April 30, 2025 • 25 mins
One of my favorite memories of my life happened in Portland Maine. I won’t go into too many details because it’s not relevant, but it involved a concert at the historic State Theater in Portland. I have always had a fondness for Portland. It goes all the way back to my younger years going camping with my Grandfather. We’d swing through Portland from time to time.
It’s such a cool city that probably doesn’t get enough love because, well, it’s in Maine. People think Maine is so far north it’s practically in the North Pole. But actually it’s very accessible. It’s only about 90 minutes north of Boston. That’s really not bad.
Portland has some amazing coastline, incredible artwork and an arts scene, and some wonderful seafood as well as some of the best restaurants in all of New England. Ever since I was a kid I remember Portland being big in the food and arts scenes. And don’t let me forget sports. There’s a lot of minor league sports in Portland that bring in fans from all over to check it out.
I had a chance to talk all about Portland Maine with the president and CEO of Visit Portland, Lynn Tillotson. I even got a little history lesson in the process. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
It’s such a cool city that probably doesn’t get enough love because, well, it’s in Maine. People think Maine is so far north it’s practically in the North Pole. But actually it’s very accessible. It’s only about 90 minutes north of Boston. That’s really not bad.
Portland has some amazing coastline, incredible artwork and an arts scene, and some wonderful seafood as well as some of the best restaurants in all of New England. Ever since I was a kid I remember Portland being big in the food and arts scenes. And don’t let me forget sports. There’s a lot of minor league sports in Portland that bring in fans from all over to check it out.
I had a chance to talk all about Portland Maine with the president and CEO of Visit Portland, Lynn Tillotson. I even got a little history lesson in the process. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hey, it's up everyone. Welcome to Delightful Destinations. My name
is Jeff Saint Pierre. This is episode twenty nine. If
this is your first time checking out the program, welcome,
I appreciate your time. Delightful Destinations as a show that
I created so I could talk to representatives from different
locations around the country and learn more about these beautiful
places that are all around us. I'm always looking for
(00:23):
an excuse to get away from home and experience something new,
and I hope this show will help inspire you for.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Your next excursion.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
One of my favorite memories of my life happened in Portland, Maine.
I won't go into too many details because it's well,
not really relevant to this conversation, but it involved a
concert at the historic State Theater in Portland, Maine. I've
always had a fondness for Portland. It goes all the
way back to my younger years going camping with my grandfather.
We'd swing through Portland from time to time as we
drove through Maine. It's such a cool city that probably
(00:52):
doesn't get enough love because well, honestly, it's in Maine.
People think Maine is so far north. It's practically in
the North Pole. But actually it's very accessible. It's only
about ninety minutes north of Boston. That's really not that bad.
Portland's got some amazing coastline, incredible art work and an
art scene, and some wonderful seafood as well as some
of the best restaurants in all of New England. Ever
(01:13):
since I was a kid, I remember Portland being big
in the food and art scenes and that still continues.
And don't let me forget sports. There's a lot of
minor league sports in Portland too that bring in fans
from all over to check it out. I had a
chance to talk about Portland, Maine with the President and
CEO of Visit Portland, Lynn Tillotson. I even got a
little history lesson in the process, which I really enjoyed.
I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
It's so nice to meet you as well, and thank
you for clarifying Portland, Maine.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Portland Maine.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I know it's tough when you've got some major cities
in the country that share the same name, right, like Boston.
There's really only one Boston, right, But like Portland, there
is Portland, Oregon that a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Know of so you got to make sure we clarify.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
You know, there is a real story about that. There
could have been two Boston's. Oh really, there are two
people who went over to Portland, Oregon. At the time
was not named. One gentleman was from Portland, Maine. One
gentleman was from Boston, Massachusetts. When they got to Oregon,
they flipped a coin to see what the name was
(02:14):
going to be. And I am very sad that Portland won.
I guess if you could call it, because it causes
a lot of confusion. I wish it would have been Boston, Oregon.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
That is so funny to think of a world where
there's a Boston, Oregon. That's very funny, I know.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
And the coin is actually in a museum in Portland, Oregon.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh wow.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I didn't even that. This is a whole history lesson.
And I grew up there. I grew up in New Hampshire,
So I mean, I'm not going to tell you I'm
an expert on the history of everything that goes on
in New England, but I've never heard that story in
my life.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah, I know, I have a city councilor that's charged
me with getting the coin back. I don't think that's
ever going to happen, but he wants me on a mission.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
That's really funny. Well, I wish you the best in
that journey that you're on. Yeah, thanks, thanks, Well, Lynn,
I do want to talk about Portland Maine. I I
wouldn't say a lot of time in Portland, but I
have spent time in Portland. My grandfather lived in Hampton,
New Hampshire, which is, you know, just south basically of
the main border. So we used to go into Portland
to go camping all the time and just go up
(03:13):
there and visit and hang out. Been to a couple
of concerts at the State Theater. Is that still there
at the State Theater?
Speaker 3 (03:18):
It absolutely is. It's one of our historical gems.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
It's a beautiful place to see some music. I've only
seen music there. I don't know what else goes on there,
but it's such a beautiful place in Portland. Portland just
has this energy, this vibe about it that is so wonderful.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Yeah, it really does. It's a very approachable sitting. It's
got a lot of art and culture and of course
food is amazing, but it's walkable. It doesn't feel overwhelming.
