Portland, Maine Shines: Named One of America’s Best Small Cities

Portland, Maine, has racked up plenty of praise in recent years.

Known for its vibrant food scene, historic neighborhoods, exciting sports teams, scenic working waterfront, and rich past, the city continues to draw significant national attention. So, it’s no surprise that the Forest City is once again earning major recognition.

This time, it comes from the popular site alot.com, which covers travel, food, careers, education, and much more. It's almost like the site is perfectly named.

Is Portland, Maine One of the Best Small Cities in America?

Anyway, alot.com recently released its list of the 30 best small cities in America. The list includes towns with populations of 100,000 or less. And wouldn’t you know it—Portland found itself on the list.

This is certainly not surprising to us locals who spend considerable time in Portland. The town is unquestionably beautiful, with its regal coastal setting dotted with pretty islands, historic forts, an iconic harbor, historic architecture, and cobblestone streets. It’s a wonderful smorgasbord of evolution and tradition.

The site astutely points out Portland’s fairy tale–like location as one of its strongest elements. The views of Casco Bay and Back Bay are first-class, and the skyline is classic. Landmarks like Hadlock Field, Thompson’s Point, and East End Beach allow visitors to truly enjoy the city’s natural splendor.

READ MORE: Portland, Maine Named One of America's Most Educated Cities

It’s now easier than ever to enjoy these views and this location, especially considering that Portland seems to add a brand-new first-class hotel every week. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but it has certainly been quite a transformation downtown.

Portland, Maine Has One of the Best Food Scenes in America

And it’s impossible not to discuss Portland’s massive culinary scene; it’s a true monster. There’s something for everyone, from fine dining to hot dog carts. Award-winning restaurants can be found right next to old dive bars. It’s an eclectic mix that wonderfully illustrates just how food-diverse the city is.

While all of this is wonderful, I think my favorite part of the article is the fact that alot.com throws the other Portland under the bus while talking about how great our Portland is.

Oregon’s city of the same name may take the counterculture crown at the moment, but Portland, Maine is more intimate and has a unique seafaring culture you can’t find on the West Coast. Plus, the cobblestone streets of historic Old Port are older than the Oregon Territory.

BOOM! Roasted.

The word has long been out about how special Portland is, and that word has really started to spread. This wonderful article perfectly encapsulates why people are falling head over heels for this city.

Portland was joined by three other New England cities on the list: Newport, RI; Beverly, MA; and Nashua, NH. You can see the entire list here.