Conference 2008

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Have you ever been to Portland, Maine? If you have, didn't you love it? If you have never been, wouldn't you love to check it out? Here are some great reasons to come to EASFAA in Portland (besides the EASFAA Conference itself!)

The EASFAA Conference Hotel is the Holiday Inn by the Bay, located in the heart of the City of Portland. It is within easy walking distance of Portland's Old Port, which is considered to be one of the most successfully revitalized warehouse districts in the country. The Old Port is located along the water's edge and is a fabulous shopping, dining and entertainment district, in addition to be a working waterfront. Walk the cobblestone streets, smell the sea air and enjoy the quaint charm of one of the greatest cities in the Northeast. Go to www.portlandmaine.com/op.html for more information on Portland's Old Port.

The Old Port has some of the best shopping that can be found. The shopping district is filled with quant boutiques and specialty stores where there is something to be found for everyone. Visit www.portlandmaine.com for a list of shops located in the Old Port.

Consider a trip to Freeport, the home of LL Bean and many other famous outlet stores. Freeport is only a short drive from Portland and EASFAA will be sponsoring a bus trip to Freeport on Sunday. Visit www.freeportusa.com for more details about what Freeport has to offer.

If you prefer a mall setting, the Maine Mall is located close by in South Portland. The Maine Mall is the largest mall in Maine and has the stores that you expect to find in a large urban mall. Visit www.mainemall.com/html/index20.asp for a list of stores and additional information.

It has been said that Portland has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States, except for San Francisco. There are obviously great places to get fresh Maine seafood, including lobster, but restaurants of all types exist in downtown Portland. Check out www.portland.maine.diningguide.com for information on all of the various dining options that exist in the Portland area. There are also many great bars, pubs (Sebago Brewing Company even makes their own beer) and clubs in the area so to find more information about your options, check out www.portlandme.about.com/cs/entertainment/a/nightlife.htm.

Maine is a place of spectacular natural beauty. Beyond visiting Maine's rock bound coast and beautiful beaches, here are a few of the numerous outdoor recreation opportunities right in the Portland area: Casco Bay Lines provides charter cruise services that show you all Casco Bay has to offer, from islands to forts and lighthouses, the Back Cove Trail offers three and a half miles of walking/running trails along the blue waters of Back Cove, the Eastern Promenade has beach access, tennis courts, ball field, playground, and a paved walking trail along the shores of Casco Bay from East End Beach to the Old Port, Deering Oaks Park is a 51-acre park in the heart of Portland with a duck pond, tennis courts, playground, basketball courts, ball fields, a snack bar, walking trails, and beautiful flowers and trees and Fore River Sanctuary, a marshy sanctuary right in Portland on the Fore River, with two and one-half miles of hiking trails and a reversing waterfall. For additional information visit www.portlandme.about.com/od/townsofmaine/a/Attractions.htm.

And, if lighthouses are your thing, check out www.lighthousegetaway.com/lights/maine.html.

Portland offers numerous opportunities for family fun. A sampling of activities include touring Portland on the Downeast Duck Tour ( www.downeastducktours.com), visiting the Children's Museum of Maine, with interactive exhibits that encourage hands-on exploration for the whole family, riding the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, an authentic two-foot gauge train which chugs alongside Portland's waterfront, attending a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game, checking out the Life-Sized Chocolate Moose, Lenny, at Len Libby's Homemade Candies, visiting the Maine Wildlife Park or the Desert of Maine in Freeport or viewing the World's Largest Rotating Globe at Delorme's map store in Yarmouth. More information can be found about these and other activities by visiting www.visitportland.com/kids.aspx.

Portland is the home to the world-class Portland Museum of Art, numerous art galleries, the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Ballet. Numerous visual arts, music, dance, symphony and stage performances take place throughout the year. Specifically check out the Merrill Auditorium (www.porttix.com/shop) where BB King is performing on May 18. Also visit the website for the Cumberland County Civic Center at www.theciviccenter.com as well as www.portlandmaine.com for more ideas and information. If touring old mansions is your thing, check out the Victoria Mansion (www.victoriamansion.org/visit.html) and consider taking a tour of this beautiful building!