Portland Explorer | Maine History, Culture, & 3 Lighthouses Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Portland, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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 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.
- Tour Portland's top sights, and working waterfront, with a local lobsterman
- Visit Commercial Street, the Old Port District, and Portland Head Light
- Enjoy a personal experience on the tour, with no more than 10 travelers
- Easily find your group, with a meet-up in the heart of the Old Port District
What's Included
- Umbrella to use if needed
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Mobile device charging
- Visits to three historic lighthouses
- Gratuity not included
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Portland Beer Hub320 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Arrive 15 MINUTES before the start time of your tour. Meet inside of the retail store, Portland Beer Hub (320 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101), in downtown Portland's Old Port.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
320 Fore St (Pass By)
1
Portland Head Light
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Bug Light Park
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Commercial Street (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Tour pick up is approximately 10 minutes walking from cruise ship terminal, less than 1/2 mile.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended to enjoy the full experience at the lighthouse!
- This tour is fully on land. We will be driving in a high-end van.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 956 reviews
Terence_M, Apr 2026
Wonderful tour of very interesting sights. Local guide was informative and friendly. Very much recommended this tour.
Response from Host, May 2026
We're so happy to hear that you had a good time on the tour! Portland's history and culture are so unique and we're incredibly proud to be able to highlight them. There's a lot to do here, so we hope you consider another tour if you find yourself in the neighborhood!
Ofelia_C, Apr 2026
John was so funny and friendly! He struck the perfect balance between chatting with us and giving us space to explore and the tour itself is the perfect length. You hit three gorgeous spots in about 90 minutes and you even get a complimentary 5 oz beer pour with every ticket. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We're so thrilled to hear that you had a great time on the Lighthouse Tour! Our landscape and history are truly remarkable, and we know how much our guides love talking about them. John's one of the best in the game at keeping things informative yet fun, so we're happy to hear you had a good time with him. Hope to see you on a tour next time you're in town!
Kimberly_B, Apr 2026
Four people registered for the experience. While John was driving, he shared interesting and historic information about Portland and the three lighthouses we visited. At each lighthouse, we were given time to take take pictures, explore the grounds, stretch our legs, and ask John questions. John was very knowledgeable, engaging and fun!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words, and we're so happy to see that you had a great time with John on the Lighthouse Tour! We're beyond thankful to have him on our team. Balancing the knowledge and the engagement is his forte. There's a lot more to do in the area, so we hope to see you on another tour next time you're in the area!
Colleen_M, Apr 2026
Our tour guide was wonderful- very knowledgeable about the history and area. The tour was great in spite of the rainy weather and would recommend. The meeting spot is a great place and staff was so welcoming- great selection of local beers too!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi there Colleen,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for joining us on the lighthouse tour! We're happy you had a good time despite the weather, but it's not always so rainy, so we hope to see you for another tour sometime in the future!
William_C, Mar 2026
If you don’t have a lot of time, but want to see and learn as much as you can about Portland, this is the tour for you!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the kind words! We’re glad the tour worked well for your schedule and that you were able to learn a lot about our amazing city. We appreciate you joining us and hope we’ll get to show you even more of Portland the next time you’re in town!
Paula_B, Dec 2025
This was basically transportation to the 3 lighthouses with a little history. The tour we actually would have enjoyed more was already booked by the time we decided to go
Parking in the area where the tour starts is expensive.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for joining us. We appreciate your perspective and will keep it in mind as we continue refining our tours and their descriptions. If you’re back in Portland in the future, we’d love the chance to host you again on one of our other tours!
Teresa_B, Nov 2025
We enjoyed this lighthouse tour it was our first time in the area and will return and choose this company.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
So glad your first visit to the area included some time out at the lighthouses with us — that’s always a special way to get to know Portland. We’d love to have you back the next time you’re in town. Thank you, Teresa!
Julie_O, Nov 2025
This was a fantastic tour and very informative. Tour guide Chris was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of history about the lighthouses and the area.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Love hearing that Chris helped bring the history of the area to life for you — he’s got a real knack for mixing facts with fun stories, and it sounds like that came through on your tour. Glad the lighthouse stops hit the mark for you. Thank you for joining us on your visit!
Jennifer_B, Nov 2025
2 hours was the perfect amount of time. Very informative. Comfortable van. You need to request water from guide.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Jennifer, thank you for joining us and for sharing your review! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the tour, found it informative, and felt comfortable along the way.
That’s great feedback about water—we’ll make sure our guides are reminding guests about it at the start of each tour. We really appreciate you pointing that out and hope to welcome you back next time you’re in Portland!