You can really do Portland in a long weekend and
enjoy all of it.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
I feel like it's very welcoming too. That's the word
that keeps coming to mind, Like, I think the people
in Portland are very welcoming. I think the the food,
the art, everything is just come on in, come be
a part of what we're doing here.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah, you've got it, absolutely. And not too long ago,
we were doing some work on a strategic plan and
everyone was saying the same thing, whether it was residents
or visitors or people in the business. It was a
sense of pride that people had about this place. You
just felt like you were family right off the bed.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
It's funny because growing up I moved away from New
Hampshire when I was eighteen to go to college and
kind of never really went back. My family still lives there,
so I visit, but I never lived there full time
again after that. And we used to joke when I
was younger, how do you know the toothbrush was invented
in Maine, because anywhere else would be the teeth brush,
And so we had this little fun rivalry with Maine.
But now looking back on it, man like I feel
(04:47):
like I should have spent more time there across the border.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
You still can, You still can. It's only like an
hour and a half flight from Baltimore, so come on U.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, it's really easy.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
I mean an hour and a half flight from Baltimore
if you happened to be in New England. It's super
accessible from Boston, from Manchester, New Hampshire, whatever, it's very close.
I think people think of Maine as being so far north,
which it is, but it's not far from a lot
of major areas, it really is.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
And you're right. People think of us, they think of
the US map and they see Maine way up there
and they think, oh my gosh, it's almost in Canada.
But we're only two hours from Boston driving, and all
of New England is so easy to day trip between
Maine and New Hampshire and Vermont in Massachusetts, Rhode Island.
We're a tight little community up here.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Let's talk about some of the big things or the
special things about Portland that maybe people don't know a
ton about. And I want to talk about sports because
I remember when the Portland Sea Dogs were founded.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
It was such a big deal.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
We went to a couple of games up there and
it was just such a special thing, and then watching
that team grow over the years. Minor league sports a
very big deal in Portland.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
It's a huge deal. And the Sports Business Journal just
announced Portland, Maine as the number one minor league destination
in the US amazing, which is a huge accolade. I
didn't even realize how huge it was until I started
talking to the folks from Sports Business Journal, and they
do this very in depth analysis of all the minor
(06:15):
league destinations across the US, and they did really deep.
They give points for different things throughout their very long process.
They don't even know who will come out on the
end until the system formulates everything and then all of
a sudden there's a winner. And so we were really
really excited to be chosen the winner this year. And
it's because of our We've got the Sea Dogs, which
(06:39):
is our baseball team, the main Celtics is our basketball team,
the Main Mariners is hockey, and then to round it off,
we just got a USL soccer team.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
So we've got all four and it's really exciting.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I go so far back, I don't know, are you
a main resident, you are like a local or have you?
I should say, are you a native, not a resident?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Are you a native?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
I'm a native. Moved away for fourteen years and lived
in a southern state and then realized, now gotta go back.
That's where my heart is.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
I have a you know, baseball pennants, right, like the
you know, the pennant, the logo that teams will put out.
I have a baseball pennant from the main Phillies and
that goes back. I mean I probably got that when
I was like, I don't know, in single digits maybe
even so we're going back like thirty five years. But
there was a minor league team called the Maine Phillies
and my dad took me up there. I mean, I
(07:36):
just feel like I'm saying that to tell you that
I feel like minor league sports has been a part
of Maine for so long. It's just it's a wonderful thing.
I mean, you don't have the big major league teams
up there. You don't really have the fan capacity to
support a major league team, but you do have enough
for a minor league team, and it really Maine and
Portland have really leaned into that.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Yeah, we do follow. We're very loyal to our book teams.
When it comes to major leagues, but for the minor league,
it's such a great family and community opportunity. So it's
warming to our hearts.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
People of sleep on the food scene of Portland too.
I think I don't know if people think of Portland,
Maine as like a foody destination, but I'll tell you
it's legit.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
We're really excited about the food scene here. It is
really legit because we get nominations or winners almost every
year when it comes to the James Beard nominees. It's exciting.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
It is exciting, and I feel like a city like
may A, Portland, Maine, a city of that size.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
That's where the food really is.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Like when I've been talking to people in different areas
around the country for this podcast, it's those sort of
like smaller to mid level cities where you see a
lot of chefs go and set up shop and put
an amazing thing there in this community. Everybody thinks of
New York or la or Chicago, but it's these cities
like Portland, like that size that really have the market
on the food scene.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
You know what I love is the ingenuity of all
the restaurant owners and chefs here. They really love to
work with the seafood that's right in our bed right here,
just steps from the restaurants or the local farmers and
different people who are doing special things with the food scene.
(09:28):
They really incorporate it into their menus, and I think
that's what makes it special. And it can go from
as you know, fish and chips on a local place
right on the water, you know, under on an umbrella
on a picnic table, to a really nice high end
dinner restaurant where you can have a nice, quiet, romantic
dinner all over the place.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
You're painting that picture for me right now. And we
have I live in Baltimore, so we have Anapolis not
far and Annapolis is very reminiscent of a Portland or
a Portsmouth, New Hampshire, like that kind of vibe that
ol old, you know, early American style city that's right
there on the water. But I'm just picturing those little
restaurants right there on the water with the umbrella. You've
got the paper underneath your food, that's the red and
(10:12):
white checkered paper in the basket. And I've just got
this image now of the seafood platter in front of me,
and I'm just I'm very hungry now is what I'm
getting at, Lynn.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Yeah, I know it is. It's getting closer to lunch.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Yeah, And my family for Easter every year would always
go up into your region and we would get seafood.
