By Christina VanGinkel
You finally have a weekend free. You could stay home and catch up on your honey do list. You know what I mean. Chores such as mowing the grass, weed whacking around the outbuildings, maybe painting the bedroom or even washing the walls. All those tasks that you know you should do, but that could essentially be put off for some other weekend when you have nothing better to do. If you live a life that is commonly filled with stress, where time is not something you truly have, but something that just seems to run through your fingers unnoticed until you try to remember where it went, that time you have suddenly found might be better spent doing something else, such as taking a mini getaway. Grab that time and put it to good use to refresh your emotional state. Grab a quickly packed bag and get in your car, SUV, truck, whatever it is you drive, and just go! Where to, you might ask, well try some of these favorites:
Go to the Zoo!
Zoos are a great place to unwind, and if they have a petting section, all the better. Plop down a few dollars to buy some feed while you are there, and hand feed whatever it is you are allowed to. If no petting section or feeding is allowed, then park yourself on a bench and just watch the animals, and the people, for a bit. You will literally be able to feel your stress level melt away as you sit and soak in the sun, warming the bench
Head to the Beach
Whether you live Oceanside or in the middle of the continental Untied States, chances are there is a beach within a few hours driving distance, be it at a small lakeside park, a man made entity, or a large Oceanside one. If they have a snacks stand or bar, all the better. Bring along a folding chair, sun block or tanning lotion depending on your personal preferences, a suit, a bag with a good book or a few magazines, and a few dollars for food, and you will be all set.
Check into a Local Spa or Resort
Friends of ours recently checked into a local resort for a quick recharge. They scheduled everything from massages, a few rounds of golf, and reservations in the classiest restaurant on the grounds for their evening meal. They were not interested in sight seeing, so after checking out spas and resorts some distance from their home, they decided why not just choose one locally, that way they could save on everything from travel time, to money spent reaching a far off destination. They managed to have a relaxing two-night stay at a popular spa / resort for half the cost of what it would have cost them to go to the exact same style of resort somewhere else. Because it was local, they were also able to pick up discount coupons via a local radio station's regular shopping show.
Take a Hike
If you live anywhere close to a trail (Appalachian) that is long enough to take a hike at least as long as a couple of hours, fill your pack and go. Some of the best hikes I have taken have been those that were not long planned out. Do take the time to pack accordingly, but do not wait until you can take a huge stretch of time. A weekend hike is a great way to stay in shape for those times you might be able to fit in longer hikes. I once read of a guy who knew he would never have the time to take the hike of a lifetime, at least not the way he figured it should be, so instead of never going, he decided to take as many day and weekend hikes as he could. He kept a log of how many hours and miles he hiked, and when he added it all up after a couple of years, he himself was shocked at how many miles he had accumulated.
Go to the Theater
If you live outside of a metropolitan area, take a weekend and go into the city to see a show, go out to dinner, and spend the night in some ritzy hotel. Sightseeing in what is relatively your own backyard, can be one of the simplest forms of recharging your personal batteries.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Antietam Battlefield: Maryland's Civil War Shrine
If you're planning a family vacation to the famous Antietam Battlefield (or Sharpsburg, if you adhere to the Southern name for the battle) you may be a bit disappointed to note that lodging is not what the town is famous for. If you intend to stay overnight, you might want to check out nearby towns and see if lodging is available, but doing this last minute is not recommended. Planning a day trip to Antietam and returning at the end of the day is a much better idea.
Looking at pictures of Antietam (or Sharpsburg!) will tell you that it is one of the most well-preserved Civil War battlefields on Northern soil. The reason for the two different names? When the war was fought in the Southern states, Southerners named a battle site after the closest city or town; Northerners, being unsure of the area, named it after the prominent body of water nearest to the field. No matter what the field was called, the high number of casualties was one unchangeable fact. From the "Bloody Lane" to the Dunker Church, many sites are still preserved for the curious Civil War enthusiast to come and explore.
If you have visited other battlefields you will notice that much of the fighting was done in fields, roads and pastures. Antietam, fought in September of 1862, is no exception. One of the first stops you may want to make is Miller's Cornfield. During the battle, the cornfield made an excellent place for Southern shooters to hide and engage the foe. Anywhere you walk on this field could have been the place a soldier fell; they were said to have died very neatly, in straight lines, keeping formation even in death.
