Downtown Portland - Monument Square, Congress, and Old Port

Downtown Portland, Maine
Monument Square, Congress, and the Old Port

Please note that you can click on the images to make them bigger.

One of my favorite places in Portland, Monument Square is a wide open space for people to hang out, relax, and eat at one of the adjoining resteraunts. The library is across the street.

One of many mini lighthouses in the Greater Portland area sits adjacent to Monument Square, adding color and festivity to the area.

If you walk up Congress St a little, which runs adjacent to Monument Square, you will get to the Cryptozoology Museum. Cryptozoology is the study of creatures who have not yet been proven to exist, such as Bigfoot. As far as can tell, more people seem to know about this place outside of Maine than in Maine.

This is Longfellow Square, named after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. There is a pink tulip garden dedicated to cancer research that is new this year, 2011. This is as far up Congress as I usually go.

There is some beautiful architecture throughout Portland. This street lies and sidewalk adjacent to Longfellow Square.

A majestic looking building on Congress St.

Walking back down Congress. you see a potpourri of different buildings, and streets on either side.

Back on the other side of Monument Square, we have a lovely independent, locally owned bookstore called Longfellow Books.

Midway to the Old Port is the Nickelodeon movie theater. A long time ago, this used to show second run movies and only cost a couple dollars, but it's long since converted to a first run theater.

A park-like area with benches is in front of Nickelodeon, with this statue of what appears to be a lobsterman.

The street that goes into the heart of the Old Port. When I am walking down to the Old Port, this is about when I start getting excited, knowing I will soon burst into the middle of such a beautiful place.

A historic building stands on the corner of Exchange, one of the key streets in the Old Port.

Some pretty trees in an area known as Tommy's Park. This is a circular area with benches and flowers where people can sit. There are often people juggling, throwing fire, or doing other acrobatic stunts on weekends for people to enjoy. Lately, there has been someone occasionally playing the bagpipe, which is kind of cool for about five minutes until it gets sort of annoying. In the summer, there are free weekly concerts at noon.

Walking down Exchange Street. There are many one of a kind shops that line Exchange, from
fancy clothes to curios, gelato and forty flavors of popcorn, tie dye to Christmas items, coffee shops and upscale restaurants, you'll find it all on Exchange Street.

A bookstore that specializes in maps, among other things, is one of the stores on Exchange.

The bottom of Exchange, which runs into Fore St. Fore St also has many more shops of interest. The store in front of you used to be a kite and toy store, but is now a pottery store. Continuing downwards is Moulton Street, which leads to the ocean.

A great local smoothie place that just opened up a couple of years ago on Moulton Street. The Maine Squeeze is run by a guy who moved here from California and decided we needed a touch of juice. Filling the void left by Smoothie King when it vacated, owner Buzz actually makes his apple juice out of real apples right in front of you - nothing is from concentrate here.

The aptly named Long Wharf is a beautiful place to sit and relax, and look at the many boats docked around you. It is also the site of DiMillo's, which is a restaraunt that is actually on a boat.

Going on a whale watch is just one of many things you can do from Long Wharf.

I have always loved this sign.

This beautiful church is visible from Pearl Street, which I walk down to get to Whole Foods after I've had my fill of the Old Port. It is only a 10-15 minute walk from the center of the Old Port.

That concludes our tour of Congress St and the Old Port. Did you smell the ocean breeze? Hear the guitar of the street musicians? See the seagulls flying overhead? Be sure to click on the Commercial Street album to see the lower part of the Old Port, and don't forget to come and visit us!