, is a tempting getaway spot for a diverse crowd of tourists. Summer is peak tourist season in Portland, but there are plenty of entertainment opportunities year-round—and you can enjoy lower rates by visiting during the less-busy seasons.

Portland has a lot to offer—that’s why choosing when to go can be a tough choice. Summer offers a wealth of outdoor experiences on and off the water. At the same time, winter’s a great time to enjoy skiing and other winter sports.

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The best times of year to travel to Portland

The best time of year to visit Portland, Maine, depends on what you’re hoping to do.

Peak tourist season in Portland is during the summer, from June to August. If you’re looking for smaller crowds and a less busy vacation, you might want to consider visiting in spring or fall.

Peak season: June to August

The good: Largest selection of activities, warmest temperatures, least precipitation

The bad: Crowded, most expensive rates

The weather: Low 50s to high 70s

Summer in Portland is peak tourist time. While there’s plenty to do year-round, this is when most festivals and events take place. The relatively cool temperatures during this time of year in Portland make it a nice summer getaway if you’re looking to beat the season’s heat where you are.

Popular events during summer in Portland include Art in the Park in August, and the city is home to plenty of art galleries in addition. The

Maine Outdoor Film Festival

is held from July to August.

Summer also offers

a ton of outdoor activities

to choose from, like cycling, camping, coastal cruises, and even

white water rafting

Foodies might enjoy the

Maine Lobster Festival

, which usually takes place in August, or

Portland Wine Week

, which is in mid-June.

Pro Tip Portland is known for its food offerings, and summer can be a great time to try the best local produce and fresh-caught seafood.

Off-season: October to February

The good: Lowest rates, fewer crowds

The bad: Cold temperatures

The weather: 30s to 50s October through November; teens to 30s December through February

Portland is at its coldest from October to February, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should count the off-season out for a visit.

In winter, you can enjoy

Christmas at Victoria Mansion

, a national historic landmark, and the magical

Christmas Ships

event that’s sure to light you up.

While it may not be as busy as peak season, winter is still a popular time for skiers in Maine, and popular ski resorts like

King Pine Ski Area

and

Shawnee Peak

are both about an hour’s drive from Portland.

Shoulder season: September, March to May

The good: Good amount of activities, crowd sizes get smaller, lower rates

The bad: Not quite as many activities as summer

The weather: 50s to 70s in September; mid-20s to low 60s March to May

Between peak season and off-season is “shoulder season.” These are the times of year that still offer a good amount of activities, but aren’t quite as busy as peak tourist season.

If you visit Portland during the fall, especially September, you can still usually enjoy summer temperature ranges that fall between the 50s and 70s. As the summer crowds die down, hotel and rental rates decrease as well.

If you’re looking for family-friendly fun, the annual

Bug Light Kite Festival

usually takes place in May. There’s also the

Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine

that offers a host of exhibits, shows, and other events year-round. The

Freeport Fall Festival

also has kids’ activities and showcases local art and live music from late September to early October.

MORE: Best road trips in Maine

The cheapest time to travel to Portland

The cheapest time to visit Portland tends to be during spring and fall. Since most of summer’s peak season tourists have yet to arrive (or have just left), you might be able to score lower rates around Portland.

Winter will still be less busy than summer, but you might see more activity in the area during peak skiing times.

MORE:

The best east coast fall road trip

Find the best month for your visit to Portland

Much of Portland’s sights and activities can be enjoyed all year long, but some pastimes are better in certain seasons than others. Here is just a sampling of Portland adventures you can enjoy, and what times of year you can usually do so.

Activity	Best month to visit	Why?
Lobster season	June to late December	Lobstering goes on all year long, but this half of the year is when they’re most active.
Boat tours	May through October	Summer and early fall are great times to take a boat tour to explore Maine’s coast and nearby islands
Food tours	Year-round	Your tastebuds can enjoy a flavorful excursion any time of year in Portland. Walking food tours are curated seasonally.
Walking history tours	Year-round	In addition to food tours, you can take part in multiple walking history tours throughout the year in Portland.
Whale watching	May through October	Boat tours in search of whale sightings are offered in Portland during the summer and some of the fall.
Skiing, winter sports	January through March	This time of year will usually have the best conditions for skiing. Resorts tend to be open from November through May, though.
Art walks	Year-round	Portland is home to a vibrant arts scene and a good number of galleries . Free, self-guided art walk tours are available all year long on the first Friday of every month.
White-water rafting	June through August	This time of year will have the most favorable weather conditions for a fun white-water rafting experience.

Pro Tip There are plenty of culture and entertainment opportunities year-round in Portland. If you don’t have specific entertainment events in mind, you might save money on your Portland trip by visiting during less busy seasons.

How to find savings on car and rental insurance

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FAQs

What is the worst time to travel to Portland?

Portland, Maine, offers a good selection of food and entertainment year-round, so there’s not exactly a “worst” time to visit—it mostly just depends on what you want to experience on your trip.

Summer and early fall are great times to enjoy festivals and outdoor activities, like rafting, fishing, hiking, and boating. The winter season is ideal for skiing.

If you’re interested in visiting local sites without too much crowding, you might want to consider visiting during the spring or fall.

What months are hurricane season in Maine?

Hurricanes

aren’t common in Maine, but they’re not impossible, either. Maine can experience occasional

tropical storms

between May and November.

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