Visitors who come to Maine by air will inevitably
get their first glimpse of
the Pine Tree State in South Portland. It is home to
the Portland International Jetport, a state-of-the-art jetport recognized for
its customer service and commitment to sustainability. But while some might
feel compelled by habit to hurry from the terminal, there are many fantastic
attractions on this side of the Casco Bay Bridge.
The western half of the city hosts commercial, industrial,
and advanced technology property. The largest shopping mall in the state is
nearby, as are plenty of hotels and restaurants. Your travels may also take you
to the eastern half, where you’ll find beaches, parks, marinas, and the second
busiest oil port on the entire East Coast.
Green Space &
Quintessential Lighthouses
South Portland’s lovely parks are destinations for locals
and visitors alike. Many visitors stop for a picture
at Fort Preble and another at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse,
where a 900-foot breakwater creates a truly majestic bulwark against the sea. Slip
into the Atlantic at Willard Beach to enjoy sand and surf that is open the
public, or take your kite to Bug Light Park and visit Portland Breakwater
Lighthouse – or as it’s more commonly known, Bug Light – a charming small
lighthouse at the end of a pink granite breakwater. Southern Maine Community
College is close by, a simply beautiful campus where between classes students relax
on the beach just steps from the classroom.
If you are one of the many visitors who find it difficult to
leave this small city’s allure, simply choose to dine seaside to keep your eye
on the City of Portland. Area restaurants offer an unobstructed view of its
skyline that is unmatched.
Local Buzz
South Portland offers some of the best urban
hiking in the state of Maine, and the South Portland Land Trust has been an
integral part of building the trail network. Trails range from brooks and
woodlands to waterfront vistas, from 1-mile long to the 5.7-mile Greenbelt
Walkway, which is part of the East Coast Greenway, a trail that will
someday span over 3,000 miles from Calais, Maine to Key West Florida.