Both are “coastal” cities (one on a river, one on the ocean), both are enjoying sweater weather at this time of year, and both are relaxed and lively with culture but without pretense. The two cities are on opposite sides of the country, a whopping 3,215 miles apart. If you have the chance, check out Portland Maine and Portland Oregon and compare your experiences!

The view from our table at McCormick and Schmicks, Portland Oregon.

Portland Oregon

Best place to eat: McCormick & Schmicks Harborside at the Marina. The shot above was taken directly to my right as we sat at our table on a lovely summer day. I had the steamed clams and the rare Ahi nicoise salad, and both were excellent.

Best place to sleep: The Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland is such a neat, atypical place to stay. It’s downright cozy, yet has a young and upbeat atmosphere. It’s certainly one of the more stylish hotels I’ve ever seen. Since you’re within walking distance of so much you probably won’t want to eat in, but their on-site restaurant/bar is great for a quick cocktail or full-menu room service.

Best thing to see: Washington Park sits high atop a hill above the city and offers spectacular views. Visit the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum all in one lovely day.

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Home brewing — the fine art of making your own beer in your garage or basement — has been gaining in popularity in suburbs across America over the last several years. Also gaining ground? Family vacations focused on finding the best beer, or at least the best brewery. Make the rounds of the samplers at local breweries in these three destinations.

Portland, Maine – your grandparents might have come for the leaf-peeping, but today Portland is making a name for itself as a hotbed of fermentation. Half a dozen craft breweries are found in this New England town, including the Peak Organic Brewing Company. Book your visit for February and you can catch the Bartenders Bash.

Portland, Oregon – same name, different coast, an equally impressive collection of microbreweries to tour. The beer scene is hopping in the Pacific Northwest and wannabe brew masters can often find local events centered around tastings and competitions. Check out PortladBeer.org before your trip to get current updates.

Denver, Colorado - home of the Great American Beer Festival each fall, Denver is the domestic holy land for beer lovers. Take the Denver Microbrew Tour to take in all the sights with a designated driver. Reward the kids for good behavior (and patience) by taking them on an epic bike ride along Denver’s miles of gorgeous trails before heading home.

Photo Credit

This Public Art was a gift to the city by the local Rotary Club. The club issued the piece in commemoration of its 85th anniversary (the club’s, not the city).

Now you get to guess where it is. I’ll give you some hints. The answer is at the bottom.

This city is famous for a certain fare, which would be too obvious to mention. However, the beer is also excellent and you can enjoy a pint or three at the Great Lost Bear and Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company.

Things to do include counting islands with Casco Bay Lines, getting your learn on at the Museum of African Culture or seeing the things that make the city famous on a Lucky Catch Cruise.

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A rental lodge on Sebago Lake, Maine.

One of the best things you can do for your family is to spend a week in the summer on Sebago Lake in Maine. I guarantee you that you will have the best family vacation you’ve ever experienced, and you will create memories that you will cherish for your entire lifetime. Indeed, I pretty much guarantee that once you visit, you’ll find yourself going back again year after year.

Sebago Lake (also known as “Big Sebago,” and yes there is a “Little Sebago”) is the second largest, and the deepest, lake in Maine. It’s located just a half-hour from Portland, making it a very convenient location to many tourist destinations and activities. It is a very popular spot in the summertime, which means you need to plan in advance to find a camp that suits your needs.

In Maine, a “camp” refers to a cottage or cabin on or near the lake. Accommodations range from the truly rustic to the truly luxurious. Many camps are not “winterized”, meaning they do not posses the construction or the insulation to be inhabited in the winter. Some camps have only the basics – a loft with bunks for sleeping, simple furnishings, and no television or internet. Other camps are really decked out with luxurious bedrooms, gourmet kitchens, television and cable and internet.

I ask you, though, who the heck wants to spend all their time indoors watching TV or on the computer when they have a lake, fireflies, campfires, canoeing, and loons beckoning outside the door?

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