Guardians of the Harbor Trolley Tour

5.0 (9 reviews) 2 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

9 reviews

5.0

Guardians of the Harbor Trolley Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Guardians of the Harbor Trolley Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Hop on the “Guardians of the Harbor” trolley tour, a narrated journey with three lighthouse stops. Explore Portland’s maritime history and scenic beauty, disembarking at each location.

First, visit Bug Light Park and the Liberty Ship Memorial, reflecting wartime shipbuilding. Next, discover Fort Preble and Spring Point Ledge Light, learning its unique construction and the remaining WWII gun batteries. Finally, witness the iconic Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park, Maine’s most vital and the nation’s third oldest lighthouse, also revealing remnants of coastal defenses.

The nation’s third oldest lighthouse and one of Maine’s most important beacons. This area also features great examples of remnants of coastal defenses.

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Trolley Tours New Product Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 2 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 34 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English
Operated by: Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission fees: Admission fee
Included: Guide

Itinerary

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

15 min Admission included

It's a well-preserved example of a caisson-style lighthouse and has been a part of Portland Harbor's history since 1897.
Fort Preble

Passing by

Built in 1808, the fort was designed to protect Portland Harbor during the War of 1812 and subsequent conflicts.

Fort Preble played a role in the War of 1812, served as a recruiting depot and mobilization site during the Civil War, and saw action in the Battle of Portland Harbor.
Liberty Ship Memorial

15 min Admission included

The South Portland Shipyards, a key part of the war effort, built 236 Liberty Ships, which significantly contributed to the Allied victory.

The memorial honors the thousands of men and women who worked in the shipyards, the seamen who served on board, and the South Portland residents who lived near the busy shipbuilding center.

It serves as a reminder of the city's rich shipbuilding history and its crucial role in World War II.
Portland Head Light

20 min Admission included

Built in 1791, it's Maine's oldest lighthouse, offering a glimpse into the state's maritime history.

The lighthouse serves as a navigational beacon, guiding ships into the busy Port of Portland.

It's a popular tourist destination, with the tower itself offering panoramic views of the coast and surrounding lighthouses.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Longwharf Building, middle booth (White building with blue roof)

End point

Longwharf Building, middle booth (White building with blue roof)

Using your ticket

Check-in details:

Check-in begins 15 minutes before departure, and we recommend that all guests arrive in the area 30 minutes before departure to allow time for parking (if applicable) and arrival to our location.

Parking:

Portland Discovery does not have parking for customers, and we recommend allowing extra time to find parking as it can be busy downtown.

There are many public parking lots near our Long Wharf ticket booth, located at 170 Commercial Street. The best parking options are:

Simba Parking Lot at 216 Fore Street.
Ocean Gateway Lot at 2 Commercial Street
Angelo’s Acres Lot at 441 Commercial Street

These lots range from an 8- to 20-minute walk from our location, depending on your pace.

Additional information:

What to bring:

You never know exactly what kind of weather you will get in Maine, but it’s safe to assume it will be cooler out on the water and bringing a light or heavy jacket is a good idea. We recommend sneakers as opposed to open-toed shoes for better stability.

Restrictions:

Are Tours Handicap Accessible?

Canes and walkers are fine on either tour, though a foldable walker may be needed to fit on the trolley. There are three steps onto the trolley and there is a ramp that leads down to the boat that can vary in steepness, but our friendly, courteous drivers and deckhands are more than happy to lend a hand. Wheelchairs are not able to fit on the trolleys and MOST times manual wheelchairs are fine on the boats, but typically have to be lifted on, so weight restrictions can apply.

Are Tours Dog Friendly?

Our Tours are dog friendly! Provided your dog is friendly, well-behaved, and leashed they are welcome on our tours. Dogs cannot take up a seat of a paying passenger, so dogs must be in a lap or on the floor/deck near your feet.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.