Stipulated: the perfect travel time for a three-day weekend getaway is four hours. More, and you waste your vacation. Less, and you’re still near home. Hence our series, The 4hr.
It’s summer. That means heading north. To a town like Portland, which has more to offer than just beer-drinking and lobster-cracking — though we don’t blame you if that’s all you do while you’re there.
SLEEP
The hardest part about a stay at Portland’s Press Hotel from the Autograph Collection? You won’t want to leave. The reborn boutique dwelling coined as “seven floors, so many stories” was once home to the Portland Press Herald. Don’t worry, they’re not defunct. From typewriters lining the walls to handsome desk chairs stitched with “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” it’s a well-curated literary experience, from bellman to boudoir.
EAT
For dinner, look no further than your own backyard. The hotel’s sister restaurant Union will give you a complete taste of the city. Chef Josh Berry is serving up all the sustainable New England fare from smoked mussels to local skate. If you do decide to venture out, snag some of the freshest oysters in the country. On the high end, there’s the James Beard winning Eventide; if you’re on the hunt for an understated go-to, Js Oysters is the locals’ pick for a cold one with a shot of tequila and platters of oyster served raw and nude. And make sure you pop into Novare Res, a 33-tap, 400+ bottle taproom roundly regarded as one of the country’s best beer halls.
DO
First stop, you must go to Portland Trading Co. It’s an expertly curated mix of artful gear, home
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