Advanced purchase is strongly recommended, as tours often sell out. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, book well in advance.

Highlights of the Black History Tour include: First Parish Church; Lobsterman Park; Exchange Street; Mariner’s Church; Commercial Street waterfront; United States Custom House; Restaurant Row; India Street; Abyssinian Meeting House; Portland Observatory; Green Memorial AME Zion Church; Eastern Cemetery; North School; and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

First Parish Church at 425 Congress Street (head of Temple Street) - Open in Google Maps

Highlights of the Hidden Histories Tour include: Commercial Street waterfront; Bell Buoy Park; United States Custom House; Custom House Wharf; Portland Pier; Mariner's Church; Boothby Square; Wharf Street; Foundry Lane; John Ford Statue; Wadsworth-Longfellow House; Monument Square; First Parish Church; Portland City Hall; Exchange Street; and Post Office Park.

Post Office Park at the corner of Middle and Exchange Streets - Open in Google Maps

Check-in is 10 minutes before the tour’s scheduled start time.

Portland is very walkable, so if you are staying on the peninsula, plan to walk! The tour starting location is a short walk from any accommodation on the peninsula.

To skip the hassle of parking if you’re staying off-peninsula, catch a rideshare or taxi to the tour start location.

If you do drive, plan to arrive early. Paid parking is available throughout Portland, but finding on-street parking can be time consuming and parking at a 2-hour meter means risking a ticket.

Make parking easy and park in a garage. For the Hidden Histories Tour, we recommend the Cumberland County Parking Garage at 192 Newbury St. For the Black History Tour, we recommend the Elm Street Parking Garage at 21 Elm St.

We want all of our guests to have a fantastic and comfortable time and do our best to offer fully accessible tours.

For questions about tour accessibility and how we can accommodate your specific needs, call 207-200-5885 or email hi@portlandbythefoot.com.

Details about this tour that may be helpful:
✔️ The length of each tour is 1.5 miles.
✔️ There are opportunities to sit, but the majority of the time you’ll be traveling from place to place or stationary without the opportunity for a seat (unless you bring one!). The longest distance between tour stops is about 0.2 miles (a 4-minute walk).
✔️ We will travel at a moderate pace and Dugan will always wait until all group members are assembled at a stop before offering tour narration.
✔️ Portland’s streets and sidewalks run the gamut from A++ awesome to “Boo! One star!” If you use a wheelchair or a walker or are unsteady on your feet, you might experience mobility challenges on the tour as we traverse cobblestone streets, uneven brick sidewalks, and narrow pathways. If you have mobility needs, tell Dugan so he can modify the tour to more comfortable routes.
✔️ We offer free admission to access providers. Call or text 207-200-5885 or email hi@portlandbythefoot.com to let us know they’re coming!
✔️ Service animals are welcome.
✔️ Bring a hat if you’re sun sensitive; Dugan will do his best to find shade, but success will depend on the time of day.
✔️ All tours are in spoken English, with some printed visuals. Dugan will speak loudly and clearly.

Dugan is always open to feedback on the spot if needs arise on the tour.

Plan to use the bathroom prior to the tour; we won’t stop for a break during the walk. The closest public restroom is in Portland Public Library’s main branch in Monument Square; check their website for open hours. You can also check this list of public restrooms in Portland.

We love animals, but we cannot accommodate them on our tours unless the animal is medically required. We welcome guide dogs and other trained service animals.

In general, our walks involve about 2 hours of walking, standing, and talking. Some kids may have a limited attention span; if that’s your child, this tour may not be a good choice for them.

We run tours rain or shine, canceling only when the conditions are extreme or dangerous.

Portland is known for its sunny skies from June through October, and when it does rain, it’s typically either a constant sprinkle or a squall that passes quickly.

Pack a light raincoat on rainy days and you won’t be sorry — take it from Kathleen, who visited in 2022 and expresses what we hear most from folks who take tours impacted by rain:

“Although it was raining for most of our tour, I kept forgetting about the rain, while being entertained with Dugan’s engaging tales!”

In the case of extreme or dangerous weather, we’ll cancel the tour with as much notice as possible. If we cancel, we’ll contact you directly to refund or rebook you.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance of your reservation time. Private tours may be canceled for free with up to 48 hours notice. We’ll rebook or refund you — your preference!

To cancel or rebook, call or text 207-200-5885 or email hi@portlandbythefoot.com.

If you book through a third party like Tripadvisor, Viator, or GetYourGuide, your reservation is subject to their cancellation and refund terms, which may differ from ours. Check your confirmation email for details.

To rebook, call or text 207-200-5885 or email hi@portlandbythefoot.com.

If you feel your guide has provided a great experience, gratuities are encouraged — and welcomed — at the end of your tour. The standard tip in the industry is 20%.

We’re here to help! Call or text 207-200-5885.