That was our thing for Easter. We didn't do the
traditional if you will Easter dinner. We'd always go get
seafood up there somewhere on the coast. And now, knowing
we're kind of in that timeframe right now, I'm just
I'm having a lot of feelings about that. You really
just put me in this place and it's great, Lynn,
(10:44):
I love that you're just giving me this great image.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Well, we actually have stats about the repeat visitation that
comes to me sure, and there's so much that if
you come here once, you want to come back over
and over and over, and we've had generations of families
come back and it is because of that. It's those
warm memories that you get and this sense of being
(11:07):
with family and spending time with family and enjoying it
and having a lot available. But also in a simpler way,
in a way, you know, the traffic, we get upset
if this traffic there's like ten cars deep, Like, oh
my gosh, there's so much traffic.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
You know, how many people are in Portland? What's your population?
Speaker 3 (11:27):
It's only sixty six thousand people in Portland's.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
That's smaller than I would think because maybe it's because
I grew up up there, but I just think of
the name Portland, Maine as being a very recognizable city,
so I would think you'd be a little bit larger
than that. But sixty six Yeah, it's very manageable. You
don't run into a lot of the same problems that
you would even in Baltimore with about three hundred thousand ish, like,
we have a lot more problems like that, like traffic
and situations where you don't have that in Portland.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yeah. Yeah, it's true. And you know, in the area
because the whole everything's pretty tight here. I think the
population in the whole region is about two hundred and
fifty thousand. But for Portland itself, it is very, very manageable.
But it also makes because of that, it makes tourism
so important. It's why we love visitors coming to see us,
(12:17):
and because we can't sustain everything that we have here.
I mean, we have almost five hundred restaurants, which is
so crazy, it's just nuts.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
What's your busiest time of year. When it comes to tourism.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
The busiest time is typical what you would think summer
and fall. That makes sense, yeah, because it's main people
want to think about coming to Maine during those times. However,
we're really seeing a big shift in our shoulder season
as well. Around the holidays. Holidays here are wonderful. Art
and theater come alive. There's lots of holiday musicals or
(12:57):
theater that happen. Shoppings great, but even in the wintertime.
People may not think of coming to Portland in the wintertime,
and it's probably my favorite time of year because this
city is such a walkable city. You can walk to
the different restaurants, All the shops are open, the art
(13:18):
and theater are absolutely come alive that time of year. Really,
the only thing that shuts down are our boat tours.
But you can still get on a ferry and do
the ferry around the islands because people live on the islands,
so they ferry all year round, so you still get
out on the water. But is my favorite time year.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Yeah. I think people sleep on winter up in the
Portland main area because I think they just think it's cold,
But then you see reports come out. Like recently we
saw the World Happiness Report and as always, Finland is
number one, and you know, Finland, Norway, Sweden, all these
countries that are cold for a predominant part of the
year always are the happiest country's in the world. And
(14:01):
I think it's so interesting because places like Portland, like
you just have to own it, right, like, you know
it's gonna be cold, you know it's gonna be winter,
but we're gonna still have a great time with it.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Absolutely, there's no such thing as bad weather. There's only
bad gear.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Do you work for llban too, Lynn?
Speaker 3 (14:20):
That is an ll being quote? Will I will? I
believe it is an ll being quote. Anyway, I will
give them credit, but it's true. I mean, we're skiers
and you know, we enjoy the winter. We get out
there and it can be We were skiing in Canada.
Now let's talk about cold skiing, but we weren't cold,
(14:41):
behead because we have really great gear. So just put
your coat on your hat and bundle up a little
bit and you can still enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Even though we are kind of gearing up for the
spring and summer season right now. You know, people like
to think ahead like to plan ahead for their vacations,
but don't take Portland, Maine off your radar for a
nice little winter getaway, maybe something for the holidays. I
think I think that's a really great option for folks.
And as we mentioned earlier, really easy to get to.
You can drive right up ninety five, you can fly
into you can fly into Portland, or you can fly
(15:10):
into a larger airport closer and get there like Boston
is very easy to get to. Lim Before we move on,
where do people go to find more information and start
planning their trips?
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Since we're talking about that.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Visit Portland dot com.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
I like how you got the website Visit Portland. You
didn't have to fight and get visit Portland Maine dot com.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
You just got Portland.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
I just got it.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Yeah, you mentioned a second ago you mentioned arts, and
you mentioned how even in the wintertime, the arts scene
comes alive up there in Portland. And I know I
brought up the State Theater earlier, but talk a little
bit more about the arts scene in Portland.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Yeah, there's an enormous amount of artists, like local artists
that have really created their sense of place here and
it's you can walk around and find all sorts of
art community demonstrations or art galleries, art festivals. There's a website,
(16:04):
Creative Portland dot com and they really focus on the
cultural artists side of this community, so they do a
great job. They've got an app that you can use
to find different art institutions to walking tours. It's a
really great resource.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
I may be cutting this out of the final edit
because I'm going to take us back about thirty years now,
but I remember going to Portland and there was a
house in Portland where it was painted to look like
windows and a door and everything, but it was painted
in such a way where as you moved by it,
you felt like you felt like there was texture to it,
like you felt like it was a real like there
(16:44):
were real windows on the wall, like it really it
seemed like the painting moved with you kind of. I've
always had that memory in my head, and I probably
saw it when I was a teenager going up there
to camp with my grandfather. But I've never forgotten that place.
