It's no surprise that visitors come by land and sea for the distinctive shopping opportunities in Portland. The city offers a diverse shopping landscape, teeming with specialty shops and galleries and opportunities to bring home a locally-made treasure from a downtown shop. Scour the outlets for high fashion and designer garb, discover antique stores full of curiosities and nautical collectibles, or browse specialty food shops for Maine-made edibles and local seafood – it's all here in coastal Maine.
Places to Shop – Old Port, Downtown & Throughout the Region
The Old Port district of Portland is lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques that feature Maine-made and imported goods. Stroll the cobblestone streets and find shop and galleries, specialty shops and gifts for dog lovers, cooks and fashionistas. Sample the local tourmaline jewelry, then sample a refreshment from a local coffee shop.
You'll likely want to include a trip out of town to visit L.L. Bean in Freeport, the most respected outdoor outfitters in the world, and pick up the latest in hunting and fishing gear, sports and biking. But don't stop there. Outlet shopping thrives nearby -- brand name designers and retail sales reign in Freeport and further down the coast in Kittery.
Portland's Old Port District
You'll find shops and galleries occupying revitalized warehouses with exposed brick and beams; sometimes the stores themselves are as unique as the wares they display! Portland has specialty shops for fashion divas, folks who love dogs, those who love to cook (and eat), knitting enthusiasts, and lovers of all things Scandinavian, just to name a few.
The Maine Mall
The state's largest shopping center, The Maine Mall, is located in South Portland with over 140 of your favorite stores and restaurants. The surrounding mall area contains many smaller shopping plazas and eateries, and all of it is just 10 minutes from downtown Portland.
Maine-Made Entrepreneurs
Searching for a great souvenir of your visit? Look for quality Maine-made products fashioned by hand such as stunning textiles, baskets, and clothing created by the state's fiber artists. To truly bring home a piece of Maine, bring home a piece of exquisite tourmaline jewelry fashioned by Maine jewelers from beautiful gems unearthed in the state's western mountains. Sea Bags turns old, retired sails into fashionable totes that have garnered publicity from the likes of Vogue and the New York Times Style section. Meredith Alex, alias Mad Girl, is an eco-fashion designer offering streetwear and one-of-a-kind artful fashions. If you're looking to avoid withdrawal, Maine Lobster Direct and Harbor Fish Market on Portland's colorful waterfront, will ship fresh lobster to your home when you leave.
Outdoor Outfitters
Maine is fortunate to be able to lay claim to one of the most well-respected outdoor outfitters in the world - L.L. Bean. Located in Freeport, patrons can pick up the latest gear for hunting, fishing, boating and camping, as well as clothing, to make their outdoor adventures comfortable and successful. L.L. Bean is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can scratch that urge to shop anytime you want; check the store's website for special weekend events focusing on hunting, winter sports, paddling and biking.
Outlets: Kittery & Freeport
Outlet shopping has become a major-league sport in Maine with Kittery Premium Outlets at the state's southern entrance and Freeport, just 20 minutes north of Portland offering scores of designer and brand-name outlets. Before your visit, check out our Discount Coupons, which will extend your budget. And be sure to leave some room in the car!