Stop by Dunker Church for a peaceful moment. Walking inside the quaint little church and seeing the reconstructed pews and pulpit, one wonders how such carnage could have covered the area. After exploring the grounds, you may want to hop over to one of Antietam's most well-known and ominous sites; Bloody Lane. This is actually a road that had become a ditch from continuous years of travel. The Southern troops found it a great place to crouch and await the onslaught of the enemies.
Another must-see place on Antietam battlefield is Burnside's Bridge. This picturesque bridge, known during the battle as Rohrbach's Bridge, took General Burnside's name when the crossing of his troops made it famous. Thousands upon thousands of his men, unable to cross all at once, were prime targets for soldiers hiding behind the natural camouflage of the forest. In modern times, crossing the bridge is an experience every Civil War history lover should have. It is easy to imagine how the area looked in Civil War times, because the scenery has changed very little.
At the Antietam Visitor Center, you will find a book shop, library, and museum, among other informative features. In summer months the center is open until 6:00 P.M., closing an hour earlier in autumn through spring. Check out www.nps.gov/anti to see when everything will be open when you plan to visit. Don't forget to stop by the museum store for Antietam and Civil War related souvenirs and historical items. Guests who are under 16 will be admitted free; adults pay $4.00, and the fee includes everything on the Antietam battlefield.
Always remember Antietam battlefield attracts many other visitors, so if possible, you might want to consider arriving right when the park opens or just before it closes. This way you can go your own pace. Taking your time to stop and explore each battle site is much pleasanter if you are one of the only people on the field! If you do happen to go when traffic is heavy, walking is always an option; this way, you can still regulate your own pace. You can take a tour map along to see where your route will be taking you.
From Gettysburg, another famous Civil War site, it is 64 miles to Antietam. From Harpers Ferry it is a little less than 14 miles, and from Pennsylvania's state capital of Harrisburg, the distance is 175 miles. Again, it is important to book a hotel either in your original destination town or try to find lodging outside of Antietam itself. Antietam's lack of hotels in no way detracts from the experience, but does make it a bit more difficult for those who wish to stay overnight.
By Lacie R. Schaeffer
Looking at pictures of Antietam (or Sharpsburg!) will tell you that it is one of the most well-preserved Civil War battlefields on Northern soil. The reason for the two different names? When the war was fought in the Southern states, Southerners named a battle site after the closest city or town; Northerners, being unsure of the area, named it after the prominent body of water nearest to the field. No matter what the field was called, the high number of casualties was one unchangeable fact. From the "Bloody Lane" to the Dunker Church, many sites are still preserved for the curious Civil War enthusiast to come and explore.
If you have visited other battlefields you will notice that much of the fighting was done in fields, roads and pastures. Antietam, fought in September of 1862, is no exception. One of the first stops you may want to make is Miller's Cornfield. During the battle, the cornfield made an excellent place for Southern shooters to hide and engage the foe. Anywhere you walk on this field could have been the place a soldier fell; they were said to have died very neatly, in straight lines, keeping formation even in death.
Stop by Dunker Church for a peaceful moment. Walking inside the quaint little church and seeing the reconstructed pews and pulpit, one wonders how such carnage could have covered the area. After exploring the grounds, you may want to hop over to one of Antietam's most well-known and ominous sites; Bloody Lane. This is actually a road that had become a ditch from continuous years of travel. The Southern troops found it a great place to crouch and await the onslaught of the enemies.
Another must-see place on Antietam battlefield is Burnside's Bridge. This picturesque bridge, known during the battle as Rohrbach's Bridge, took General Burnside's name when the crossing of his troops made it famous. Thousands upon thousands of his men, unable to cross all at once, were prime targets for soldiers hiding behind the natural camouflage of the forest. In modern times, crossing the bridge is an experience every Civil War history lover should have. It is easy to imagine how the area looked in Civil War times, because the scenery has changed very little.
At the Antietam Visitor Center, you will find a book shop, library, and museum, among other informative features. In summer months the center is open until 6:00 P.M., closing an hour earlier in autumn through spring. Check out www.nps.gov/anti to see when everything will be open when you plan to visit. Don't forget to stop by the museum store for Antietam and Civil War related souvenirs and historical items. Guests who are under 16 will be admitted free; adults pay $4.00, and the fee includes everything on the Antietam battlefield.
Always remember Antietam battlefield attracts many other visitors, so if possible, you might want to consider arriving right when the park opens or just before it closes. This way you can go your own pace. Taking your time to stop and explore each battle site is much pleasanter if you are one of the only people on the field! If you do happen to go when traffic is heavy, walking is always an option; this way, you can still regulate your own pace. You can take a tour map along to see where your route will be taking you.
