Episode 8: The Old Port

The Old Port can be found along Casco Bay and Fore River. It is now a commercial district with lots of bars and boutiques. This place is frequented by visitors especially during the Old Port’s festival. The Old Port festival has been going on for more than 40 years and is still going strong. If you want to eat some of the best lobster rolls on the planet then you should be here during the festivities. One of the Old Port festival’s goal is to produce the biggest lobster roll in the world. Seeing one come to life is surely an amazing experience. The Old Port also known as Old Port Exchange is a district of Portland. Many tourists are delighted with the baroque mansions and breathtaking ocean views. The paths are flourishing with cobblestones and old brick buildings. Although the region is not very modern, you can still enjoy the street life with its book stores, craft shops and brew pubs. If you wish to unwind, it is idyllic to take scenic cruises, whale watches or ferry trips to the islets in Casco Bay. The amazing Portland Head Light is a must-visit because it is the oldest lighthouse in the United States and yet is still functional. The great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a native of Old Port and his childhood home called Wadsworth-Longfellow House is open for a public visit. Victoria Mansion, one of the most important historic homes, is also located in Old Port.Every year, the Old Port festival is celebrated. In 2009, the locals created the largest lobster roll in the world! They produced a 61-feet and 9.5-inches long lobster roll using 48-pounds of pure lobster meat and 4-gallons of mayonnaise. Each piece of the lobster roll was sold for the benefit of a youth association. The festival marks the beginning of the summer and the Old Port becomes even more cheerful with various music stages. The streets are usually filled with Maine-made food like ethnic appetizers and the sumptuous curries from Indian restaurants are highly recommended. A big mug of fresh and icy lemonade is the favorite thirst quencher of tourists and locals.Photo Portland by Peter Dutton is licensed under CC BY 2.0