Strange Maine

Portland


This cramped closet of a shop sells old books, cassettes, records, video games, VHS tapes and other bric-a-brac, and while the themes may not involve Maine, you get the sense an oddball shop like this could only exist here – in the dark, cold state that's given us Stephen King and any amount of Lovecraftian forests and salt tide surreality.

Fair warning: the hours are flexible, so call ahead before you visit.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Portland attractions

1. Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine

0.04 MILES

Kids aged zero to 10 years shriek and squeal as they haul traps aboard a replica lobster boat, milk a fake cow on a model farm, operate a sound studio, or…

2. Portland Museum of Art

0.05 MILES

Founded in 1882, this well-respected museum houses an outstanding collection of American artists. Maine artists, including Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper,…

3. Institute of Contemporary Art

0.11 MILES

This small gallery, attached to the Maine College of Art, showcases an ever-shifting slate of modern artists, and hosts frequent readings, workshops, pop…

4. Longfellow House

0.2 MILES

The revered American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) grew up in this Federal-style house, built in 1785 by his Revolutionary War–hero…

5. Victoria Mansion

0.22 MILES

This Italianate palace, whose exterior would work well in a Tim Burton movie, dates back to 1860. Inside it's sumptuously decorated with rich furniture,…

6. Main Library

0.27 MILES

The main branch of the Portland Public Library is located within the 83,000-sq-ft Baxter Building, an architectural gem that cleverly utilizes vast glass…

7. Portland Observatory

1.03 MILES

Built in 1807 atop Munjoy Hill, this seven-story brick tower was originally used to alert shipowners when their ships were heading for home. Now restored,…

8. Loring Memorial Park

1.29 MILES

This small art installation honors a local fighter pilot who fought in WWII and Korea. Four 9ft-high granite standing stones inscribed with virtues…