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A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland

Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Portland, USA
Great choice
10+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8
·
· Amber_T ·
Oct 2025
We had an amazing walking tour. Just enough information to digest. 100% recommend. The light rain made it even better.
· Elizabeth_C ·
Oct 2025
Ross is truly the best tour guide in Portland. A great blend of history, some architecture and fantastic sights. He knows his stuff! Don't hesitate, book it!

Overview

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.
  • Learn about history on a walking tour of Portland
  • A local guide will share stories of the city's past
  • Snacks will be provided to participants
  • Group sizes capped at 20 participants

What's Included

  • Two hour - closer to two and a quarter duration
  • Snacks
    You will be treated to a sweet treat at the end of the tour.
  • Your tip to your guide is not included. The suggested gratuity is 20%.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Andy's Old Port Pub
    94 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, USA

    Your guide will meet you inside the hidden door at 94 Commercial Street, Andy's Old Port Pub.

End point

  • Commercial Street
    Commercial St, Portland, ME, USA

    The last stop on the tour is the Standard Baking Company.

Operating hours
.10:00 am

Itinerary

1

Lobsterman Park

5 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

2

Old Port

2 hours Admission Ticket Not Included

Market Street (Pass By)

Congress Street (Pass By)

The Wadsworth-Longfellow House (Pass By)

Portland City Hall (Pass By)

Portland Observatory (Pass By)

Eastern Cemetery (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Please use a parking garage or lot NOT parking meters
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8
based on 499 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Portland History Tour with Ross

Rosemary_O, Jan 2026
Portland history tour in the winter! Ross was fantastic and made learning about this great city memorable. Best walking tour, even with frigid temps!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for braving the winter weather with us! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the Portland history tour and that Ross made the experience both memorable and engaging—even in frigid temperatures. We truly appreciate your kind words and are thrilled to hear it was the best walking tour you’ve taken. We hope to see you again in a warmer season… or bundled up for another winter adventure!

This was an awesome tour....

Athena_B, Jan 2026
This was an excellent tour. The guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, offering an engaging account of Portland’s history and the experiences of early settlers through the 1900s.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for the kind review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and that our guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge helped bring Portland’s history to life. Sharing the stories of early settlers through the 1900s is one of our favorite parts of the experience, and we’re glad it resonated with you. We hope to welcome you back for another tour soon!

Portland ME History by Foot

Rose_C, Dec 2025
We did a walking tour through old Portland. Even though it was frigid outside, we bundled up and our guide kept us so fascinated with historical facts we didn’t even notice! Tyler was an excellent guide and is very passionate about the history of this City. His passion was infectious. And, at the end of the tour, he presented us with delicious chocolate chip cookies from a local bakery!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Tyler is one of our best and we are thrilled you got to experience one of his tours! So glad you enjoyed it! Please come back anytime!

The tour was very...

Marylynn_S, Nov 2025
The tour was very informative and our guide was extremely knowledgeable of Portland history and architecture! I highly recommend this walking tour!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your 5-star review of your tour and your guide! We truly appreciate it!

Tyler- exceptional guide! Amazing tour!

Peter_L, Nov 2025
This was an amazing experience our guide Tyler was so well read and obviously has a deep passion for history. He was a story teller who studies his craft through podcasts and avid reading so he can share unique historical facts about Portland. He has an amazing ability to draw you in to his narrative so you feel like you have been taken back in time! I would highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your Walk Through Time tour with Tyler. His passion for Portland’s history and storytelling truly brings the city’s past to life, and we’re so glad that came through during your experience. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you on another Maine Day Ventures tour soon!

Fun morning

Leigh_K, Oct 2025
Ross was an awesome guide!!! Very knowledgeable and fun, he made sure to answer all of my son’s questions

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled that Ross made the tour enjoyable and engaging for both you and your son. It’s great to hear he was able to answer all of your questions and make the experience memorable. We hope to welcome you back for another Maine Day Ventures adventure soon!

Great tour

Amber_T, Oct 2025
We had an amazing walking tour. Just enough information to digest. 100% recommend. The light rain made it even better.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the walking tour and found the amount of information just right. It’s great that the light rain added to the experience—it can make exploring even more atmospheric! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on another Maine Day Ventures tour.

Yes, Do It!!

Matt_O, Oct 2025
Great way to see the city, learn the Historical relevance, and get your bearings! Would highly reccomend. Ross was great, a wealth of information and very entertaining!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your review! It’s fantastic to hear that Ross made Portland’s history come alive while keeping things entertaining. Sounds like the tour gave you a clear sense of the city and its story—glad it hit the perfect balance of learning and exploring!

