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    Bug Light Park

    4.4 (63 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Bug Light Park Photos

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    Bug Lighthouse
    Terry L.

    Bug Light Park We stopped by this park area to view the Lighthouse. This park is very clean and laid out nicely. Lots of area to enjoy the scenery overlooking the bay and take a break you're your hectic lives. You can fly kits, fish or hike the park.There are benches and even a history panel with lots of history about this areas ship building in WW2. The lighthouse is easy to walk out to and it's in great shape for being built in 1875. We just enjoyed the day in this park and were glad we went there. There is plenty of room for parking your car. I must give this Lighthouse and park a 5 out of 5 stars. Follow Me On FB For More Reviews & Fun Gulf Coast Terry

    Melissa B.

    While in Portland Maine on Mother's Day Noël Teel & I explored Bug Breaker Lighthouse! Tony Vanoy stayed in car with Calliope she was asleep! It's free to enjoy and such a lovely park Highly recommend that you go! Beautiful views down around the park area!

    James R.

    Quaint little light house. Made out of cast iron and over 100 years old. This is a great park to fly kites. There was a nice breeze. This is one of the shortest light houses. You can get to the top using a little giant ladder. Good view and a nice relaxing location. You can see the cruise ships from here across the harbor.

    More water
    Jennifer O.

    Beautiful lighthouse it's one of the smallest I seen. You can walk to it but the wind factor wouldn't allow that for us. My phone almost flipped out my hand, the wind was damn near pushing me so there was no way I was walking on that path to the light house. But in the summer it was be really nice.

    Justin M.

    I was told it gets its name for being a small lighthouse, not for having bugs because there were no bugs during my visit. You can walk right up to this lighthouse and watch boats cruise by in to the harbor. Best thing about this park is that parking is free! Which turns out is very rare in Portland. An easy 5 minute walk to the lighthouse from the parking lot. The unique base of the lighthouse has some columns to mimic an ancient structure in Athens Greece. I didn't see any restroom facilities here.

    WD S.

    This is a cute little lighthouse, but it is pretty small and not something. I would say you would plan on seeing from miles away. We took some great pictures with the small lighthouse.

    Denise A.

    Be sure to take time to see the small but mighty Portland Breakwater Light, aka "Bug Light," one of the 6 lighthouses in the Portland area. Tremendous views anytime of year. Ample parking in an adjacent lot and a short easy walk to the lighthouse. Free to park and look.

    Victoria W.

    Loved this cute little miniature sized Lighthouse! In my opinion, the Portland Head light and Bug Light are the two must see light houses near Portland, Maine. The day that we went, it was a little foggy outside, which added to the charm and made it even more picturesque. There are lots of benches for visitors to sit on, if you'd like to spend some leisurely time here enjoying the views.

    Ashley I.

    This park is very easy to access with plenty of parking. The parking is easy walking distance to the lighthouse. Aside from temperatures being freezing it is such a pretty little lighthouse. I will say the lighthouse is not safe for smaller children...no railings and the pathway is uneven. It is also not handicap accessible with the cobblestone type walkway. Although it is not ideal for everyone the view is special and I think the walkway adds character. On the upside it's easily viewable from the parking lot without having to walk to the lighthouse. It's also free to visit this lighthouse.

    There she is!
    Nona C.

    It's a pretty chill spot. Lots of open space to walk, picnic, or just sit by the water. We noticed a lot of people just parked and watched the water in their cars. Oh - and there is a lighthouse there as well it's a cute little lighthouse, the size of a bug, in comparison to the others

    Big light
    Marshall G.

    A nice Lighthouse that is easy to get to. On a great harbor. Based on Greek lines of Architecture.

    Bug Light Park, South Portland ME
    Bruce K.

