Explore Portland, Maine with Our Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Key facts

What's included

Itinerary

1. Stop 1

   The Maine Medical Center is home of the Barbara Bush Children’s Wing. Mrs. Bush, wife of our 41st president and mother of the 43rd, spent much of her life in Kennebunkport. She passed away in 2018. Her legacy includes raising funds for children's health, remembered here.

   5 minutes

2. Stop 2 Pass by

   Victoria Mansion, built in 1858 by Ruggles Morse, is considered the finest example of Victorian art, architecture, and decoration in the area. It was named after Queen Victoria and served as Morse's summer home.

3. Stop 3 Pass by

   Colorful brick rowhouses on the left were originally built for servants. Today, they are upscale condominiums. After fires, Portland shifted to brick construction for safety.

4. Stop 4 Pass by

   Portland’s harbor is a deep water port that rarely freezes in winter. The Gulf of Maine’s strong tides bring warmer water to the surface along the coast.

5. Stop 5 Pass by

   On the right, see Neal Dow’s house. He was Portland’s mayor and known as the father of American Prohibition, passing a statewide ban on alcohol sales in 1851.

6. Stop 6 Pass by

   Portland’s Arts District features galleries, studios, cafes, and restaurants. The Portland Art Museum is nearby on the right.

7. Stop 7

   The Wadsworth Longfellow House, on the left, is where poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grew up. Built after the Revolutionary War by his grandfather, Peleg Wadsworth, it’s the oldest brick house in Portland.

   5 minutes

8. Stop 8

   On the left, see Portland’s oldest church, the 1st Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, housed in its second building.

   5 minutes

9. Stop 9 Pass by

   Portland’s City Hall, on the left, is the third building on this site. The previous two were destroyed by fire.

10. Stop 10

    The Franklin Tower, a 16-story building from the 1970s, is the tallest in Maine. It’s on the left.

    5 minutes

11. Stop 11 Pass by

    Eastern Cemetery, the oldest in Portland, features headstones dating back to 1768. Wooden markers from earlier times were lost to fires.

12. Stop 12 Pass by

    Back in the 1800s, ships entered Portland Harbor unseen until they rounded Spring Point Ledge, nearly in the harbor.

13. Stop 13

    Notice the 'flattop triple-decker' tenements from the 1880s to 1920s, typical housing styles of the era.

    5 minutes

14. Stop 14

    Portland Harbor, part of Casco Bay, lies to the right. It’s a key inlet on the Gulf of Maine’s southern coast.

    5 minutes

15. Stop 15 Pass by

    Look over your right shoulder to see South Portland, marked by oil tanks on the landmass.

16. Stop 16 Pass by

    The Eastern Promenade is a favorite local spot for enjoying sea breezes and views. East End Beach is nearby for a quick dip.

17. Stop 17

    After the 1775 British attack, Portland built a fort. The green space on the right is the site of that historic defense.

    5 minutes

18. Stop 18 Pass by

    The streets in Old Portland—Fore St, Middle St, and Back St—are named for their proximity to the water.

19. Stop 19 Pass by

    The Casco Bay Bridge connects Portland with South Portland, crossing the bay on your route.

20. Stop 20

    Entering Meetinghouse Hill in South Portland, see the historic cemetery, Civil War monument, and a charming church—classic New England scenery.

    5 minutes

21. Stop 21 Pass by

    Finally, Fort Williams Park features military installations and scenic views, rounding out your Portland exploration.

Meeting point & pickup

Meet at the starting point

The tour begins at the parking lot of the Visit Portland Information Center located at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier. Please note this is a suggested starting location; the center's staff are not affiliated with the tour and cannot provide additional information.

Cancellation & confirmation