Portland Historic Walking Tour: Uncover City's Unique Past
4.7
190 Ratings
Portland
Uncover the unique and colorful past of Portland on a historic walking tour. Explore the city's buildings, parks, and stories that shaped its history. Join us for an engaging and personalized experience!
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Director Park - All tours start at DIRECTOR PARK. We’ll meet you in the southeast corner of this urban hardscape park, near the intersection of SW Taylor and SW Park Ave. Our meeting spot is across the street from entrance to the Regal Fox Tower.

Parking is available on the streets nearby or in lots in the adjacent building. The MAX light rail comes just a block away, at the Pioneer Square stop.

What's Included
  • Certified Guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities (always appreciated)
Additional Information

Tours start at 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

Meeting point is DIRECTOR PARK.

Our tours through downtown Portland, Oregon are lively, well-structured and vibrant, providing the Best of the City! Portland is a quirky place, but each building, park and brick holds a story. We have compiled the finest elements of our city, and indeed, its most intricate and controversial aspects as well. As the world evolves, so does the narrative of our city.

Portland’s rich history can be narrated via its architecture and street patterns, with parks gaining prominence in the city center. The history is anything but dull, filled with secret deals, untimely deaths, avarice, and eventually, the arrival of the hippies!

How did Portland evolve into the foremost city on the West Coast to have a fine art museum? How did the initial cultural standing of the city shape its mid-20th century, and why has it become such a hotbed for racial justice demonstrations? We’ll delve into what defined, defines, and will define the essence of the city.

For a personalize experience and to ensure safety, we limit groups to a maximum of 15 individuals.

Location
Director Park
Southwest Park Avenue
DIRECTOR PARK, 815 SW Park Ave, diagonally across Yamhill Street from Nordstrom and across from the Elephants Deli. We'll meet you near the paved fountain on the north end of the park, the NE corner of the park.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(190 Ratings)
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Diane_v
Jun 25, 2024
Highly recommended - Nancy was awesome! She made the tour very interesting with a wealth of information and colourful stories. As the only participant, I was very fortunate to have an informal and interactive experience!! Thanks again Nancy!
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_b
Jun 20, 2024
Fun and focused on art and architecture - Our guide Kelly was fun and knowledgeable. She is an artist and showed us lots of cool art during the walk. Kelly had some really good stories to tell and it was obvious that she loves Portland and enjoys sharing her stories with others. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
David_v
Jun 18, 2024
Great introduction to Portland - This was the perfect introduction to Portland. We walked around the center of the city, got a feeling for the history and the architecture. Our guide was knowledgeable, informative, and friendly.
Review provided by Viator
V8584qfmarilyns
Jun 15, 2024
Portland's past, present and future. - This was a fun way to learn a little bit more about Portland. It's past, present and future. This is a very progressive city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bfcurran
Jun 14, 2024
Good walking tour downtown Portland - This was a very good walking tour of downtown Portland. The focus was mostly on architecture and public art. Our guide did an excellent job of blending history with the historic buildings and art. Good walking pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeremy_e
Jun 10, 2024
Good local perspective… beautiful city. - Good guide.. excellent stories and background, the right pace and locations. The guide lived in the tour zone and gave a very local perspective.
Review provided by Viator
Carolinatravelers2
Jun 5, 2024
A perfect way to get to know the center of Portland. - Shannon gave us a fantastic tour. In addition to facts, she told us interesting background stories about the places we passed, including some of her own experiences. We were a small group, and she paced the walk well—not too fast, not too slow. Walking is the best way to see city buildings and public art, and we thoroughly enjoyed learning as we walked. Highly recommended for travelers AND Portland residents, who might be surprised to learn new details about their city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H883fgrobinr
May 29, 2024
Outstanding!! - Our guide was terrific. She had such in-depth knowledge and insight into the history and current events of Portland, the time flew by.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Helen_q
May 26, 2024
Portland history Nancy's way - Nancy was knowledgeable of some Portland history which was interesting and fun. I have lived in the Portland area for over 30 years and Nancy brought Portland into a whole new light. Thank you Nancy
Review provided by Viator
266desireed
May 11, 2024
Great way to see sights big and small - Shannon was right on time and I can't imagine there is anyone more knowledgeable about Portland. We walked a circuitous route that covered everything big and small. A really great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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