Portland Head Light- One of the more famous destinations in Maine, and a favorite of ours. Did you know it's Maine Open Lighthouse Day on September 9th!? We just found out! More information about this great event can be found here!

Peaks Island- A short, beautiful ferry ride across the water from downtown Portland. You can roam this small community and enjoy a snack at The Cockeyed Gull

Kate's favorite thing to do in Portland is to meander down Exchange Street, pop into a few shops, drop me off at The Thirsty Pig, and keep going. Here are a few of our favorite places to get something to remember the trip

Blanche + Mimi- If you have a kid, chances are you've received a swaddle from this place as a gift from us. If you haven't decided on having kids yet, check out this place and their swaddles- it may help your decision. Speaking of kids, we've heard rave reviews of all things kid at Little.

Not so much on the kid train, but still delighted to drain your wallet? bowls, tea towels and other small housewares you really had no idea you needed can be procured at folly 101, everything from rugs to fabric wallets at angela adams, the leather bags of your dreams are at rough and tumble, and gorgeous (and most times, affordable) jewelry made in-house can be found at a sentimental favorite, d Cole. our wedding rings are from here, but so is about 90% of kate's daily jewelry.

Finally, if you want to score something vintage without dumpster diving, hit up either Portland Architectural Salvage or the Flea For All.

Bull Moose- My favorite store in the Old Port- the record shop. They have tons of hard to find albums and all the hits!

Freeport Outlets- About 30min north of Portland, snag yourself a deal, pick up that belt you forgot to pack with you, or just go to see what a 24-hour LL Bean is like at 3am (spoiler: boring).

Maine Bier Cellar- There is a Craft Beer Cellar in the old port, but if you're looking for the real deal Portland beer takeaway, this is your spot. Right near the highway, it's always our last stop before heading home

There are some amazing places to enjoy breakfast in Portland, whether you're imagining a stack of pancakes and some scrapple, or just some black coffee. Here's where we recommend

Local 188- Brunch-style menu, all sorts of new american things and brunch cocktails. Try the Legs & Eggs!

Becky's Diner- True greasy spoon right on the water, you'll see fishermen and locals enjoying good old-fashioned diner breakfast with bottomless coffee. Great for the morning after a big night out!

Palace Diner (Biddeford)- Teensy breakfast and lunch spot in a Pollard car made in 1927. Try the tuna melt!

Holy Donut- Potato donuts are so good! If you don't believe us, just roll through and grab one with a cup of joe and thank us later.

Tandem Coffee- Ground zero for the new hipster Portland. Count the manbuns and copies of Grapes of Wrath while enjoying strong, locally roasted coffee, espresso, bomb breaky sambos, and pastries in a former service station. No useless masters degree required (though recommended)

Bard Coffee- Fancy pants coffee in the old port. It's good, really good, with single origin blends carefully made just for you. Just look past the coffee lab equipment and soul-patched 40-something-regular hitting on the barista, and get it to go!

I have been hangry in Portland a handful of times if you can believe it, and what follows are the places Kate takes me to get instantly happy. Portland is a foodie city and have some amazing spots for a quick snack or sandwich, or something a little more...shell inhabiting?

Nosh- THE BEST sandwiches in Portland, and also have a great beer list. Portions are really big, menu is always changing- we usually split an app and a sandwich.

Slab- The pizza version of Nosh. They do sicilian slab- buttery, square pizza somewhere between school pizza and the best croissant you've ever had. If you go, please bring me a hand slab wherever I may be!

Eventide Oyster- It's a legend for a reason. If you're going to eat shellfish, just do the right thing and eat them here. Imagine our embarrassment if you have oysters at some dumpy bar, or a lobster roll from a tourist trap. If you crave some bivalves, this is a must try-valves. We have yet to go ourselves, but hear rave reviews of the Eventide crew's new endevor, Honeypaw - American fare with "Asian sensitibility."

Speaking of legends, check out Duckfat to see what all the fuss is about. Or, if it's overrun, pop in to East Ender - immediately next door. It gets less attention but for no good reason.

Salvage BBQ- Amazing casual bbq joint with cool decor, live music, community picnic tables, great smokey meat and another killer beer list. Order at the counter and settle into some good ol' Q

Elsmere BBQ- Another bbq place? Yes, because when it's this good you should eat it twice in one weekend

Liquid Riot- Brewpub and distillery right on the water in the Old Port- great food, and you can watch the boats come in from their sunny patio. It was where I first met Kate's brother James, on a sunny day when we were all playing a little hooky.

If you are in need of a place to wine and wine and dine, here are a few of our favorites

Central Provisions- Local, thoughtful small plates- one of the leaders of the new wave of Portland restaurants in the last ten years. Great meat, great seafood, pass on the teensy things and get yourself something nice- you're celebrating!

Piccolo - modern, classic italian food in a cozy setting

Sonny's is a "Latin leaning" spot with great specials in a gorgeous space.

To scratch the traditional seafood itch we recommend Scales, Street & Co, J's Oysters and for sushi, the much loved Miyake.

Lolita- Also in Munjoy Hill, another amazing neighborhood place with great wine and Spanish tapas. Our Portland date-night spot. Across the street is another gem, Blue Spoon if you're more in the mood for Italian inspired fare.

Both Emilitsa and Evo are serving up raved-about Mediterranean fare, which Kate would subsist exclusively on if left to her own devices.

Izakaya and Terlingua- Side by side restaurants that opened in the last year in Munjoy Hill. Izakaya is doing ramen and fish, Terlingua is a smattering of bbq, mexican, and south american. It's a good way to experience a small neighborhood place, something you don't see around the Boston area.

Portland has some of the best beer and cocktails spots around, and most have happy hour from 4-6pm. Enjoy a cool one, either to start the night, keep the party going, or to enjoy just one more before bed.

Bissell Brothers- Worth the drive over from the Old Port to Thompson's Point, they defined a new style of IPA, and you'll see their logo on tshirts and hats on almost everyone in the city. It's how you know you're amongst friends.

The Thirsty Pig- The unofficial Bissell Brothers bar, very central on Exchange St, and also have a ton of hot dogs, meats, sausages and a patio!

Novare Res- Subterranean beer bar serving draughts from almost every Maine brewery and from around the world, alongside european beer garden food. Come for the pretzel and bratwurst, stay to see if they crack some Cantillion.

Arcadia National Bar- Barcade with tons of pinball and nerd-themed tap list. Unfortunately they do not have The Simpsons game. One of the few beer bars Kate enjoys, as long as I keep handing her quarters.

Rhum Tiki Bar- Our favorite place to get cocktails. Find the speakeasy style entrance, and you'll be awash in warm vibes (regardless of the temperature), strong rum drinks, and CRAB RANGOON DIP.

Top of the East- A hotel bar, but happens to have the most beautiful panoramic view of Portland you can find. If you're staying at the Westin, it's a must.