Portland City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local
by The Real Portland Tour
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.$148Overview
The tour begins at historic Commercial Street on Portland’s working waterfront, where guests see original cobblestones and bricks laid in the 1850s. This guided sightseeing tour lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes and is led by a local born and raised in Portland, Maine. The guide offers insights into both current local life and Portland’s history, including places not usually visited by other tours. The route passes notable landmarks including the granite United States Custom House, Fort Allen Park with views of Casco Bay and its Calendar Islands, and Victorian-era homes along the Eastern Promenade Trail. Travelers also view the Portland Observatory, the only remaining maritime signal tower in the U.S., and hear stories at Eastern Cemetery, established in 1668. The tour continues through Portland’s downtown on Congress Street, past Monument Square, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist church, and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. The Arts District and Portland Museum of Art are also included, as well as sights like One Longfellow Square and Victoria Mansion. The vehicle enters Fort Williams Park where guests disembark for about 20 minutes to explore Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the country. Afterwards, the tour visits Fort Preble, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, and Bug Light Park with views of Portland’s skyline. Guests see the Liberty Ship Memorial and have time for photos at Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Bug Light. The tour ends with views of the John Ford Statue and a drive through the Old Port district. This tour is conducted in a 13-passenger van with air conditioning. It does not include hotel or cruise ship pickup, and guests must arrive at the starting point 10-15 minutes before departure. Wheelchairs, walkers, and luggage cannot be accommodated on the van. The guide has 20 years of experience giving tours in Portland.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Commercial Street
The tour starts at Commercial Street, Portland’s historic working waterfront. Guests see original cobblestone and brick pavement installed in the 1850s.
United States Custom House
Travelers view one of Portland’s most beautiful granite buildings, the United States Custom House.
Fort Allen Park
The vehicle passes through Fort Allen Park, offering views of Casco Bay and the Calendar Islands. The park has memorials from the Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War II.
Eastern Promenade Trail
Guests see Victorian-era homes once owned by sea captains and merchants, plus Eastern Promenade Park with wide views of Casco Bay, islands, and historic forts.
Portland Observatory
The group views the Portland Observatory, the only remaining maritime signal tower in the United States.
Eastern Cemetery
The guide shares stories and legends about Eastern Cemetery, Portland’s oldest cemetery, established in 1668.
Congress Street
The tour passes busy Congress Street, showing Portland’s downtown, Monument Square, and the arts district.
The Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception
Guests see the neo-Gothic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1869, which dominates Portland’s skyline.
The First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist
The tour passes the city’s oldest church, the First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist, with history highlighted by the guide.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Guests view the childhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, where he wrote his early poetry.
Arts District
The tour includes Portland’s downtown Arts District, known for its galleries and cultural sites.
Portland Museum of Art
Visitors see one of New England’s finest art museums and learn about its exhibits.
One Longfellow Square
The group passes the statue of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in Portland in 1807.
Victoria Mansion
Guests see Victoria Mansion, a leading example of 19th-century Italianate brownstone architecture in the U.S.
Fort Williams Park
The vehicle enters Fort Williams Park, considered one of Maine’s most beautiful parks, and stops near Portland Head Light.
Portland Head Light
Guests have about 20 minutes to walk around Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S., and explore the surrounding Fort Williams Park coastline.
20 min
Fort Preble
The tour drives near Fort Preble, one of the oldest forts in Casco Bay, with historical information provided.
5 min
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Guests stop briefly for photos at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and its 900-foot breakwater.
5 min
Bug Light Park
Visitors see panoramic views of the Portland skyline from Bug Light Park, located across the bay.
Liberty Ship Memorial
The tour briefly stops by the Liberty Ship Memorial, honoring shipbuilders who worked here during World War II.
Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
Guests take a photo stop at Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Bug Light for its small size.
5 min
John Ford Statue
The group views the John Ford Statue, honoring the famous film director with ties to Portland.
Old Port
The tour concludes with a drive through Portland’s Old Port district, a busy downtown and waterfront area with shops, restaurants, and bars.
Meeting point
Please arrive at 96 Commercial Street (in front of the Casco Variety Store) at least 10-15 min before your tour time. The tour departs from the tour bus parking spot next to the US Customs House, which is located directly across the street from the Casco Variety Store.