    Of course, the centerpiece of the Bug Light Park is the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse that was built in 1875. The park features lots of open space with picnic tables and grills. The paved walkway follows the seashore from the parking area to the breakwater. The location on the shore is quite breezy so if you've got a kite, bring it! There is a great view of Maine's largest city from the breakwater. Officially the Portland Breakwater Light, it is built on a granite block caisson and is 25 feet tall. The lighthouse was restored in 1989 and reactivated as an active navigational aid in 2002. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. You can walk almost out to the end of the breakwater to get close to it. Worth it! This was our final lighthouse of the weekend's tour https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g. So the park benches were definitely helpful for a nice rest! [Review 14912 overall, 414 of 2021, number 94 in Maine.]

    Kites and an approaching storm
    Amanda B.

    Came here during a driving work break and forgot how pretty this park is. I've watched the fireworks and meandered around the park before but for some reason, the park stays off my radar as a destination for a daytime, picnic, frisbee, or a nice dog walk. I will definitely keep this place in mind for an afternoon by the ocean that doesn't involve a beach. With Plenty of parking.... I feel like this spot is a local gem.

    Portland Breakwater Lighthouse aka Bug Light.

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    3 years ago

    Love that this has plenty of parking. Great visit for after dark. Just be careful because it gets super dark out there.

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    Review Highlights - Bug Light Park

    And, if you are so inclined, the light house is a gym and there are three Poké Stops right next to it.

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    Portland Observatory - Outside near entrance

    Portland Observatory

    4.5(59 reviews)
    1.8 kmEast End

    Lovely visit to the Portland Observatory…read more We had intended on a self-tour but were told that self tours would start at 4:30pm...and that before that time, you would have to take a toured guide up the tower. As there was a scheduled guide about to start soon...we opted to take the guided tour. At that time (mid-week in late August around 12pm) there were only four of us on that tour. Our tour guide, an older woman, was wonderful. As we ascended the tower during the 45-minute tour, we stopped off at each floor and she explained a bit about the tower and its history. Lots of interesting facts! We made it to the top to take in some amazing views of the area. Tours are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-16 and free for those 5 and under. The stairs (there are about 100) throughout the tower are spiral-ish...so be careful of your foot placement on the narrowed parts of each step while ascending and descending. Street parking signs can be a bit tricky in the area reading "...no parking on the 1st/2nd/3rd/4th ___day of the month..." Be sure to properly read those signs and park accordingly.

    My plans only have me in town for two days, so I asked my local coworker one sight I had to see…read morewith a short time frame, and was sent here. Just a fun little local tip. The history itself is cool enough: this was a lookout for ships coming into the harbor before radio, and is the oldest currently standing in the USA. But I really appreciated the elevation for getting a good look of the downtown and harbor area, walking around the tower in the breeze and seeing the ocean peaking through the islands in the harbor. Worth the $10 to the top. (Note: the stairs are steep and there's no room inside for an elevator. We're talking large curving internal staircases. Maybe not for those with mobility issues.)

    Photos
    Portland Observatory
    Portland Observatory
    Portland Observatory

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    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument - Sitting Room/Office

    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument

    4.0(4 reviews)
    2.6 kmWest End, Arts District

    I purchased a combo ticket with the Historical Society Museum and Wadsworth House. The house was…read moreworth it. The docent was very amiable and informative. He was able to answer every question put forth. The rooms were well maintained and very interesting. Loved seeing the antiques.

    Why do I love the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument? 1. He…read morealways has the most seasonally appropriate flowers and other flora decorating his base (well done, City of Portland). Oh, and for winter, the trees in his little park are a-glow with color (some years it's blue and green lights; some it's purple and red... why does this make me happy sigh?). And now some poetry: "The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." 2. He is home to some serious Congress St. characters.. Some more poetry, say I: "If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." 3. He dresses up for Christmas. I don't know of any other statue that dresses up for Christmas, do you? Annually, ole H. W. Longfellow pulls out his knitted scarf and beautifully decorated gifts, and tackles the season head-on. Good on him for getting his shopping done so early each year. One more poetry-bit for old times sake: "I heard the bells on Christmas Day/Their old, familiar carols play,/And wild and sweet/The words repeat/Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" (It's a really cool statue, okay?)

