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All United States Maine Portland

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Portland

6 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Portland, Maine

Updated November 24, 2021

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Unusual Attractions in Portland

Portland, Maine

International Cryptozoology Museum

The world's only international cryptozoology museum is host to an unrivaled collection of mysterious objects.

Portland, Maine

Battery Steele

Explore the dark underground corridors of this graffiti-covered former military fortification.

Portland, Maine

Fort Gorges

Accessible only by boat, this centuries-old island fort never saw troops or combat.

Portland, Maine

Umbrella Cover Museum

The world's only and thus largest collection of its kind celebrates everyday wonder through simple umbrella sheaths.

Portland, Maine

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Its unique collection details the history of the state's svelte railroads.

Portland, Maine

The Portland Observatory

The only remaining historic maritime signal station in the United States.
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Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Goddard Mansion

Abandoned Italianate architecture on the coast of Maine.
3 miles from Portland
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

7 Places to Glimpse Maine's Rich Railroad History

Maine is widely known for its mottled red crustaceans and stony-faced lighthouses, as well as bucolic towns and the top-notch hiking outside of them. But before all that, Maine was all about one thing: trains. As America industrialized in the 19th century, there was an insatiable demand to build and a hunger for lumber. Maine had plenty of it, and the state’s rivers became swollen with the fallen bodies of pine and spruce, much of which was hauled by rail. Trains did the heavy lifting to coastal hubs including Bangor and Ellsworth, and by 1924, there was enough railroad mileage in Maine to get from London’s King's Cross station to Mosul, Iraq. Over the years, some of the old cars were fashioned into eateries, but many were simply abandoned in the woods. Now, relics of Maine’s railroad history are scattered in museums, restaurants, and more. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore America’s wonders. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask.

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Stories About Portland

Podcast: International Cryptozoology Museum

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
November 24, 2021

Exploring a World War II Gun Battery That's Hiding in Plain Sight

It's just a short ferry ride from Portland, Maine, and it's really easy to miss.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
January 10, 2019

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