Staying in South Portland for a week

My husband will be on business in South Portland in August and I was thinking of going with him because I%26#39;ve never been to Maine before. Is it worth it? Should I go? I want to do more than go to the mall--I want to enjoy some beautiful scenery, sample the local cuisine, etc. But I have no idea what the area has to offer. Also, how accessible is Portalnd from South Portland? Thanks in advance!

Staying in South Portland for a week

Very accessible if you have a car.......you are also a short drive to the beautiful Cape Elizabeth and Crescent Beach (maybe you could even STAY there....InnbyThe Sea.com?).....and you are a short drive to Old Orchard Beach, Higgins Beach etc........and maybe 20-25 minutes to Freeport/LL Bean.

Staying in South Portland for a week

you are also a short drive to

1. antiquing in Wells, Kennebunkport, York

2. incredible New England architecture in Portland, Kennebunkport, York, Wiscasset, Bath and oodles of other little towns

3. Cools boutiques for shopping in Portland%26#39;s Old Port and in towns like Kennebunkport, Oqunquit

4. Outlet shopping in Kittery and LLBean

5. The only functioning Shaker Village in the US in New Gloucester

6. Lighthouses in Portland, S Portland, Cape ELizabeth, York, etc.

7. State parks in Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Pownal

8. Art Galleries in Portland and Ogunquit

9. beaches in just about every town south of Portland

10. Lovely rocky shorelines in many towns north of portland

Do I need to go on or have you gotten the message? OF COURSE you should tag along!

BTW, Maine is a very safe state, it%26#39;s very safe for you to go alone to any of these places if hubby is tied up in meetings. Just pick up a good map.

Thank you so much for the input! It sounds beautiful and I%26#39;m very excited! I really appreciate it!

If you want a very helpful tour book to read beforehand so you can choose the best way to spend your week, pick up a copy of Compass Guide Maine by Fodor%26#39;s, see fodors.com/shop/buy/… This is a beautifully illustrated book (killer pictures) and it gives you history, shopping, food, etc.

When I go back to portland... I stay in South Portland.... SoPo. Althought the ';mall '; area is a nightmare you aren%26#39;t far from the good stuff, scarborough, Higgins Beach, (ahh the fruit stand...) OldPort, back cove, etc. Go and have a ball for me!

You MUST go with your husband to the Greater Portland area. Rent a car and explore!!! If you only have a few days head north on 295 to Freeport and go to LL Bean - wonderul experience and unque shopping. Have lunch (lobster roll, clams, ec.) at the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster (not to be confused by hotel of same name) ask a local in Freeport - it%26#39;%26#39;s an inexpensive clam/lobster shack located on a small working lobster/boat marina and very charming, quaint and SO MAINE!!!

Another must is the Old Port area of the Portland waterfront - shops and unique restaurants. Cobblestone streets and lots of tourists shopping. You can also grab a ferry to one of the islands or take a boat tour of Casco Bay - (www.cascobaylines.com

Head over the Casco Bay Bridge to Cape Elizabaeth and Portland Head LIght lighthouse and further down the road is Two Lights - very picturesque and its the home of the Lobster Shack - great spot to have lobster/clams at a picnic table (be careful the seaguls don%26#39;t snatch your food).

Kennebunport is about 35 minutes south of So. Portland and another must on your list. Also quaint shops, lovely waterfront homes (George %26amp; Barbara Bush), great dining etc. - lilke a scene from a movie - winding roads along the ocean - breathtaking!

Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth or Scarborough Beach in Scarborough are minutes from South Portland and a great way to spend a summer day.

Portland area is very easy to get around - print out directions ahead of time or rent a car with GPS.

Restaurants in the Old Port that are great - Fore St. %26amp; Street %26amp; Co., ($$$), Walters ($$), or Old Port Sea Grill ($$). Have a sunset cocktail on the deck of the DiMillos Floating Restaurant.

Don%26#39;t miss your chance to see Portland during August - it%26#39;s wonderful and a place you won%26#39;t ever forget.