Emily_C, Oct 2025
Great overview of Portland en route to three great lighthouses. The tour is well paced with an appropriate amount of time spent at each lighthouse. Joe is very personable and the 5 Oz pour ant the Beer Hub afterward was a great bonus.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much, Emily! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the balance of sightseeing and history — and that Joe made the tour feel personal and fun. Ending with a 5oz pour at the Beer Hub is always the perfect finish!
Bernadette_B, Oct 2025
Lighthouse experience only. Our guide Eric was very knowledgeable about the local lighthouses and the historic value of each.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much, Bernadette! We’re glad you enjoyed the lighthouse tour and Eric’s stories about Portland’s coastal history. It’s such a special part of Maine to explore — appreciate you joining us!
James_R, Oct 2025
Great tour today with Eric! Thank you so much for welcoming us to Portland and taking us for a beautiful tour- filled with incredible vistas and engaging facts/stories! We would highly recommend this experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us and for the kind words! I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed your tour! I love sharing Portland’s incredible views, stories, and local history. It’s always rewarding to know our guests leave with great memories and a deeper appreciation for this beautiful city. All the best down in New Orleans! Give Mary my best! Sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on another Portland Explorer adventure! -Eric
Christina_B, Oct 2025
This was a great short lighthouse tour. My parents are not able to get around much and this tour was perfect for them. Jeff was very knowledgeable and Christopher was a great host at the pub. Would recommend this tour for anyone who wants to see lighthouse's up close.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining our lighthouse tour! We’re so glad to hear that Jeff and Christopher made your experience comfortable and memorable. Our goal is to make the tour enjoyable for everyone, and it sounds like it was the perfect fit for your family. We appreciate your recommendation and hope you’ll visit us again the next time you’re in Portland!
George_W, Oct 2025
Pete did an excellent job on this tour! He was kind and very knowledgeable. He also gave us tips on food places and Gilbert’s Chowder House was great and by the port.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us on your Portland Explorer tour! We’re thrilled to hear Pete made your experience both fun and informative, he truly loves sharing local history and great food tips. Gilbert’s Chowder House is a classic Old Port favorite, and we’re glad you enjoyed it! We hope to see you again for another adventure around Portland’s waterfront and lighthouses.
Hubert_H, Oct 2025
Eric was great and very informative. It was worth it . The weather was a little chilly but he more than made
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us on your tour! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring with Eric, his knowledge and enthusiasm truly bring Portland’s history and scenery to life. Even on a chilly day, it’s great to hear he made the experience more than worth it. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again soon for another adventure!
Christine_J, Oct 2025
Excellent mix of history, humor and lighthouses! Personal small group. High energy tour guide. Very familiar with Portland.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the perfect mix of history, humor, and lighthouses. Our small-group format and passionate guides make exploring Portland’s charm even more personal, and we’re so glad you appreciated the energy and local knowledge on your tour. We hope to see you again for another adventure soon!
Joseph_P, Oct 2025
Eric and Jeff great team of tour guides. Getting greated with a dram of beer... 3 light houses, lots of knowledge given of the area.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for joining us on your Portland Explorer tour! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring the lighthouses and that Eric and Jeff made such a great team in sharing local knowledge and fun along the way. Starting off with some craft beer at the Portland Beer Hub is always a great way to begin the adventure! We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another Maine experience soon.
Paul_A, Oct 2025
Personal, detailed tour. Small size and comfortable ride. Would definitely recommend for other travelers. Free
Beer too at meet up bar☺️.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for exploring with us! We're so glad you enjoyed the small-group experience and the comfortable ride. It’s wonderful to hear you appreciated the local history, our guide’s personal touch, and of course, the cold beer at the Portland Beer Hub! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
Momi_W, Oct 2025
Eric Pray was our driver/guide. He was excellent and passionate about every aspect of the tour from the check-in process to the end.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us on your Portland Explorer tour! We're delighted to hear that Eric made your experience such a memorable one. His passion for Portland and dedication to every detail of the tour truly shine through, and we’re thrilled it left such a great impression. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another Maine adventure soon!
