Dining Your Way Through Portland, Maine

If possible, take an earlier flight Friday morning so that you can arrive in Portland with the full day ahead of you. Take a Lyft from the airport to downtown Portland, check-in to your hotel and set out on foot for lunch.

Head over to Eventide around noon and try to grab a table right out front if the weather is nice. If it's a bit chilly, sit right inside at the bar or front window for great people watching. The menu is packed with awesome seafood options for a leisurely lunch. Take your time and try as much as possible. Highly recommend the oysters, tuna crudo, fish dip and fish sandwich. The rotating, local, draft beers go well with every bite.

After lunch, get some steps in walking through town. Head West and treat yourself to Gelato Fiasco. The blueberry flavor is delicious. Take a few laps through town and pop in the many souvenir and designer shops. Stroll along the water and watch the boats come in with their fresh catches.

For a late afternoon bite/drink, head back across town to Brickyard Hollow Brewery. Their beer selection is fantastic, and their pizza is amazing! They do things really well. The feta, sausage and banana pepper pizza is a must-try. The environment is laid-back and very casual. Sit right at the bar for a view of all the action.

To end the evening, pop over to Scales. This is one of the higher-end restaurants in town and does require a reservation. If you aren't able to land a reservation in the main dining area, the lounge seating near the bar is first-come, first-served. The lounge area doesn't offer the full menu, but what they do offer is delicious. Order the crab fritters, fried oysters and cod croquettes to end the perfect day of eating. Wash this down with one of their fantastic cocktails (their take on the Negroni is wonderful). The entire restaurant has an awesome buzzy vibe, so you will have a fantastic time no matter where you are sitting.

By this time, you're likely very full and tired. Head back to the hotel for an early bedtime and be ready to explore Portland's coffee scene in the morning.

Wake up on the early side to spend the morning enjoying Portland coffee and pastries. There are quite a few cafes and shops to choose from, so make room to try a few! Bard, Tandem, Speckled Ax and Holy Donut are great options. Grab a small coffee and bite from each. Take your coffee to-go in hand and walk along the water or explore the many side streets of town.

If you have time, take a car to Portland's Headlight (15–20 minutes by car). This is an iconic place to visit and a beautiful destination.

Once you've worked up an appetite for lunch, check out Porthole for lobster rolls and live music. This laid-back spot has a great atmosphere of people who came out to enjoy their Saturday afternoon. The live music is center stage in front of diners, and the lobster rolls are some of the freshest in town.

When you're ready for dinner, Twelve is another upscale must-visit restaurant. Similar to Scales, you will need a reservation. Twelve is a cozy spot with incredible ambiance. They offer a prix-fixe menu and an optional wine pairing. All of the options are winners! For dinner for two, try the mussels, fluke crudo, duck and scallops. The wine pairing is generous and seamlessly integrated.

Before bed, stop by Blyth & Burrow's for a fantastic cocktail experience.

For your last morning or afternoon, squeeze in any last coffees, lobster rolls and local craft brews before you head to the airport. If you need any last-minute souvenirs, you can find a few great shops down by the water.