I wonder if it still exists, and judging by the
look on your face, it probably doesn't. But I've always
wondered if that was still there.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I don't know, and if it does exist and I
don't know about it, I'm going to dig and try
to find out because that sounds fascinating. But part of
the art culture here in Portland is murals as well.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
That's what it was, like a big giant mural.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll have to dig in because that
sounds amazing.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
But that is my impression of Portland too, Like you
just said, part of the art scene there is murals,
and that is my impression. Every time I see a
picture of Portland now, it just it seems like there's
always a mural somewhere in the background.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Like murals are a very big part.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Yeah, yeah, that in local Art institute, in installations. I
love that it's part of our community and it's not
just hidden, it's really part of our community. In fact,
we not too long ago we started doing bus shelters
and local artists would come in and do a new
(17:59):
bus shelter that created a piece of art as well.
And one of our artists, his name is Ebenezer, he
won a national competition on bushelters. Is this a really
cool piece of our community? I love that.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Well, then we're talking about art and I just know,
Portland is a very diverse community with lots of people.
I think there might be an image of what Maine
looks like in a lot of people's heads, but Portland
is so much more than that. There are folks from
all over the country, all over the world, different backgrounds,
and I think that's probably what makes the art scene
so special too, is because you have these folks with
(18:35):
so many different opinions and backgrounds to bring into the community.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
You know, that's a really great point because Portland is
changing and has been changing, and we have a really
diverse immigrant community that's moved in from all different nationalities.
Our Portland High School has over forty six languages spoken
wow in the Portland High School and it's amazing. It's amazing.
(18:59):
So all of that has brought in so many different
opportunities for different different viewpoints and different experiences. The Indigo
Arts Alliance is a great art community that features a
lot of different artists from different diverse backgrounds and they
highlight those and it's really been we're embracing all of
(19:21):
our changes and we're really excited about it, and we're
finding visitors are coming that may have had one thought
in their head about the possible lack of diversity in
Portland or in main rather, but they get to Portland
and they're so surprised and also so welcomed. That's exciting.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
As I mentioned earlier in the conversation, I mean, it's
been almost thirty years since I left New England, you know,
living on a full time basis, and even I remember
Portland having that reputation back then, Like I remember Portland
being a community that people felt very comfortable and regardless
of who they were or their background or anything, Poorland
was a safe space. I always remember that aspect of that,
(20:04):
even you know, back then growing up. I think Portland
has that reputation.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
It does, and it's not just a reputation, it's reality.
And I love that. It makes me happy. It makes
me proud to be in this community and to promote
it and welcome visitors here.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
I think from a music standpoint too, whenever I look
at concert tours, a lot of artists will go up
through Portland, and I think what's cool about that is,
given the size of Portland, they will play a smaller
venue than they might play in other major cities because
there's just not as many people there. But I think
that gives people an opportunity to see a larger artist
in a more intimate capacity, and that's such a wonderful experience.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Yeah, I love all of our music venues are very approachable.
It's a good size. It's not like going to a
huge stadium. When you're at a music venue and you're
listening to an artist, there's like an intimacy there because
maybe the max amount of people maybe three thousand, you know,
that's not huge. It's very approachable, and some of them
(21:05):
are even smaller than that, so it's it's a good
place to see live music. Man.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
I got I gotta find a way to get up
there soon and hang out in Portland again because it
has been too long. And you mentioned earlier too, when
we were sort of talking about winter, you mentioned outlets
or you mentioned shopping. There are outlets nearby, which is
always something that I love. My friends will be like,
we're going to go to Maine and outlet shopping.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
There are outlets south of US south Kirie and then
just north of US in Freeport, but Portland shopping is
very quaint and small business and boutiques. It's a little
bit more individualized like that.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Well, then we also were talking about day tripping, and
I think Portland could be a fantastic home base to
do a lot of awesome stuff like I mean, there's
obviously so many options, opportunities and options in Portland, but
then nearby you've got great camping, hiking, beaches, everything. I mean,
you can make Portland your home base and have a
fantastic vacation doing all kinds of different things.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
Oh yes, absolutely, Actually it's probably the best place to
make as a home base because there's so much here
that in the evening you could walk to dinner or
walk for coffee in the morning before you get on
the road. But twenty thirty minutes south is Kenny Bunkport,
which is so charming and has so much to offer
(22:30):
there and all of the communities in the south with
wells and a gunquit Old Orchard Beach for the White
Sandy Beaches. And then just north of us about thirty
minutes is you go to Freeport and then a little
further into Booth Bay Harbor, which is also a great community.
And then if you go west, there's lakes and the
(22:51):
mountains all within half an hour away as well, So
I would say within anything an hour and a half away, Max,
there's so much to do, so much to do.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Yeah, you're right, I mean ninety minutes, Max, I mean
it could be fifteen minutes, but like, yeah, I mean
they're just it's it really is a great Portland is
just really situated in the perfect place I think up there.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
So let me ask you this. So we are gearing
up for the spring and summer season. What is your
favorite thing to do? Being you know, a Portland resident,
being a native of the area, what's your favorite thing
to do up there in this time of year?
Speaker 3 (23:29):
My favorite is probably really enjoying the beaches, my personal favorite.