    Photos
    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument - Backyard

    Backyard

    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument - Travel writing Desk

    Travel writing Desk

    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument

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    The Whaling Wall - These are to scale!

    The Whaling Wall

    2.7(3 reviews)
    1.3 kmOld Port

    Although it was terrific to see a real Wyland whaling wall, as I am a big fan, the condition of the…read morepainting was not good. I was incredibly disappointed and disheartened to see it in such bad shape. It was very beaten up from the elements being right by Casco Bay. Wyland painted it in the early 1990's. Someone from the city of Portland, Maine needs to have another artist (not necessarily Wyland) come along to periodically restore the wall. It really looks bad/faded and should be a source of pride for ocean conservation efforts as it was intended by Wyland.

    The Whaling Wall is a 450-foot long mural by artist Robert Wyland entitled "Whales off the Coast of…read moreMaine". It was the 36th public marine painting in his series of 100 that are located across five continents, thirteen countries, and seventy-nine cities. The project took twenty-seven years and was completed in 2008 (Maine's was dedicated on June 7, 1993). According to the Wyland Foundation, the murals are painted to scale to help "increase appreciation and understanding for aquatic habitats and the life within. Perhaps, most importantly, they have reshaped attitudes about marine life conservation" (http://www.wylandfoundation.org/community-events-whaling-walls-3.shtml). They will also make you realize how flipping (shout out to mah dolphin friends) enormous whales really are. Wanna feel inferior to the animals that swim just below the surface of our big pond? Go stand near the Whaling Wall. Talk about perspective! It's located behind the Casco Bay garage, but if you're waiting for a ferry or walking back to your car post-ferry ride, it's not hard to miss. In all honesty, there's not a ton to see here. It's exactly what it sounds like: a huge painting of sea life. Personally, I still think it rocks because a) it is a part of what makes Portland's wharf scene so distinct; b) it's part of this unique, record breaking art project that only 99 other locations are a part of; and, c) how often in life do you get to see a life-sized whale, eh? Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh (sorry, Google Translate doesn't work on dolphin speak)!!!

    Photos
    The Whaling Wall - To scale enormous whales.

    To scale enormous whales.

    The Whaling Wall - Second Whale many years ago

    Second Whale many years ago

    The Whaling Wall - Image of whale several years  ago.

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    Image of whale several years ago.

    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light

    4.8(365 reviews)
    3.9 km

    Definitely visit this if you are in Portland, especially on a sunny day. As much as the Lighthouse…read moreis iconic, the scenery around it is mind blowing. You can also take a walk along the cliff to enjoy the view from multiple directions. It is a good spot for picnic as well, and there are a couple of locations which are close to the water as well. Plenty of parking available, there are multiple parking lots along the property. Definitely recommend it.

    While in Portland for lunch, we stopped in some small shops in the area and the lovely lady at the…read moreshop recommended that we check out the lighthouse. She said it was only about 15 minutes from the shop and we decided we would go check it out. The Portland Head Light is one of their most famous light houses according to the locals. It was very cold there but what a sight! We walked round the light house, checked out the cliff sides and walked on the trail. It was a gorgeous day (freezing but beautiful) with the perfect skies for photos of the light house. We were able to read the historic plaques, see the cliffs and the water crashing below us. After visiting the Head Light, we went over to the other portion in Fort WIlliams Park and checked out the old house, military storage areas and I even went down and touched the ice cold Atlantic ocean water that was crashing on the beach. If you are in the area I would highly suggest visiting the Portland Head Light. We were there in the late evening about an hour prior to closing so the coffee truck wasn't open but they do have a coffee & gelato stand right near the Light House. It was an amazing experience and much different than light houses I have seen on the West Coast.

    Photos
    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light

    Portland Head Light - Lighthouse view

    Lighthouse view

    Portland Head Light - Portland Head Light

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    Portland Head Light

    Victoria Mansion - Master Bedroom

    Victoria Mansion

    4.2(83 reviews)
    2.1 kmWest End

    What an impressive place to visit! The history is fantastic and I'm glad it didn't get torn down…read moreduring the last 100 years. We bought tickets during Christmas time to also see the amazing decorations. At $20 a ticket it was a good deal. It is a self guided tour so you can spend as little or as much time as you want. They do have people stationed at certain spots where you can ask questions and they give you some history. It was a beautiful and def something worth trying at least once.

