Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour
58 Reviews
4.12 out of 5 stars Based on 58 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
|
Portland, USA
1 to 2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English
Overview
Experience historic architecture, harbor views, and rich seaside culture with this driving tour of Portland, Maine! Cross the cobbled streets of Old Port, chock full of shops, restaurants, and bars, all complemented by the sparkling bay. Dive into the city’s long and embattled history at a church still sporting British cannonballs. See iconic Maine lighthouses and visit pristine beaches. Portland may be a small city, but it packs a big punch!
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's Included
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
- Offline GPS-enabled route map
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Meeting Location
Meeting point
14 Ocean Gateway Pier
Portland, ME 04101, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free
West Street
The Maine Medical Center is home of the Barbara Bush Children’s Wing. Mrs. Bush, the wife of our 41st president and the mother of the 43rd president, she lived much of her life in Kennebunkport, Maine, 30 miles south of Portland. She passed away in 2018. Mrs. Bush did so much great work raising money for treatment of kids with terrible illnesses, and her legacy is remembered in the Children’s wing of the Maine Medical Center.Note: The tour is over 12 miles long, with more than 33 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete.New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Victoria Mansion (pass by)
This is the Victoria Mansion. Built by Ruggles Morse in 1858. “the best standing example of Victorian art, architecture and decoration.” He named it “Victoria Mansion” after Britain’s Queen Victoria, It was built as his summer home.
The Danforth (pass by)
On the left-hand side, see the colorful brick rowhouses. These were built originally for the servant class, these rowhouses are now very nice… expensive condominiums.
After all those fires, brick was used from that point on throughout the city, not a lot of wood.
Commercial Street (pass by)
Portland’s Harbor (the body of water that you just sailed in on) is a “deep water” port, it generally does not freeze over during the winters. the Gulf of Maine has very strong tides, and those tides mix the water column and bring deeper, warmer water to the surface all along the coast.
One Longfellow Square (pass by)
On the right side of the coach we’ll pass the home of Neal Dow. A former Portland mayor, Neal Dow is known as the father of the American Prohibition. In 1851, then Mayor Dow pushed through a statewide prohibition-- banning the sale and consumption of intoxicating beverages--that became the model for the National Prohibition.
Arts District (pass by)
This is the “Portland’s Arts District”. The area has many independent art galleries, working studios, Coffee houses and restaurants.
Up ahead, on the right, is the Portland Art Museum.
Brown Street
Just past the non-descript building on the right—the gray/brown Maine Historical Society headquarters—is the Wadsworth Longfellow House. It’s the brick building set a little back from the road, on the left. This is the house where the poet grew up. Built after the Revolutionary War by Peleg Wadsworth, a Revolutionary War General and the grandfather of Henry Longfellow, it’s the oldest brick house in Portland.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Temple Street
On our left side is the 1st Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. This is the oldest church in Portland. The building is the second building that has housed this congregation.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Portland City Hall (pass by)
On the left is Portland’s City Hall, a beautiful building for a small city. This is the third City Hall building on this site. The first two building were destroyed by fire
Franklin Street
The tall brick and concrete building to your left is the Franklin Tower, built in the 1970s. It’s the tallest building in the state of Maine at 16 stories.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Eastern Cemetery (pass by)
Here’s Portland’s Eastern Cemetery, it’s the oldest cemetery in the City of Portland
Some Head Stones date back to 1768. The oldest markers were wooden, and they were lost to the fires.
Portland Observatory (pass by)
Let’s go back to the 1800’s, during that time, ships entering Portland Harbor could not be seen from the docks until they rounded the point of land at Spring Point Ledge and were almost in the harbor.
Waterville Street
Notice that there are several examples of the “flattop triple-decker” this tenement housing style, which is very typical here in New England, were built in the 1880s to the 1920s.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Munjoy Street
Off to the right is Portland Harbor. Part of Casco Bay, an inlet on the Southern Coast of the Gulf of Maine, the City of Portland sits along its southern edge and the Port of Portland lies within.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Casco Bay (pass by)
If you look over your right shoulder, see the land mass with the oil tanks. That's the City of South Portland.
Eastern Promenade Trail (pass by)
The Eastern Promenade is a great space where Portlanders get out and enjoy the nice weather
and the sea breezes, at the foot of the Eastern Prom is a little beach called the East End Beach.
Walnut Street
After the British destroyed city in 1775, Portland’s city leaders decided that they need to build a fort. The green space on the right is the result of that decision.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Fore Street Restaurant (pass by)
You'll remember earlier we spoke about the streets in Old Portland, how they were named due to their proximity to the water. They are Fore St, Middle St and Back St.
Casco Bay Bridge (pass by)
Continuing our drive here in Portland, we will make our way to the Casco Bay Bridge. The Bridge spans Casco Bay and connects the City of Portland with the City of South Portland.
Meetinghouse Hill
While we make our way through the City of South Portland we approach Meetinghouse Hill. Meetinghouse Hill is a kind of quintessential New England scene with the cemetery on the left and the Civil War statue on the right and a beautiful church behind the Civil War statue.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Fort Williams Park (pass by)
We’re now entering Fort Williams Park. You’ll notice several military installations here in the park
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
- Operated by a business
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-259640P10
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.12
58 reviews
Average 4.12 out of 5 stars based on 58 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor
5 stars
25
4 stars
23
3 stars
6
2 stars
0
1 star
4
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
6 hours • Hotel pickup offered
6 hours • Hotel pickup offered
5.0 (3)
from
$1,518
$1,518
3 to 5 hours • Free Cancellation
3 to 5 hours • Free Cancellation
4.0 (8)
from
$24.49
$24.49
3 hours • Free Cancellation
3 hours • Free Cancellation
4.9 (120)
from
$122.50
$122.50
2 hours • Free Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$685
$685
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
1 hour 45 minutes • Free Cancellation
1 hour 45 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (1,078)
from
$59
$59
1 hour 45 minutes • Free Cancellation
1 hour 45 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (1,566)
from
$79
$79
1 hour 45 minutes • Free Cancellation
1 hour 45 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.9 (720)
from
$62
$62
2 hours • Free Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
4.6 (233)
from
$107.90
$107.90
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- 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 (EDT).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime).
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable).
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email).
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site.
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions.
- Offline GPS-enabled route map.
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones).
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app.
The following is NOT included:
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals.
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If 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 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. 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 2024What's Included
- Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
- Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
- Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
- This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
- Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
- Offline GPS-enabled route map
- NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)
- This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
- Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
- Operated by a business
Protecting you
For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Guide With Action