I love the ocean, I love the beaches, the band
and my toes. So it's nice when summer hits and
you really get to enjoy the warmth of the sun
and the you know that sort of thing. So that's
my personal favorite. But our family also likes to go
(23:51):
hiking and kayaking and camping, so it just kind of
goes on outdoors pretty much anything outdoors.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Well, listen, Lynn Tillotson, the president and CEO of Visit Portland, Maine. Lynn,
I've loved this conversation. As I mentioned before, hearing you
talk about it. It's just brought back so many memories
and feelings of my youth and growing up up there
in New England. Definitely got to put Portland back on
the list of places that we need to We need
to get to sooner rather than later. But one more time,
what's the website people should go to if they want
(24:22):
to start planning their trip and see more about Portland.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
Visit Portland dot com.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
Lynn. It's been a pleasure. Good luck on your endeavor
getting that coin back over here to the East Coast,
and hopefully our past will cross sometime in the future.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Thank you call me if you come up.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
Big. Thank you to Lynn Tillotson.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
If you want to learn more about Portland, Maine and
maybe start planning your visit, you can check out visit
Portland dot com. And thank you to all of you
for listening to this episode of Delightful Destinations. Until next week,
be well,
Hey, it's up everyone. Welcome to Delightful Destinations. My name
is Jeff Saint Pierre. This is episode twenty nine. If
this is your first time checking out the program, welcome,
I appreciate your time. Delightful Destinations as a show that
I created so I could talk to representatives from different
locations around the country and learn more about these beautiful
places that are all around us. I'm always looking for
(00:23):
an excuse to get away from home and experience something new,
and I hope this show will help inspire you for.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Your next excursion.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
One of my favorite memories of my life happened in Portland, Maine.
I won't go into too many details because it's well,
not really relevant to this conversation, but it involved a
concert at the historic State Theater in Portland, Maine. I've
always had a fondness for Portland. It goes all the
way back to my younger years going camping with my grandfather.
We'd swing through Portland from time to time as we
drove through Maine. It's such a cool city that probably
(00:52):
doesn't get enough love because well, honestly, it's in Maine.
People think Maine is so far north. It's practically in
the North Pole. But actually it's very accessible. It's only
about ninety minutes north of Boston. That's really not that bad.
Portland's got some amazing coastline, incredible art work and an
art scene, and some wonderful seafood as well as some
of the best restaurants in all of New England. Ever
(01:13):
since I was a kid, I remember Portland being big
in the food and art scenes and that still continues.
And don't let me forget sports. There's a lot of
minor league sports in Portland too that bring in fans
from all over to check it out. I had a
chance to talk about Portland, Maine with the President and
CEO of Visit Portland, Lynn Tillotson. I even got a
little history lesson in the process, which I really enjoyed.
I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
It's so nice to meet you as well, and thank
you for clarifying Portland, Maine.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Portland Maine.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I know it's tough when you've got some major cities
in the country that share the same name, right, like Boston.
There's really only one Boston, right, But like Portland, there
is Portland, Oregon that a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Know of so you got to make sure we clarify.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
You know, there is a real story about that. There
could have been two Boston's. Oh really, there are two
people who went over to Portland, Oregon. At the time
was not named. One gentleman was from Portland, Maine. One
gentleman was from Boston, Massachusetts. When they got to Oregon,
they flipped a coin to see what the name was
(02:14):
going to be. And I am very sad that Portland won.
I guess if you could call it, because it causes
a lot of confusion. I wish it would have been Boston, Oregon.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
That is so funny to think of a world where
there's a Boston, Oregon. That's very funny, I know.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
And the coin is actually in a museum in Portland, Oregon.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh wow.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I didn't even that. This is a whole history lesson.
And I grew up there. I grew up in New Hampshire,
So I mean, I'm not going to tell you I'm
an expert on the history of everything that goes on
in New England, but I've never heard that story in
my life.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah, I know, I have a city councilor that's charged
me with getting the coin back. I don't think that's
ever going to happen, but he wants me on a mission.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
That's really funny. Well, I wish you the best in
that journey that you're on. Yeah, thanks, thanks, Well, Lynn,
I do want to talk about Portland Maine. I I
wouldn't say a lot of time in Portland, but I
have spent time in Portland. My grandfather lived in Hampton,
New Hampshire, which is, you know, just south basically of
the main border. So we used to go into Portland
to go camping all the time and just go up
(03:13):
there and visit and hang out. Been to a couple
of concerts at the State Theater. Is that still there
at the State Theater?
Speaker 3 (03:18):
It absolutely is. It's one of our historical gems.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
It's a beautiful place to see some music. I've only
seen music there. I don't know what else goes on there,
but it's such a beautiful place in Portland. Portland just
has this energy, this vibe about it that is so wonderful.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Yeah, it really does. It's a very approachable sitting. It's
got a lot of art and culture and of course
food is amazing, but it's walkable. It doesn't feel overwhelming.
You can really do Portland in a long weekend and
enjoy all of it.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
I feel like it's very welcoming too. That's the word
that keeps coming to mind, Like, I think the people
in Portland are very welcoming. I think the the food,
the art, everything is just come on in, come be
a part of what we're doing here.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah, you've got it, absolutely. And not too long ago,
we were doing some work on a strategic plan and
everyone was saying the same thing, whether it was residents
or visitors or people in the business. It was a
sense of pride that people had about this place. You
just felt like you were family right off the bed.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
It's funny because growing up I moved away from New
Hampshire when I was eighteen to go to college and
kind of never really went back. My family still lives there,
so I visit, but I never lived there full time
again after that. And we used to joke when I
was younger, how do you know the toothbrush was invented
in Maine, because anywhere else would be the teeth brush,
And so we had this little fun rivalry with Maine.
