While some people may consider Maine to be out of sync with today’s fast-paced, trendy world, students on the Hill know that there is more to the state than pine trees and plaid.
Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of all that Maine has to offer. According to Men’s Health Magazine, Portland, Maine one of the state’s biggest cities and tourist attractions, came in last place in the magazine’s ranking of America’s Most Sex-Happy Cities.
The magazine based its rankings for condom sales, sex toy sales, birth rates and rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) rates. Out of the 100 cities in the study, Portland came in 100th place.
But is Portland really less sexy than Buffalo, New York, which came in 93rd? Portland had the 95th-highest condom sales, the 95th-highest birth rates and the 100th-highest rate of STDs. Men’s Health Magazine assumes that the combination of these statistics means a lack of sexual activity in Portland.
These statistics aren’t comprehensive enough to lend credence to rumors of Portland’s celibacy, however, because they do not take into account some of the city’s “sexiest” features and attractions.
Portland is a city rich in history and culture. Located on Portland Harbor, it has all the charms of a New England town with the sophistication of a big city.
The cobblestone streets of the Old Port district of Portland are lined with funky boutiques and independently-owned eateries. One such eatery is Paciarino, an authentic Italian restaurant that features delicious homemade pastas and sauces. The restaurant is owned by a couple from Milan, who moved to Portland after they vacationed there and fell in love with it.
Another star on the Portland dining scene is Grace, an American restaurant in a remodeled Church on Chestnut Street. The religious features of the church do not put a damper on the restaurant’s atmosphere, but rather enliven the unique bar and dining experience with stained glass, high ceilings and intricate designs.
In an article in The New York Times, the owner of the popular 158 Pickett St. Café in Portland said that the success of the Portland food scene can be attributed to its restaurants’ collective goal to create and to avoid nasty, inter-restaurant competition.
Other highly acclaimed dining options in Portland include Bresca, which is famous for its butter-browned gnocchi; The Front Room, an American restaurant located on the west side of Portland; and Rabelais, a combined full-menu restaurant and bookstore.
It’s hard to imagine that anyone could get sick of the food scene in Portland, yet all meals come to an end. So, after having a romantic dinner at Italian Vignola or a meal at the Portland Lobster Company, couples can take a walk down the docks in Old Port. The docks allow for excellent views of the harbor and the grandiose yachts that line the shore.
Portland’s sports teams also provide ample opportunities for post-dinner outings. The Portland Pirates is a minor league hockey team that plays at the Cumberland County Civic Center, and the Portland Sea Dogs are the city’s minor league baseball team. The Sea Dogs are an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, so on any given summer night you might just catch a future Sox star playing at Hadlock Field.
In the end, while it is true that Portland does not have the highest condom sales, sex toy sales, birth rates and STD rates, a more comprehensive view of the city reveals that while its residents may not be getting knocked up left and right, the city has many redeeming qualities, like delicious food and exciting spectator sports, that make it sexy in a classy way.