one of the most unique experiences we’ve ever had: a lobster boat cruise with The Lucky Catch. This working lobster boat takes you out on a 90-minute tour of the harbor, where you get the chance to check lobster traps and learn about what it’s like working on a lobster boat in Maine.
This cruise was iconic, and even though we had cold & rainy weather, our whole family was grinning from ear to ear after our cruise was over. The staff was so friendly and excited to teach us, and didn’t hesitate to give my kids “jobs”, which they thought was the coolest thing ever.
If you only choose one excursion to repeat from my 10-day New England road trip, make it this one.
One of the best parts of the lobster cruise is that you can buy your lobsters right off the boat (2/$25) and take them next door to Portland Lobster Co., where they will cook them and serve them with sides for less than $15! Can’t beat that price for a freshly caught lobster diner.
Day 2: Explore Portland’s Historic Downtown
The next morning, we spent a few hours wandering through Portland’s historic downtown and Old Port district.
This area is exactly what many people picture when they imagine coastal New England. Cobblestone streets, historic brick buildings, local boutiques, waterfront views, and cozy coffee shops make it one of the most charming downtown areas we’ve visited.
Start your morning by grabbing coffee from one of the local cafés before spending some time browsing the shops. The atmosphere alone makes it worth exploring, and there are so many great shops full of Maine themed gifts – perfect for grabbing a souvenir.
Family-Friendly Morning Activity Options
Depending on your family’s interests and the weather, here are a couple options for how to spend the rest of your morning:
Option 1: Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
Families with younger children will adore the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. The museum is filled with hands-on exhibits that encourage creativity, exploration, and imaginative play. It’s a great option if you’re traveling with younger kids or looking for an indoor activity.
Option 2: Portland Fire Engine Co. Tour
If your family wants to see the city in a unique way, consider hopping aboard the Portland Fire Engine Co. tour. These narrated tours take place aboard a vintage fire truck and provide a fun overview of Portland’s history, architecture, and waterfront areas. Kids will adore riding on the fire truck while learning about the city.
Afternoon: Visit The Portland Head Light
Before leaving Portland, make sure to spend some time at Portland Head Light, one of the most iconic lighthouses in the United States.
Located within Fort Williams Park, this stunning lighthouse sits atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Even if you’ve seen photos before, it’s hard to appreciate just how beautiful this location is until you’re standing there in person. The rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and panoramic ocean views make it one of the most photographed spots in New England.
The park itself is worth exploring as well. Take a walk along the shoreline, enjoy the open green spaces, visit the lighthouse museum, and explore some of the historical sites in the park, like the Goddard Mansion or the old World War II coastal defense batteries.
Make sure to grab some blueberry cobbler ice cream from the food trucks while you are here – it was insanely good!
Next Stop: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park
After soaking in the views at Portland Head Light, we hit the road and continued our journey to Bar Harbor, where we would spend the next several days exploring Acadia National Park.
If you’re following along with our 10-day New England road trip itinerary, be sure to check out my guide to spending three days exploring Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park with kids.
Where We Stayed
There are tons of family friendly options in Portland. Here are my top recommendations:
- Hyatt Place Portland Downtown (great location + rooms that sleep 6)
- Holiday Inn Portland by the Bay (indoor pool)
- Home2Suites by Hilton (free breakfast, pool + more budget friendly)
Is Portland Worth Visiting With Kids?
Absolutely.
Portland offers a wonderful mix of coastal scenery, unique experiences, delicious food, and family-friendly attractions that make it an ideal stop on any New England road trip. Even with just 24 hours, we were able to experience some of the city’s most memorable highlights, and had one of our favorite experiences of our entire 10 days in New England.
Between experiencing lobstering first-hand, eating fresh seafood, exploring the charming Old Port, and visiting one of Maine’s most famous lighthouses, Portland ended up being one of our favorite stops of the trip.
