Portland Population 2009: 66,194, #1 in Maine 1950: 77,634 2010
Metropolitan Area: 514,098, #101 in U.S. 1950 Metropolitan Area: 169,201, #105 in U.S. Setting Portland, founded in 1786 on Casco Bay, is an important Atlantic port. The Old Port area is a revitalized warehouse district. Casco Bay Lines has regular ferry service from Portland to nearby islands. Buildings Tallest building: Franklin Towers (1969), 175 feet Stores Portland has no downtown department stores. Trains Amtrak’s Downeaster has frequent service from Portland to Boston. Amtrak uses the Portland Transportation Center (1996), as Portland Union Station was torn down in 1961. Museums The Portland Museum of Art and the Maine Historical Society Museum are located downtown.
|  Portland Waterfront Theaters The Patriot Cinemas Nickelodeon 1-6 has first-run and independent movies. Movies at the Museum at the Portland Art Museum also features independent films. The State Theater (1929) has concerts and special events. Merrill Auditorium (1912) hosts the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Portland Opera, touring Broadway shows, and a variety of other events. The Portland Stage Company is also downtown. Sports The Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, play at Hadlock Field (1994), just west of downtown. The Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League play at the Civic Center arena (1977). |