Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 161 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour worth booking?
Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in Portland, United States, from $54 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 161 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (161)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $54 per person
Trace the steps of the Black Portlanders who moved our city, state, and country closer to the ideals of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality. Maine’s earliest settlements couldn’t have existed without Black labo
What you get
About this experience
Trace the steps of the Black Portlanders who moved our city, state, and country closer to the ideals of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality. Maine’s earliest settlements couldn’t have existed without Black labor, skill, and insight. You'll meet the Black Yankees who founded Maine communities, overturned slavery statewide, drove our maritime industries, gained political influence, crossed color boundaries, and expanded Mainers’ rights in the modern era. Stepping on granite cobblestones crooked with age — that once saw footfalls from national heroes like Frederick Douglass — you’ll pass storefronts once home to Black-owned barbershops where abolitionists whispered intelligence to Underground Railroad conductors. Enjoy 2 hours of entertaining and enlightening historical narration over a 1.5-mile route. Owner and guide, Dugan Murphy, dug through the archives to present an amazing constellation of stories left out of most tours. TripAdvisor named him Portland's #1 guide!
What's included
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
Not included
- A tip for your guide!
What you'll see and do
Your guide Dugan will lead you to the locations relevant to Black Mainers and their achievements. We'll trace the steps of the folks who resisted indignity and realized power to move our city, state, and country closer to the ideals of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality.
50 minutes here
Lobsterman Park
Discover the hidden Black history that predates slavery in Maine.
Pass by without stopping
Congress Street
Be surprised by the story of a largely unknown but well-connected international activist from the 19th century hiding in plain sight.
Pass by without stopping
The Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception
Hear the complicated history of racial passing at the highest levels in 19th-century Catholic Maine.
Pass by without stopping
Commercial Street
Dugan will guide you to where Black leaders and laborers shaped Portland's waterfront and earned a seat at the table when the odds were against them. We'll honor the Black journalist who decided to leave the US behind and seek self-determination in a newly-founded African nation.
20 minutes here
Portland's maritime history may not be what you think it is. Discover the Black skill and labor too often overlooked.
Pass by without stopping
Marvel at the architecture and hear how antebellum Black Portland built and wielded political power at a time when the vast majority of Black Americans were denied basic human rights.
Pass by without stopping
Bell Buoy Park
Visit the Black social scene of WWII Portland and meet the important people who came out of that period to impact our lives today.
Pass by without stopping
Old Port
Follow Dugan through the Old Port to a historically-Black section on the eastern end of the waterfront, uncovering Black history hidden all around us. You'll hear about the people who founded Maine communities, overturned slavery statewide, drove our maritime industries, swung elections, founded houses of worship, crossed color boundaries, and expanded Mainers’ rights in the modern era.
50 minutes here
Learn the story of an enterprising young Black man who forged his own destiny in the legal field despite those who tried to hold him back.
Pass by without stopping
Find the brave folks who risked federal prosecution by aiding and abetting freedom seekers from the South via the Underground Railroad.
Pass by without stopping
Marvel at the achievements of a small, tight-knit community, who worked together to improve their lives and the lives of others.
Pass by without stopping
Portland Observatory
Learn how important Black Portlanders were to the maritime economy in the age of sail.
Pass by without stopping
Visit the beating heart of the civil rights movement and hear the stories of the leaders whose impacts are still being felt today.
Pass by without stopping
Eastern Cemetery
Learn the surprising story of the Black minister who convened a community of expatriate Black Americans to rewrite the US Constitution.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Portland
Meet at the front steps of First Parish Church. 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 church is one half mile from the cruise ship terminal.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Eastern Cemetery is on Congress Street at the head of Montgomery Street. If you want to get back to where we started, it's an easy, straight shot 0.5 miles (10-minute walk) down Congress Street. It's also 0.5 miles from the cruise ship terminal.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Portland by the Foot
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pets are not allowed on tours unless medically required.
- Portland is a hilly city. Participants will walk uphill sometimes, including a staircase of 17 steps.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 158 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
158 verified traveler reviews for Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Dugan's tour
Dugan was great, so much detailed info about subject mostly unknown. He had illustrations and recommendations of books, more places to explore if time allowed. He allowed questions and sitting if needed in places with benches. 2 hours is long enough, but not too much. I'd definitely take any tour with him again!
Response from the operator: Thank you for asking about book recommendations! Many of the people and events on this tour have received very little scholarly attention, but many do have books about them. I'm glad you're as impressed as I am by Black history in Portland!
via Viator
A Portland treat
What a delightful, informative engaging tour! Dugan is extremely knowledgeable fun and and weaves a trail of the history of Black America through the eyes of a.native of Portland a city deeply involved in Black American history Bravo!! And thank you ...
Response from the operator: Portland is indeed a city deeply involved in Black American history. I'm glad you are impressed as I am by these stories! Thank you so much for taking this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Walking History with Dugan
Dugan is a phenomenal guide that is not only knowledgeable about Portland and Maine, he has passionately learned about and made connections to the community that he shares with visitors. He is a great representative of the Portland community and displays his passion for history. One of the things I loved the most was that he told you the history of the area or stop and then asked for questions. In my group, we came up with some of the most random questions that Dugan had not problem answering and connecting to the area or the moment. He is a rolodex of history in addition to being kind and personable. It was a great tour. Book it!
Response from the operator: Thanks for bringing your questions! I like to keep this experience intimate and engaging. And thank you for taking the time to review your experience!
via Tripadvisor
Go on this very interesting and educational tour!
If you have any interest in Portland/Maine history or Black American history, take this tour! Dugan is so knowledgeable and has created a really interesting and educational tour that even includes visual aids. He provides so much information on the subject plus he’s great at answering your related (and unrelated) questions. We learned so much during this outing! On top of all that Dugan is very personable and friendly. The tour is not too strenuous. The pace is very comfortable with lots of stops. A bit of a hill and a stretch of stairs toward the end.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the questions! Black history in Maine runs deep, so there's always a ton to discuss, as well as many relevant landmarks to visit. Questions help me personalize each tour a little bit. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Portland just as much!
via Viator
Great Experience
A great tour that I'd definitely recommend to any visiting or in Portland. Dugan was an excellent and knowledgeable guide and gave a history of Portland that I never knew existed. The route is easily manageable with mostly downhill and flat with one slight hill towards the end.
Response from the operator: So many locals have no idea how deep Black history goes in Portland. I was honored to share some of those stories with you. Thank you for taking this tour!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 56
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Portland.
How much does Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $54 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Portland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Portland is not rushed.
Is Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 161 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Portland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour?
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Around 56 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Portland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Portland and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Portland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Portland?
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Portland sells lighthouse and lobster-boat tours in Casco Bay, Old Port food and brewery walks, seal and puffin cruises, and fall foliage runs up the Maine coast. On Outty we rank every Portland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local, Portland, Maine: Hidden Histories Guided Walking Tour, A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Portland?
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June to October, with peak foliage in early October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Portland?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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