But now looking back on it, man like I feel
(04:47):
like I should have spent more time there across the border.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
You still can, You still can. It's only like an
hour and a half flight from Baltimore, so come on U.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Yeah, it's really easy.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
I mean an hour and a half flight from Baltimore
if you happened to be in New England. It's super
accessible from Boston, from Manchester, New Hampshire, whatever, it's very close.
I think people think of Maine as being so far north,
which it is, but it's not far from a lot
of major areas, it really is.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
And you're right. People think of us, they think of
the US map and they see Maine way up there
and they think, oh my gosh, it's almost in Canada.
But we're only two hours from Boston driving, and all
of New England is so easy to day trip between
Maine and New Hampshire and Vermont in Massachusetts, Rhode Island.
We're a tight little community up here.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Let's talk about some of the big things or the
special things about Portland that maybe people don't know a
ton about. And I want to talk about sports because
I remember when the Portland Sea Dogs were founded.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
It was such a big deal.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
We went to a couple of games up there and
it was just such a special thing, and then watching
that team grow over the years. Minor league sports a
very big deal in Portland.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
It's a huge deal. And the Sports Business Journal just
announced Portland, Maine as the number one minor league destination
in the US amazing, which is a huge accolade. I
didn't even realize how huge it was until I started
talking to the folks from Sports Business Journal, and they
do this very in depth analysis of all the minor
(06:15):
league destinations across the US, and they did really deep.
They give points for different things throughout their very long process.
They don't even know who will come out on the
end until the system formulates everything and then all of
a sudden there's a winner. And so we were really
really excited to be chosen the winner this year. And
it's because of our We've got the Sea Dogs, which
(06:39):
is our baseball team, the main Celtics is our basketball team,
the Main Mariners is hockey, and then to round it off,
we just got a USL soccer team.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
So we've got all four and it's really exciting.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I go so far back, I don't know, are you
a main resident, you are like a local or have you?
I should say, are you a native, not a resident?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Are you a native?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
I'm a native. Moved away for fourteen years and lived
in a southern state and then realized, now gotta go back.
That's where my heart is.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
I have a you know, baseball pennants, right, like the
you know, the pennant, the logo that teams will put out.
I have a baseball pennant from the main Phillies and
that goes back. I mean I probably got that when
I was like, I don't know, in single digits maybe
even so we're going back like thirty five years. But
there was a minor league team called the Maine Phillies
and my dad took me up there. I mean, I
(07:36):
just feel like I'm saying that to tell you that
I feel like minor league sports has been a part
of Maine for so long. It's just it's a wonderful thing.
I mean, you don't have the big major league teams
up there. You don't really have the fan capacity to
support a major league team, but you do have enough
for a minor league team, and it really Maine and
Portland have really leaned into that.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Yeah, we do follow. We're very loyal to our book teams.
When it comes to major leagues, but for the minor league,
it's such a great family and community opportunity. So it's
warming to our hearts.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
People of sleep on the food scene of Portland too.
I think I don't know if people think of Portland,
Maine as like a foody destination, but I'll tell you
it's legit.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
We're really excited about the food scene here. It is
really legit because we get nominations or winners almost every
year when it comes to the James Beard nominees. It's exciting.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
It is exciting, and I feel like a city like
may A, Portland, Maine, a city of that size.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
That's where the food really is.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Like when I've been talking to people in different areas
around the country for this podcast, it's those sort of
like smaller to mid level cities where you see a
lot of chefs go and set up shop and put
an amazing thing there in this community. Everybody thinks of
New York or la or Chicago, but it's these cities
like Portland, like that size that really have the market
on the food scene.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
You know what I love is the ingenuity of all
the restaurant owners and chefs here. They really love to
work with the seafood that's right in our bed right here,
just steps from the restaurants or the local farmers and
different people who are doing special things with the food scene.
(09:28):
They really incorporate it into their menus, and I think
that's what makes it special. And it can go from
as you know, fish and chips on a local place
right on the water, you know, under on an umbrella
on a picnic table, to a really nice high end
dinner restaurant where you can have a nice, quiet, romantic
dinner all over the place.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
You're painting that picture for me right now. And we
have I live in Baltimore, so we have Anapolis not
far and Annapolis is very reminiscent of a Portland or
a Portsmouth, New Hampshire, like that kind of vibe that
ol old, you know, early American style city that's right
there on the water. But I'm just picturing those little
restaurants right there on the water with the umbrella. You've
got the paper underneath your food, that's the red and
(10:12):
white checkered paper in the basket. And I've just got
this image now of the seafood platter in front of me,
and I'm just I'm very hungry now is what I'm
getting at, Lynn.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Yeah, I know it is. It's getting closer to lunch.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Yeah, And my family for Easter every year would always
go up into your region and we would get seafood.
That was our thing for Easter. We didn't do the
traditional if you will Easter dinner. We'd always go get
seafood up there somewhere on the coast. And now, knowing
we're kind of in that timeframe right now, I'm just
I'm having a lot of feelings about that. You really
just put me in this place and it's great, Lynn,
(10:44):
I love that you're just giving me this great image.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Well, we actually have stats about the repeat visitation that
comes to me sure, and there's so much that if
you come here once, you want to come back over
and over and over, and we've had generations of families
come back and it is because of that. It's those
warm memories that you get and this sense of being
(11:07):
with family and spending time with family and enjoying it
and having a lot available. But also in a simpler way,
in a way, you know, the traffic, we get upset
if this traffic there's like ten cars deep, Like, oh
my gosh, there's so much traffic.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
You know, how many people are in Portland? What's your population?
