Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour
Overview
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. Cool Shore Excursions named him Portland's #1 guide!
What's Included
- 10% off water tours with Portland Paddle (instructions at confirmation)
- Donation toward restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, America's third-oldest standing Black church
- Two hour fully narrated guided tour.
- A tip for your guide!
Meeting Location
425 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
224 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101, USA
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.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Downtown
50 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Congress Street (pass by)
The Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception (pass by)
Commercial Street
20 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Mariner's Church Banquet Center (pass by)
United States Custom House (pass by)
Bell Buoy Park (pass by)
Old Port
50 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Exchange Street (pass by)
India Street (pass by)
The Abyssinian Meetinghouse (pass by)
Portland Observatory (pass by)
Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (pass by)
Eastern Cemetery (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Portland is a hilly city. Participants will walk uphill sometimes, including a staircase of 17 steps.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Pets are not allowed on tours unless medically required.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-333694P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 174 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).
- 10% off water tours with Portland Paddle (instructions at confirmation).
- Donation toward restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, America's third-oldest standing Black church.
- Two hour fully narrated guided tour.
- A tip for your guide!.
The minimum age to participate is 5..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Portland is a hilly city. Participants will walk uphill sometimes, including a staircase of 17 steps.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Portland, Maine: Black History Guided Walking Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- 10% off water tours with Portland Paddle (instructions at confirmation)
- Donation toward restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, America's third-oldest standing Black church
- Two hour fully narrated guided tour.
- A tip for your guide!
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Portland is a hilly city. Participants will walk uphill sometimes, including a staircase of 17 steps.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Pets are not allowed on tours unless medically required.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
