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What to do in Portland, ME and Halifax, NS


awestover89
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We are going to be on the Anthem in Canada/New England next month and don't have anything planned for either Portland or Halifax. Are there any hidden gems or must see/do activities in either port?

 

We're going to be hiking in Acadia at Bar Harbor and doing a self-guided tour of the reversing rapids/Bay of Fundy in Saint John, but all I could think of for Halifax was the Citadel, and not sure at all for Portland. Any advice or recommendations greatly appreciated.

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If you are looking at things that are in walking distance of the port area. In Portland there is the Victoria Mansion, A narrow gauge RR museum with train ride, and the Portland Tower. Outside the city is Portland Head Lighthouse and the Bug Light - opposite side of the harbor from where the ships dock - supposedly a good place to get a photo of your ship. We are doing a taxi tour there that will take us on a guided tour as well as allowing us to get out and explore the three attractions I mentioned.

 

In Halifax we have also hired a taxi tour and are going outside the city to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, visiting a Maple Sugar Factory, the Titanic cemetery. we will also visit the Citadel and I understand that there are lots of things to along the boardwalk next to the waterfront. I have heard of a crystal/glass blowing place.

 

I also recommend a visit to trip advisor and/or the tour websites of the two towns,

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For Halifax you can easily spend the day in port on your own touring the waterfront, the Citadel, Maritime Museums, Public Gardens and much more.

 

Or you can go to Peggy's Cove and possibly on to Lunenburg. The best way for this is to rent a car.

 

Here are some previous posts: http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g154976-i327-k8118123-One_day_cruise-Halifax_Halifax_Regional_Municipality_Nova_Scotia.html#63960510

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1989879

 

http://halifaxbloggers.ca/thelocaltraveler/2014/05/10-day-trips-within-two-hours-of-halifax/

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There is a good Titanic exhibit right on the street along the waterfront (Commercial Street) in Portland v

 

http://www.portlandsciencecenter.com/#!Titanic-artifact-exhibition-coming-to-Portland/c1uzw/571634af0cf2dd6f7fc5b9d7

 

Also lots of good shopping, places for lunch, and the Caso Bay Ferry.

 

http://www.cascobaylines.com

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There is a wonderful free bus, called FRED, in Halifax. Travels around the town and stops to hop on and off at many of the sites you may want to visit.

It Is clean and dependable. The driver also gives info on the sites.

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There are a number of things to see and do right in the port area - most have been mentioned already. There's also a casino, the Alexander Keith's brewery, any number of bars/restaurants on Spring Garden Rd or Barrington St. There's also the Public Gardens.

If you're a history buff definitely go to the Citadel. They fire off a cannon every day at noon, and you can stand almost right next to it.

 

One note, if you're going to Peggy's Cove and/or Lunenburg, leave early and give yourself time getting back. There is a main highway, but not going directly to those towns so you'll be spending time on secondary roads, which can be busy.

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Thanks for all the suggestions. We decided to rent a car in Halifax and will plan on seeing Peggy's Cove, the Citadel, and the Public Gardens, then we'll just wing it from there if time allows.

 

Looking at the narrow gauge railroad, the ferry, and Lucky Catch cruises in Portland. Haven't made a decision yet.

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In Halifax we just walked around in the morning up to the Citadel ... Beautiful city.

 

After lunch we had a tour - Peggy's Cove and Fairlawn Cemetary (Titanic). It was very nice!

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Other thing do in Portland is to go round trip on the island ferries. Cheap, beautiful, convenient.

How long does that take? I am thinking of booking a private food tour from Maine Foodie Tours. It would be from 11-2 and we are in port from 8-5 so I won't be able to do any other tour that day (although at $95 for their "Sherpa" tour I probably wouldn't want to spend much more). But I'll have plenty of time to walk around before and after.

Edited by MisterBill99
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How long does that take? I am thinking of booking a private food tour from Maine Foodie Tours. It would be from 11-2 and we are in port from 8-5 so I won't be able to do any other tour that day (although at $95 for their "Sherpa" tour I probably wouldn't want to spend much more). But I'll have plenty of time to walk around before and after.

 

I looked at the Maine Foodie tour for a previous thread (not having gone on it myself), and I don't really think it worth the money. It really doesn't highlight the fine restaurants that Portland is known for. Unfortunately, on a cruise port call, you can't experience some of Portland's finer restaurants due to departure times. But Boone's Fish House and Oyster Room is a star for lunch or dinner, and one of Harding Lee Smith's family of "Room" restaurants. JMHO.

 

The mailboat run on Casco Bay Lines takes about 2.5-3.5 hours (it depends on cargo volume), and departs next to the cruise terminal at 10am. It travels to 5 islands, and delivers the mail, groceries, and general supplies to the islanders. The Captain gives a presentation about the island while the crew discharge the cargo. $16/person.

 

Take the mailboat, and be back in time for lunch at Boone's or a lobster roll from Portland Lobster right on the waterfront while you explore the Old Port area.

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I looked at the Maine Foodie tour for a previous thread (not having gone on it myself), and I don't really think it worth the money. It really doesn't highlight the fine restaurants that Portland is known for. Unfortunately, on a cruise port call, you can't experience some of Portland's finer restaurants due to departure times. But Boone's Fish House and Oyster Room is a star for lunch or dinner, and one of Harding Lee Smith's family of "Room" restaurants. JMHO.

Having been on several food tours, I don't think you can ever make the case that they are worth the price based on the food that you receive. But it's more than that. It's the tour guide, the tour, and the experience.

