Portland: Hidden Histories Walking Tour

Discover the hidden histories of Portland on this inclusive walking tour. Explore the city’s diverse past and learn about the people who shaped it. Join top-rated guide Dugan Murphy for an engaging and surprising experience!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Downtown - Join your guide, Dugan, for a walk through the Downtown District, exploring major landmarks and some hidden treasures. Dugan will shine a light on unsung heroes and individuals often overlooked in historical accounts.
  • The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection - Discover the story of a woman who, a century ago, lived authentically and…
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!
Additional Information

Discover Portland and its diverse inhabitants, who with their intellect and determination, have shaped the city into Maine’s biggest metropolis. Listen to the intriguing, unexpected, and utterly incredible stories from your local guide, stories widely omitted from history books. Prepare yourself to explore a new perspective of what Portland and Maine…

Location
Post Office Park
Middle Street
Meet at the corner of Middle and Exchange Streets by the small boulders in the park. Your guide will be holding a sign that says "Portland by the Foot." Check-in time is 10 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. The park is one half mile from the cruise ship terminal.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(418 Ratings)
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David
May 19, 2025
Excellent Tour - Fun and knowledgeable tour guide. Great communication with me prior to tour: An excellent way to familiarize yourself with historic section of Portland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megantu715ls
May 19, 2025
Thoroughly entertaining and interactive - Dugan was the best tour guide! He made the tour super interactive and entertaining for all! We recommend him and his company anyone and everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y1360slethans
May 19, 2025
Review from a native Portlander! - I've done both tours with Dugan and I can say that his attitude and humor are top notch! His knowledge of Portland as a local is refreshing, it's nice to see someone talk about Portland who also KNOWS Portland. If you're looking to get a feel for the small city we live in, you're in the right place!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber719433
May 16, 2025
Outstanding! - Dugan is interesting, knowledgeable and has great stories. He’s very well informed and answered every question. An ideal tour guide. Probably the best tour I have ever been on.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q9862knlaurena
May 14, 2025
Best foot tour in Portland - Dugan was so wonderfully welcoming, kind, and knowledgeable! He took time to answer every question with care and offered a ton of historic context with every stop. He was fun and engaging and we would absolutely book again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher1948
May 12, 2025
Great tour of an interesting city - My family and I greatly enjoyed the tour with Duggen. He knows the "official" history of Portland but also lots of interesting stories about people, events, and places that add human interest and fun to the tour. He clearly loves Portland and enjoys learning more about his city and sharing it with his tour clients. I recommend Portland: Hiden Histories to anyone who wants an interesting and enjoyable introduction to the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrick_d
May 10, 2025
Time Travel on Cobblestones - If history had a voice, it would sound a lot like Dugan, the mastermind behind Portland by the Foot. His Portland Hidden Histories Walking Tour is less of a sightseeing excursion and more of a journey through the ages, peeled back one cobblestone at a time. With experience at the Maine Historical Society and a Master’s in Urban Planning, Dugan isn’t just knowledgeable—he’s authoritative, the kind of guide who speaks with conviction because he knows his subject inside and out. The tour group is kept intentionally small—about a dozen or so curious minds—which gives the experience an almost seminar-like feel. Questions are encouraged, tangents are explored, and Dugan seems to revel in the wonky details. He’s the sort of guide who brings a flip book of archival images, snapping it open at each stop to show Portland as it once was. It’s like opening a window into the past, each page a glimpse of what used to be, mapped perfectly onto the modern landscape before you. One surprise? The waiver. I chuckled when I saw it—how dangerous could a history tour be? But as we navigated Portland’s steep hills and uneven cobblestones, bracing against winds that whipped through the streets with the fury of a Nor’easter, I understood the precaution. Even in May, Portland’s weather is an active participant in the tour, unpredictable and occasionally unkind. This is a walking tour in the truest sense: only one indoor stop, no vans, no shuttle buses. Just your feet, the city, and a good pair of shoes. Dress warmly, bring an umbrella, and budget time for a stiff drink afterwards. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Dugan is one of the finest guides I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting—his passion and knowledge turn every corner into a revelation. If you’re the sort of traveler who values substance over spectacle, this tour is a must. Hidden histories, after all, are the best kind.
Review provided by Viator
Yohannes_b
May 10, 2025
Dugan was a great guide... - Dugan was a great guide and extremely knowledgeable about Portland. Everyone that is visiting should take his tour at least once.
Review provided by Viator
Nancy_j
May 8, 2025
Portland from a local - Great way to see Portland . Duggan was a great travel host. He is a historian by choice and knowledgeable on Portland ‘s people and past.
Review provided by Viator
Katherine_m
May 6, 2025
Be prepared to walk😉,... - Be prepared to walk😉, laugh a lot and learn a lot! Dugan was an awesome guide-so knowledgeable and funny as well! One of the best parts of our trip❤️
Review provided by Viator
From $49
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).