Best tour in the state

Elizabeth_C, Oct 2025
Ross is truly the best tour guide in Portland. A great blend of history, some architecture and fantastic sights. He knows his stuff! Don't hesitate, book it!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your glowing review! We’re thrilled to hear that Ross made such a strong impression with his knowledge of history, architecture, and Portland’s sights. Your enthusiasm is much appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back on another Maine Day Ventures tour soon!

Great Tour!

Kevin_K, Oct 2025
This was a great tour. Ross did an amazing job in telling us the history and some of the back stories associated with Portland.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your review! We’re so glad to hear that Ross made the tour enjoyable with his storytelling and in-depth knowledge of Portland’s history. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another Maine Day Ventures tour soon!

This was the best tour of...

sj4bs, Sep 2025
This was the best tour of our two week vacation! I am sorry I do not remember our guide's name but he was a tall lanky young man who had an immense knowledge of the history of Portland and was fun and interesting to listen to. It is a don't miss experience.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that A Walk Through Time was the highlight of your vacation. Our guides take great pride in bringing Portland’s history to life, and it’s wonderful to know your guide’s knowledge and storytelling made the experience so memorable. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on another adventure in the future!

Great walk with a great guide

Lawrence_S, Sep 2025
The guide was so knowledgeable and really made the history come alive. Unlike other guides he told us when he could not confirm something through the available evidence. How refreshing to really be able to learn and enjoy real history instead of a string of anecdotes that may or may not be true. . One of the best tour guides I have ever experienced and he deserves this five star rating,

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you, Lawrence, for such a wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed A Walk Through Time and appreciated your guide’s approach to sharing Portland’s history. Accuracy and storytelling are both so important to us, and it’s great to hear that his honesty and knowledge made the experience stand out. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him—he’ll be thrilled to know he left such a strong impression.

Essential for first-time Portland visitors

Carol_B, Sep 2025
Terrific walking tour … provided a great historical overview along with tips for activities and dining.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the historical overview and found the local tips for dining and activities useful. It’s always our goal to give a full picture of Portland, and we’re happy you had a great experience!

Wonderful walking tour.

Svetlana_K, Sep 2025
Anne was very knowledgeable about history of Portland. The tour was informative and fun at the same time.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you! We’re glad Anne’s knowledge made the history of Portland both fun and informative. We love hearing that you enjoyed the tour!

Tyler had a great...

kendall_P, Aug 2025
Tyler had a great speaking voice and presence. He had many tie bits of historic knowledge that we found fascinating.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your tour with Tyler—his engaging presence and wealth of historic knowledge really bring Portland’s stories to life. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him, and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon!

Call out to the “Port”!!!

Alison_S, Aug 2025
What great tour guide, very knowledgeable and engaging! What a nice length to the tour - just right.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your guide and found the tour length just right. We always aim for that perfect balance of history, stories, and fun—glad it hit the mark for you!

Todd is a fantastic...

david_s, Aug 2025
Todd is a fantastic guide--extremely knowledgeable, articulate, and entertaining. We could not have had a better experience.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Walk Through Time Tour with Ty. His knowledge, storytelling, and enthusiasm make Portland’s history come alive, and we’re so glad he made your tour memorable. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another tour soon!

History lovers delight

Christina_O, Aug 2025
I love history and I LOVED this tour! Ross was an great tour. We seen so much and a few secert spots too! Wonderful way to start a tour of the city.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear you loved your tour with Ross and enjoyed discovering both the history and a few hidden gems along the way. What a great way to kick off your time in the city—we hope to see you again on another tour soon!

An Incredible Experience

Tom_L, Aug 2025
Ross, the guide, was absolutely fabulous! We learned a huge amount about Portland and its history. I would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tour with Ross and learned so much about Portland’s history. Your recommendation means a lot, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!

Very Cool Experience

Philip_M, Aug 2025
Very happy with the experience. Ty was an amazing guide. He was able to make vast amounts of history relatable and fun. I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Portland for the first time.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

We’re so glad Ty made Portland’s history feel less like a textbook and more like a binge-worthy series you didn’t want to end. First-time visitors like you make it even more fun—thanks for letting us be your “season one” introduction to the city!

