Portland Hidden Histories Small-Group Walking Tour
With this small-group walking tour, you'll go beyond lobsters and lighthouses and get a look at the true Portland, Maine—across 400 years of history. Meander downtown and the Old Port, visiting hidden landmarks and learning about Wabanaki leaders and other people and events left out of the history books. Discover centuries of destruction, revival, underrepresented perspectives, and other elements that mainstream tours gloss over.
Highlights
- ✓Travel across Portland's hidden history, getting a rare look at the city
- ✓Your local guide offers wild facts, city recommendations, and more
- ✓Easy meetup with your guide at Post Office Park
- ✓Get a fun, small-group experience on this limited tour
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓Meet the woman who, a century ago, lived as her true self and improved the lives of Mainers around her, against all odds.
- ✓Appreciate the architecture and hear the stories not captured in plaques and statues.
- ✓Marvel at the resilience of Indigenous nations who survived colonialism and are skillfully navigating diplomatic relationships in the modern day.
- ✓Hidden stories are revealed about the folks not recognized by Portland's largest monument.
- ✓See the oldest building in downtown Portland and hear a surprising story about its world-famous inhabitant.
- ✓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.
- ✓Learn the complicated history of one of Portland's most famous sons.
- ✓See beautiful Victorian buildings and learn about the largely forgotten history-makers who once inhabited them.
- ✓Discover the often complicated relationship between stevedores, captains, shipowners, and common sailors in 19th-century Portland.
- ✓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.
- ✓Learn what the other tours aren't telling you about the global implications of Portland's industrial and maritime histories.
- ✓See the picturesque working waterfront and discover the female figures who got left out of the history books.
- ✓Hear how changing federal policies have impacted life in this port city over the centuries.
What's 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
What's not included
- ✓A tip for your guide!
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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).
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Portland Hidden Histories Small-Group Walking Tour
With this small-group walking tour, you'll go beyond lobsters and lighthouses and get a look at the true Portland, Maine—across 400 years of history. Meander downtown and the Old Port, visiting hidden landmarks and learning about Wabanaki leaders and other people and events left out of the history books. Discover centuries of destruction, revival, underrepresented perspectives, and other elements that mainstream tours gloss over.
Highlights
- ✓Travel across Portland's hidden history, getting a rare look at the city
- ✓Your local guide offers wild facts, city recommendations, and more
- ✓Easy meetup with your guide at Post Office Park
- ✓Get a fun, small-group experience on this limited tour
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓Meet the woman who, a century ago, lived as her true self and improved the lives of Mainers around her, against all odds.
- ✓Appreciate the architecture and hear the stories not captured in plaques and statues.
- ✓Marvel at the resilience of Indigenous nations who survived colonialism and are skillfully navigating diplomatic relationships in the modern day.
- ✓Hidden stories are revealed about the folks not recognized by Portland's largest monument.
- ✓See the oldest building in downtown Portland and hear a surprising story about its world-famous inhabitant.
- ✓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.
- ✓Learn the complicated history of one of Portland's most famous sons.
- ✓See beautiful Victorian buildings and learn about the largely forgotten history-makers who once inhabited them.
- ✓Discover the often complicated relationship between stevedores, captains, shipowners, and common sailors in 19th-century Portland.
- ✓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.
- ✓Learn what the other tours aren't telling you about the global implications of Portland's industrial and maritime histories.
- ✓See the picturesque working waterfront and discover the female figures who got left out of the history books.
- ✓Hear how changing federal policies have impacted life in this port city over the centuries.
What's 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
What's not included
- ✓A tip for your guide!
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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).
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.