Freeport to Portland (Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Franklin: hotel, houses, restaurants)

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

Hi guys my husband and I will be visiting you mainers this weekend however we are trying to see how far our hotel is from portland.

We are staying at the comfort suites in Freeport...any idea how far that is from portland? Any suggestions where to get great lobster? We are also looking to ride a ferry and i mean...well....we just want to get all that portland has to offer.

Cant wait to get there...we are coming all the way from atlanta so we are very very excited.

We just got married too so this is like a honeymoon

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

[lrfox]

First of all, Congratulations on getting married!

You can get from your spot in Freeport (get on 295 at exit 17 which is the closest to your hotel) to Downtown Portland within 15 minutes. It's an easy, breezy, traffic free drive directly on 295. It won't be a problem at all. Get off at exit 7 ("Franklin Arterial/ Route 1") for downtown Portland. You can Follow the Arterial for about 2/3 of a mile and you'll come to Commerical Street. Park anywhere here and wander of into the Old Port.

There are numerous restaurants worth trying in Portland. Bresca, Grace, Fore Street and Hugos would likely form my top 4. Fore Street usually requires reservations a few days ahead of time. Grace is located in an old Church just off of Congress St (on Chestnut I think?) and it is very pretty inside. It would be a great place to enjoy a romantic dinner. Bresca is a more intimate setting... only a few tables. Fore Street is a rustic/casual atmosphere but also has nice harbor views from the back of the restaurant. Hugo's has (in my opinion) the best food on the menu, but the least enjoyable atmosphere... it's really tasteless inside (sort of an attempt at modern rustic).

I would suggest taking the the ferry to Great Diamond Island or Peaks Island. The Casco Bay Lines serve these islands. If there is any way you can bring a bicycle with you (or rent), that would be an excellent way to see the islands.

If you're into art, check out the Portland Museum of Art. It's one of the nicer small art musuems I've seen.

in additon to the Old Port, I'd walk on foot around the West End Historic District as there are some nice homes to be seen there. The Eastern Promenade is a great place to explore too.

No trip to Maine is complete without Lighthouses. I would certainly go out to Cape Elizabeth and check out Fort William State Park/ the Portland Head Lighthouse. It's (I believe) the most photographed lighthouse in the nation.

[MRVphotog]

Your hotel is only a few years old. One of our fav Thai restaurants is right across the road. Personally, I would just drive down US 1 to Portland, it's only about 15 miles. It will take abit longer but it offers much more scenic value than the interstate.

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

thanks a lot..this is going to be really exciting

[MRVphotog]

When you head south on US 1 I would take a left onto Rt 88 which takes you almost to Portland. It's right after you go under the interstate overpass about 4 miles south of your hotel. It's goes right along the water and real pretty drive.

[Maineah]

So......how did the trip go???