Portland Maine -- After Dark

Portland, Maine

Our cruise ship will be in Portland on October, 11th from 12:00 noon to10:00pm.

We're planning on taking a tour of the area (highlights, Kennebunkport & lighthouse) from 1:00pm to 7:00pm.

Daylight is from 6:50am to 6:04pm with twilight to 6:33pm.

We would like to walk around the cruise terminal and see the sights after we get back to the ship.

Is the port area safe after dark?

What about the Old Port warehouse area which has shopping, dinning, entertainment, etc.. is this area safe at night?

Is it advisable to walk at night to downtown Portland?

I understand the downtown area is about 3/4 from the terminal.

Any ideas or comments would be appreciated.

John

The Old Port is not a warehouse district. It is a district of offices, restaurants, bars, and small shops. It is an attraction of the city. Portland is a very safe town to walk around at night, especially the Old Port area. The only time the Old Port gets rowdy (not dangerous) is around 1am when the bars close.

The extent of the downtown area is about 3/4 miles from the cruise terminal, much of the sights, as well as the restaurants are much closer than that. The pier, and the Old Port, are part of the downtown area. Many of the top restaurants in Portland (named a top foodie destination in the US for many years) are less than a quarter mile from the pier. Given your port times, you are one of the lucky cruises that can take advantage of all the top restaurants that do not do lunch.

Lived here for over 40 years.

On an early Thursday night the Old Port is safe. Our family saying is, "Nothing good happens in the Old Port after midnight." Especially on the weekends. My youngest son was attacked by 3 young men on Commercial Street, on a Saturday night, when he stepped out of a pizza shop. It was after midnight. No place is 100% safe... but generally, the Old Port at that time of weekday night you're good. I would not wander anywhere near Cumberland Avenue at any time of day.