I heart libraries. And Portland Public is a great one!…read more There are many things that make a great library, and here are a few that Portland Public offers: 1. Friendly, helpful librarians 2. Free wi-fi and public computers 3. Beautiful open spaces, full of books! 4. Great book selection, with the classics and lots new-to-the-shelves 5. Wonderful children's section with bountiful books and daily activities 6. Availability of e-books and audio-books for those who are so inclined 7. Nice seating areas 8. Easy return and re-new options 9. Local benefits for library card holders (tickets, and discounts, and stuff) 10. Great central location, in the heart of the city (and also really close to my work so I can visit often!) Thanks Portland Public for being great! See you soon - I've got some books to return and some new ones waiting for me!

public Mental Health Daycare facility…read more Safety manager is a clown. She appears to be afraid of tough situations.

What the heck is a map library? Is it a library full of maps?! YES!…read more For a map geek like me, the fact that this place exists just makes me happy. After all, I did make maps for a living for several years and maps are just cool...especially old ones! Today I learned the Osher Map Library has the second largest collection of maps in the U.S. (U.S. Library of Congress is number 1). I was walking by the library, so I decided to step in for a few minutes to check it out. They have a nice collection of old, rare, and restored globes when you enter the library. The staff let me take a peek a booklet which depicted the process of restoring and digitalizing old globes. Pretty neat stuff. Next, I was taken to the current exhibit hall to see their current display (Masterpieces at USM: Celebrating Five Centuries of Rare Maps and Globes). This is a great display of the beauty and history of cartography. The exhibit starts with the first modern map (1475) and from there you will see maps from around the world from the 15th to 19th centuries. It's amazing to look at these maps. It'll only take 15-20 minutes to go through the exhibit hall. If you do stop by, make sure to pay special attention to the drawings that surround the maps. Imagine trying to draw a giraffe if you have never even seen a picture of one! Unfortunately I had to take a phone call halfway through the visit, so I felt bad as the really nice woman working there had to wait for me as I simultaneously held a conversation on the phone and went through the exhibit. Five stars for her patience, giving me a quick tour, answering my questions, and some free map cards!

From the owner: As an integral part of a comprehensive metropolitan university within the University of Maine…read moreSystem, the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education [OML] is committed to preserving the cartographic heritage of the state, region, and nation for future generations, and to making that heritage accessible to the University, the people of Maine, and to all other students, scholars, and visitors. It shares its collections through exhibitions and through collaborative efforts with other cultural institutions. It seeks to interpret its collections ~ to make them intellectually accessible ~ through classes, exhibitions, and other outreach programs.

I have been coming to this branch for about 20 yrs. It is one of my favorite spots in the whole…read morewide world! I have a love for books and reading and this location is wonderful! The staff is always friendly and helpful. They are great when it comes to a new recommendation or helping you hunt down a book from another branch. They have a storyline for young ones. Today I was unable to find an author I was looking for and the librarian was quick to find who I was looking for and make the request from the Main branch in downtown Portland they will reach out when it arrives and I can hopefully start it this weekend!

PROS: - Open to everyone, even the public! However,…read morestudents get privilege for the study rooms, computers, etc. which is reasonable since they pay for tuition - 7 floors of study areas - Cafe (floor 5) includes vending machines and an instant coffee machine, microwave, newspapers, and room for studying. CONS: - Limited seating areas during midterms/finals week which is expected - Sometimes dirty desks in study rooms (i.e. food stains). I don't believe they clean the library very often. TIPS: - Can park at meters if not a student (free after 6pm weekdays and free all day on the weekends)

I'm an online student who takes classes through another school. I live very closely to the USM…read morelibrary and it's an easy place for me to go to work on schoolwork. However, their internet does not allow me to get into my own school's research database. It's rather inconvenient. :/

