New Haven to Portland train

Sitting on the mouth of the Quinnipiac River of Connecticut, New Haven has been the home of the esteemed Yale University for more than 300 years. The quaint college town, with its cultural significance, has long been a highly-rated destination for culturally-inclined travelers. The first thing to do in New Haven is to visit the Yale campus, which was designed by famous architects such as Eero Saarinen and Frank O. Gehry. Don’t forget to check out the university’s visitor center as well, which houses impressive historical displays. Other interesting destinations on the premises are the Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. If you wish to take a break from the urban environment and go hunting for some amazing nature shots, East Rock Park will be a premier choice. Inside the park is the Pardee Rose Garden, which features more than 50 varieties of roses blooming in June and July.

New Haven is a popular destination for foodies, and its greatest offering is pizza. New Haven’s special pizza, also known as “apizza,” is a must-try when you are in town, and the best place to try this delicacy is at Pepe’s, its birthplace. Another establishment to check out is Louis’ Lunch, which has been serving delightful fast food since 1895.

The central hub of transportation in the city is Union Station, where travelers can catch Amtrak trains or buses by Greyhound and Flixbus for intercity transits. Air services are handled by the Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, located 3 miles east of the business district.

Portland is Maine's largest city and, because of that, the main transportation hub in the state. From Portland, travelers can easily reach destinations such as Boston, Albany, and even Gainesville, Texas, by a combination of buses, trains, and ferries. And there’s plenty to do in the city, even if you’re traveling solo.

Since its foundation in 1786, Portland has recovered from no less than four major fires, creating a fascinating blend of old and new. The dedicated Arts District around upper Congress Street has a smattering of important museum collections, including the Portland Museum of Art, the state's oldest public art institution.

The West End hosts the majority of Portland's historic buildings, creating an olde worlde feel. However, the presence of several well-regarded schools and colleges ensures Portland remains one of the most vibrant small cities in the U.S.

After several years of hardship, the Old Port district has once again become the center of the action. Its attractive cobblestone streets and 19th-century red-brick warehouses now contain a selection of on-trend cafes, bars, and boutique stores. At the same time, it's still possible to watch the time-honored tradition of fishermen unloading their lobster pots onto the foreshore.

East of the downtown area, you'll find Munjoy Hill. It's a district with strong Irish and Italian roots, making it one of the best places in Portland to enjoy the authentic cuisine of Italy. It’s no wonder we named Portland one of our top vacation destinations in Maine.