Train to Maine with Amtrak Downeaster

BENRUS Waxed Cotton Canvas Jacket

Portland, Maine

The Pomegranate Inn in Portland, Maine

Boarding the Amtrak Downeaster

BENRUS jacket and denim

Custom House Wharf

A breakfast of small plates at The Pomegranate Inn

Portland Hunt and Alpine Club 

Hush Puppies Cyra Catelyn booties

Here's the thing about weekend getaways: they're supposed to be stress free. So why are we always driving to our destinations? Wouldn't you much rather relax with a good book on a train, sipping a warm tea (or a cold cocktail)? I would! That's why Mr. TBF and I took the Amtrak Downeaster on our recent getaway to Portland, ME. It's so simple -  order the tickets online, pick them up at North Station, board the train, settle in and unwind. 

It was ultra easy to grab an Uber (or taxi, if that's your thing) at the train station in Portland, and we checked into our hotel within ten minutes of arriving in town. The Pomegranate Inn is a charming, eight-room gem in the heart of the West End - it's funky and eclectic, and totally cozy (we spent a good amount of time reading in front of the fireplace, or in bed, or in a lovely little sitting room). It's a pretty, fifteen minute walk (or three minute Uber) to downtown, which is bustling with surprisingly unique restaurants and shops. Here are some of my favorite places to dine and shop in Portland:

Vena's Fizz House - We happened in when the owner was behind the bar. His enthusiasm and passion for drinks (both cocktails and mocktails) was infectious, and soon we were tasting various and sundry bitters, syrups and infusions. This is the kind of place where you can settle in with the Sunday paper and a non-alcoholic fizz called "Lumberjack Love" (so Maine-y!) or pop in for an "Aperol Uplift" before dinner. 345 Fore Street www.venasfizzhouse.com 

Sea Bags - You wouldn't think that midway down a dusty, working wharf hides Maine's 2015 Retailer of the Year. Sea Bags makes a wide variety of bags and accessories from recycled sail material, and all of their products are hand-crafted right there in the Portland workshop. You can learn more about Sea Bags, and enter to win one of their bags here! 25 Custom House Wharf, www.seabags.com

Eventide - When Meg, our fantastic waitress at Eventide told me their special was a lobster roll, my response was kind of "meh, whatever". Don't get me wrong, I like lobster, but how many places in New England claim a "famous" roll? Then she brought it out, and I took everything back. Served on homemade steamed buns and dressed in browned butter, these lobster rolls are so fantastic, you'll probably order two (which is ok, they're small, and only around ten dollars)! 86 Middle Street, www.eventideoysterco.com

Judith - With modern-Maine sensibility, Judith carries some hard-to-find brands, and hosts super friendly shop girls. Come for the sweaters and dresses, stay for the cool bags, shoes and accessories. 3 Market Street, www.shopjudith.com 

Portland Hunt + Alpine Club - Chic Scandinavian decor, fantastic people-watching from the window bar, killer house aquavit and delicious, inventive bites (think: octopus stew, gravlax, house pretzels). I could seriously spend all day in here. 75 Market Street, www.huntandalpineclub.com

Stay: The Pomegranate Inn, 49 Neal Street, www.pomegranateinn.com

Travel: Amtrak Downeaster, www.amtrakdowneaster.com. Check out their amazing Take 5 Deal (buy one adult full price ticket and bring 5 companions for only $5 each one way), and the Train to Maine BOGO (buy one get one free) deal to Freeport and Portland! Follow Amtrak Downeaster on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

JACKET: Women's Waxed Cotton Canvas Jacket, BENRUS (c/o) DENIM: Charlie Boyfriend - Calvary, BENRUS (c/o) BOOTS: Cyra Catelyn (comes in a bunch of fun colors!), Hush Puppies (c/o) SUNGLASSES: Vince Camuto BAG: J. Crew SCARF: Printed Village (c/o) 

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This post is presented in part by Amtrak Downeaster.