Mainers are nothing if not opinionated, and Down East readers are no exception.
ARTS
Concert Venue
State Theatre
* This 1,680-seat, year-round venue in downtown Portland consistently brings in the best musical acts — and is a pillar in the city’s thriving music scene.
609 Congress St., Portland.
207-956-6000. statetheatreportland.com
Dance Group
Portland Ballet Company
* A multi-faceted dance organization that includes educational outreach in addition to its prestigious professional dance company.
517 Forest Ave., Portland.
207-772-9671. portlandballet.org
Gallery
Gifts at 136
* An eclectic gallery and gift shop featuring Maine-made art, pottery, jewelry, furniture, chocolate, and more.
136 Main St., Damariscotta.
207-563-1011. giftsat136.com
Museum
Portland Museum of Art
* Best known for its Winslow Homer collection, Maine’s largest and oldest public art institution showcases works by some of the finest Maine and American artists, including Marsden Hartley, Rockwell Kent, Louise Nevelson, and Andrew Wyeth.
7 Congress Sq., Portland.
207-775-6148.
portlandmuseum.org
Musical Group
Portland Symphony Orchestra
* The PSO is Maine’s largest performing arts organization, with most concerts, including the very popular Magic of Christmas, taking place at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium.
50 Monument Sq., 2nd floor, Portland.
207-773-6128.
portlandsymphony.org
Theater Venue & Theater Group
The Public Theatre
* Now in its seventeenth season, this central Maine theater company casts professional Equity actors in some of the best Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, as well as in new works, making it a destination for theater lovers across the state.
31 Maple St., Lewiston.
207-782-3200.
thepublictheater.org
BOATING
Boat Builder
The Hinckley Company
* High-end yachts have been the staple of this company since its founding in Southwest Harbor in 1928.
130 Shore Rd., Southwest Harbor.
207-244-5531.
hinckleyyachts.com
Harbor
Camden Harbor
* We certainly won’t argue with you about selecting this picturesque harbor, where the mountains (Mount Battie, to be specific) meet the sea.
camdenmaine.gov
Marina
Gamage Shipyard
* Across Johns Bay from Pemaquid Point Light, this full-service shipyard has built some of Maine’s most well-known vessels, including the Mary Day and the Appledore II.
6 Garage Drive, South Bristol.
207-644-8181.
gamageshipyard.com
Marina Store
Hamilton Marine
* With five convenient locations across the state, Hamilton Marine is the go-to source for all things boating.
Portland, Rockland, Searsport, Southwest Harbor, and Jonesport.
800-639-2715.
hamiltonmarine.com
EDUCATION
College
Bates College
* One of Maine’s three “Little Ivies,” Bates has a reputation for close student-faculty relationships that endure long after graduation and for active service-learning programs that engage students in the community.
2 Andrews Rd., Lewiston.
207-786-6255. bates.edu
Private School
Kents Hill School
* This college-preparatory school’s impressive 6:1 student-faculty ratio and rigorous academic program attract students from around the world.
1614 Main St., Kents Hill.
207-685-4914. kentshill.org
ENTERTAINMENT
TV Sports Anchor
Lee Goldberg
* The sports director at WCSH-TV, Goldberg has reported on some of New England’s biggest sports stories, including five Super Bowls and two World Series.
WCSH6.com
TV Meteorologist
Keith Carson
* After only three years in Maine weather reporting for WCSH-Channel 6 (Portland) and WLBZ-Channel 2 (Bangor), Carson is stealing some thunder from the veteran TV meteorologists.
WCSH6.com
Book Author
Stephen King
* The master of horror and suspense has sold 350 million books worldwide — he could, in other words, live anywhere, but he chooses Maine. He sets many of his stories here, too.
stephenking.com
Actor
Patrick Dempsey
* The Hollywood star has done a lot of good for his native state: he established the Patrick Dempsey Center, a cancer center at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, as well as the annual Dempsey Challenge, a running, walking, and bicycling event in which he regularly rides.
Comedian
Bob Marley
* Maine life — our “long wintah” and going “upta camp” — provides much of Marley’s comic fodder.
bmarley.com
TV Personality
Bill Green
* Mainers live vicariously through Bill Green, who travels the state for WCSH-Channel 6 in search of interesting people and places and tells their stories on Bill Green’s Maine and The Green Outdoors.
WCSH6.com
Best local tv program
207
* Kathleen Shannon and Rob Caldwell, hosts of WCSH’s immensely popular nightly news magazine, are in your living room so often, they feel like part of the family.
WCSH6.com
Blog
Everydayoutside.com
* Upbeat blogger Erica Beck Spencer challenges followers to the 365 Everyday Outside Challenge: spend thirty minutes outdoors every day. She provides the inspiration by doing it herself.