Speaker 3 (11:27):
It's only sixty six thousand people in Portland's.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
That's smaller than I would think because maybe it's because
I grew up up there, but I just think of
the name Portland, Maine as being a very recognizable city,
so I would think you'd be a little bit larger
than that. But sixty six Yeah, it's very manageable. You
don't run into a lot of the same problems that
you would even in Baltimore with about three hundred thousand ish, like,
we have a lot more problems like that, like traffic
and situations where you don't have that in Portland.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yeah. Yeah, it's true. And you know, in the area
because the whole everything's pretty tight here. I think the
population in the whole region is about two hundred and
fifty thousand. But for Portland itself, it is very, very manageable.
But it also makes because of that, it makes tourism
so important. It's why we love visitors coming to see us,
(12:17):
and because we can't sustain everything that we have here.
I mean, we have almost five hundred restaurants, which is
so crazy, it's just nuts.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
What's your busiest time of year. When it comes to tourism.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
The busiest time is typical what you would think summer
and fall. That makes sense, yeah, because it's main people
want to think about coming to Maine during those times. However,
we're really seeing a big shift in our shoulder season
as well. Around the holidays. Holidays here are wonderful. Art
and theater come alive. There's lots of holiday musicals or
(12:57):
theater that happen. Shoppings great, but even in the wintertime.
People may not think of coming to Portland in the wintertime,
and it's probably my favorite time of year because this
city is such a walkable city. You can walk to
the different restaurants, All the shops are open, the art
(13:18):
and theater are absolutely come alive that time of year. Really,
the only thing that shuts down are our boat tours.
But you can still get on a ferry and do
the ferry around the islands because people live on the islands,
so they ferry all year round, so you still get
out on the water. But is my favorite time year.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Yeah. I think people sleep on winter up in the
Portland main area because I think they just think it's cold,
But then you see reports come out. Like recently we
saw the World Happiness Report and as always, Finland is
number one, and you know, Finland, Norway, Sweden, all these
countries that are cold for a predominant part of the
year always are the happiest country's in the world. And
(14:01):
I think it's so interesting because places like Portland, like
you just have to own it, right, like, you know
it's gonna be cold, you know it's gonna be winter,
but we're gonna still have a great time with it.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Absolutely, there's no such thing as bad weather. There's only
bad gear.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Do you work for llban too, Lynn?
Speaker 3 (14:20):
That is an ll being quote? Will I will? I
believe it is an ll being quote. Anyway, I will
give them credit, but it's true. I mean, we're skiers
and you know, we enjoy the winter. We get out
there and it can be We were skiing in Canada.
Now let's talk about cold skiing, but we weren't cold,
(14:41):
behead because we have really great gear. So just put
your coat on your hat and bundle up a little
bit and you can still enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Even though we are kind of gearing up for the
spring and summer season right now. You know, people like
to think ahead like to plan ahead for their vacations,
but don't take Portland, Maine off your radar for a
nice little winter getaway, maybe something for the holidays. I
think I think that's a really great option for folks.
And as we mentioned earlier, really easy to get to.
You can drive right up ninety five, you can fly
into you can fly into Portland, or you can fly
(15:10):
into a larger airport closer and get there like Boston
is very easy to get to. Lim Before we move on,
where do people go to find more information and start
planning their trips?
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Since we're talking about that.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Visit Portland dot com.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
I like how you got the website Visit Portland. You
didn't have to fight and get visit Portland Maine dot com.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
You just got Portland.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
I just got it.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Yeah, you mentioned a second ago you mentioned arts, and
you mentioned how even in the wintertime, the arts scene
comes alive up there in Portland. And I know I
brought up the State Theater earlier, but talk a little
bit more about the arts scene in Portland.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Yeah, there's an enormous amount of artists, like local artists
that have really created their sense of place here and
it's you can walk around and find all sorts of
art community demonstrations or art galleries, art festivals. There's a website,
(16:04):
Creative Portland dot com and they really focus on the
cultural artists side of this community, so they do a
great job. They've got an app that you can use
to find different art institutions to walking tours. It's a
really great resource.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
I may be cutting this out of the final edit
because I'm going to take us back about thirty years now,
but I remember going to Portland and there was a
house in Portland where it was painted to look like
windows and a door and everything, but it was painted
in such a way where as you moved by it,
you felt like you felt like there was texture to it,
like you felt like it was a real like there
(16:44):
were real windows on the wall, like it really it
seemed like the painting moved with you kind of. I've
always had that memory in my head, and I probably
saw it when I was a teenager going up there
to camp with my grandfather. But I've never forgotten that place.
I wonder if it still exists, and judging by the
look on your face, it probably doesn't. But I've always
wondered if that was still there.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I don't know, and if it does exist and I
don't know about it, I'm going to dig and try
to find out because that sounds fascinating. But part of
the art culture here in Portland is murals as well.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
That's what it was, like a big giant mural.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll have to dig in because that
sounds amazing.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
But that is my impression of Portland too, Like you
just said, part of the art scene there is murals,
and that is my impression. Every time I see a
picture of Portland now, it just it seems like there's
always a mural somewhere in the background.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Like murals are a very big part.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Yeah, yeah, that in local Art institute, in installations. I
love that it's part of our community and it's not
just hidden, it's really part of our community. In fact,
we not too long ago we started doing bus shelters
and local artists would come in and do a new
(17:59):
bus shelter that created a piece of art as well.
And one of our artists, his name is Ebenezer, he
won a national competition on bushelters. Is this a really
cool piece of our community? I love that.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
Well, then we're talking about art and I just know,
Portland is a very diverse community with lots of people.