From Gettysburg, another famous Civil War site, it is 64 miles to Antietam. From Harpers Ferry it is a little less than 14 miles, and from Pennsylvania's state capital of Harrisburg, the distance is 175 miles. Again, it is important to book a hotel either in your original destination town or try to find lodging outside of Antietam itself. Antietam's lack of hotels in no way detracts from the experience, but does make it a bit more difficult for those who wish to stay overnight.
By Lacie R. Schaeffer
Road Trip Travel Basics
By Christina VanGinkel
If you are planning to travel by car this summer, for a daytrip, weekend away, or a vacation that will have you driving for a week or two, do not leave until you go over a few basics that can mean the difference between a pleasant trip or one rife with hassles.
Whether or not you have a new or older model vehicle, schedule it for a maintenance check if you have not had one in the last three to six months. If you have, and anything of concern was noted that the service center told you to be aware of or that might be a concern in the future, now is the future, so have it taken care of. Paying for a repair at a local service station that you are familiar with is always better than in the middle of some unfamiliar town where you know no one, and your time would be better spent lazing on a beach or catching up with you Great Aunt Frieda on the latest family gossip.
Check the wear and tread of your tires, both those on the vehicle and your spare. While you are at it, also make sure all of the parts to your jack are intact and in good working order. Did you know that you can buy a hydraulic jack, which is much easier to use than many of the standard hand crank jacks that come standard with many vehicles, for less than fifty dollars?
A map may recall memories of your father in the front seat of the family station wagon asking your mother to read the map of where the next turn is to get to Yellowstone Park on the family vacation you took thirty years ago, but maps come in various forms today. Some identical, save for updated roads to the one you mother was reading all those years ago, and some come in the form of a GPS unit that is attached to your dash, or as a piece of software on your Pocket PC or laptop. Whether you prefer the standard road atlas, or a newer electronic device, take a map with you, with your route mapped out to save on confusion and extra gas when you have to turn around because you suddenly find yourself a couple hundred miles out of your way.
A service such as On Star is great if you happen to lock yourself out of your vehicle, but what happens if you are hundreds of miles from home and realize that you have lost your keys completely? On Star and other services are available that will both let you into your vehicle, and bring you a duplicate key. If you do not have access to one of those, or even if you do, save yourself time and hassle by bringing along an extra key. Keep it on your person at all times. A key on a long chain that you can wear is the simplest way to avoid the lost key or lock out scenario. As my daughter once said when I told her that I would look odd with a key around my neck at my age, "Well Mom, nobody knows you on the road anyway, so what do you care if a few strangers think you look odd!" Well said, and if nothing else, tuck it in your shirt or sweater and no one will even know you are wearing a key on a chain or cord.
Watch your gas gauge. If you are traveling long distances, avoid running out of gas in an inconvenient area by making sure you never let your tank even come close to empty.
Finally, bring along a few items that you may or may not consider normal attire:
A pair of sunglasses for those driving times when your sun visor just is not cutting it.
A cell phone for emergencies, and so that you can call conveniently from your own vehicle to double check on items such as hotel reservations, along with any phone numbers that you might need including your hotel, your insurance company, and any roadside assistance such as AAA.
Change for tollbooths.
A first aid kit along with a bottle of drinking water and a few nutritious snacks just to cover the basics!
If you are planning to travel by car this summer, for a daytrip, weekend away, or a vacation that will have you driving for a week or two, do not leave until you go over a few basics that can mean the difference between a pleasant trip or one rife with hassles.
Whether or not you have a new or older model vehicle, schedule it for a maintenance check if you have not had one in the last three to six months. If you have, and anything of concern was noted that the service center told you to be aware of or that might be a concern in the future, now is the future, so have it taken care of. Paying for a repair at a local service station that you are familiar with is always better than in the middle of some unfamiliar town where you know no one, and your time would be better spent lazing on a beach or catching up with you Great Aunt Frieda on the latest family gossip.
Check the wear and tread of your tires, both those on the vehicle and your spare. While you are at it, also make sure all of the parts to your jack are intact and in good working order. Did you know that you can buy a hydraulic jack, which is much easier to use than many of the standard hand crank jacks that come standard with many vehicles, for less than fifty dollars?
