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I’m a New Yorker who visited Portland, Maine, for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me.

September 30, 20240
There was a trolley bus that would take people on tours around Portland.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Coming from New York City, where it’s relatively easy to get around using the bus or subway, I was surprised that there wasn’t much public transportation in Portland. There is a trolley and bus service that service downtown and other areas, but there is no underground or aboveground subway, and I decided to mostly walk or drive during my stay in the city.

However, the main peninsula and downtown area were pretty walkable, with plenty of well-lit sidewalks that felt safe, even at night. I found myself using Uber to get from my hotel to restaurants late at night, though, just to be safe.

The city had a real New England, seaside feel, which surprised me.
I took a boat to see how lobstermen catch lobsters.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When I travel, I usually try to avoid the tourist traps. Despite living in New York City, I rarely see Broadway shows or visit Times Square, and I haven’t been to the Empire State Building since a high-school field trip.

I often find that doing typically touristy things, though often a necessary part of any first-time trip to a new place, is rarely my favorite part of a vacation.

However, when I booked a tour on a working lobster boat in Portland, I had no idea it would become my favorite memory from the trip.

I booked the tour through Lucky Catch Cruises, and for $50, I got to go out on the water, see how the lobstermen catch lobsters, learn how to do it myself, and even see Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse in Maine, from the water. The tour lasted an hour and a half and was an unforgettable part of my trip — and definitely worth the cost.

The city was a short drive to other popular towns in Maine, which broke up my trip nicely.
Kennebunkport, Maine.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was pleasantly surprised by how many quaint seaside towns were close to Portland, allowing me to easily take time away from the city.

One day, I took a quick excursion to Kennebunkport, Maine, which was filled with adorable souvenir shops, clothing stores, and a candy store where I could stock up on Maine’s famous saltwater taffy.

It was nice to know that while the city of Portland has a lot to offer, there were also more quaint New England adventures to be had less than an hour’s drive away.