Adventure Cities:

Pittsburgh, PA  |  Las Vegas, NV  |  Portland, ME  |  Portland, OR  

 Spokane, WA  |  Washington, D.C 

Portland, Maine:

Population: 64,240

Median Home Price: $243,900

Hot Job: Small-business owner

The Scene: Urban Mainers—think progressive yet agreeably rugged—are calm amid their small city's bustle. Their secret? Constant stress relief: escaping to the beaches of Popham, paddling the coves of Casco Bay, and biking Bradbury Mountain.

OPTIONS: Zip by the Headlight and a collection of lighthouses on a cycling jaunt around Cape Elizabeth, or hike Evan's Notch for spectacular views of Mount Washington. Just over the border in New Hampshire your winter adventure awaits—ice climbing North Conway.

OUTFITTER: Bone up on your kayaking skills with L.L. Bean Discovery School's (888 552 3261) three day kayaking course on Casco Bay.

GOOD EATS: Even though Stephen King was born here, Portland has nothing gothic about it, unless you consider the coffee clutch culture spooky. Try Flatbread Co's (+1 207 772 8777) organic flour pizza with whole milk mozzarella cooked in a wood-fire oven. A slice of each sale is donated to local charities on Tuesdays.

30 More Places to Live and Play:

Boise or Bust!

Outdoor Meccas  |  Adventure Cities  |  Small Towns

Cultural Hubs  |  Beach Towns  

Adventure's September 2006 issue features 31 amazing adventure towns; chaos at the top of Mount Everest; an inside look at surfing California's Lost Coast; 11 fall weekend getaways near you; the best high-tech footwear, world class adventure travel; hiking the Alps, and more!