A map may recall memories of your father in the front seat of the family station wagon asking your mother to read the map of where the next turn is to get to Yellowstone Park on the family vacation you took thirty years ago, but maps come in various forms today. Some identical, save for updated roads to the one you mother was reading all those years ago, and some come in the form of a GPS unit that is attached to your dash, or as a piece of software on your Pocket PC or laptop. Whether you prefer the standard road atlas, or a newer electronic device, take a map with you, with your route mapped out to save on confusion and extra gas when you have to turn around because you suddenly find yourself a couple hundred miles out of your way.
A service such as On Star is great if you happen to lock yourself out of your vehicle, but what happens if you are hundreds of miles from home and realize that you have lost your keys completely? On Star and other services are available that will both let you into your vehicle, and bring you a duplicate key. If you do not have access to one of those, or even if you do, save yourself time and hassle by bringing along an extra key. Keep it on your person at all times. A key on a long chain that you can wear is the simplest way to avoid the lost key or lock out scenario. As my daughter once said when I told her that I would look odd with a key around my neck at my age, "Well Mom, nobody knows you on the road anyway, so what do you care if a few strangers think you look odd!" Well said, and if nothing else, tuck it in your shirt or sweater and no one will even know you are wearing a key on a chain or cord.
Watch your gas gauge. If you are traveling long distances, avoid running out of gas in an inconvenient area by making sure you never let your tank even come close to empty.
Finally, bring along a few items that you may or may not consider normal attire:
A pair of sunglasses for those driving times when your sun visor just is not cutting it.
A cell phone for emergencies, and so that you can call conveniently from your own vehicle to double check on items such as hotel reservations, along with any phone numbers that you might need including your hotel, your insurance company, and any roadside assistance such as AAA.
Change for tollbooths.
A first aid kit along with a bottle of drinking water and a few nutritious snacks just to cover the basics!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Summer Vacation Ideas
If it is a summer vacation you are looking for, look no further, this is the place to be. Here you will find a helpful list of summer vacation location ideas and the reasons why these are good destinations.
First, consider what you want in weather. If you are looking to escape the heat and humidity of many states in the summertime, consider going somewhere that has a drier climate. The mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, California, and of course Alaska are wonderful in the summer time. In these places you will find dry air, which, even when the weather is quite warm, will feel comfortable. The dry mountains often get quite chilly at night and you will find that you and your family will want sweaters or sweatshirts, and possibly even light jackets. Yet the days warm up into the 70s and 80s, and these western states offer abundant sunshine. The sunshine is wonderful for all the mountain vacation activities you will want to take advantage of, such as fishing in the mountain streams, horse back riding, white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, or simply sitting in the sun on the wooden deck of your mountain cabin. Many vacationers from hot and humid southern states find a refuge in the mountains of the western states during the summer months.
If it is a warm, beach vacation you seek this summer, our great land offers a huge selection of beaches. From the miles of endless beaches in California, the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, the palm trees and sandy beaches of Florida, and on up the East Coast to the cool waters but warm beaches in Maine, most vacationers will not have to travel too far to find a beach. Even those in the upper midwest will find breezy, sunny beaches on the Great Lakes. A beach vacation in the summer gives vacationers the summer warmth they might be seeking, while offering an ocean breeze to take away the stagnant humidity. Even in Northern California and Maine, where the Ocean waters often do not get much above 50 degrees, the air is warm and pleasant, and brave beach-goers will take a dip into the frigid waters before getting back out on the sand to warm themselves. The beaches in these northern locations are often less crowded than the more southern beaches, but the air is just as warm and the scenery is spectacular.
Many people will not be able to venture too far from home this summer, due to finances or work commitments, but the beauty of our great nation is that we can find vacation and adventure right in our area if we use a little creativity. If you live within a couple hours drive of a medium sized city, you will find all kinds of things to do on a simple day trip. All cities have parks in which to have picnics, and many have bodies of water, such as a lake, a pond or a river, by which families can take walks. Nearly all cities have museums, art galleries, and historical information; in fact, you may learn something new about your city or state that you did not know before. If you live in an exceptionally hot area of the country, these indoor excursions will be a welcome, air conditioned retreat on a hot summer day. And check to see if the city you will visit has an indoor ice skating rink. There is nothing like bringing the breath of winter into your summer day, but taking a few spins around the rink when the thermometer is reaching the 90s outdoors.
Lastly, in spite of rising gas costs, you may like to take a road trip this summer. Often the best way to see the country is to get in your car and simply start driving. You may want to bring along camping gear, or look for discount lodging along the way. Either way, driving is still less expensive than flying, and if you go, consider taking the back roads and avoiding the interstate highways. While interstates are more convenient, better tended, and will get you there faster, the back roads offer glimpses of small towns and Americana that would otherwise be missed.
