Top Portland Culture

Explore the heart of Portland and head out to see some of the area's hidden gems and less-visited spots with this guided sightseeing tour. Your guide, a born-and-raised Portlander who works as a college librarian by day, shows you off-the-beaten-path locations and shares with you all sorts of local lore along the way.

Experience Portland's rich history from its most impressive vantage point: the water. Adventuring along Diamond Pass, you'll glimpse a Civil War–era fort, old-school lobster boats, and all the lighthouses Portland is so famous for, including Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest. Suitable for all ages, this excursion is both a dive into Portland's past and a sightseeing adventure, a two-fer that’s leisurely, scenic, and fun.

Get more out of your time in Portland with this two-for-one adventure: a city trolley tour and lighthouse visit. You'll start with a narrated trolley journey, witnessing the most beloved sights of the Portland peninsula. After catching the Portland Observatory, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, and more, you’ll then visit the city’s most famous landmark: Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest—and most photographed—lighthouse.

Relax and unwind at sunset on this guided cruise of Casco Bay, Maine. Set off from the city of Portland and listen as your guide narrates your journey, sharing interesting facts and history about the area as you pass lighthouses and former military forts. It’s an ideal way to end a busy sightseeing day or begin a romantic evening.

With this small-group walking tour, you'll go beyond lobsters and lighthouses and get a look at the true Portland, Maine—across 400 years of history. Meander downtown and the Old Port, visiting hidden landmarks and learning about Wabanaki leaders and other people and events left out of the history books. Discover centuries of destruction, revival, underrepresented perspectives, and other elements that mainstream tours gloss over.

Half maritime adventure, half sightseeing exploration, the best way to catch Portland’s history is from the water. Gliding along Diamond Pass, you’ll catch views of Civil War–era forts, historic lighthouses, and likely some lobster boats bobbing in the breeze. Perfect for all ages, you’ll get to know the city and its maritime heritage, all while taking in its most scenic side.

Avoid the tourist traps and taste Portland, Maine's best donuts on a small-group walking tour. Follow your guide around the Old Port and sample several hand-picked donuts at award-winning bakeries with coffee or water included. Walk a scenic loop while hearing stories of Portland’s history and the invention of the donut. This tour offers a flavorful mix of food and local tales, perfect for food lovers and families alike.

Food lovers can explore Portland's historic Old Port independently, but to uncover the best places serving traditional local fare, you really need a guide to lead the way. Taste the best that Portland has to offer on this guided foodie walking tour, complete with stops at up to seven different eateries—and enough tastings to replace a meal. Along the way, your guide offers some stories about Portland's food scene, so you can get familiar with the local culinary stalwarts.

Dive straight into Portland’s working waterfront—where the smell of the sea, and the bustle of the wharves, set the tone for an unforgettable walk through the city’s past. This immersive experience blends local history with maritime culture, offering a deeper look at how Portland grew from a rugged seaport into one of New England’s most vibrant coastal cities. As you stroll the cobblestone streets and working wharfs, your guide will share tales of shipbuilders, merchants, fires, and fishermen who shaped Portland’s story.

Experience the scenic coastline of Casco Bay in Portland, aboard a traditional Maine windjammer. Sail past lighthouses, rocky islands, and wildlife while enjoying the peaceful pace of a classic schooner cruise. Bring your own picnic and drinks to enjoy on board as you take in the views. Suitable for all ages, this relaxing sailing experience offers an authentic way to discover the beauty of the coast.

Visitors to Portland can easily miss some of Maine's most stunning sights, since you really need a car to explore the scenic coastline. Avoid the headache of arranging your own transportation or renting a car on this small-group guided tour of Portland's must-see sights. Stop in downtown Portland and visit three lighthouses, including Portland Head Light—an historic lighthouse perched on the rocky coast.

Learn about Portland's history with this walking tour, which will take you through the Old Port, downtown, and waterfront areas. You'll see all sorts of historic attractions, including the home of Hendry Wadsworth-Longfellow, the Eastern Cemetery, and the Abyssinian Church, all with a professional guide on hand to share stories about the city's past.

This isn’t just another sightseeing trip—it’s a curated journey through Maine’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems, woven together into one unforgettable day. From the elegance of Portland Head Light, the nation’s most photographed lighthouse, to the playful charm of Eartha, the world’s largest rotating globe, every stop reveals a different facet of Maine’s character. Guests walk a historic suspension bridge built by the engineers of the Brooklyn Bridge, explore the state’s proud maritime heritage in Bath, and visit the legendary L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport. What sets this tour apart is the balance of scenery, history, and culture: stunning coastal views, hands-on heritage at museums and memorials, and Maine icons you won’t find grouped together anywhere else. And because it’s a shorter itinerary, it’s the perfect choice for cruise ship passengers or travelers with limited time who still want a rich, memorable Maine experience.