End point
Please arrive at 96 Commercial Street (in front of the Casco Variety Store) at least 10-15 min before your tour time. The tour departs from the tour bus parking spot next to the US Customs House, which is located directly across the street from the Casco Variety Store.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Portland City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local
by The Real Portland Tour
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.$148Overview
The tour begins at historic Commercial Street on Portland’s working waterfront, where guests see original cobblestones and bricks laid in the 1850s. This guided sightseeing tour lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes and is led by a local born and raised in Portland, Maine. The guide offers insights into both current local life and Portland’s history, including places not usually visited by other tours. The route passes notable landmarks including the granite United States Custom House, Fort Allen Park with views of Casco Bay and its Calendar Islands, and Victorian-era homes along the Eastern Promenade Trail. Travelers also view the Portland Observatory, the only remaining maritime signal tower in the U.S., and hear stories at Eastern Cemetery, established in 1668. The tour continues through Portland’s downtown on Congress Street, past Monument Square, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist church, and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. The Arts District and Portland Museum of Art are also included, as well as sights like One Longfellow Square and Victoria Mansion. The vehicle enters Fort Williams Park where guests disembark for about 20 minutes to explore Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the country. Afterwards, the tour visits Fort Preble, Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, and Bug Light Park with views of Portland’s skyline. Guests see the Liberty Ship Memorial and have time for photos at Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Bug Light. The tour ends with views of the John Ford Statue and a drive through the Old Port district. This tour is conducted in a 13-passenger van with air conditioning. It does not include hotel or cruise ship pickup, and guests must arrive at the starting point 10-15 minutes before departure. Wheelchairs, walkers, and luggage cannot be accommodated on the van. The guide has 20 years of experience giving tours in Portland.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Commercial Street
The tour starts at Commercial Street, Portland’s historic working waterfront. Guests see original cobblestone and brick pavement installed in the 1850s.
United States Custom House
Travelers view one of Portland’s most beautiful granite buildings, the United States Custom House.
Fort Allen Park
The vehicle passes through Fort Allen Park, offering views of Casco Bay and the Calendar Islands. The park has memorials from the Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War II.
Eastern Promenade Trail
Guests see Victorian-era homes once owned by sea captains and merchants, plus Eastern Promenade Park with wide views of Casco Bay, islands, and historic forts.
Portland Observatory
The group views the Portland Observatory, the only remaining maritime signal tower in the United States.
Eastern Cemetery
The guide shares stories and legends about Eastern Cemetery, Portland’s oldest cemetery, established in 1668.
Congress Street
The tour passes busy Congress Street, showing Portland’s downtown, Monument Square, and the arts district.
The Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception
Guests see the neo-Gothic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1869, which dominates Portland’s skyline.
The First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist
The tour passes the city’s oldest church, the First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist, with history highlighted by the guide.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Guests view the childhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, where he wrote his early poetry.
Arts District
The tour includes Portland’s downtown Arts District, known for its galleries and cultural sites.
Portland Museum of Art
Visitors see one of New England’s finest art museums and learn about its exhibits.
One Longfellow Square
The group passes the statue of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in Portland in 1807.
Victoria Mansion
Guests see Victoria Mansion, a leading example of 19th-century Italianate brownstone architecture in the U.S.
Fort Williams Park
The vehicle enters Fort Williams Park, considered one of Maine’s most beautiful parks, and stops near Portland Head Light.
Portland Head Light
Guests have about 20 minutes to walk around Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S., and explore the surrounding Fort Williams Park coastline.
20 min
Fort Preble
The tour drives near Fort Preble, one of the oldest forts in Casco Bay, with historical information provided.
5 min
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Guests stop briefly for photos at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and its 900-foot breakwater.
5 min
Bug Light Park
Visitors see panoramic views of the Portland skyline from Bug Light Park, located across the bay.
Liberty Ship Memorial
The tour briefly stops by the Liberty Ship Memorial, honoring shipbuilders who worked here during World War II.
Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
Guests take a photo stop at Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Bug Light for its small size.
5 min
John Ford Statue
The group views the John Ford Statue, honoring the famous film director with ties to Portland.
Old Port
The tour concludes with a drive through Portland’s Old Port district, a busy downtown and waterfront area with shops, restaurants, and bars.
Meeting point
Please arrive at 96 Commercial Street (in front of the Casco Variety Store) at least 10-15 min before your tour time. The tour departs from the tour bus parking spot next to the US Customs House, which is located directly across the street from the Casco Variety Store.
End point
Please arrive at 96 Commercial Street (in front of the Casco Variety Store) at least 10-15 min before your tour time. The tour departs from the tour bus parking spot next to the US Customs House, which is located directly across the street from the Casco Variety Store.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.