Portland, Maine - My top 10 things to do

A lot of the tourism here zeros in on eating and not just seafood. In fact I would say that Portland is nothing like the rest of Maine, but it is fun to visit in it's own way. Most tourists can be found in the waterfront section downtown where people watching at the Portland Lobster Company is interesting.

They have a live band and it overlooks the whale watching and ferry dock.

A short walk down the street will bring you to Becky's Diner.

It has a warm friendly feel to the place and my broiled haddock was delicious.

If you want to tour the city, you can take a bus.

But my choice was to take advantage of this very bike friendly city and rent a bike.

Adjacent and behind the city is a huge lake that you can ride the 3 miles around and then onto Fort Allen Park which has great views of the harbor.

A short distance to Munjoy hill behind the park will bring you to the Portland Observatory Museum.

It has great views of the city from the top.

Nearby was a great example of an urban garden.

Just around the corner and built in 1828 the Abyssinian meeting house currently being renovated, was a key to the free black underground Railway.

By the way, there are many streets here that are still cobblestone.

Victoria House Museum, built in 1828 is a great place to visit.

And similarly the art museum just up the street.

The best place to listen to music is at One Longfellow Square in the heart of the city.

And for breakfast, you can't go too wrong at the Holy Donut.

And finally, for the most different Asian restaurant you will ever come across, go to the Honey Paw where lobster meets noodle.