 

I contacted them about their "Food Sherpa" tour, which is essentially a private tour and costs $95 (!). They would start us out at Eventide for lobster rolls, and then move on to some other places. I'm sure the food won't be worth the cost but the experience hopefully will be.

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Having been on several food tours, I don't think you can ever make the case that they are worth the price based on the food that you receive. But it's more than that. It's the tour guide, the tour, and the experience.

 

I contacted them about their "Food Sherpa" tour, which is essentially a private tour and costs $95 (!). They would start us out at Eventide for lobster rolls, and then move on to some other places. I'm sure the food won't be worth the cost but the experience hopefully will be.

 

While Eventide is a great restaurant, not sure I'd go there for a lobster roll! Ain't much to one to be great. Portland Lobster probably has one just as good for 1/3 the price. But if you enjoy the tours, go for it.

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While Eventide is a great restaurant, not sure I'd go there for a lobster roll! Ain't much to one to be great. Portland Lobster probably has one just as good for 1/3 the price. But if you enjoy the tours, go for it.

 

Yep, Portland Lobster Co for Lobster rolls, Gilbert's Chowder House for chowder, Allagash or Shipyard or 7 other breweries for craft beer. If you want great BBQ, Bucks Naked is easy walking distance as well.

 

Oh, and if you are Gluten Free, BamBam on Commercial St (road in front of the terminal) is a dedicated GF bakery.

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I looked at the Maine Foodie tour for a previous thread (not having gone on it myself), and I don't really think it worth the money. It really doesn't highlight the fine restaurants that Portland is known for. Unfortunately, on a cruise port call, you can't experience some of Portland's finer restaurants due to departure times. But Boone's Fish House and Oyster Room is a star for lunch or dinner, and one of Harding Lee Smith's family of "Room" restaurants. JMHO.

 

The mailboat run on Casco Bay Lines takes about 2.5-3.5 hours (it depends on cargo volume), and departs next to the cruise terminal at 10am. It travels to 5 islands, and delivers the mail, groceries, and general supplies to the islanders. The Captain gives a presentation about the island while the crew discharge the cargo. $16/person.

 

Take the mailboat, and be back in time for lunch at Boone's or a lobster roll from Portland Lobster right on the waterfront while you explore the Old Port area.

 

Thanks for the quick answer! I was sleeping after my night shift...

 

And what is cool about this mail boat is it lets you have a brief taste of what it is like to commute to work or school by boat!

Edited by MommaBear55
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We visit Maine often and our favorite restaurants are Lobster shacks or pounds wherever we can find them. They are not fancy, but freshness of food is the best.

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  • 2 weeks later...

It's strange, but there is no mention on the boat or on any message boards that I've seen, but directly adjacent to where most ships dock, is Canada's National Immigration Museum "Pier 21". This is the Canadian equivalent of NY's Ellis Island.

 

http://www.pier21.ca/home/

 

Just after WWII, almost one million immigrants passed through Pier 21 which was their entry way into Canada. Immigrant ships docked right beside the pier, there was a WELCOME TO CANADA sign over the door, and immigrants were ushered into a common area to be processed. You can see the common room, see displays about the immigration process, read stories and see videos of ships arriving.

 

I have a personal connection since both my parents came to Canada via Pier21 and I'm on my way to donate materials to the museum.

 

A short 5 min walk from your ship, why not check it out?

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While Eventide is a great restaurant, not sure I'd go there for a lobster roll! Ain't much to one to be great. Portland Lobster probably has one just as good for 1/3 the price. But if you enjoy the tours, go for it.

So I decided to skip the tour and go off on my own, but I think I may have lunch at Eventide. The lobster roll is $14 and while it may be smaller, my wife can get an appetizer in addition. I don't eat shellfish and they have lots of regular fish options for me that sound great. I've read some mixed reviews about Portland Lobster Company recently, people complaining that the lobster rolls don't have that much lobster.

 

Fisherman's Grill seems to get great reviews (not fancy but huge) but it's not near the pier. The new upscale restaurant Scales apparently has an excellent lobster roll ($19).

Edited by MisterBill99
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So I decided to skip the tour and go off on my own, but I think I may have lunch at Eventide. The lobster roll is $14 and while it may be smaller, my wife can get an appetizer in addition. I don't eat shellfish and they have lots of regular fish options for me that sound great. I've read some mixed reviews about Portland Lobster Company recently, people complaining that the lobster rolls don't have that much lobster.

 

Fisherman's Grill seems to get great reviews (not fancy but huge) but it's not near the pier. The new upscale restaurant Scales apparently has an excellent lobster roll ($19).

 

Haven't eaten at Fisherman's Grill, but bought fish at the "Net" their market, and if you're going that direction, just before that is the Great Lost Bear, the best brew pub in New England.

 

Haven't been to Scales, but I've been to their other places like Fore Street, and the food is excellent.

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I live some what near the Fisherman's Net (Grill) and the food is really great but no way if I was on a cruise would I go there. We get it for take out and go home and enjoy it. I would want to be near the water and the views of the Portland waterfront which are so beautiful and right where you will be docking. So many great restaurants a walk from where the ship docks. We go to Great Lost Bear and again great for different beers and food but if I was in Portland for the day I would enjoy the Old Port and the waterfront.

Edited by portlandpete
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depending on your budget there are so many things to see. We are going to rent a car and do Fort Williams park (portland Headlight) and then two lights because i love to sit on the water at two lights and eat my lobster roll from Lobster shack. other than that will just mosey around... I grew up in Portland so is just going home. lol may even visit my older child for a bit. :) wondering if they will let food back on where it is a US port... i would love to bring an italian from Amatos back on board to sit on my balcony that evening... :O

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