Following first speculation I saw online of Novel closing then after they confirmed they would be…read moreclosing my wife wanted to make sure we came by before that! She is a book lover and we both love our coffees and cocktails. This is a spot that offers all of that and is a third space I think that has been popular and will in general be missed. We even visited during their opening day back in December 2023. They will be closing their doors on April 17th 2026. I will say that due to them getting their books from a local used bookstore they do not have the latest and greatest selection of books that you'd expect if they were a bookstore. I have not had complaints during any of our visits here. I have enjoyed their coffee as well as their chai lattes along with enjoyed all the cocktails I have tried. I have especially enjoyed the espresso martinis and have liked the fact you could in fact get the coffee drinks and cocktails any time of their hours opened. During the majority of their time open they would offer specialty espresso martinis as well. Some of my favorite cities to visit have many coffee cafe meets cocktail bar and is a concept I wish were more popular in Portland. It is a difficult time currently for all and any local business so with yet another closing I encourage you to support your favorite places when and how you can! Cheers to Novel and thanks for the space you offered to locals and visitors!

A place like Novel was long overdue in Downtown Portland. Coffee, cocktails, and books all day…read morelong? Yes, please. And they're open on Mondays?! The minute I walked in, I was surprised by how big the space was. But heads up, it's already a popular spot. I assumed a Monday visit would mean a quiet, empty cafe, but nope. Every table, couch, and chaise was taken, so I grabbed a seat at the bar. Not a problem, but if you're expecting a hidden gem, this isn't that. The ambiance was cool, hip, and laid-back. It's the kind of place where being solo feels encouraged. The only group chatting while I was there was practically whispering, so if you're looking for a catch-up spot with friends, this probably isn't it. But if you're in town alone and want a good drink and some quiet time, then it's the perfect spot. I ordered The Raven, and it was a delicious and balanced drink, just pricier than expected at $14 (though that's sadly the new norm in Portland). I also got a Negroni, which I just asked for offhand, and surprisingly, it was great and cheaper than my cocktail. Wish I'd known that was an option first. Overall, a fantastic addition to Portland and one I'll absolutely be back to.

Don't be thrown by the location - this is a neighborhood gem. We went in right before closing with…read moretwo energetic kids. The staff could not have been more kind or helpful. They took time to get down to the physical level of my four year old, asking him what he liked and helped give us recommendations for his first chapter books. The diverse books and Maine authors featured made me really happy and although the shop is small, there was quite a wide variety. They also made it very easy to order anything they didn't have in stock. We will definitely be repeat customers!

Great place and very helpful service. The woman with whom I dealt even mailed the gift certificate…read moreI bought!

Fortunately, there is a public restroom open here even when the library itself is closed. The only…read moreother souls around appeared to be a ladies knitting club. Thank goodness for the library lavatory. I was beginning to feel that I was on a deserted island!

Another must see in Portland. I'm very impressed with all…read morethe furnishings dating back to the 1700's. Once again they've done an amazing job restoring to the original house. Thank you to the family for the donation!!

It's a History to Me…read more Founded in 1822, the Maine Historical Society's sole purpose is to preserve the history of Maine thru rotating exhibits that include historical photos and artifacts. The Good: *Free admission to the Longfellow Garden (May - Oct) during normal hours of operation *Wadsworth-Longfellow House is a separate part of the museum, with a separate fee ($18/GA). We didn't do this, so I can't comment if it's worth it. *Admission is reasonable at $12/adults *Reciprocity program with other museums, if you're a member ($25-75/year). *Located in beautiful Downtown Portland The Meh: *Not the world's biggest museum, as you can probably see the whole thing in 1-2hrs, depending on how much you read the placards for each item/display. The Ugly: *Location is in Downtown Portland, which is great, but you'll most likely have to deal with paying for parking at one of the garages. Pro Tip: If the garage DOESN'T advertise their pricing on the outside, then skip it on and move onto the next one that does. Evidently these predatory parking garages are a big thing here in DT Portland. Conclusion: Nice place to visit if you're in Portland and looking for a little culture.