I think there might be an image of what Maine
looks like in a lot of people's heads, but Portland
is so much more than that. There are folks from
all over the country, all over the world, different backgrounds,
and I think that's probably what makes the art scene
so special too, is because you have these folks with
(18:35):
so many different opinions and backgrounds to bring into the community.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
You know, that's a really great point because Portland is
changing and has been changing, and we have a really
diverse immigrant community that's moved in from all different nationalities.
Our Portland High School has over forty six languages spoken
wow in the Portland High School and it's amazing. It's amazing.
(18:59):
So all of that has brought in so many different
opportunities for different different viewpoints and different experiences. The Indigo
Arts Alliance is a great art community that features a
lot of different artists from different diverse backgrounds and they
highlight those and it's really been we're embracing all of
(19:21):
our changes and we're really excited about it, and we're
finding visitors are coming that may have had one thought
in their head about the possible lack of diversity in
Portland or in main rather, but they get to Portland
and they're so surprised and also so welcomed. That's exciting.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
As I mentioned earlier in the conversation, I mean, it's
been almost thirty years since I left New England, you know,
living on a full time basis, and even I remember
Portland having that reputation back then, Like I remember Portland
being a community that people felt very comfortable and regardless
of who they were or their background or anything, Poorland
was a safe space. I always remember that aspect of that,
(20:04):
even you know, back then growing up. I think Portland
has that reputation.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
It does, and it's not just a reputation, it's reality.
And I love that. It makes me happy. It makes
me proud to be in this community and to promote
it and welcome visitors here.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
I think from a music standpoint too, whenever I look
at concert tours, a lot of artists will go up
through Portland, and I think what's cool about that is,
given the size of Portland, they will play a smaller
venue than they might play in other major cities because
there's just not as many people there. But I think
that gives people an opportunity to see a larger artist
in a more intimate capacity, and that's such a wonderful experience.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Yeah, I love all of our music venues are very approachable.
It's a good size. It's not like going to a
huge stadium. When you're at a music venue and you're
listening to an artist, there's like an intimacy there because
maybe the max amount of people maybe three thousand, you know,
that's not huge. It's very approachable, and some of them
(21:05):
are even smaller than that, so it's it's a good
place to see live music. Man.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
I got I gotta find a way to get up
there soon and hang out in Portland again because it
has been too long. And you mentioned earlier too, when
we were sort of talking about winter, you mentioned outlets
or you mentioned shopping. There are outlets nearby, which is
always something that I love. My friends will be like,
we're going to go to Maine and outlet shopping.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
There are outlets south of US south Kirie and then
just north of US in Freeport, but Portland shopping is
very quaint and small business and boutiques. It's a little
bit more individualized like that.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Well, then we also were talking about day tripping, and
I think Portland could be a fantastic home base to
do a lot of awesome stuff like I mean, there's
obviously so many options, opportunities and options in Portland, but
then nearby you've got great camping, hiking, beaches, everything. I mean,
you can make Portland your home base and have a
fantastic vacation doing all kinds of different things.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
Oh yes, absolutely, Actually it's probably the best place to
make as a home base because there's so much here
that in the evening you could walk to dinner or
walk for coffee in the morning before you get on
the road. But twenty thirty minutes south is Kenny Bunkport,
which is so charming and has so much to offer
(22:30):
there and all of the communities in the south with
wells and a gunquit Old Orchard Beach for the White
Sandy Beaches. And then just north of us about thirty
minutes is you go to Freeport and then a little
further into Booth Bay Harbor, which is also a great community.
And then if you go west, there's lakes and the
(22:51):
mountains all within half an hour away as well, So
I would say within anything an hour and a half away, Max,
there's so much to do, so much to do.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Yeah, you're right, I mean ninety minutes, Max, I mean
it could be fifteen minutes, but like, yeah, I mean
they're just it's it really is a great Portland is
just really situated in the perfect place I think up there.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
So let me ask you this. So we are gearing
up for the spring and summer season. What is your
favorite thing to do? Being you know, a Portland resident,
being a native of the area, what's your favorite thing
to do up there in this time of year?
Speaker 3 (23:29):
My favorite is probably really enjoying the beaches, my personal favorite.
I love the ocean, I love the beaches, the band
and my toes. So it's nice when summer hits and
you really get to enjoy the warmth of the sun
and the you know that sort of thing. So that's
my personal favorite. But our family also likes to go
(23:51):
hiking and kayaking and camping, so it just kind of
goes on outdoors pretty much anything outdoors.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Well, listen, Lynn Tillotson, the president and CEO of Visit Portland, Maine. Lynn,
I've loved this conversation. As I mentioned before, hearing you
talk about it. It's just brought back so many memories
and feelings of my youth and growing up up there
in New England. Definitely got to put Portland back on
the list of places that we need to We need
to get to sooner rather than later. But one more time,
what's the website people should go to if they want
(24:22):
to start planning their trip and see more about Portland.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
Visit Portland dot com.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
Lynn. It's been a pleasure. Good luck on your endeavor
getting that coin back over here to the East Coast,
and hopefully our past will cross sometime in the future.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Thank you call me if you come up.
Speaker 2 (24:39):
Big. Thank you to Lynn Tillotson.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
If you want to learn more about Portland, Maine and
maybe start planning your visit, you can check out visit
Portland dot com. And thank you to all of you
for listening to this episode of Delightful Destinations. Until next week,
be well,
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Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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