Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #5 in Portland, United States
Legend
Tour Facts
5.4 km
92 m
Experience Portland in United States in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.
Activities in PortlandIndividual Sights in PortlandSight 1: Mast of the USS Portland
USS Portland (CL/CA–33) was the lead ship of the Portland class of cruiser and the first ship of the United States Navy named after the city of Portland, Maine. Launched in 1932, she completed a number of training and goodwill cruises in the interwar period before seeing extensive service during World War II, beginning with the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, where she escorted the aircraft carrier Yorktown and picked up survivors from the sunken carrier Lexington. She screened for Yorktown again in the Battle of Midway, picking up her survivors as well. She then supported the carrier Enterprise during the initial phase of the Guadalcanal Campaign later that year, and was torpedoed during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. The torpedo inflicted heavy damage which put her out of action for six months as she was repaired in Sydney, Australia, and later San Diego, California.
Sight 2: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum is a 2 ft narrow gauge railway, located in Portland, Maine, United States.
Sight 3: Portland Observatory
The Portland Observatory is a historic maritime signal tower at 138 Congress Street in the Munjoy Hill section of Portland, Maine. Built in 1807, it is the only known surviving tower of its type in the United States. Using both a telescope and signal flags, two-way communication between ship and shore was possible several hours before an incoming vessel reached the docks. The tower was designated a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2006; it is now managed by Greater Portland Landmarks, a local historic preservation nonprofit. It is open to the public as a museum.
Wikipedia: Portland Observatory (EN), Website, Heritage Website
Sight 4: Etz Chaim Synagogue
Etz Chaim Synagogue is a unaffiliated Jewish congregation, synagogue, and Jewish history museum, located at 267 Congress Street, at the head of India Street, in Portland, Maine, United States. The congregation is the only immigrant-era European-style synagogue remaining in Maine. It was founded in 1917 as an English-language Orthodox Sefardi congregation, rather than in the Yiddish-language tradition; and the synagogue was completed in 1921. In c. 2003, the dwindling Orthodox congregation became egalitarian and unaffiliated with any movement.
Sight 5: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a historic cathedral on Cumberland Avenue in Portland, Maine, which serves as seat of the Diocese of Portland. The rector is Father Seamus Griesbach. The church, an imposing Gothic Revival structure built in 1866–69, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Until 2023, it was the tallest building in Portland. It was surpassed by 201 Federal Street.
Wikipedia: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Portland, Maine) (EN)
Sight 6: Merrill Auditorium
Merrill Auditorium is a 1,908-seat auditorium located in Portland, Maine, United States. Originally known as Portland City Hall Auditorium, it is located in the eastern section of Portland City Hall.
Sight 7: Grace
The former Chestnut Street Methodist Church is an historic church building at 15 Chestnut Street in Portland, Maine. Built in 1856, it is rare in the city as an early example of Gothic Revival architecture, and is one of the few surviving works of Charles A. Alexander, a popular architect of the period. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It now houses a restaurant.
Wikipedia: Chestnut Street Methodist Church (Portland, Maine) (EN)
Sight 8: First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist Church
First Parish Church is an historic church at 425 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. Built in 1825 for a congregation established in 1674, it is the oldest church building in the city, and one of its finest examples of Federal period architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The congregation is Unitarian Universalist; its pastor is Reverend Norman Allen.
Wikipedia: First Parish Church (Portland, Maine) (EN), Website
Sight 9: Portland Museum of Art
The Portland Museum of Art, or PMA, is the largest and oldest public art institution in Maine. Founded as the Portland Society of Art in 1882. It is located in the downtown area known as The Arts District in Portland, Maine.
Sight 10: Victoria Mansion
Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House or Morse-Libby Mansion, is a historic house in downtown Portland, Maine, United States. The brownstone exterior, elaborate interior design, opulent furnishings and early technological conveniences provide a detailed portrait of lavish living in nineteenth-century America. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971 for its architectural significance as a particularly well-preserved Italianate mansion.
Sight 11: Portland Fire Museum
The Portland Fire Museum is a fire museum in Portland, Maine. Located at 157 Spring Street in the former home of Fire Engine 4, the museum is operated by the Portland Veteran Firemen's Association (PVFA). It showcases the history of firefighting in Portland, including a number of retired firetrucks. The PVFA was originally located at the headquarters of Casco Engine 1 which was located at 19 South Street across from what is now the Cumberland County Civic Center. The building at 19 South Street was demolished during the building of the Spring Street arterial and the PVFA moved west to the 157 Spring Street location.
Sight 12: Neal Dow House
The Neal Dow House, also known as Gen. Neal Dow House, is an historic house found at 714 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. It was built in 1829 for noted politician and prohibitionist Neal Dow (1804-1897), and was later designated a National Historic Landmark for that association. Dow was the author of the first prohibition law passed by the Maine legislature in 1851. He was known as a tireless, internationally known activist for the temperance movement. Dow's house was a center of activism in his lifetime, and is now the headquarters of the Maine chapter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
Sight 13: Holt Hall
The Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary is a historic medical facility that was located at 794-800 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. Also known as Holt Hall, the structure, designed by John Calvin Stevens, was redeveloped into a residential building in 1997, after standing dormant for nearly 10 years. The Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary was built in 1891. In 1951 the hospital merged with the Children's Hospital and Maine General Hospital to become Maine Medical Center. The facility was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
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