Of course, there's a lot more to Portland than just great rugby. If you're coming here for a game, and plan to extend your stay, or if you're bringing the family, you might be interested in some of the other faces of our fair city.

Nestled, in the island-studded Casco Bay, on the coast of Southern Maine, Portland has a wealth of attractions for couples and families alike. Of course, to start with there are lobsters and lighthouses aplenty, but that just scratches the surface of the great dining and spectacular sights to be found in and around the city.

Start in the Old Port, one of the most successful warehouse revitalization projects in the country,and enjoy an eclectic selection of bars and restaurants (including our wonderful sponsor, Gritty McDuff's) mingled with art-galleries, fresh coffee roasters and gift shops.

Those seeking a more cultured experience can enjoy a variety of visual and performing arts, from the venerable Portland Museum of Art to the Portland Symphony Orchestra and Portland Ballet. For the younger crowd, or those of you with a slightly shorter attention span, there's also the Children's Museum and Children's Theater of Maine.

Hop on one of the many ferries operated by Casco Bay Lines, either to take a scenic tour of Casco Bay, or to explore one of the 200+ scenic islands in the bay. Peaks Island, one of the largest, is still easily toured on foot, and offers many attractions, including the award winning cuisine of the Inn on Peaks.

Of course, if you're going to have all this fun, you're going to want to bring home a souvenir, and Portland's Old Port offers a variety of unique shops and boutiques. If you've got some more serious retail therapy in mind, journey north 20 minutes to Freeport, home of L.L.Bean, as well as many other stores, which make up Maine's largest outlet center.

For a comprehensive guide to the city and the surrounding areas, you could do a lot worse than start by seeing what the Maine Office of Tourism has to say about the matter (here), or open up the Portland Visitor and Convention Bureau's handy online guide.

Please check out our Accommodations section for some suggestions on where to stay.