Last September, my little crew and I went to Maine.  We were there for my son’s 10^th birthday experience and stayed a few additional days to eat, explore, and relax.  It was such a fun trip and a wonderful five days away from home.  Best of all, my parents were able to join too! We hadn’t had a trip together in over two years, so it made the trip even more special.  Today, I am excited to share all the details with you, including where we stayed, what we did and where we ate.  So, without further ado, here’s part 1 of our Maine Travel Diary.      

Getting to Maine

To get to Maine, we flew American Airlines from SFO to Dallas, then to Dallas to ME.  We had about a four-hour layover at Dallas.  My dad and I had a priority pass membership so, in between flights, we were able to go to an airport lounge in Dallas and enjoy complimentary drink and food.  

Once we arrived at the airport in Maine, we picked up our rental car from Avis.  Then it was about 15–30-minute drive from the airport to our hotel in Old Port.  

Where we stayed

For this trip, we decided to stay at the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa in downtown Maine, and it was a great choice.  With its warm décor and welcoming staff, we found ourselves right at home.  They had everything we needed and then some including a gym, spa, and four different on-site restaurants.  But the best part about staying at Portland Regency Hotel & Spa is the location though! It is literally in the heart of Old Port, so it’s very walkable to many restaurants, shops, and top attractions.  And if that wasn’t enough, did you know that the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa used to be a neo-classic armory in the 19^th century?    

As for our rooms, my parents stayed in a Jr. Suite while my little crew had a double-bed room that was clean, spacious and comfortable.  So, there was plenty of room for two adults and a child.  Additional amenities include a mini-refrigerator and a Keurig coffeemaker as well as a sitting area which became my go to spot when we had some down time.  Overall, we had a pleasant stay, and I recommend it to anyone traveling to Maine.  

What we did

Day 1 – Travel Day

After along day of travel, we were excited to finally get to our hotel.  Once we were checked in, we unloaded the car, and didn’t waste any time getting dinner.  

Our first dinner out was at Lukes Lobster.  They are located at on the working waterfront, off Portland Pier which was a quick walk from where we stayed.  Though, it was a bit chilly, we sat on their outdoor patio to take in the sights, and it did not disappoint. 

To start, we opted for their calamari, and it hit the spot.  Then for our main, my parents and hubs ordered their lobster roll while my son chose their hamburger and I opted for the seafood roll flight which included three 2oz half rolls of lobster, crab, and shrimp.  Everyone enjoyed their meals, and we left full and happy.  If you are looking for a super casual, family friendly spot with a great view, you can’t go wrong with Lukes Lobster!

Day 2 – The Holy Donut, Paella Seafood, & DiMillos

The next day was a rainy day but that did not stop us from exploring and hopping from place to place.  In my opinion, there’s no better way to experience a city than through your stomach.  So, on our first full day in Maine, that’s exactly what we did.  

You absolutely cannot miss out on these potato donuts from The Holy Donut! They have a variety of flavors to try out and are made from scratch daily.  Texture wise, they are dense but soft.  Honestly, we couldn’t even tell that they were made from potatoes.  The flavors were on point but the two that stood out to me are the fresh lemon holy cannoli and maple bacon.  Yum, yum, yum!

For lunch, we ventured to Paella Seafood.  They serve Mediterranean-style seafood, and we decided to share a few dishes! We started with their clam chowder and calamari.  Then, for our main course, we ordered the seafood and chicken paella.  And, of course, I couldn’t resist ordering the scallops.  The portion sizes are huge and there was more than enough to go around for five people.  While everything we ordered was delicious, the scallops were my favorite! It had an amazing flavor, and it literally melted in your mouth.  Needless to say, those might have been the best scallops I’ve ever had.  

Dinner was at DiMillos On the Water.  Right in Portland Pier, this floating restaurant is built on a former Jamestown ferry which makes for a unique dining experience.  As soon as you step inside, you are immediately transported elsewhere.  It is beautifully decorated, and the ambiance is cozy and intimate.  

As for our food, it was hard to choose our entrees because everything on the menu looked so good! So, we ordered a variety of dishes including the crab cakes, lobster roll, chicken tenders, haddock, and scallops. Not one person complained about their food, and everyone gave their dishes a thumbs up.  

That said, I am torn whether or not I would recommend this restaurant.  #juryisstillout While the food was fresh, flavorful, and worthy of praise, I want to be honest and tell you that our server was unpleasant and the service we had was terrible.  Apart from taking our order, she didn’t go out of her way in checking in or conversing with us.  In fact, when we asked her questions about the menu, she treated us like a bother rather than guests.  It certainly was a disappointment.  After all, the biggest draw in eating in a place like DiMillos is being able to indulge in great food in a fun setting with your loved ones.  So, all that to say, just something to keep in mind if you are considering eating here. 

Then, after dinner, we walked back to the hotel to unwind and call it a night.  We had plans to wake up early the next day, and head out to Boothbay.  

And with that, I’ll stop here.  In Part Two of my Maine Travel Diary, you’ll get to see and come along on our adventures from Day 3- 6! 

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my travel page for more tips and vacation ideas!

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