Sunlight poured across Portland’s harbor, reflecting sharply off patches of lingering snow. The air was crisp but clear, the kind of winter day that feels both bracing and generous. I began along the waterfront at Bug Light Lighthouse, officially known as Portland Breakwater Light. Its small size contrasts with its classical design, modeled after ancient Greek architecture. Built in 1875, it once guided ships into one of New England’s busiest ports during an era when Portland thrived as a shipping hub connected to Canada by rail.

A short walk brought me to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, standing firmly at the end of a long granite breakwater. Crossing the uneven stones toward it required careful steps, but the view of Casco Bay made the effort worthwhile. The lighthouse has guarded these waters since 1897, watching over fishing boats, naval vessels, and winter waves that crash against its base.

From sea air to gilded elegance, I moved inland to Victoria Mansion, completed in 1860 as a summer home for hotelier Ruggles Morse. Built just before the Civil War, it is one of the finest surviving examples of prewar luxury architecture in the United States. Inside, original furnishings and ornate interiors reflect Portland’s 19th century prosperity before a devastating fire in 1866 destroyed much of the city.

The afternoon continued at the Portland Museum of Art, where modern galleries contrast with historic works tied to Maine’s artistic heritage. The museum depicts the region’s long relationship with landscape painting and coastal life.