Bon Voyage!
First, consider what you want in weather. If you are looking to escape the heat and humidity of many states in the summertime, consider going somewhere that has a drier climate. The mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, California, and of course Alaska are wonderful in the summer time. In these places you will find dry air, which, even when the weather is quite warm, will feel comfortable. The dry mountains often get quite chilly at night and you will find that you and your family will want sweaters or sweatshirts, and possibly even light jackets. Yet the days warm up into the 70s and 80s, and these western states offer abundant sunshine. The sunshine is wonderful for all the mountain vacation activities you will want to take advantage of, such as fishing in the mountain streams, horse back riding, white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, or simply sitting in the sun on the wooden deck of your mountain cabin. Many vacationers from hot and humid southern states find a refuge in the mountains of the western states during the summer months.
If it is a warm, beach vacation you seek this summer, our great land offers a huge selection of beaches. From the miles of endless beaches in California, the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, the palm trees and sandy beaches of Florida, and on up the East Coast to the cool waters but warm beaches in Maine, most vacationers will not have to travel too far to find a beach. Even those in the upper midwest will find breezy, sunny beaches on the Great Lakes. A beach vacation in the summer gives vacationers the summer warmth they might be seeking, while offering an ocean breeze to take away the stagnant humidity. Even in Northern California and Maine, where the Ocean waters often do not get much above 50 degrees, the air is warm and pleasant, and brave beach-goers will take a dip into the frigid waters before getting back out on the sand to warm themselves. The beaches in these northern locations are often less crowded than the more southern beaches, but the air is just as warm and the scenery is spectacular.
Many people will not be able to venture too far from home this summer, due to finances or work commitments, but the beauty of our great nation is that we can find vacation and adventure right in our area if we use a little creativity. If you live within a couple hours drive of a medium sized city, you will find all kinds of things to do on a simple day trip. All cities have parks in which to have picnics, and many have bodies of water, such as a lake, a pond or a river, by which families can take walks. Nearly all cities have museums, art galleries, and historical information; in fact, you may learn something new about your city or state that you did not know before. If you live in an exceptionally hot area of the country, these indoor excursions will be a welcome, air conditioned retreat on a hot summer day. And check to see if the city you will visit has an indoor ice skating rink. There is nothing like bringing the breath of winter into your summer day, but taking a few spins around the rink when the thermometer is reaching the 90s outdoors.
Lastly, in spite of rising gas costs, you may like to take a road trip this summer. Often the best way to see the country is to get in your car and simply start driving. You may want to bring along camping gear, or look for discount lodging along the way. Either way, driving is still less expensive than flying, and if you go, consider taking the back roads and avoiding the interstate highways. While interstates are more convenient, better tended, and will get you there faster, the back roads offer glimpses of small towns and Americana that would otherwise be missed.
Bon Voyage!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Portland, Maine
Maine is known as vacationland, the Pine Tree State, and the state motto is, The Way Life Should Be. With all those things going for it, it is no wonder that each summer, thousands of vacationers flock to Maine to enjoy the stunning, rocky coastline, the thick forests full of moose and bald eagles, and of course, the sought-after lobster dinners. Maine can feel like a trip back in time, with its generally small town feel and country flavor; but as many surprised visitors will find, Portland, Maine, while a relatively small city, compared to some of its East Coast neighbors, had all the cultural offerings of a large city, but without the hassle of traffic and transportation.
Portland, Maine is Maine's largest city, which, at about 250,000, is not saying much. With Boston, Providence, and New York City, just down the coast, Portland seems small. But most towns in Maine have an average population under 5000, so Portland, to the locals, is the big city. Many of the medical specialists are in Portland, as are the largest mall, and much of the industry of southern Maine. Portland is situated right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with a small cove pushing in to part of the city. It is an extremely clean city with scenic parks and walking paths around the cove, the town, the old Port, and of course, the beaches.
Culturally, Portland competes with its larger counterparts. The Portland Symphony Orchestra, which performs in the majestic Merrill Auditorium in downtown Portland, gives its visitors a big city musical treat. With many performances throughout the year, the Portland Symphony orchestra brings classical music, modern variations, and special ballets and other events to Mainers and to visitors of Maine. Why spend the money to go to Boston when a wonderful symphony is right here in Maine? Portland also has an abundance of art museums and galleries. The Portland Museum of Art has regular shows including world renowned artists, local artists, special events, and if planned well in advance, the art museum will even host events such as retirement ceremonies and wedding receptions. Anyone familiar with Maine knows that Winslow Homer is a favorite artist from Maine's past. The Winslow Homer Gallery in Portland is a charming gallery that all Homer fans must see. Other galleries include the McLellan House and L.D.M. Sweat Memorial Galleries, as well as many smaller galleries tucked around the Old Port.
