What to do in South Portland, ME

Activities, attractions and tours

Portland Head Lighthouse
A lighthouse on a rocky outcrop by the sea, with a metal railing and a cloudy sky.
A couple standing by a railing overlooking a body of water with a cityscape in the background.
Portland Harbor aerial view from Eastern Promenade in East End, city of Portland, Maine ME, USA.
A white lighthouse on a rocky shore with a calm sea and a sunset in the background.

South Portland Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that South Portland has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to South Portland, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to South Portland with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in South Portland

South Portland is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in South Portland, and make it a breeze to explore South Portland and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in South Portland to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to South Portland, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in South Portland.

South Portland attractions

South Portland has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in South Portland to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of South Portland.

Looking for things to do in South Portland can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of South Portland or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to South Portland attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Portland Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Portland Smartphone Audio Tour: Self-Guided Drive

£13
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Portland Smartphone Audio Tour: Self-Guided Drive
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Most fun & popular experiences in South Portland

Tours & day trips

See all 77 activities
Portland: Best of Maine Lighthouse Scenic Cruise

Portland: Best of Maine Lighthouse Scenic Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes
9.8 out of 10 with 245 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £43 per adult
Portland: Best of Maine Lighthouse Scenic CruiseOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 20 activities
Coastal Maine Sunset Sailing Experience - Public & Private

Coastal Maine Sunset Sailing Experience - Public & Private

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £113 per adult
Coastal Maine Sunset Sailing Experience - Public & PrivateOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 11 activities
Portland: Casco Bay Sunset and Lighthouse Cruise

Portland: Casco Bay Sunset and Lighthouse Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 47 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £45 per adult
Portland: Casco Bay Sunset and Lighthouse CruiseOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 6 activities
Maine Coastal Lighthouse:Two-hour bicycle tour

Maine Coastal Lighthouse:Two-hour bicycle tour

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 9 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £57 per adult
Maine Coastal Lighthouse:Two-hour bicycle tourOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in South Portland

Number of things to do
94
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: £6
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in South Portland

Popular places to visit

Southern Maine Community College

Southern Maine Community College

Walk around the campus at Southern Maine Community College during your visit to South Portland. Amble around this family-friendly area's waterfront and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Southern Maine Community College
A white lighthouse on a rocky shore with a calm sea and a sunset in the background.

Bug Light

You can find out about the history of South Portland with a trip to Bug Light. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theatre scene.

Bug Light
Fort Preble

Fort Preble

On the South Portland waterfront, survey the scene of the Battle of Portland Harbor, which is the only known Civil War conflict fought in Maine.

Fort Preble
Venetian Masks

Lyric Music Theater

You can enjoy a show at Lyric Music Theater during your stay in South Portland. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Lyric Music Theater

Maine Mall

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Maine Mall during your stay in South Portland. Experience the area's entertainment choices and great live music.

Maine Mall

Willard Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Willard Beach during your travels in South Portland?

Willard Beach

South Portland Historical Society Museum

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at South Portland Historical Society Museum in South Portland. Experience the area's entertainment choices and acclaimed theatre scene.

South Portland Historical Society Museum

Maine Military Museum

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Maine Military Museum during your travels in South Portland. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.

Maine Military Museum

Where to stay in South Portland

Find the best South Portland areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about South Portland
Learn more about South Portland
Panoramic view of the harbor of Portland, Maine, New England, USA

Knightville

While Knightville isn't home to many top sights, Lyric Music Theater and Victoria Mansion are some notable places to visit nearby.

Bug Light

Willard Beach

When in Willard Beach, you can plan a visit to Willard Beach and Fort Preble, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Ferry Village

While Ferry Village isn't home to many top sights, Willard Beach and Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal are some notable places to visit nearby.

Photo by Karen Rinaldo-green
Open Photo by Karen Rinaldo-green

Willard

Willard might not have many top sights, but Lyric Music Theater and Willard Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bug light lighthouse in Portland, Maine at sunset as a sailboat sails into the harbor

Meetinghouse Hill

While Meetinghouse Hill may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Willard Beach and Portland Museum of Art.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from South Portland

Scarborough

Scarborough

Rocky shores of the Maine Coast, Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, New England, USA

Cape Elizabeth

Ice Disk, Westbrook, Maine

Westbrook

Portland

Portland

Frequently asked questions

Is South Portland worth visiting?
South Portland has an interesting mix of local charm, attractions and culture. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or regional cuisine, there's a lot here to enjoy.
How do I spend a day in South Portland?
Higgins Beach and East End Beach are two excellent places to kick-start your sightseeing adventures. Remember to explore the dining and retail options in South Portland while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in South Portland?
You can't go home without exploring State Theatre, rated the top tourist attraction in South Portland.
Is three days enough to stay in South Portland?
You can easily visit top sights like State Theatre, Higgins Beach and Portland Museum of Art with a three-day trip to South Portland. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a little longer and check out Portland.
Is South Portland a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and top sights within walking distance of the city centre, South Portland is a good destination to see on foot. Wander between State Theatre and Portland Museum of Art. Then take a stroll through Downtown Portland, located 2 kms (1 mile) from the centre, and Old Port, which is roughly 2 kms (1 mile) away.
What are some activities to do in South Portland with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in South Portland with kids.

What to do in South Portland for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or fan of Mother Nature, there are loads of things to do in South Portland for adults including Portland Exposition Building and Portland Club.
Are there free things to do in South Portland?
From visiting parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in South Portland. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Higgins Beach is a must for anyone wishing to save on their sightseeing adventures.