There’s a lot to love about Portsmouth, NH. So if you find yourself strolling through the city struck by Cupid’s arrow, pay a visit to the “Love Wall” in Prescott Park. This chain-link fence above the parking area is adorned with padlocks symbolizing eternal love — an homage to the Pont des Arts “Love Lock” bridge in Paris. The tradition is to write your name on the lock and toss the key into the Piscataqua River, but be cool and don’t litter.

Perkins Cove, or simply “The Cove” is a historic fishing and arts community that has embraced the summer tourist scene with a collection of walkable shops and restaurants.
Leave your car at the start of the Marginal Way, an about one-mile paved oceanside path from Ogunquit, ME. The drawbridge and the basin dock make great photo opportunities, but there’s also a great candy store for the sweet tooth in your car.

Stop for lunch in the adorable riverfront town of Kennebunkport, ME. This quaint harbor is a tourist darling, with some quality restaurants to boot. Alisson’s Restaurant on Dock Square is a star among stars with an easygoing vibe. Expect traditional seafood and pub fare with a few wacky twists. You haven’t really experienced Kennebunkport until you try the lobster pizza.

Leave your car in this parking lot, and head to the beach for some fun in the sun.

Stretch your legs with a stroll around the boardwalk of Old Orchard Beach. There is a lively lineup of beachfront bars and restaurants where you can snack or drink with your toes in the sand, while the Palace Playland amusement park bustles with carnival vibes in the summertime. Wander out the Old Orchard Beach fishing pier to drink in the full experience.

The Portland Museum of Art in Congress Square is the heart and soul behind Portland’s funky, artsy atmosphere. Here, at the largest and oldest public art institution in the state of Maine, you’ll find the works of acclaimed painters like Winslow Homer, Andy Warhol, and Claude Monet. Visitors can also indulge in more contemporary exhibitions in the free outdoor sculpture park and surrounding Portland Arts District.

Portland, ME, has such a wealth of great dining establishments that it's tough to label them with superlatives like "best" or "most popular." But if one had to narrow it down, Central Provisions would certainly be high on that list. This intimate brick space (formerly a storehouse for The East India Trading Company) serves small plates and snacks on a rotating menu. They also have an extensive wine list, so be sure to ask for a pairing! Reservations are recommended and can be made on the official website.