Fall, Summer, Spring: Looking for something fun to do one afternoon I decided to load everyone in the car and we headed into the center of Portland to check out the Portland Observatory. This unique building resembles a lighthouse and was constructed in 1807 by a local businessmen in a way to alert the city to the arrival of ships by using coded signal flags. After an extensive renovation, this 86 foot structure is once again open to visitors who want to climb the stairs and get a bird’s-eye view of Portland Harbor and the surrounding town. The observatory is unique in that this is one of the only flag signaling observatories left in the United States. While there is not alot to do but climb lots of stairs and enjoy the beautiful views, my family had fun learning about the history of this grand old observatory right here in Portland.