Speaking of the Old Port, this is where Portland gets its name. The Old Port is a working port, or waterfront, with all the delights that go along with such things. Not only does it sport the fishing and lobster boats, as well as seagulls and crusty, Maine fishermen, the Old Port also boasts many charming shops and restaurants. DeMillo's is a restaurant every visitor to Portland will want to try. Set on a ship, DeMillo's gives patrons an amazing night time view of the ocean and the Old Port, and the entire skyline around the bay. The food is decadent and the service is perfect. There are many other restaurants wtih every type of food imaginable, from the typical Maine lobster dinner to Thai food and Indian cuisine. Pubs and night clubs are also popular around the Old Port.
Portland also has a baseball team called the Portland Seadogs. Baseball fans will love Haddock Field where they can experience big time baseball in a small town stadium. In the winter time, the Portland Pirates hockey team plays at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tickets are inexpensive and the entire family can go to these games.
And perhaps most importantly, Portland has its share of lighthouses. Maine is known for its beacons on the coast, and visitors to Portland will not be disappointed. The Portland Head Light, just south of town, has a quaint museum that tells visitors about many of the lighthouses in Maine, and a gift shop for taking home a souvenir of your visit. On sunny days, the view is magnificent.
The next time you head to the East Coast for a vacation, consider Portland, Maine. It is the small city with the big city benefits, and as in all the rest of Maine, it is the Way Life Should Be.
Portland, Maine is Maine's largest city, which, at about 250,000, is not saying much. With Boston, Providence, and New York City, just down the coast, Portland seems small. But most towns in Maine have an average population under 5000, so Portland, to the locals, is the big city. Many of the medical specialists are in Portland, as are the largest mall, and much of the industry of southern Maine. Portland is situated right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with a small cove pushing in to part of the city. It is an extremely clean city with scenic parks and walking paths around the cove, the town, the old Port, and of course, the beaches.
Culturally, Portland competes with its larger counterparts. The Portland Symphony Orchestra, which performs in the majestic Merrill Auditorium in downtown Portland, gives its visitors a big city musical treat. With many performances throughout the year, the Portland Symphony orchestra brings classical music, modern variations, and special ballets and other events to Mainers and to visitors of Maine. Why spend the money to go to Boston when a wonderful symphony is right here in Maine? Portland also has an abundance of art museums and galleries. The Portland Museum of Art has regular shows including world renowned artists, local artists, special events, and if planned well in advance, the art museum will even host events such as retirement ceremonies and wedding receptions. Anyone familiar with Maine knows that Winslow Homer is a favorite artist from Maine's past. The Winslow Homer Gallery in Portland is a charming gallery that all Homer fans must see. Other galleries include the McLellan House and L.D.M. Sweat Memorial Galleries, as well as many smaller galleries tucked around the Old Port.
Speaking of the Old Port, this is where Portland gets its name. The Old Port is a working port, or waterfront, with all the delights that go along with such things. Not only does it sport the fishing and lobster boats, as well as seagulls and crusty, Maine fishermen, the Old Port also boasts many charming shops and restaurants. DeMillo's is a restaurant every visitor to Portland will want to try. Set on a ship, DeMillo's gives patrons an amazing night time view of the ocean and the Old Port, and the entire skyline around the bay. The food is decadent and the service is perfect. There are many other restaurants wtih every type of food imaginable, from the typical Maine lobster dinner to Thai food and Indian cuisine. Pubs and night clubs are also popular around the Old Port.
Portland also has a baseball team called the Portland Seadogs. Baseball fans will love Haddock Field where they can experience big time baseball in a small town stadium. In the winter time, the Portland Pirates hockey team plays at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tickets are inexpensive and the entire family can go to these games.
And perhaps most importantly, Portland has its share of lighthouses. Maine is known for its beacons on the coast, and visitors to Portland will not be disappointed. The Portland Head Light, just south of town, has a quaint museum that tells visitors about many of the lighthouses in Maine, and a gift shop for taking home a souvenir of your visit. On sunny days, the view is magnificent.
The next time you head to the East Coast for a vacation, consider Portland, Maine. It is the small city with the big city benefits, and as in all the rest of Maine, it is the Way Life Should Be.
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