Portland is the largest city in Maine, despite having fewer than 70,000 residents, but the population of the entire metropolitan area is more than 500,000. Its economy is based on fishing and shipping, but tourism is also important. True to its seafaring heritage, Portland has several historical lighthouses, the most famous being the Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth. One light is so far offshore that it can barely be seen from the mainland. A couple of them had been converted to private housing in neighborhoods.
Although the city was engaged in several battles up through the Civil War, and has burned almost to the ground several times, there are still some historic homes and churches. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow lived here and is remembered with a prominent statue.
We simply had to visit the small village of Kennebunkport, a popular summer colony of about 3600 year-round residents, well known as a haven for the "upper class". In particular, we wanted to see the Bush family compound. Unfortunately, it can only be viewed across the inlet.
The rest of the village was quaint and full of tourists. However, the Congregational church was not crowded at all.
Farther south along the coast, we finished our tour of Maine at York Beach on Neddick Peninsula, another place where the rich folks spend time in the summer. Just offshore is the very appealing Nubble Lighthouse.
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