Daydreaming about a Fall Foodie Weekend in Portland

Every October, leaf lovers in the South start dreaming of New England. While we’re still wearing shorts and tank-tops in Nashville, Maine’s offering brilliant foliage, crisp weather and all kinds of harvest festivals. So how about you? Up for some daydreaming? Here’s a little inspiration for a fall foodie weekend in Portland!

fall food weekend in maine
pictured: everyday beauty off a road in Maine’s October

Inviting Accommodations to Set the Stage

Nothing says cozy getaway like a charming bed and breakfast, but Portland’s also got some stellar hotel options. Take a peek at some of these luxurious destinations:

  • Pomegranate Inn: This B&B’s high-end decor sets bold wallpapers against eclectic furnishings and lush linens. So fun! Set in the architecturally distinct Western Promenade area of Portland, Pomegranate Inn has been described as “shabby chic,” a “visual treat” and “eccentric and cozy.”
  • The Danforth: History meets modern amenities in this almost-two-centuries-old inn, first founded in 1823. Inside you’ll find nine luxurious bedroom suites, most with fireplaces. Each room is distinct from the others, and the Federal-style mansion features a rooftop cupola. If you feel like walking to dinner, the inn is just a mile from the restaurants and shops of the Old Port.
  • The Portland Regency: In the heart of downtown Portland, the Portland Regency is a beautifully designed boutique hotel that belongs to the Historic Hotels of America. It pairs all the charm of a historic setting with all the conveniences of a large hotel chain.
Plan a fall foodie weekend Portland, Maine
Pictured: The Portland Regency, Portland, Maine

Leaf-Peeping Day Trips from Portland

As long as you’re in Portland in October, you may as well soak up all the fall-foliage pleasure you can. So here are some of the best places to spot changing leaves in the area:

  • Camden. Just under two hours from Portland, Camden is a sweet village on the water, nicknamed “Jewel of the Coast.”
  • Freeport (and the LL Bean flagship store). Skip the highway views of I-95 and enjoy the backroads leading up to Freeport from Portland. In this quaint coastal town you’ll find a host of outlets, including LL Bean.
  • Rangely Lake Region. Create your own driving tour of Maine’s finest fall colors when you head from Portland to the Rangely Lake Region. There’s even a 1.5-hour cruise available on the lake itself, focused on showing you the peak color changes!
  • Acadia National Park: This park’s about a three-hour drive from Portland, but you can stretch your legs (and then some) by hiking the wooded areas you find there. Bonus idea: check out this list of stops along the way from Travel Midcoast!
food weekend in maine, camden, maine
Pictured: Camden, Maine

A Bucket List of Food Destinations in the Portland Area and Beyond

No fall foodie weekend in Portland would be complete without a long list of dining establishments to try–and Maine’s has no shortage of them. Dubbed America’s Foodiest Small Town in 2009 by Bon Appetit and just recently ranked as top (small) city in America to spend the weekend by Thrillist.com, Portland makes it easy to enjoy a good meal out. Here are some of the reasons to put this city’s food on your bucket list!

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Pictured: a recent photo from @MainetheWay

For Even More Maine Daydreaming, Trip Inspo

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