Newspaper
Portland Press Herald
During the past year, the Portland Press Herald (and its sister, the Maine Sunday Telegram) hired away some of its competitors’ best reporters, resulting in a far more robust news organization.
pressherald.com
Print Columnist
Bill Nemitz
Perennial favorite Bill Nemitz, columnist for the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram, pulls no punches, whether he’s lambasting the governor or describing the heroic deeds of Mainers at the Boston Marathon bombing.
pressherald.com
Radio Morning Show
Morning Edition
Airing from 6 to 8:30 a.m. on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, National Public Radio’s Morning Edition delivers national news without hype. MPBN host Irwin Gratz does the local rundown.
mpbn.net
Radio Station
MPBN/WMEA
Portland-area residents get their Maine Public Broadcasting Network fix via WMEA, 90.1, one of seven MPBN radio stations in Maine.
mpbn.net
TV Station
WCSH – Channel 6
The NBC affiliate in Portland, WCSH distinguishes itself with strong local news programs and the immensely popular news magazine 207.
WCSH6.com
FOOD
Burger
Owls Head General Store
It’s called the Seven Napkin Burger for a reason: it’s big, juicy, and finger-licking good. Food Network Magazine deemed it Maine’s best burger in 2009.
2 South Shore Dr., Owls Head.
207-596-6038
Candy Shop & Chocolate
Wilbur’s of Maine
Wilbur’s wins Down East readers’ hearts in two categories. Why? Blueberry creams made with wild blueberries, turtles all chewy and gooey with caramel, chocolate-covered cranberries … need we say more?
Freeport and Brunswick.
207-865-4071. wilburs.com
Chef
Melissa Kelly
* Kelly recently received her second James Beard Foundation Award (Best Chef, Northeast). Her restaurant, Primo in Rockland, grows most of its own produce and raises pigs, chickens, guinea hens, and ducks.
Primo Restaurant, 2 South Main St., Rockland.
207-596-0770.
primorestaurant.com
Cocktail
Grace Restaurant
* Grace dispenses inventive cocktails whose names — Holier Than Thou, Cardinal Rule, and Redemption — are inspired by the magnificent dining room in a former Methodist church.
15 Chestnut St., Portland.
207-828-4422,
restaurantgrace.com
Coffee Shop
Coffee by Design
* A pioneer in Maine’s coffee renaissance, Coffee by Design has been energizing Portlanders with its handcrafted micro-roasted brews since 1994.
Portland and Freeport.
207-772-5533.
coffeebydesign.com
Ice Cream
The Gelato Fiasco
* Taking their cue from Italian gelato masters, Joshua Davis and Bruno Tropeano make whole milk ice cream in more than 1,000 luscious flavors. In addition to its two ice cream parlors, Gelato Fiasco sells pints at a number of New England stores.
Brunswick and Portland
207-607-4002, gelatofiasco.com
Lobster Roll
Red’s Eats
* Sometimes simple is best, and Red’s huge lobster roll is about as simple as it gets: fresh meat from a one-pound lobster served in a grilled bun with your choice of mayonnaise or melted butter.
41 Water St., Wiscasset.
207-882-6128
Beer
Shipyard Brewing Company
* One of the largest craft breweries in the country, Shipyard has been making beer for nearly twenty years and has received scores of awards for its brews.
86 Newbury St., Portland.
800-BREW-ALE
shipyard.com
Cheese
Pineland Farms Creamery
* The chief ingredient for Pineland Farms Creamery’s delightfully tangy cheddars and cheese curds comes from right next door: the dairy barns that house Pineland’s grass-fed Holstein cows.
92 Creamery Ln., New Gloucester.
207-688-6400. pinelandfarms.org
Pizza
OTTO Pizza
* OTTO offers nearly two-dozen delicious and decidedly not classic varieties, from butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry to spicy pulled pork with scallion and herb. There are two locations on Congress Street, and a third will soon open in South Portland.
225 and 576 Congress St., Portland.
207-773-7099. ottoportland.com
Romantic Restaurant
Primo
* Two distinctive experiences under one roof: the intimate and formal parlors downstairs and the lively maze of little rooms upstairs. And then there are the amazing Italian dishes created by James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef Melissa Kelly.
2 South Main St., Rockland.
207-596-0770. primorestaurant.com
Seafood Market
Harbor Fish Market
* In addition to fish and lobsters caught off the Maine coast, Harbor Fish boasts Maine’s largest selection of fresh fish imported from all over the world.
9 Custom House Wharf, Portland.
800-370-1790. harborfish.com
Wine Shop
RAYR
* This charming shop near Rockport Harbor stocks hundreds of varieties of wines from around the world, and owner Jason Haynes offers friendly, knowledgeable advice. 67 Pascal Ave., Rockport. 207-230-7009. rayrwine.com
Winery
Cellardoor Winery
* Located in a beautiful renovated barn with the vineyard right out back, Cellardoor offers a fantastic selection of reds and whites. The complimentary tastings are relaxing, fun, and informative. There also is a shop on Route 1 in Rockport.
367 Youngtown Rd., Lincolnville.
207-763-4478. mainewine.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Architect and Builder
Knickerbocker Group
* A winner in two categories, Knickerbocker Group is known for designing and building high-performing buildings and fine details.
P.O. Box 142, 3 Builders Sq., Boothbay
207-633-3818.
knickerbockergroup.com
Home Improvement Store
Lowe’s
* The national chain home improvement store, with eleven Maine stores, offers just about everything for the home, even the kitchen sink.
Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brewer, Brunswick, Portland, Presque Isle, Sanford, Scarborough, Thomaston, Windham
lowes.com
Interior Designer
Margo Moore Interiors
* Margo Moore specializes in fabrics and wallpapers in playful colors and prints, cozy furniture, and crisp, fresh-looking accessories.
74 Elm St., Camden. 207-236-4596
Nursery
Skillins Greenhouses
* A fifth-generation family business, Skillins is best known for its large selection of perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, and herb and vegetable seedlings, but it also has a landscaping and floral business. The Falmouth store is the original; there also are shops in Brunswick and Cumberland. 89 Foreside Rd., Falmouth.
207-781-3860. skillins.com
LODGING
Bed & Breakfast
LimeRock Inn
* Tucked on a tree-lined street just two blocks from downtown Rockland, LimeRock Inn is housed in an 1892 Victorian house lovingly preserved and filled with period furnishings by Frank Isganitis and PJ Walter. Isganitis’s breakfasts have won attention from numerous travel magazines.
96 Limerock St., Rockland.
207-594-2257. limerockinn.com
Hotel/Resort
Samoset Resort
* Recently renovated, the 230-room Samoset Resort has a restaurant, golf course, and a pool with a breathtaking panoramic ocean view.
220 Warrenton St., Rockport.
207-594-2511. samosetresort.com
Inn
Harraseeket Inn
* Just two blocks from L.L. Bean’s flagship store, Harraseeket Inn has luxurious rooms, beautiful gardens, and two noteworthy restaurants — the formal Maine Dining Room and, a local favorite, the casual Broad Arrow Tavern.
162 Main St., Freeport.
207-865-9377. harraseeketinn.com
SHOPPING
Bargain Store
Renys
* An anchor of fifteen downtowns scattered through the state, Renys is beloved for its great prices on brands like Carhartt, Woolrich, and Columbia, and for its close-out merchandise.
Bath, Belfast, Bridgton, Camden, Damariscotta, Dexter, Ellsworth, Farmington, Gardiner, Madison, Pittsfield, Portland, Saco, Topsham, Wells.
207-563-3177. renys.com
Book Store
Sherman’s Books and Stationery
* Founded in Bar Harbor in 1886, Sherman’s offers the largest selection of Maine books available, as well as toys and souvenirs.
Camden, Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Freeport. 800-371-8128. shermans.com
Men’s Clothing Store
& Women’s Boutique
Mexicali Blues
* The Readers’ Choice in two categories, Mexicali Blues specializes in comfortable bohemian and hippie fashions imported from India, Nepal, Thailand, Mexico, Bali, Peru, Guatemala, and Indonesia — tie-dye tee-shirts, batik sun dresses, Baja hoodies, Java patch pants, and the like.
Portland, Freeport, Raymond, Newcastle, Bangor. 866-329-0639. mexicaliblues.com
New Car Dealer
Lee Auto Malls
* Lee Auto Malls boasts that it sells more cars than any other dealer in Maine. And no wonder: The company sells nine makes of cars at twenty dealerships, stretching from Saco to Presque Isle.
866-864-9891. leeauto.com
Outdoor Store &
Sporting Goods Store
L.L.Bean
* L.L. Bean has branched into casual clothing, home furnishings, and even luggage, but Down East readers rate it best for the products on which it was founded: outdoor gear and sporting goods. Besides the flagship store in Freeport, L.L. Bean has outlets in Ellsworth and Bangor.
95 Main St., Freeport.
877-755-2326. llbean.com
Toy Store
Planet Toys
* An independent toy store with toys for kids aged 1 week to 100 years. The toys are fun, high quality, and designed to encourage natural curiosity and a sense of discovery — puzzles, games, craft kits, construction sets, science kits, dolls, trains, and books.
Rockland, Camden.
207-596-5976
Used Car Dealer
Norm’s Used Cars
* Norm’s enormous car-filled parking lot makes it a Route 1 landmark. The dealership specializes in used Subarus and has a large variety of other imported and domestic automobiles and trucks.
744 Bath Rd., Wiscasset.
866-612-0952. normsusedcars.com
Women’s Shoes
Lamey Wellehan
* In a sea of serve-yourself shoe stores, Lamey Wellehan stands out thanks to its well-trained sales staff, who know a thing or two about fitting shoes. The store has a large selection of quality brands.
Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Falmouth, Scarborough.
800-370-6900. lwshoes.com
TRAVEL
Airline
JetBlue
* Inexpensive (usually) flights to New York, extra legroom, and free DIRECTV at every seat — JetBlue makes flying tolerable.
jetblue.com
Airport
Portland International
Jetport
* Recently expanded, the Jetport is looking pretty impressive these days, but it still has a personable, small-town attitude that feels great when you come home.
1001 Westbrook St., Portland.
207-774-7301. portlandjetport.org
Travel Agency
AAA Northern New England
* Why spend hours on the Internet booking hotels, cars, flights, and cruises, when AAA travel agents can do it for you?
Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Portland, South Portland, Waterville.
aaanne.com