Great historical overview

Margaret_A, Jul 2025
Tyler was a great guide and was very knowledgeable. We had a group larger than his normal and he did a great job with all of us.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your kind words! We’re glad to hear that Tyler handled the larger group with ease and shared his knowledge so effectively. He truly strives to make every tour enjoyable, no matter the size. We hope to welcome you back for another great experience soon!

A Portland walk with Tyler

mark_D, Jul 2025
Make sure you have the correct meeting spot, we somehow downloaded an incorrect address and were a bit late. It was an informative walk, Tyler knew his stuff and shared just enough to make it interesting and not overwhelming.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your feedback! We’re sorry to hear there was some confusion with the meeting spot, but we’re glad Tyler’s knowledge and pacing made the walk enjoyable and informative. We appreciate your thoughtful review and hope to welcome you back for another great experience—next time with a smooth start!

Great tour. Really...

Monique_A, Jul 2025
Great tour. Really enjoyed getting to know Portland more. Would definitely do it again. Appreciated that he was well read and knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for the kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and got to know Portland a bit better. It’s wonderful to hear that you appreciated your guide’s knowledge—we’d love to have you join us again anytime!

Our tour guide was...

Courtney_G, Jul 2025
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging! He even gave us his card in case we had any questions during our stay and provided us with delicious restaurant recommendations. I highly recommend this tour if visiting the Portland area.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for the lovely review! We're thrilled to hear your guide was both knowledgeable and engaging—and that you found the restaurant recommendations helpful during your stay. We always aim to go the extra mile, and we’re so glad that came through. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again in Portland!

Great walk and informative tour.

Cathy_B, Jun 2025
Our tour guide was great! Nice and informative. Loved it. Whole group was great. Walk was not too short and not too long.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your kind words! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour guide’s informative approach and that the group and walk length were just right. We hope to see you again for another great experience soon!

Great dive into historical Portland

Shannon_B, Jun 2025
Tyler was a great guide for this walking history tour. He knew so much about the area and covered lots of ground (~2 miles) without wearing anyone out. He was great a fielding questions from the group knowing lots of answers and also acknowledging if the answer was outside his knowledge. Clearly he loves Portland and sharing it with guests. We would tour with him again.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that Tyler’s passion for Portland and his deep knowledge made your “Walk Through Time” tour memorable. It’s great to know the pace was comfortable and that he handled questions so well. We look forward to welcoming you back for another tour with Tyler!

Great Walking Tour

Helen_M, Jun 2025
This was a fantastic walking tour of Portland. Very knowledgeable and very well spoken. We throughly enjoyed learning the history of Portland.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed the walking tour and found it both knowledgeable and engaging. It’s great to hear you thoroughly enjoyed learning about Portland’s rich history. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience soon!

Historical Portland Tour - Walking with John

Channing_W, Jun 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour with John. Learned alot about the origins of Portland. John was very knowledgeable, has an easy manner, and answered all of our (many) questions. The group was six people and we appreciated the small group. Thanks to John for making our first day in Portland interesting and fun!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for joining John’s walking tour! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed learning about Portland’s origins and appreciated the small group experience. John’s easy manner and knowledge truly make the tour special. We’re glad he made your first day in Portland both interesting and fun—hope to see you back for more adventures soon!

Portland history made interesting

Ann_W, Jun 2025
We learned so much from our tour guide, John, about Portland 's history. John did a great job of making the history come to life and was able to answer lots of questions. The tour starts close to the cruise ship docks, making this a convenient alternative to cruise ship excursions plus it is short enough to add on your own options.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for joining John’s tour and for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear that John brought Portland’s history to life and answered all your questions. Starting near the cruise ship docks is definitely a convenient perk, and it’s great that the tour fits perfectly into your day’s plans. We hope to welcome you back for more discoveries on your next visit!

Fun & Entertaining

Kim_L, Jun 2025
If you are looking for a fun experience where you learn a lot about Portland history this is for you. Ross was amazing! He made history fun and was entertaining. He’s like the mayor of the town and knows everyone so well got to check out places not on a normal tour. He made it personal which made us feel more connected to the city. We did this on our first day here which really gave us a lay of the land. He also gave us lots of restaurant suggestions and other things to do that we hadn’t planned. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Ross, the unofficial mayor of Portland, strikes again! 😄 We’re so glad you got to experience the city through his eyes—he does have a magical way of making history feel like a backstage pass. Sounds like you got the VIP tour and some bonus restaurant tips (he’s basically Yelp with charm). Thanks for making us part of your first day—we hope the rest of your trip was just as delicious and fun!

From $48.99

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 31 days in advance.

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