Cruise Skate Spots
Deering Oaks Park
Location
Deering Oaks Park, Park Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Level of Activity
This park is always full of people, whether it is families from nearby neighborhoods going for walks, or unhomed folks making a home here. There are often events at the bandshell, sports events in the fields, and a farmer’s market a few times a week. Plenty of traffic and people, but still plenty of room to skate safely. Don’t forget your gear!
What Kind of Cruise is this?
Deering Oaks Park is a beautiful park where the edge of the Portland city peninsula meets the inland part of the city. There are multiple paved trails, though they are made of rough asphalt and the roots of the trees have made their mark over the years.
It’s a beautiful skate during any of the three good seasons, and there is even tennis courts for a flat skate nearby, as well as a concrete bandshell that is empty sometimes, and very fun to skate around.
Eastern Promenade
Location
Begin at 60 Thames Street, Portland, ME 04101 and you can skate all the way out to the wastewater facility (I don't recommend those hills for beginners) but I usually stop at the outer train tracks, where you can see the I-295 bridge and the old bean factory.
Link to Google Maps Directions
Level of Activity
Plenty of people in all weather.
What Kind of Cruise is this?
The Eastern Promenade trail is a buzz of city activity, with people walking dogs, going for walks, and of course the charming Narrow Gauge Railroad running along the promenade in the summer. If you want to roller skate along Casco Bay around the Eastern Promenade on a beautiful day, this is a paved walkway you can skate on.
Brewery Neighborhood
Location
You can park near Austin Street Brewery or along Fox street, and skate around the brewery streets.
Level of Activity
Lots of vehicle traffic so definitely be careful. But not a lot of foot traffic.
What Kind of Cruise is this?
It’s a great flat cruise with some rough street skating every once in a while. You will definitely want cushy wheels and your gear just in case you fall on the asphalt. There are some beautiful painted walls around the breweries for a cute skate picture!
Western Promenade
Location
Start at the Reiche school basketball court and skate out to the Western Promenade. There are many quiet streets and loops to skate.
Link to Google Maps Directions
Level of Activity
It's a nice neighborhood with some schools, so depending on the time of day the sidewalks and roads are a little busy. Generally evenings are quieter and its primarily neighborhood people walking around.
What Kind of Cruise is this?
This beautiful neighborhood has many different well-paved parking lots and some smooth paths and streets to skate. The sidewalks are all brick, and the Promenade trail itself is basically concrete with rocks in it. So if you are going to ride around comfortably on the Western Prom, you definitely want to make sure you have gummy wheels that can handle asphalt and brick if need be.