Updated: January 20, 2023The state of Maine has been officially known as “Vacationland” since at least 1936. At any rate, that’s when the state’s license plates have borne this well known moniker.For many, the idea of Maine conjures up images of camping, sandy beaches and lobster bakes. And while you can do all of these things year-round (take it from an avid winter camper) as a destination, Maine is [...]
Updated: June 14, 2020 While Portland Maine has long been a busy vacation spot for tourists, the last ten years have seen a notable shift in the volume of travelers visiting Vacationland. And the state's largest city has been raking in the accolades recently, which might explain some of the booming popularity. Take a look at the following rankings and awards Portland has won in the past: Most [...]
Updated: June 3, 2020 Coffee--Hot, Iced, Mocha, Espresso, Cappuccino You already know some of the more prominent coffee shops around Portland—but what about those smaller neighborhood places? Here’s a few close by and a few further out—and even a couple in South Portland! Coffee Me Up at 221 Cumberland Avenue opened up nearly 2-years ago. Come into the warm atmosphere Alba and Mateo have created near City Hall. [...]
Published: June 1, 2020 What makes a place home? Each year there are thousands of tourists that flock to Portland, Maine to experience its unique sights, sounds, and seafood-centered cuisine. While many visiting for business or pleasure can hit Portland's staple locations, few can fully understand the elusive charm the city offers its local citizens-- beyond uniform hotel rooms. Listen to what famous Portland, Maine native Henry Wadsworth [...]
Published: May 26, 2020From clusters of coffee shops to towering murals behind street bends, there is so much to explore in the eclectic city of Portland, Maine. Yet some of the city's most beautiful spots lay intermingled throughout the town in the Portland Trail system, a giant map of over 30 green walkways and paths designed for the perfect escape from city life. While we believe you’ll love the busy center surrounding our Portland Maine Rentals properties, in this article we’d like [...]
Updated: May 20, 2020 Portland Maine, being a peninsula, is surrounded by water and not surprising—beaches and state parks. Some are just a quick bike ride, while a few of the others, may require a short car ride. Here’s a sampling of what’s to offer within 15 minutes of Portland. The Eastern Promenade, in Portland, has stunning views of Casco Bay and is an historic, grassy, harbor side [...]
Published: May 15, 2020Perhaps “survivor” is not the first word you associate with Portland, Maine. While many visitors and locals alike are dazzled by the city’s majestic brick buildings and federally inspired state buildings, most do not understand the tumultuous past that led to the current downtown area’s state. Sometimes referred to as the Pheonix City, Portland has a checkered past of mass fires and [...]
Published: May 9, 2020 For some people, the work of Dana Heacock has become synonymous with Maine: lobster traps, boats anchored in a shallow cove, birch groves and scenic outlooks. You may have seen Heacock's now iconic prints in calendar form, perhaps the best know work from Heacock's Abacus Gallery, with locations throughout Maine. From the Abacus Gallery website... My name is Dana [...]
Published: April 18, 2020 W. Rutledge was a popular lithographer of the late 19th century. His lithograph prints of nature, particularly birds from all around the world, brought foreign lands to life for readers in Great Britain and North America, where his works found there way into numerous publications. Rutledge's print work adorns the walls of several different Portland Maine Rental units. Both in its elegant style and [...]
Published: March 30, 2020 Alice Harmon Shaw was born in 1913 and grew up on a farm in Cape Elizabeth, south of Portland, Maine. Shaw painted primarily in watercolors, depicting natural scenes. Though also known for her portraiture and drawing, her most commonly traded works are of the southern Maine coast. From the Randall Antiques & Fine Art entry on Shaw... Raised on [...]