On this smartphone-guided adventure, you'll see Portland’s historic streets and discover its stories. Go at your own pace, anytime. The tour never expires. The tour is professionally produced with pro narration and music. It's location-aware walking step by step through the city. You’ll see the cobblestones streets, wharf street, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s home, stops on the underground railroad, city hall, exchange street, the lobster square, historic buildings, and the best spots to eat, including the best donut shop ever. Really, it’s that good. You'll hear the stories of Portland, Anna Kendrick’s favorite hangs, Longfellow’s history, stories of lighthouses, adventure, prohibition, bootleggers, the underground railroad, Japanese mailboxes, the revolution, colonial times, and much more.

Explore the Portland Peninsula by bike with this small-group guided tour. Start at the Eastern Promenade, making your way along the waterfront bike path until you reach the Back Cove Trail. Your guide takes you to the Old Port to see some of the City of Portland's prettiest old brick buildings, and you learn the significance of local food, history, and culture of this area.

Maine's Black community is small, but its history here goes back more than 400 years. On this guided tour, you’ll dive deep into Portland’s Black history, discovering how this community—national leaders, laborers, skilled workers, activists, and more—fought for freedom and equality and defined the state's path. From Frederick Douglass to lesser-known Black Yankees, there’s far more here than meets the eye, and with this tour, you’ll learn all about it.

Embark on a boat to a private island historic fort that’s only accessible with this tour. Leave from Portland and for a boat ride on Casco Bay, landing at the privately owned Fort Scammel on House Island. There, explore the architecture and preserved ruins of the stone fort—the only fort in the Portland harbor to see battle. Discover underground passages and learn the history of this previously inaccessible site.

On this walking tour, we’ll explore the city’s significant role in the Underground Railroad and the individuals who helped shape its fight for freedom. The tour is self guided on our walking tour app. It's hands free, plays as you walk and you can go at your own pace, anytime, it never expires. You’ll walk through historic streets where ordinary citizens took extraordinary risks to assist those escaping slavery. We’ll visit former homes, churches, and workplaces that served as safe havens and meeting places for abolitionists, reformers, and community leaders. Each stop demonstrates how Portland’s waterfront and neighborhoods became centers of courage, compassion, and quiet resistance. Let’s start our journey at the Mariner’s Church Banquet Center, a landmark that saw both Portland’s growth and its dedication to justice.

Few things are more beautiful than a majestic sunset. However to see it from the waters of Portland's magnificent Casco Bay is a truly remarkable experience. Whether a first-time kayaker or experienced hand, this 2-hour tour offers phenomenal vistas of Portland harbor and cityscsape. Your only neighbors are your guide, your small group and the wildlife as you leisurely paddle back to shore.

Maine is known for its seafood, and with this tour, you'll get to learn all about the industry, with the chance to sample some local delicacies along the way. You'll take a walk along the waterfront where lobster boats dock to unload their catches before heading out to a lunch of lobster rolls served with clam or seafood chowder and craft beer or soda pop.

Experience historic architecture, harbor views, and rich seaside culture with this driving tour of Portland, Maine! Cross the cobbled streets of Old Port, chock full of shops, restaurants, and bars, all complemented by the sparkling bay. Dive into the city’s long and embattled history at a church still sporting British cannonballs. See iconic Maine lighthouses and visit pristine beaches. Portland may be a small city, but it packs a big punch! Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Discover the vibrant history of Portland’s Old Port on this engaging walking tour. Wander through cobblestone alleys and merchant blocks rich with stories of sailors, reformers, and immigrants. Learn about the Portland Freedom Trail, which honors the city’s fight for freedom and civil rights. The tour showcases the Old Port’s architectural charm and its transformation from a bustling shipping hub to a cultural center. Experience the tales of resilience embedded in its streets, from the Great Fire of 1866 to the revitalization efforts of the 1970s. Join fellow history enthusiasts for a memorable journey through Portland’s past and present. — Explore the historic Old Port district, a cultural and commercial hub — Walk along the Portland Freedom Trail, learning about civil rights — Discover stories of resilience, fire, and maritime life — Ideal for history lovers and those curious about Portland's heritage

All of our tours are done in a comfortable vehicle with a local driver guide and can be done at your pace. Tours can always be customized to your interests. This particular tour will show you all the main sites of Portland proper and then all of the South Portland lighthouses, including admission to the Portland Headlight at Fort Williams Park. After Portland, you will head on down the highway to Kennebunkport to visit this popular coastal village that former President George W. Bush and family called their summer home. We have a standard routing but being a private tour, we can tailor your experience to you interests.