PORTLAND
PORTLAND
WHY MAINE? WHY PORTLAND?
(Press play below while you read!)
Portland is a special town to both Casey and Ashley. Ashley's Papa had a summer home in Old Orchard Beach, just a few towns down the coast, and Ashley's parents sailed out of the Portland Yacht Club, so Ashley spent summers kicking around Portland while growing up. This area of Maine is sacred to Ashley, as it holds many of her warmest memories, always feels like home, and is where Ashley's mom's ashes were laid to rest.
Later, when Ashley and Casey roadtripped through Maine, Portland was the stop where Casey's family joined them for a great night of live music, seafood, craft brews, and shopping. The O'Brien's love Portland too!
Ashley's dad and step-mother now live in Owls Head, ME, and Casey's brother lives in Kennebunk, ME, so Ashley and Casey have been lucky enough to share many holidays and weekends with family on the Maine coast.
We cannot wait to share this truly awesome town with you! It's classic New England, it's seaside Maine, it's urban, rustic, has natural beauty, is soaked in history, and has great shops, restaurants, bars, art galleries, hotels, and live music everywhere you turn! It's "The Way Life Should Be"! If Portland is old stomping grounds, we hope we give you just the right dose of nostalgia mixed with a fun new look at this favorite city. If this is your first time, you may find yourself pining for it long after, as we so often do.
HOW TO GET THERE
HOW TO GET THERE
BY PLANE...
Portland International Jetport (PWM) services Delta, Jetblue, Southwest, United, and US Airways. A quick cab ride or your airport shuttle service should have you downtown in about 10 minutes.
Alternatively, if you are looking for more airline options or flight times, Boston's Logan (BOS) airport is about 2 hours south of Portland via Rt. 95.
BY TRAIN...
Amtrak has a route called the Downeaster dedicated to service between Boston and Portland. Trains depart from Boston's North Station. Tickets are $20-$34 one way based on your choice of seating, the trip lasts 2 1/2 hours complete with Wi-Fi and a snack car, and trains leave approximately 5 times daily.
If you are flying into Logan, a quick cab ride would bring you to North Station, where the Downeaster departs from.
BY AUTOMOBILE...
Please note that while the drive to Portland is easy and straightforward by most accounts, there can be quite a bit of traffic on summer weekends! This is particularly true to any NYCers that have to deal with traffic leaving the city for the weekend as well as the traffic in New England from people heading north to their weekend destinations. Please feel free to ask us for recommendations on best times to travel, as we are well-versed in it by now!
From NYC: 95 North (this is much easier than starting on 287!) > 91 North (ignore directions for CT-15!) > 84 East > 90 East > 290 East > 495 North > 95 North > 295 North
From Central MA/Southern NH: 495 North > 95 North > 295 North
TRANSPORTATION AROUND PORTLAND
All wedding festivities are within walking distance of each other. The church to Vignola Cinque Terre is a 5 minute walk down the hill via Union Street or Exchange Street, and the Casablanca Cruises boat is a 5 minute walk from the restaurant via Commercial Street.
If you are planning on driving to and from the festivities and not staying the night, your best bet is to use a parking garage for the day, as street parking is extremely limited. The Temple Street Parking Garage or Fore Street Parking Garage will be the most centrally located options.
Lastly, if your hotel or parking garage is not within easy walking distance of the festivities, there are public buses and taxis. You can even find Portland on Uber!
WHERE TO STAY
WHERE TO STAY
As Portland becomes more popular, it is more difficult to find accommodations. Please book your stay as early as possible!
ROOM BLOCKS
LA QUINTA INN & SUITES
340 Park Avenue, Portland, ME 04102
207.871.0611
Includes free continental breakfast, free parking, an airport shuttle from 4:30am-10pm, a fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, and is pet friendly. This hotel is 1.5 miles from First Parish and 2 miles from Casablanca Cruises, so it may not be as walkable as some of the more centrally located hotels.
Please mention the Hanks/OBrien wedding block to receive the $179/nt rate. These rooms will be released to the general public on June 15th.
OTHER RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Portland has several other brand new, beautiful hotels, such as the Courtyard Marriott Downtown/Waterfront, Portland Harbor Hotel, The Westin Portland Harborview, Holiday Inn By the Bay, Hampton Inn Portland Downtown - Waterfront, Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront. These could be a particularly excellent option if you have rewards points or you can find a good deal on promotional websites like Expedia or Hotels.com.
VACATION RENTALS
We also recommend looking into vacation rentals. Lovely homes at reasonable prices can be found on Homeaway, AirBnB, Flipkey, and VRBO. Please be aware that some of these homes are on islands in the bay and may require ferry service to and from the city.
*** Please see HOW TO GET THERE for information on transportation around Portland.***
WHERE TO EAT
WHERE TO EAT
There are hundreds of amazing places to eat in Portland, but here are a few of our favorites and some stars of their menus!
eventide oyster company: super hip yet approachable. their take on the lobster roll is worth the wait.
Brown Butter Lobster Roll, Raw Oysters, Chick Pea Fries, Biscuits
The Holy Donut: potato donuts that will ruin how you look at any other donuts forever more.
Chocolate Sea Salt, Sweet Potato Ginger Sugared, Bacon & Cheddar. Excellent coffee as well!
the porthole: A less touristy option for fish and lobster on a wharf. Indoor and outdoor seating. Live Music.
Fish Tacos, Fish and Chips
portland lobster company: popular with tourists, but classic seafood. live music. Mostly outdoor seating.
Classic Bib-Required Lobster, Fried Seafood Platters
Boa Boa dumpling house: sometimes portland gets a bit foggy and chilly. this is where you go if that happens.
Greens in Oyster Sauce, Pork Dumplings, Pots of Tea
HOT SUPPA!: manages to make an equally amazing sausage gravy & biscuits as it does ancient grains porridge.
All things brunch!
becky's diner: a true throwback new england diner, not to be confused with a nyc diner!
Blueberry Pancakes, Omelettes and Hash, Meatloaf or Roast Turkey Dinners