Things to do in Portland

Things to do in Portland

111 ranked activities2 in the 90+ Club

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.

Quick answer

What are the best things to do in Portland?

Outty ranks 111 bookable experiences in Portland, United States. The highest scoring is The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local at 93 out of 100, followed by Portland, Maine: Hidden Histories Guided Walking Tour, A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland, Portland Explorer | Maine History, Culture, & 3 Lighthouses Tour. Prices start at $8 per person and 2 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. June to October, with peak foliage in early October.

Ranked experiences
111
In the 90+ Club
2
From
$8 per person
Bookable today
111

Top tour operators in Portland

The companies behind the experiences, ranked by how much of Portland they cover.

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Most Popular in Portland

The experiences travelers book most right now.

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Most Highly Reviewed in Portland

Highest traveler sentiment with enough reviews to trust it.

Last Minute in Portland

Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.

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Family Friendly in Portland

Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

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Food & Drink in Portland

Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.

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Culture & History in Portland

Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

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Outdoors in Portland

Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

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Nightlife in Portland

After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.

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People also ask

What are the top 15 things to do in Portland?

Our ranked guide lists the 15 best experiences in Portland with prices, time needed and quick picks for families, rainy days and last-minute plans. Read the answer

Planning questions about Portland

What are the best things to do in Portland?
The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local is the highest ranked experience in Portland, scoring 93 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 1,701 traveler reviews. Portland, Maine: Hidden Histories Guided Walking Tour, A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland, Portland Explorer | Maine History, Culture, & 3 Lighthouses Tour, Portland City and Lighthouse Tour round out the top five. Outty ranks 111 bookable experiences in Portland, United States, and 2 of them score 90 or above.
How much do activities in Portland cost?
The median price across everything we rank in Portland is $87 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $8 on Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
Can I book something in Portland for today?
Yes. 111 of the top 111 experiences we rank in Portland currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
Is Portland good for families?
Yes. 10 of the experiences we rank in Portland are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
How many days do you need in Portland?
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, 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.
When is the best time to visit Portland?
June to October, with peak foliage in early October. 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.
Can I cancel a booking in Portland?
105 of the 111 experiences we rank in Portland offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
How does the Outty Ranking work?
Every experience in Portland gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Portland so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.