South Portland, Maine: A Relaxed Seaside Spot Near Portland

Built back in the year 1897, the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse was established to warn mariners in the area of the dangerous ledge at Portland Harbor. The light looks like a massive spark plug and sits at the granite breakwater’s end in South Portland, Maine. Visitors can stop at the lighthouse during any part of the year to take in the amazing views of the Casco Bay Islands and Portland Harbor, as well as ship traffic, historic forts, and pebble and sand beaches. During the summer season, the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust offers tours of the lighthouse.

2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-699-2676

Also known as the Bug Light, the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse is a small lighthouse and the “crown jewel” of South Portland’s Bug Light Park, standing as a piece of "living history." The light's role of marking the end of a rocky breakwater that shields the Portland Harbor started back in 1855. At a height of just 26 feet, the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse is known for its elegance and its diminutive size. The lighthouse designates the eastern end of the Greenbelt Walkway, as well as is a popular spot among local residents for waterside walks and kite flying.

S Portland Greenbelt Pathway, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-767-7670

The Maine Mall is the state's largest mall, the second largest mall in the northern New England area, and the main shopping destination in the city of South Portland. The shopping center is made up of more than one hundred retail stores and boutique shops, such as Apple, Sephora, J. Crew, and Macy's. The food court features a variety of food options for when shoppers get hungry, and there are playgrounds for young children as well. The Maine Mall offers a great alternative thing to do when the weather isn’t great for the many outdoor activities in the area.

364 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-828-2063

The South Portland Historical Society Museum, also called Cushing's Point Museum, is a well organized museum in Bug Light Park, situated adjacent to the Bug Light. The museum features a wide variety of photographs and artifacts related to the local history of the area, with exhibit topics including Civil War history, sardine canning factories, lighthouses, shipbuilding, and much more. There is also a research room for historical research and a gift shop full of Made in Maine gift items, lighthouse related items, and souvenirs. The staff at the South Portland Historical Society Museum are known for being well informed and friendly.

55 Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-767-7299

Attractions for Couples

Originally constructed back in 1808, as well as added to through the year 1906, the historic Fort Preble can be found along the waterfront of South Portland, Maine and was built to carry out the United States Embargo Act of 1807, preventing merchants from trading their goods with the French and British. The State of Maine purchased the fort in 1952 and it became what is the campus of the Southern Maine Community College today, as well as open to the public. The grounds now contain the Portland Harbor Museum and the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is located off the peninsula.

Bunker Lane, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-741-5500

The Greenbelt Walkway in the city of South Portland, Maine is a long, off-road pathway that thousands of visitors and local residents alike use every year. The pathway extends nearly six miles from west to east, starting at the Wainwright Athletic Complex close to Scarborough to South Portland’s Bug Light Park, the site where Liberty Ships were once built during the Second World War. This trail provides cyclists, runners, and walkers with three different vistas of Portland’s waterfront and easy strolls. Wildlife viewing is also popular along the Greenbelt Walkway at several of the woodlands, marshes, wetlands, and fields.

South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 800-551-6949

The Mad Horse Theatre Company is a nonprofit organization in South Portland, Maine that has provided the community with quality performances for over thirty years. Founded in 1986 as professional resident theatre group, the Mad Horse Theatre Company is known for choosing plays that are more on the innovative and edgy side, with many plays often featuring hidden meanings that will leave audiences thinking long after the show ends. The actual theater space isn’t that large, however, the actors use the space in many creative ways. The mission of Mad Horse is to engage and entertain audiences with artistic productions.

24 Mosher St, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-747-4148

The Scratch Baking Company is an artisan neighborhood bakery that uses only the highest quality ingredients for their baked goods, such as local fruit when possible, real butter, local Maine eggs, and King Arthur flours. In addition to breads and other baked items, the small bakery offers a carefully picked selection of items that “go with bread,” such as wine, cured meats, condiments, and cheeses. Bagels and breads baked here are made from scratch with great care and change daily. The Scratch Baking Company is open Wednesday to Sunday from seven in the morning until one in the afternoon.

416 Preble St, South Portland, ME 04106, Phone: 207-799-0668