In addition to being named the “Best Food City” in the US, Portland is also home to an annual Martin Luther King Celebration, making it the perfect getaway for this upcoming holiday weekend.
From eclectic neighborhoods and harbor views to soul food and a thriving micro-brewery scene, there is plenty to do in Portland during the weekend ahead.
Photo Courtesy of the Portland Museum of ArtWhat to do
For its 38th consecutive year, Portland will be hosting its Annual MLK Holiday Observance Celebration on Monday, January 21st from 5-8pm. This dinner celebration is held at The Holiday Inn By the Bay and draws hundreds of people from across the city and neighboring communities to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., volunteerism and civil rights. Tickets can be bought either at the door or here. Prior to the dinner, Sea Change Chorale — a local choir — will be performing a selection of songs in honor of MLK day.
If you are looking to check out Portland’s artistic side before the celebrations begin, head over to the Portland Museum of Art. With rotating exhibits, extensive collections and nationally renowned works, the museum always has something to see. Admission is free to the public on Fridays from 4pm-8pm, and is $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. The museum is free for anyone under 21 during their normal winter hours.
Photo Courtesy of Hot SuppaGrab a bite
While there is no shortage of good food in Portland, Hot Suppa is a classic. Located in Portland’s West End, the restaurant is renowned for its hearty soul food and focus on the use of local ingredients. The real draw of this establishment is its southern-inspired selection of fried chicken. Patrons can choose different levels of spice along with a choice of sides such as cheddar mac and cheese or their famous shrimp, andouille and corn chowder. A few favorites are the Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Waffles and the Nashville Hot Chicken.
If you’re in the mood for lighter fare, head over to Miyake for Japanese food. Arguably a contender for the best Japanese restaurant in Portland, Miyake is famous for its ‘Washoku’ style, relying on seasonal and local vegetables, fruits and seafood. The menu can be ordered a la carte for a lighter meal during the afternoon bustle. The marinated salmon, tuna tartare and ceviche roll are all great picks, but you really can’t go wrong.
Photo Courtesy of Bissell BrothersGrab a drink
Located in Munjoy Hill, Oxbow Blending and Bottling sits in a trendy industrial warehouse and provides an aesthetic unmatched by other breweries around Portland. In addition to a production space, this warehouse also has a bar that features an extensive list of Oxbow brews as well as drafts and bottles from other local breweries. Oxbow also houses a rotating art gallery named Gallery 49, so the interior decor is constantly changing.
Bissell Brothers is another city favorite, with nine beers currently on tap and 32 beers in production throughout the year. Hazy citra IPA’s and double IPAs, dark ales, mosaic-hopped pale ales amongst other creative brews are the norm here. And a recent re-location to Thompson Point now allows them to claim biggest taproom in the state.
Photo Courtesy of Inn at St JohnSpend the night
With competitive pricing and a charming atmosphere, the Inn at St. John has become a popular Portland destination. Built in 1897, this Inn is the oldest operating hotel in the city. Originally built by a railroad tycoon to accommodate rail passengers, this hotel is bound in unique history and offers a memorable experience through its Victorian charm, relaxing atmosphere and accommodating staff.
Another option, the Inn at Park Spring, is a boutique bed and breakfast dating back to 1835. Its location downtown and within walking distance of the famous Old Port makes it another great place to base yourself during MLK weekend.
Get here
Concord Coach Lines from East 42nd Street to Portland in just under six hours.
For more information, go to Visit Portland or Visit Maine.
Feature Image courtesy of Mercedes Mehling via Unsplash
Brittany Dahlberg is a wilderness therapy guide, writer and photographer based out of North Conway, NH. She loves to surf the cold waves of Maine, rock climb and adventure and travel as much as she can
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram