has long been a popular travel destination for families. For all the reasons tourists travel to Maine, viewing the state's tallest building might not be high on the list, but it should be!

As a state most famous for its lobster, when most people think of Maine, they think of scenic water views and thousands of miles of beaches.

But if you did want to see the tallest building in Maine, where exactly would that journey take you?

Jerry

, your car

super app

, is here to guide you to the city of

Portland

, where it just so happens that all of Maine's tallest buildings exist.

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What is the tallest building in Maine?

The city of Portland has boasted the tallest building in Maine since 1969—the Franklin Towers apartment complex. At 175 feet high and 16 stories, the Franklin Towers will soon lose this distinction to a new 250-unit apartment complex currently under construction. With a completion date in early 2023, the new complex will rise 190 feet and 18 stories into the air, putting Franklin Towers in the number two spot as the highest building in Maine.

Designed by John Leasure, the Franklin Towers was built by the Portland Housing Authority in 1969. It was part of a larger urban renewal project specifically to serve seniors and others needing housing assistance.

There is a dubious history here; several existing homes were destroyed to make way for Franklin Tower and the larger housing project called Kennedy Park. After demolishing single-family homes and putting homeless shelters in their place, many Portlanders experienced destabilization in the area for years.

However, since the early '90s, the Bayside Community, where Franklin Towers is located, has undergone a gradual renewal.

MORE:

The best castles in Maine to visit

Can I visit Franklin Towers?

Not exactly—these are people’s residences. But thankfully, the Franklin Towers location is in the trendy Bayside Community, where there is plenty to explore.

What to do in Portland, Maine

To get the most out of your visit to Portland, Maine, here's some inside info:

In the East and West Bayside Communities, you'll find the trendier activities, rooftop bars and craft breweries, food trucks, local coffee shops, internationally inspired restaurants, and easy access to the Arts District.

In the West End area, experience the beauty of some of the most well-preserved Victorian neighborhoods in the United States.

Head to Parkside if you enjoy nature and outdoor activities. You'll find Deering Oaks, Portland's largest public Park, with more than fifty-five acres of greenways, a baseball field, tennis, and a playground. You can catch Portland's Farmers' Market here and even Shakespeare in the Park.

In Portland's Arts District, you can enjoy the ballet, concerts, or attend the symphony. Check out the

Portland Museum of Art

and the

Maine College of Art and Design

Check out an actual working waterfront at Old Port, where you can watch the fishing and lobstering boats as they haul in their catches each day. The cobblestone streets transport you back to the Old World, as you enjoy top-rated restaurants, bars, and quaint shops.

Visit the

Portland Observatory

or the

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum

in Portland's East End.

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Maine minimum car insurance laws

What are other notable buildings in Maine?

Portland's 16-story Back Bay Tower apartment building comes in as Main's second tallest building at 172 feet, followed by—and perhaps more famously known—the Time and Temperature Building, at 170 feet and 14 stories. The Time and Temperature Building is slated for development into a luxury hotel by 2023. Plans for the new 86-bed hotel include meeting rooms, a banquet hall, retail shops, and a restaurant.

Where to find affordable car insurance

Whether you’re considering a move to Maine or you’re just renting a car to experience the beauty of the state known as Vacationland, the best news is that

car insurance in Maine

is among the cheapest in the nation. However, high minimum liability limits and other considerations can raise those rates.

If you’re on the hunt for a less expensive monthly premium, look no further than your phone. With

Jerry

—your reliable car insurance

super app

—you’ll soon have your choice of the best coverage at the lowest rates available. Just download the app, enter some quick information, wait less than 45 seconds, then choose the car insurance option that fits your needs.

You’ll soon be able to visit Vacationland, or any other state you choose, because Jerry users save on average $800 per year on car insurance!

“After signing up with
Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.