From US$54 per person
Book tickets on Viator (opens in a new tab): Portland, Maine: Hidden Histories Guided Walking TourYou book and pay on viator.com. Inclusable may earn a commission.
5.0 / 5 from 674 reviews on Viator
- Group size
- Up to 15
- Language
- English
- Rating on Viator
- 5.0 / 5 · 674 reviews
About this tour
Meet Portland and the people—of all backgrounds and identities—whose wit and grit have made Maine's largest city what it is today. Your locally-raised guide will captivate you with extraordinary, exciting, and surprising stories largely left out of the history books. Get ready to broaden your sense of what Portland and Maine have been and could be.
Brick sidewalks beneath your feet and beautiful Victorian-era buildings nestled around you, we'll casually stroll Portland’s lush, historic Old Port toward the sparkling waters of Casco Bay. We’ll see where Indigenous Wabanaki leaders made their earliest relationships with European colonizers and walk together through the centuries.
Enjoy an inclusive, empowering, and surprising constellation of tales that offers a welcome contrast to the more obvious themes you’re likely to experience on other tours. You'll enjoy 2 hours of narration over a 1.5-mile route with owner and guide, Dugan Murphy. He is Portland's top-rated guide on TripAdvisor!
Accessibility, as stated by the supplier
- Wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair-accessible surfaces
- Wheelchair-accessible transport
- Stroller accessible
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.
Provided through Viator and not verified by Inclusable. Ask the supplier about your specific needs before you book.
Itinerary
View itinerary · 14 stopsHide itinerary
- 1
You and your guide Dugan will walk the downtown district, visiting major landmarks and a few hidden gems. Your guide Dugan will highlight unsung heroes and folks too often left out of the history books.(45 min)
- 2
Meet the woman who, a century ago, lived as her true self and improved the lives of Mainers around her, against all odds.(pass by)
- 3
Appreciate the architecture and hear the stories not captured in plaques and statues.(pass by)
- 4
Marvel at the resilience of Indigenous nations who survived colonialism and are skillfully navigating diplomatic relationships in the modern day.(pass by)
- 5
Hidden stories are revealed about the folks not recognized by Portland's largest monument.(pass by)
- 6
See the oldest building in downtown Portland and hear a surprising story about its world-famous inhabitant.(pass by)
- 7
Follow Dugan through Portland's Old Port, uncovering hidden histories of the city and her people. You'll learn about people from all backgrounds and identities whose grit and ingenuity made the city what it is today.(45 min)
- 8
Learn the complicated history of one of Portland's most famous sons.(pass by)
- 9
See beautiful Victorian buildings and learn about the largely forgotten history-makers who once inhabited them.(pass by)
- 10
Discover the often complicated relationship between stevedores, captains, shipowners, and common sailors in 19th-century Portland.(pass by)
- 11
You and Dugan will stroll through the waterfront district along Commercial Street, discovering the people and economic forces that forged it. Get ready for an inclusive, empowering, and surprising constellation of tales that offers a welcome contrast to the more obvious themes you’re likely to experience on other tours.(30 min)
- 12
Learn what the other tours aren't telling you about the global implications of Portland's industrial and maritime histories.(pass by)
- 13
See the picturesque working waterfront and discover the female figures who got left out of the history books.(pass by)
- 14
Hear how changing federal policies have impacted life in this port city over the centuries.(pass by)
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pets are not allowed on tours unless medically required.
- Portland is a hilly city. Participants will walk uphill sometimes, along some cobblestones, up a staircase of 6 steps, and down two staircases (24 steps total).
Included
- 10% off water tours with Portland Paddle (instructions at confirmation)
- Two hour fully narrated guided tour.
- Donation toward restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, America's third-oldest standing Black church
Not included
- A tip for your guide!
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Location & contact
- Area
- Portland, Maine
- 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
- Contact
- The tour operator’s own details aren’t published. Questions about access or your booking go through Viator, which handles the booking and passes your request to the operator.
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