Old Port Historic Tours

Explore the Old Port and downtown Portland's rich history and places of interest from 1632 in this 2 ½ hour, 2-mile, exciting walking tour and historical adventure with over 50 historic stops including historical landmarks, architecture, and monuments. We will also discuss famous and legendary people of the area, prohibition and its origins in the Old Port, some of the hottest restaurants and best places for craft beer tastings, waterfront history, The Great Fire of 1866 that shocked the nation, several Portland Freedom Trail markers (including the location of where the Maine Anti-Slavery Movement started), shopping, real estate history, Tommy's Park and the history of its beautiful murals, night life, and much more! 

Private tours and special group rates are available any day of the week, year-round! Please call 207-807-0009 or email [email protected] to book. Holiday public tours throughout December are also available. Visit oldporthistorictours.com to view the fun itinerary!

Leigh Rush Olson, your Tour Guide and founder of Old Port Historic Tours, holds a BA in History from CUNY Brooklyn College, is a certified Portland History Docent, and served two appointed terms as DAR Maine State American History Chairwoman. Moreover, Leigh is a Portland native and a resident of Kennebunk, Maine. You're in good hands! 

Here are just some of the topics you will hear about and places you will visit outside on an Old Port Historic Walking Tour with Leigh...

• *Monument Square
• *Lobsterman's Park
• *Portland City Hall
• *Old Port real estate history
• *Numerous landmarks, monuments, and architecture on the National Registry of Historic Places
• *US Custom House
• *Boothby Square
• *Commercial Street Waterfront
• *Wharf Street
• *Fishing industry
• *Prohibition and how it all began in the Old Port
• *Tommy's Park and the history of its murals
• *Post Office Park
• *Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Home
• *Revolutionary Generation
• *Civil War history
• *Several Underground Railroad markers including Portland's first anti-slavery and pro slavery riots 
• *First Parish Church
• *Lincoln Park
• *Portland's tallest and oldest buildings
• *Exchange Street galleries and boutiques
• *Leigh's favorite places to point out for craft beer bars, breweries, and restaurants - including Leigh's favorite breakfast locations and where to get the best lobster rolls… BIG lobster rolls 🦞🦞🦞
• *History of Portland's fires including the biggest that shocked the nation
• *Famous/legendary people of the area
• *Night life - stand-up comedy, concerts, theatrical performances, etc
• *History of the Kotzschmar Organ- one of the grandest and most celebrated pipe organs in the world
• *Local Maine Artists
• *Old Port's finest Mansard roofs
• *The Old Port's most popular donut shops, bakeries, and Mained themed treats 

*Best things to do in the Kennebunks if Portland isn't enough!

AND Much, Much, More, but Leigh doesn't want to give it all away!

Where to meet: 1 Monument Way in downtown Portland in front of Longfellow Books - conveniently located directly next to One City Center Parking Garage and Monument Square.