- Open Year Round
- 3 hours
- Walking Foodie Tour
- Portland
Classic Maine, Maine inspired, up-and-coming, cultural, and fancy food and beverages with a healthy side of history await on our flagship walking tour.
Quick Details
Curious about Portland’s history with railroads, fires, wars, the underground railroad, famous poets and Hollywood producers? Join us on this walking tour through time!
Celebrating 200+ years of history in Portland, Maine 2020 marks the bicentennial birthday of the Pine Tree State!
Your tour begins in front of Andy’s Old Port Pub and continues for 2 hours through the historic Old Port, downtown and waterfront areas, sharing highlights of Portland’s history since 1820 and as far back as 1632.
Experience the beauty and complex history of Portland, Maine on our Walk Through Time tour. One of our knowledgeable guides will bring over 300 years of Maine’s maritime, industrial, and cultural history alive for you. You’ll walk wharves with the salt air in your face as you explore our famous working waterfront in action. You’ll see lobstermen, historic fish markets, and, hopefully, a seal or two. In Portland’s Old Port, we’ll talk architecture, and discover every angle you can lay a red brick on our beautiful, unique, and varied stock of gorgeous Victorian era buildings. We’ll see City Hall and its golden Phoenix and talk about how Portland rose from the ashes of one of the greatest fires in American history to become the 4th biggest port city in North America at the turn of the 20th century.
Famous poets have lived here. Major railroads began operation here. There is Civil War history to be discovered, and Portland’s unique role in the American Revolutionary War. The temperance movement, women’s suffrage, and the abolition of slavery all have deep roots in our city. Expect historic buildings, iconic statues, cannonballs, and an exploration of the Portland Freedom Trail. We’ll also get to the subjects of lobsters, restaurants, donuts, potatoes, famous Hollywood directors, and bubble gum. In our beautiful city, hidden histories abound, something to pique your interest around every corner.
And to keep up with Portland’s reputation status as a foodie destination (Bon Appetite’s Restaurant town of the year 2017), our guide will treat you to a sweet treat at the end of tour from one of our James Beard nominated bakeries.
More Info:
WHO: All ages are welcome
WHEN: First tour of the day begins at 10:00 and others may be added as we sell out
TIME: Tour is approx. 2 hours
DISTANCE: Distance covered is approx. 1.5 – 2 miles
We Had a Great Time!
When you have a great time remember to tip your hard-working guide.
Picture Perfect
Your guide will be taking photos throughout the tour that we use for our social media and marketing. If you’d like copies of these pics, please let your guide know and they can provide them to you by email or air drop at the end of the tour.
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Wondering what to do in Portland during your visit? We offer private history tour in Portland for parties of 8 or more for corporate events, friends, family and club events. Tell us more about your group, and the date(s) you plan to visit Portland, by completing our private events request form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Under current COVID19 Guidelines, and until further notice from our Governor, any group larger than 15 will be broken down into smaller groups.
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For more intimate group sizes we’re now offering private tour events for 2 – 14 guests for our history tours.
FAQ About Portland History Tours
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A. Due to Portland’s dedication to historic preservation this tour is not completely handicap accessible. We do not recommend wheelchairs or walkers and suggest a moderate level of fitness to participate.Old
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A. We recommend taking advantage of one of the parking garages or lots nearby. Here’s a list of potential spots to consider. Two of the least expensive options are the Holiday Inn by the Bay and Spring Street Parking Garage, which are approx. a 10-15 walk to the meeting point for the tour which is 320 Fore Street in front of the Portland Beer Hub. We do not recommend using metered parking as it maxes out at two hours – not enough time to fully enjoy your walking history tour. It is $15 for the day at the Ocean Gateway lot located at the East end of Commercial Street. The closest garage is the Custom House Square parking garage at 25 Pearl Street for $5.00/hour.
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A. The meeting point for the Old Port Walk Through Time is at 320 Fore Street in front of the Portland Beer Hub.
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A. The tour duration is between 2 – 2.5 hours based on group size and group engagement
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A. We do allow a limited number of four-footed family members to participate in the tour, with the understanding that the dogs are comfortable in group settings for this duration. Also there are occasions where we may enter a building and these buildings are unlikely to allow pets, so you or someone in your party will have to stay outside/alternate being outside with your dog. Pup participation must be noted/approved in advance. We appreciate your understanding.
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A. Cruise ships disembark at Ocean Gateway and the Maine State Pier, which is approx. a 7 – 10 minute walk 3/4 of a mile from 320 Fore Street, Portland Beer Hub, where the tour meets.
The tour is completed at one of several potential sweet spots approx. 1/4 of a mile from where the cruise ships embark.
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A. The distance is typically somewhere between 1.5 – 2 miles.
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A: Tours run rain, snow and shine.
- With tour insurance: To cancel your tour tickets you MUST purchase our tour insurance at $5.99 per ticket. This allows you to cancel your tickets or rebook your date for ANY reason up to 24 hours prior to the start time of the tour and receive a refund for the cost of the tickets minus the booking fee and insurance.
- Without tour insurance: If you do not purchase the tour insurance you have up to 24 hours prior to the start time of the tour to cancel and receive a gift certificate for future use or rebook your date.
- Within 24 hours: We don’t extend refunds , gift certificates or rebooking options within 24 hours of the start time of the tour.