Tours

Walking tours are an ideal way to see Portland, one of the most amazing small cities in the US. All our tours are private. Only you and your group will be on your tour.

Our tours are informal and interactive, and cover a range of topics: early Portland; Portland at war; shipping and shipbuilding; lobsters and lobstering; and, the food and beverage scene. We'll talk about the people who have made Portland and Maine special: Longfellow, Chamberlain, Dow, Millay, and others.

We walk at your pace. We'll see spectacular views, learn about historical places, people, and events, and discover why Portland is on so many lists of great places to visit and live.

All tours are available year-round and can be customized to your interests.

Heart Of Portland

This one hour walking tour is a perfect introduction to Portland. It visits the Portland Waterfront, the Old Port, and Monument Square. By the end of this tour you'll be fully in rhythm with the heartbeat of Portland! Contact us to arrange a time and place to meet your guide. We can start from your hotel, some agreed-upon spot, or at the sculpture “Armillary” (pictured below) on the corner of Franklin Street and Commercial Street.

$50 up to 6 people, 1 hour.

YOUR GUIDES

I am a veteran Portland tour guide. A retired high school English teacher and long-time Portland resident, my enthusiasms encompass history, music, literature, and art. Drawing on decades of walking, biking, looking, listening, eating, and drinking in Portland, I will help you make the most of your time in one of the "coolest small cities" (GQ) in the US.  I'm a member of the Historical Society, a Portland History Docent, a volunteer guide for Greater Portland Landmarks, and a board member of Spirits Alive, the friends group of the Eastern Cemetery. 

I am a longtime Portland resident and have been a Portland-based tour guide for many years. I like to present Portland history with solid academic validity--I'm a Portland History Docent--infused with local color and humor. Sometimes the back story tells the history better than the headline.  

I'll show you the craft breweries and the local distilleries. I'll point out both the 5 star restaurants and the cheap Happy Hour hot spots. I'll recommend things to see and do on your own, and the museums, music venues, and activities that will help you to make the most of your time in Portland and in Maine.

Testimonials

Pete is the best tour guide you could ask for. He knows Portland and Maine like the back of his hand. He is a warm, charismatic, and knowledgeable guide. Pete showed us the best of Portland, from the colorful stories behind the city’s historic churches to the scenic beauty of Casco Bay’s many lighthouses, from recommending the best brews at the city’s breweries to ordering us the mouthwatering poutine at Duck Fat. In just a day, Pete made us feel like locals in this beautiful place. Portland will forever be one of my favorite cities because of Pete’s wonderful hospitality.
— Spencer. Ventura, California.

“It was so enjoyable to hear Pete’s insights and stories about Portland!  His extensive tour included stops in the Old Port, the harbor, and the Portland Head Light. Pete’s love and passion for Portland is obvious, and in addition to having done his homework on both the current and historical facts, he delivers it with a warm and easygoing style!  Thank you!”
— Steve, Richmond, VA

We just wanted to thank you again for your excellent and extremely fun walking tour of the wonderful city of Portland on our recent trip there. My wife and I and our two friends enjoyed it so much and were very impressed with your historical knowledge of Portland and the surrounding area. We loved walking the Munjoy Hill area and the adjacent Eastern Prom with it’s incredible views of the Casco Bay. Our stroll through the Old Port was fantastic and the historical perspective you provided gave us a great understanding of all that has taken place on the waterfront and its significance to the development of Portland. Finally, our stop at some of the micro breweries and micro distilleries in town gave us great insight into an industry that seems to be a big part of modern day Portland and was a wonderful way to finish our tour with a few cold samples!  

Thank you again and I look forward to our next trip to Portland and hopefully another tour experience with you.  

All the best, 
— Mark and Karen, Chuck and Cheryl Hunterdon County, NJ  

“Having lived in Portland for 12 years, I thought I knew a fair amount about my great city. Until I met Pete. I learned more about Portland on a recent walking tour of the East End with Pete than I had in a decade! My husband and I were so impressed by his vast historical knowledge and engaging personality, we joined him a few months later for a half-day tour of our favorite local micro breweries. We can’t wait for our next tour….” 
— Deborah W., Portland

“I toured several breweries with Pete, including Rising Tide and Bunker. Pete knows his beer. Enough said.”
— Igor P. Portland

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CONTACT US

To schedule a tour, contact either Jeff or Pete and they'll be happy to assist you.