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Portland is a municipality of neighborhoods. After a hassle-ridden holiday, we decide to spend a shallow downtime in this historic urban area with its wide, tree-lined streets and delicate homes.
Portland’s West End sits stiff and somewhat mighty on the west side of the Portland peninsula. As blazing sunsets light pink and gold each evening over the Promenade, twilight presents an break to gaze into the windows of stately homes before the curtains are drawn. It’s an architectural voyeur’s Utopia.
Walking is the way to go. Check out portlandlandmarks.org for easy walking tours and emancipated, illustrated, no-BS guides to the area’s historic gems. From Victorian gothic to quirky Model Anne, the West End has turrets, cupolas, gingerbread trim, formal gardens and manner houses to spare. Check out the twin Italianate mansions at 308 Danforth St. Are they corresponding? Look again. One has a plaque that reads, “Embassy.” Nosy and curiouser.
Source: Portland Daily Sun