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Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle of Portland Maine Tours
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- Portland Head Light
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Calendar
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Overview
Explore the beauty and history of Portland with this combo of a walking and driving tour. Dig deep into the city’s history as you stroll down cobblestone streets and admire old brick architecture by the waterfront. Visit bustling neighborhoods like Old Port and the Art District, stop at shops and restaurants whenever you please, and breathe in the coastal air. Then take a drive out to the east and west promenades, before swinging down to the famous Portland Head Light lighthouse. It’s the most comprehensive way to experience this unique, 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 good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Description
Stop At: Commercial Street, Portland, Maine
Portland’s Harbor (the body of water that you just sailed in on) is a “deep water” port, it generally does not freeze over during the winters. the Gulf of Maine has very strong tides, and those tides mix the water column and bring deeper, warmer water to the surface all along the coast.
Note: This 10+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Portland in 2-3 hours.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St, Portland, Maine 04101
This is the Victoria Mansion. Built by Ruggles Morse in 1858. “the best standing example of Victorian art, architecture and decoration.” He named it “Victoria Mansion” after Britain’s Queen Victoria, It was built as his summer home.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Danforth, 211 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
On the left-hand side, see the colorful brick rowhouses. These were built originally for the servant class, these rowhouses are now very nice… expensive condominiums.
After all those fires, brick was used from that point on throughout the city, not a lot of wood.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: West Street, West St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
The Maine Medical Center is home of the Barbara Bush Children’s Wing. Mrs. Bush, the wife of our 41st president and the mother of the 43rd president, she lived much of her life in Kennebunkport, Maine, 30 miles south of Portland. She passed away in 2018. Mrs. Bush did so much great work raising money for treatment of kids with terrible illnesses, and her legacy is remembered in the Children’s wing of the Maine Medical Center.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: One Longfellow Square, 181 State St, Portland, Maine 04101
On the right side of the coach we’ll pass the home of Neal Dow. A former Portland mayor, Neal Dow is known as the father of the American Prohibition. In 1851, then Mayor Dow pushed through a statewide prohibition-- banning the sale and consumption of intoxicating beverages--that became the model for the National Prohibition.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Arts District Garage, 511 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
This is the “Portland’s Arts District”. The area has many independent art galleries, working studios, Coffee houses and restaurants.
Up ahead, on the right, is the Portland Art Museum.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Brown Street, Brown St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Just past the non-descript building on the right—the gray/brown Maine Historical Society headquarters—is the Wadsworth Longfellow House. It’s the brick building set a little back from the road, on the left. This is the house where the poet grew up. Built after the Revolutionary War by Peleg Wadsworth, a Revolutionary War General and the grandfather of Henry Longfellow, it’s the oldest brick house in Portland.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Temple Street Parking Garage, 11 Temple St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
On our left side is the 1st Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. This is the oldest church in Portland. The building is the second building that has housed this congregation.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Portland City Hall, 389 Congress St # 203, Portland, ME 04101, USA
On the left is Portland’s City Hall, a beautiful building for a small city. This is the third City Hall building on this site. The first two building were destroyed by fire
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Franklin Street, Franklin St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
The tall brick and concrete building to your left is the Franklin Tower, built in the 1970s. It’s the tallest building in the state of Maine at 16 stories.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Eastern Cemetery, 224 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Here’s Portland’s Eastern Cemetery, it’s the oldest cemetery in the City of Portland
Some Head Stones date back to1768. The oldest markers were wooden, and they were lost to the fires.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Portland Observatory, 138 Congress St, Portland, Maine 04101
Let’s go back to the 1800’s, during that time, ships entering Portland Harbor could not be seen from the docks until they rounded the point of land at Spring Point Ledge and were almost in the harbor.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Waterville Street, Waterville St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Notice that there are several examples of the “flattop triple-decker” this tenement housing style, which is very typical here in New England, were built in the 1880s to the 1920s.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Munjoy Street, Munjoy St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Off 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 sits along its southern edge and the Port of Portland lies within.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Casco Bay, Portland, Maine
If you look over your right shoulder, see the land mass with the oil tanks. That's the City of South Portland.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Eastern Promenade Trail, Eastern Promenade Trail, Portland, Maine 04101
The Eastern Promenade is a great space where Portlanders get out and enjoy the nice weather
and the sea breezes, at the foot of the Eastern Prom is a little beach called the East End Beach.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Walnut Street, Walnut St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
After the British destroyed city in 1775, Portland’s city leaders decided that they need to build a fort. The green space on the right is the result of that decision.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Fore Street Restaurant, 288 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
You'll remember earlier we spoke about the streets in Old Portland, how they were named due to their proximity to the water. They are Fore St, Middle St and Back St.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Casco Bay Bridge, Portland, Maine
Continuing our drive here in Portland, we will make our way to the Casco Bay Bridge. The Bridge spans Casco Bay and connects the City of Portland with the City of South Portland.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Meetinghouse Hill, Meetinghouse Hill, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
While we make our way through the City of South Portland we approach Meetinghouse Hill. Meetinghouse Hill is a kind of quintessential New England scene with the cemetery on the left and the Civil War statue on the right and a beautiful church behind the Civil War statue.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Fort Williams Park, 1000 Shore Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, USA
We’re now entering Fort Williams Park. You’ll notice several military installations here in the park
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: United States Custom House, 312 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Explore 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 traverse the historical cobblestone streets of Old Port.
Note: This 3+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Portland Walking in 1-2 hours.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
It was the labor of love of Ruggles Sylvester Morse, a wealthy New Orleans-based hotel owner. He hired a top architect to turn this into his summer home in 1860.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Sculpture, Congress and State Streets, Longfellow Square, Portland, Maine 04101
Dedicated to the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq, Portland, ME 04101, USA
It’s one of the oldest art institutions in the country, founded in 1882. While the museum grew significantly over the years, space, storage, and administrative problems plagued it.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, 489 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Longfellow lived and wrote some of his most famous works here, including his first poem at thirteen.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Monument Square, 456 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
That statue in the center of the square is Our Lady of Victories, inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Minerva.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Portland City Hall, 389 Congress St # 203, Portland, ME 04101, USA
The present Renaissance Revival structure was completed in 1912. But it replaces another city hall which succumbed to fire in 1908.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Lincoln Park, Congress St &, Pearl St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Portland’s Lincoln Park rose from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1866. We’ve seen many testaments to Portlanders’ resilience.
Duration: 10 minutes
Schedule
- Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
- Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
- Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
- Duration: 3 to 5 hours (Approx.)
- Departure Time:
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle of Portland Maine Tours
6/20/2023 - 10/16/2025Monday - Sunday : 06:00 AM - 09:00 PM - Return Details: Returns to original departure point
What's Included
- 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!
- Gratuities (Optional)
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
What To Bring
- Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
- Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.
- A Smile!
Additional Info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: 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. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
- Minimum Mobile OS Requirement: iOS 14 or later / Android 9 (Pie) or later. It is compatible with iPad models that have a GPS chip.
- Operated by Guide With Action
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Reviews
Average 3.60 out of 5 stars based on 5 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures© and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Still have questions?
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Free cancellation
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.