Portland, Maine 2-Hour Hidden Histories Guided Walking Tour
by Portland by the Foot
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$108Overview
This two-hour guided walking tour covers approximately 1.5 miles through Portland, Maine, focusing on lesser-known stories and people who shaped the city. The tour begins in downtown Portland with a local guide who leads the group through major landmarks and historic sites. Early stops include Portland City Hall and the First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist Church, where the guide discusses Indigenous Wabanaki leaders and their ongoing diplomatic efforts. The tour continues to the Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument, also called Our Lady of Victories, revealing stories not commonly recognized. Participants visit the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the oldest building in downtown Portland, and learn about its famous former resident. The route then moves through the Old Port district, showcasing Victorian-era buildings and sharing histories of the diverse people who lived and worked there. The John Ford Statue is another stop, where the guide explains the complex history of this notable Portland figure. Along Commercial Street, the group walks the waterfront, learning about the economic and social forces that shaped the area, including the roles of stevedores, shipowners, captains, and sailors in the 19th century. The tour also includes visits to Custom House Wharf and the United States Custom House, where stories about women’s contributions and the impact of federal policies on the port city are shared. The guide provides a fully narrated experience throughout. A donation is made toward restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, one of America’s oldest standing Black churches. Participants receive instructions for a 10% discount on water tours with Portland Paddle. The route involves some uphill walking, cobblestones, and staircases totaling 24 steps. Pets are not allowed unless medically required.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Downtown Portland walk
The guide leads a walk through downtown Portland visiting major landmarks and lesser-known locations. The guide highlights unsung heroes and people often omitted from traditional history.
45 min
Historical figure meeting
Introduction to a woman who lived openly as her true self about 100 years ago and worked to improve the lives of local residents despite challenges.
Portland City Hall
Participants view the architecture and hear stories about the building and people that are not found on plaques or statues.
The First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist
The tour covers the survival and diplomatic efforts of Indigenous nations who endured colonialism and maintain relationships today.
Our Lady of Victories (The Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument)
The guide reveals stories about people not recognized by Portland’s largest monument.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Visitors see downtown Portland’s oldest building and hear an unexpected story about its famous former resident.
Portland Old Port walk
The guide leads a walk through the Old Port area, sharing histories of the city and its diverse residents who contributed to its development.
45 min
John Ford Statue
The guide explains the complex history of one of Portland’s most well-known natives.
Victorian buildings
Tour participants see Victorian-era buildings and learn about the largely forgotten individuals who once lived there.
19th-century maritime history
The guide discusses the relationships among stevedores, captains, shipowners, and sailors in Portland during the 1800s.
Commercial Street
Visitors stroll along the waterfront district, hearing about the people and economic forces that shaped the area, with stories differing from typical tours.
30 min
Global maritime history
The tour covers aspects of Portland’s industrial and maritime past that other tours often omit, including global connections.
Custom House Wharf
Participants see the working waterfront and learn about women who played roles that history books have overlooked.
United States Custom House
The guide explains how changes in federal policies have affected life in Portland over the years.
Meeting point
Meet at the corner of Middle and Exchange Streets by the small boulders in the park. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Portland by the Foot." Check-in time is 10 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. The park is one half mile from the cruise ship terminal.
End point
Bell Buoy Park is on Commercial Street at the Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal. If you need to head back to where we started, it's only 0.3 miles (6-minute walk) away. It's also next door to the cruise ship terminal. Or sit a while to enjoy the ocean views!
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Portland, Maine 2-Hour Hidden Histories Guided Walking Tour
by Portland by the Foot
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$108Overview
This two-hour guided walking tour covers approximately 1.5 miles through Portland, Maine, focusing on lesser-known stories and people who shaped the city. The tour begins in downtown Portland with a local guide who leads the group through major landmarks and historic sites. Early stops include Portland City Hall and the First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist Church, where the guide discusses Indigenous Wabanaki leaders and their ongoing diplomatic efforts. The tour continues to the Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument, also called Our Lady of Victories, revealing stories not commonly recognized. Participants visit the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the oldest building in downtown Portland, and learn about its famous former resident. The route then moves through the Old Port district, showcasing Victorian-era buildings and sharing histories of the diverse people who lived and worked there. The John Ford Statue is another stop, where the guide explains the complex history of this notable Portland figure. Along Commercial Street, the group walks the waterfront, learning about the economic and social forces that shaped the area, including the roles of stevedores, shipowners, captains, and sailors in the 19th century. The tour also includes visits to Custom House Wharf and the United States Custom House, where stories about women’s contributions and the impact of federal policies on the port city are shared. The guide provides a fully narrated experience throughout. A donation is made toward restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, one of America’s oldest standing Black churches. Participants receive instructions for a 10% discount on water tours with Portland Paddle. The route involves some uphill walking, cobblestones, and staircases totaling 24 steps. Pets are not allowed unless medically required.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Downtown Portland walk
The guide leads a walk through downtown Portland visiting major landmarks and lesser-known locations. The guide highlights unsung heroes and people often omitted from traditional history.
45 min
Historical figure meeting
Introduction to a woman who lived openly as her true self about 100 years ago and worked to improve the lives of local residents despite challenges.
Portland City Hall
Participants view the architecture and hear stories about the building and people that are not found on plaques or statues.
The First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist
The tour covers the survival and diplomatic efforts of Indigenous nations who endured colonialism and maintain relationships today.
Our Lady of Victories (The Portland Soldiers and Sailors Monument)
The guide reveals stories about people not recognized by Portland’s largest monument.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Visitors see downtown Portland’s oldest building and hear an unexpected story about its famous former resident.
Portland Old Port walk
The guide leads a walk through the Old Port area, sharing histories of the city and its diverse residents who contributed to its development.
45 min
John Ford Statue
The guide explains the complex history of one of Portland’s most well-known natives.
Victorian buildings
Tour participants see Victorian-era buildings and learn about the largely forgotten individuals who once lived there.
19th-century maritime history
The guide discusses the relationships among stevedores, captains, shipowners, and sailors in Portland during the 1800s.
Commercial Street
Visitors stroll along the waterfront district, hearing about the people and economic forces that shaped the area, with stories differing from typical tours.
30 min
Global maritime history
The tour covers aspects of Portland’s industrial and maritime past that other tours often omit, including global connections.
Custom House Wharf
Participants see the working waterfront and learn about women who played roles that history books have overlooked.
United States Custom House
The guide explains how changes in federal policies have affected life in Portland over the years.
Meeting point
Meet at the corner of Middle and Exchange Streets by the small boulders in the park. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Portland by the Foot." Check-in time is 10 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. The park is one half mile from the cruise ship terminal.
End point
Bell Buoy Park is on Commercial Street at the Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal. If you need to head back to where we started, it's only 0.3 miles (6-minute walk) away. It's also next door to the cruise ship terminal. Or sit a while to enjoy the ocean views!
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.