Thompson's Point Ice Rink in Portland — Live Webcam

Thompson's Point: From Industrial Heritage to Winter Recreation

Thompson's Point is located in the Livettown neighborhood, about 1.7 miles southwest of downtown Portland, on the northern bank of the Fore River. In the early 19th century, this was a bustling transportation hub — a canal with locks operated here, and barges actively transported goods along the Cumberland and Oxford Canals. The industrial era has passed, and in its place has grown a modern space for recreation, concerts, and winter entertainment. Today, Thompson's Point is one of Portland's most recognizable venues, where an open-air ice rink sits beneath a metal roof frame, accessible to all who wish to skate.

The live webcam installed here allows you to see this place from anywhere in the world — simply open the stream, and a winter scene unfolds before you: people in puffy jackets and hats glide across the smooth ice, children take their first steps on skates, and on the wooden benches near the rink sit spectators and those preparing to step onto the ice.

The Livettown Neighborhood and the Rink's Surroundings

Thompson's Point is situated in the historic Livettown neighborhood — one of Portland's oldest residential areas. Several notable places are concentrated near the venue that are worth visiting if you find yourself in the city. Within walking distance is the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine with approximately 30,000 square feet of exhibition space, the popular Bissell Brothers pub, and cozy food kiosks. In the summer months, outdoor festivals and concerts are held here, and in winter the center of gravity shifts to the ice rink.

The neighborhood continues to develop: new public spaces, terrace sculptures, and event venues are appearing near Thompson's Point. This is a place where urban infrastructure intertwines with the natural landscape — the Fore River, the tides, and the view of the opposite shore create an atmosphere that is hard to find in other parts of Portland.

The Fore River and the Tidal Life of the Coast

One of the distinctive features of Thompson's Point is its proximity to the Fore River, which flows into Casco Bay. The tidal wave is felt here in full force: the water level difference reaches 12 feet (about 3.7 meters). This means that the landscape along the shore transforms twice a day — at low tide, the muddy bottom and rocky areas are exposed, and at high tide, the water rises almost to the edge of the embankment.

From the Thompson's Point webcam, the waterway with the opposite shore is visible. Depending on the time of day and the tidal cycle, the picture changes: sometimes the river is calm and reflects the clouds, sometimes the surface is rippled by the wind. In winter, ice fields can be observed near the river's edge — the river partially freezes, creating additional winter ambiance for those watching the live stream.

Portland's Climate: What Affects the Rink's Operation

Portland is located in a temperate climate zone with a transition from continental to maritime. Winters here are cold and snowy — average January temperatures drop below freezing, and snow cover persists from December through March. Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures rarely exceeding 28°C. This climate is ideally suited for the operation of an open-air ice rink during the winter season — natural cold helps maintain the ice surface even without powerful cooling systems.

In spring and fall, the rink closes, and the venue is used for other purposes — fairs, concerts, and community events are held here. The webcam during these periods shows the empty space beneath the roof, ready for the next winter season. If you open the stream in summer, you will see the same canopy structure, but without ice — just an empty field and a view of the river.

How to Get to Thompson's Point

Reaching the venue by car is quite straightforward: Thompson's Point is clearly visible from Interstate I-295 and is located near Portland International Jetport. If you are flying into the city, the drive from the airport takes no more than 10–15 minutes. From downtown Portland, head southwest through the Livettown neighborhood — coordinates for your GPS are easy to find by searching for Thompson's Point.

For those traveling without a car, Portland's public transit system operates — bus routes pass through neighboring neighborhoods. The city's cycling infrastructure is also well-developed: Thompson's Point can be reached via bike paths along the river. Parking is available on-site, but on busy days and holidays it fills up quickly.

Night View from the Thompson's Point Webcam

When the sun sets over Portland's horizon, the Thompson's Point ice rink transforms. The metal roof frame is illuminated, the boards with their blue stripe stand out against the dark sky, and the ice surface reflects the glow of streetlights. The night stream from the webcam offers a completely different mood — silence, muted light, occasional silhouettes of skaters.

In the evening hours, there are fewer people at the venue, but this is precisely when you can appreciate the scale of the structure: the spans of metal trusses, the tensioned canopy, the advertising banners on the boards — all of this creates an industrial-cozy atmosphere characteristic of New England. The Fore River in the background turns into a dark expanse with occasional reflections of lights from the opposite shore.

Winter and Summer Landscapes: How the Picture Changes

In winter, the live webcam shows the full picture of winter recreation in Portland: snow-covered trees around the venue, breath visible in the cold air, white snow on the roofs of nearby buildings. The ice surface is maintained in working condition by natural cold, and the canopy protects against snowfall — even after heavy snowstorms, the rink remains clean and ready for skating.

In summer, the picture changes dramatically: instead of ice, there is an empty field beneath the roof, green grass all around, and the Fore River in the background filled with pleasure yachts and boats. Trees are in full leaf, and on the benches sit not skating enthusiasts, but passersby enjoying the view of the water. The live webcam allows you to observe this transformation without having to wait for your next visit to Portland.

Holiday Atmosphere at the Rink

During the Christmas and New Year holidays, Thompson's Point becomes the center of city life. Holiday decorations are installed at the venue, music is played, and the number of visitors increases many times over. The webcam on these days shows a special picture — people in festive winter outfits, families with children, teenagers competing in skating skills.

Presidents' Day (the third Monday of February) and other winter holidays also draw crowds of locals here. The live stream allows those who are far from Portland to catch these moments — simply open the webcam in real time to feel the festive mood of this place.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam is positioned to capture the entire Thompson's Point ice rink. In the center of the frame is the ice surface, surrounded by white boards with a distinctive blue stripe. Advertising banners from the venue's sponsors and partners are placed on the boards. Along the edges of the rink are wooden benches where spectators sit, as well as those lacing up their skates or waiting for their turn on the ice.

Above the venue rises a roof with a metal frame — it protects the ice from snow and rain, allowing the skating season to be extended. In the background of the stream, the waterway of the Fore River with the opposite shore is visible — depending on the time of day and the tidal cycle, the picture changes. People of all ages — from small children to elderly couples — skate on the ice, creating a winter scene that is pleasant to watch from anywhere in the world through this Portland live webcam.