    **November 2025: Friday Morning Visit**…read more I saw that the Victoria Mansion was just a 10 minute walk from our airbnb and that Black Friday was the start of their Christmas overlay! It sounded fun and for $19.25 (Adult Admission) I was excited to see how they would implement the Nutcracker theme to the home. Guests enter through the gift shop and while we arrived at 10:10am or so I was really surprised at how many visitors they had checking out the home. As a National Historic Landmark, this summer home was created by Ruggles Morses, sometime between 1858-1860, and as a hotel entrepreneur Morses implemented many of the lavish hotel designs to it. The home itself is original and over 90% of the interiors and furnishings remain original to 1860, including furniture, carpets, draperies, textiles, which was really impressive. I think I spent about 45 minutes admiring all the home details and reading the placards, and there were friendly informative docents at pretty much each section of the home These photos don't even really do it justice, but the decorations were extremely elaborate and each room focused on a different act in the ballet - ie. Spanish Chocolates, Mother Ginger, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, etc. There was significant care given to each room. Overall, I had fun time!

    Photos
    Victoria Mansion - Christmas '23

    Christmas '23

    Victoria Mansion
    Victoria Mansion - Turkish smoking room

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    Turkish smoking room

    Love Locks - Oh, Love Locks, how much we loved the time you were with us!

    Love Locks

    4.0(6 reviews)
    1.5 kmOld Port

    "General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't…read moresee that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends... If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around." This quote, from none other than Prime Minister Hugh Grant of "Love Actually" perfectly explains Love Locks here in Portland. Up until February 2013 it was just a fence... a nondescript fence that hundreds of thousands of people passed every year without a second glance... until one night some drunken friends decided to buy padlocks, write a dedication to a loved one on it (for one of the original women, that included her husband and two dogs), lock it on the fence, then dispose of the key. Portland has such a European (where this idea originated from) feel to it, that it only makes sense for us to have our own version of Love Locks, too! Some folks think it's an eye sore... I think it's lovely. So lovely in fact that I may or may not have a lock up there myself (and I may or may not have thrown my key over the fence into the ocean... which I now realize isn't entirely eco-friendly. Dear fishies, please be careful grazing on any new sparkly snacks you might have recently found!). What can I say? I love love. And I love the ocean. And I love this city. And I love romantic gestures. And I love the strong bonds people have with other people, places, and pets. And I love unique forms of art. And I love pretty things. Don't you? Who knows if our Love Locks will stand the test of time. If, over the years, the locks begin to rust and become an eye sore instead of love lore, I would think the city might take it down. So come leave a lock of love for your loved one (be that your mom, your sister, your pet rabbit, your favorite coffee drink, or yourself) now... or at least take the time to read some of the proclamations of passion permanently padlocked here in Portland!

    They're locks... on a fence. That's 5 stars right there. haha They're right in the middle of the…read moreOld Port and it was cool seeing it since I've never seen a love locks fence before in person. It is small and insignificant for most, but for it to have a yelp listing -- I had to check it out. They are tons of locks on it and most of them looked recent with in the year. That poor fence is holding on for dear life. If you're a lover want to lock it in -- put a lock on the love locks fence to make it official. That's more lasting than facebook official. Story has it that once you lock it up, that you toss the key in the water over the fence after the fact. Superstition has it that once you lose the key -- your love is locked together forever.

    Photos
    Love Locks - This was taken before there were so many locks you couldn't even see the fence anymore (which was eventually taken down anyway).

    This was taken before there were so many locks you couldn't even see the fence anymore (which was eventually taken down anyway).

    Love Locks - My mom put a lock up for me, her, and my sister!

    My mom put a lock up for me, her, and my sister!

    Love Locks - Locks of love.

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    Locks of love.

    Bug Light Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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