Lisa_G, Oct 2025
Pete Webber our guide was FANTASTIC....great stories with an honest yet fun delivery. Went the extra mile to get a poem "Once Upon a Puffin" his grandmother once recited when I asked about the Puffin population in Maine.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear Pete made your experience so memorable, his storytelling and genuine connection to Maine truly shine through on every tour. We especially love that he shared his grandmother’s poem “Once Upon a Puffin”, such a special and personal touch! We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We hope to welcome you back on another Portland Explorer adventure soon!
jlt0914, Oct 2025
I expected more content. Love the Portland, beer hub, and love the lighthouses. Just wanted a little bit more.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for joining us on your Portland Explorer tour and for taking the time to share your feedback. We're so glad you enjoyed visiting Portland’s beautiful lighthouses and starting off at the Portland Beer Hub! We appreciate your honesty and will definitely take your comments about adding more content to heart as we continue to enhance our guest experience. We hope to welcome you back again to explore even more of what makes Portland so special!
Marilyn_T, Oct 2025
Pete was so informative and pleasant to listen to. The van was comfortable and not cramped. We enjoyed our tour and would go again.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a comfortable and enjoyable experience with Pete as your guide. He truly enjoys sharing Portland’s history and charm, and it’s wonderful to know that came through on your tour. We appreciate your kind words and would love to welcome you back again on your next visit to Maine!
Marsha_D, Oct 2025
Excellent tour of three lighthouses. Our guide was Peter and he was very informative. Beautiful coastline.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for joining us on your lighthouse tour! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring Portland’s stunning coastline and learning more about the area’s history with Peter. He’s passionate about sharing Maine’s maritime stories, and it’s wonderful to know that came through on your tour. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again for another adventure along the coast!
Ann_S, Oct 2025
This was a great tour. Easy to find location. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable. We took the afternoon tour. Pete W was experienced in the area and gave great recommendations for restaurants in the area next to the port.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us on your Portland Explorer tour! We’re so glad you enjoyed the experience and found the check-in location easy to find. It’s great to hear that Pete made your afternoon both informative and fun, he truly knows all the best local restaurant spots near the port! We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again on your next visit to Maine.
Scott_C, Oct 2025
Eric was knowledgeable and had an answer to all of our questions and the lighthouses were geat. He recommended a few places to eat.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for joining us on your Portland Explorer lighthouse tour! We're so glad you enjoyed visiting the lighthouses and that Eric made your experience informative and fun. He loves sharing his local knowledge, especially when it comes to great places to eat! We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another Maine adventure soon.
Kimberly_H, Oct 2025
Our guide was Gary and he was really great! He was very knowledgeable about the area. We really enjoyed the tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for joining us on your Portland Explorer tour! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed your experience and that Gary made it both fun and informative. He truly loves sharing his knowledge of Portland and its history with visitors. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
Connie_R, Oct 2025
The owner and the tour conductors were very friendly and organized. We were in Portland for only a short stopover while on a cruise. We had beautiful, sunny weather, and it was really nice of the tour conductor to offer ice cold water while on the tour. We saw three lighthouses, but it was disappointing that we couldn't go inside them, and for one of them, we couldn't even get up close to it. We also felt that, even though the van had comfortable seats and good a/c, it was a little too crowded with all of us 3 or 4 to a row. Overall, though, I would recommend this tour if you want to a quick, general tour of some lighthouses in Portland.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for joining us during your stop in Portland and for taking the time to share your experience! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the beautiful weather, the comfort of the van, and our team’s hospitality. We appreciate your feedback about lighthouse access and seating — many of Portland’s historic lighthouses are only viewable from the grounds for preservation and safety reasons, as well as one day a year on Maine Lighthouse day in September. We understand how great it would be to explore inside! Your comments help us continue to improve, and we’re glad you’d recommend our tour for others looking for a scenic and informative experience. We hope to welcome you back again someday for more time to explore!
Barbara_C, Sep 2025
Very knowledgeable guide and answered every question thoroughly. The van was a bit warm we sat in the back.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re so glad to hear your guide was knowledgeable and thorough in answering all your questions. We also appreciate your note about the van temperature and will keep that in mind to make future rides more comfortable. We’re grateful you joined us and hope to welcome you back for another Portland adventure!
Lisa_B, Sep 2025
Beautiful weather. Our guide, Jeff, was knowledgable, friendly and all in all a great guide.
Thank you Jeff for a great experience
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear you had beautiful weather and that Jeff made your tour memorable with his knowledge and friendly personality. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We’re so glad you joined us and hope to welcome you back for another Portland adventure soon!
Cindy_R, Sep 2025
Loved Peter & him being a local very informative! Gave us local history that we wouldnʻt have known!!!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed your time with Peter. His local knowledge and passion for Portland’s history make him a fantastic guide, and we’re thrilled he was able to share stories you might not have discovered otherwise. We appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again on another tour!
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