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Presenting Portland Maine
Sometimes the grass is not greener in the other fellow's city. Take Portland, Maine for example. Portland isn't the distant cousin of Boston, Baltimore, or other places that have redone their waterfronts and infused their city with an urban community spirit. It stands on its own.
At first glance, the city has a Victorian feel to it -- winding, cobbled streets, a scattering of pubs and inns, small specialty shops and grand homes and historic estates. But there's more than meets the eye. There's plenty of chic here and plenty of things for kids and families to do that are fun and educational year-round.
Church Turned Children's Museum
I love those places and activities that break down barriers between kids and adults, letting big and little people become equally enchanted and excited. The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (207/828-1234), located at 142 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101, does that.
Next door to the Portland Museum of Art (207/775-6148) on Free Street, the children's museum is the kind of place where kids can be kids-- and grown-ups can be kids.
Formerly a Greek Orthodox church that was converted in 1971, it's as bright and cheery as the church was doubtless formal and serious. The staff has recognized what experts have been telling us: toddlers need stimulation at an early age, so they designed a fun series of interactive exhibits based on Portland's businesses and Maine's produce. Little ones (and big ones) can weigh fruits and vegetables in the country grocery store and scan the prices, a big favorite. They can do their banking, twirl the colorful, puzzle-like vault lock, and deposit their pennies in a huge penny bank. The bright, red fire truck is a big pull, but I especially liked the lobster boat. Surrounded by the sounds of the sea, the cry of the gulls and the haunting call of fog horns, I rolled with the waves slapping the sides of my trusty boat. I steered the craft through towering surf in search of my lobster pots when suddenly...well, anyway, that's what the place did to me. In summer, there's an outdoor shipyard where kids can explore the real thing.
The "Animal Hospital" is a perfect example of combining learning with sensitivity and fun. The "office" is filed with lovable stuffed animals that are so very life-like. Then there's the inevitable stethoscopes, needles (ugh!) and the stuff of an animal doctor's office. Anne says the kids really learn the healing power of medicine and overcome medical-related fears for themselves and their pets. They also learn compassion for their furry friends. What's also unique about this play area is its design: parents have a 180-degree view of their children from any point.
There's a cool diner and a theatre play area downstairs that makes preschoolers, who can immerse themselves in role playing, bubble with excitement. The museum merged with the local Maine Theatre Company in November 2008 and since then has been presenting live performances, many of them aimed at the younger kids. They've also expanded their offerings into regularly scheduled storytelling and day camps held over school holidays.
Upstairs is for older kids. A 2nd floor is filled with exhibits about sustainable logging and an L.L. Bean sponsored outdoors adventure area, a "please touch" tide pool filled with inhabitants from nearby Casco Bay; certainly enough for a full day of fun. On three, there's a TV camera so budding TV personalities can sharpen their skills, and there's a huge globe with strategically placed bar codes scattered around it. Spin the globe and the scanner reads the code and a profile of a Maine scientist and her world-wide location pop up on a computer screen, providing information about his or her work out there. Cool!
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