That’s exactly what I’ve been asked by three separate friends in the last week. Although I do know we Mainers are relatively rare in the Washington area, I was struck by the coincidence. So, for the record, here’s some ideas.

• Walk out on the Maine State Pier. From here you can get a good view of the city’s working waterfront, and see the Casco Bay Lines ferries coming and going. If you have some more time you can walk out on Widgery Wharf and get up close and personal with some lobstermen.
• Walk down Exchange Street in the Old Port. There’s lots of shops, when I am in town I tend to stop in Emerson Books, Books Etc., JavaNet, and Gritty McDuff’s.
• If you have some more time, the Portland Museum of Art has a good permanent collection and Portland Sea Dogs games are fun.

But don’t take my word for it – here’s some more reading:

> National Geographic: “48 Hours Portland: The Best of a City in Two Days”
> About.com: “Visit Six Lighthouses Near Portland Maine”
> Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau
> Get some ideas from my photos of Portland