• Commercial Street - Portland’s Harbor, the waterway just navigated, is a “deep water” port that typically remains ice-free during winter. The Gulf of Maine experiences strong tides, which mix the water column and bring warmer, deeper water to the surface along the coast.

Note: This tour spans over 10 miles and covers Portland’s highlights in 2-3 hours.

Purchase once and enjoy for a year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.

• Victoria Mansion - This is Victoria Mansion, constructed by Ruggles Morse in 1858. It is considered “the finest example of Victorian art, architecture, and decoration.” Named after Britain’s Queen Victoria, it served as Morse’s summer residence.

• The Danforth - On the left, observe the vibrant brick rowhouses. Initially built for the servant class, these rowhouses have transformed into luxurious, expensive condominiums. Following numerous fires, brick became the primary building material throughout the city, replacing wood.

• West Street - The Maine Medical Center houses the Barbara Bush Children’s Wing. Mrs. Bush, wife of the 41st president and mother of the 43rd, spent much of her life in Kennebunkport, Maine, 30 miles south of Portland. She passed away in 2018. Mrs. Bush’s remarkable efforts in raising funds for children’s healthcare are honored in the Children’s Wing of the Maine Medical Center.

• One Longfellow Square - On the right side of the coach, you’ll pass Neal Dow’s home. A former Portland mayor, Neal Dow is recognized as the father of American Prohibition. In 1851, then-Mayor Dow enacted a statewide prohibition, banning the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, which later served as a model for National Prohibition.

• Arts District Garage - This is “Portland’s Arts District,” featuring numerous independent art galleries, working studios, coffee houses, and restaurants. Ahead on the right is the Portland Art Museum.

• Brown Street - Just beyond the unremarkable building on the right—the gray/brown Maine Historical Society headquarters—is the Wadsworth Longfellow House. Set slightly back from the road on the left, this brick building is where the poet grew up. Built after the Revolutionary War by Peleg Wadsworth, a Revolutionary War General and Henry Longfellow’s grandfather, it is the oldest brick house in Portland.

• Temple Street Parking Garage - On our left is the 1st Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, the oldest church in Portland. This is the second building to house this congregation.

• City of Portland, Maine - On the left is Portland’s City Hall, a stunning building for a small city. This is the third City Hall on this site, as the first two were destroyed by fire.

• Franklin Street - The tall brick and concrete structure to your left is the Franklin Tower, built in the 1970s. At 16 stories, it is the tallest building in Maine.

• Eastern Cemetery - Here is Portland’s Eastern Cemetery, the oldest in the city. Some headstones date back to 1768. The oldest markers were wooden and lost to fires.

• Portland Observatory - Let’s return to the 1800s, when ships entering Portland Harbor were not visible from the docks until they rounded Spring Point Ledge and were nearly in the harbor.

• Waterville Street - Notice the “flattop triple-decker” tenement housing style, typical in New England, built from the 1880s to the 1920s.

• Munjoy Street - To the right is Portland Harbor, part of Casco Bay, an inlet on the southern coast of the Gulf of Maine. The City of Portland is along its southern edge, with the Port of Portland within.

• Casco Bay - Over your right shoulder, see the landmass with oil tanks, which is the City of South Portland.

• Eastern Promenade Trail - The Eastern Promenade is a wonderful area where Portlanders enjoy pleasant weather and sea breezes. At the foot of the Eastern Prom is a small beach called East End Beach.

• Walnut Street - After the British destroyed the city in 1775, Portland’s leaders decided to build a fort. The green space on the right is the result of that decision.

• Fore Street Restaurant - Earlier, we discussed the streets in Old Portland, named for their proximity to the water: Fore St, Middle St, and Back St.

• Casco Bay Bridge - Continuing our journey in Portland, we head to the Casco Bay Bridge, which spans Casco Bay and connects Portland with South Portland.

• Meetinghouse Hill - As we travel through South Portland, we approach Meetinghouse Hill, a quintessential New England scene with a cemetery on the left, a Civil War statue on the right, and a beautiful church behind the statue.

• Fort Williams Park - We are now entering Fort Williams Park, where you’ll notice several military installations.

• United States Custom House - Discover the charm, history, and vibrant culture of Portland, Maine, with this self-guided walking tour! Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Portland as you explore the historical cobblestone streets of Old Port.

Note: This walking tour covers over 3 miles and highlights Portland’s essentials in 1-2 hours.

• Victoria Mansion - This was the passion project of Ruggles Sylvester Morse, a wealthy hotel owner from New Orleans. He commissioned a top architect to create his summer home in 1860.
• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Sculpture - Dedicated to the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
• Portland Museum of Art - Founded in 1882, it is one of the oldest art institutions in the country. Despite significant growth, the museum has faced challenges with space, storage, and administration.
• Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House - Longfellow lived here and wrote some of his most famous works, including his first poem at thirteen.
• Monument Square - The statue in the center of the square is Our Lady of Victories, inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Minerva.
• City of Portland, Maine - The current Renaissance Revival structure was completed in 1912, replacing a city hall that was destroyed by fire in 1908.
• Lincoln Park - Portland’s Lincoln Park emerged from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1866, a testament to the resilience of Portlanders.

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Discover the charm and history of Portland with a combined walking and driving tour. Delve into the city’s past as you wander along cobblestone streets and admire the historic brick architecture by the waterfront. Explore lively neighborhoods such as Old Port and the Art District, with the freedom to stop at shops and restaurants as you wish, while enjoying the refreshing coastal air. Then, embark on a drive to the east and west promenades, and make your way to the iconic Portland Head Light lighthouse. This tour offers the most thorough way to experience this unique and quirky city!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

Purchase once and enjoy for a full year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.

• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
• For the best experience, bring headphones/earbuds for your walking tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.