Portland Ghost Tour: Haunted Waterfront & Historic Sites

Walk Portland's haunted past without needing to piece together the stories yourself.

This one-mile ghost tour of Portland's historic waterfront runs nightly year-round, led by expert local guides who connect documented history and local folklore to real sites—Bell Buoy Park, Andy's Old Port Pub, the Portland Harbor Hotel, and a section of the Berlin Wall. The tour takes about an hour and covers locations tied to maritime tragedies, mysterious deaths, and unexplained activity. Service animals are welcome; moderate fitness is needed for the walking distance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening walking ghost tour in Portland

• Visit Bell Buoy Park waterfront
• Explore Andy’s Old Port Pub
• See section of the Berlin Wall
• Tour Portland Harbor Hotel
• Stop at Maine Lobstermen’s Park
• Visit Soldiers and Sailors Monument
• View Chapman Building rooftop sign

The Experience

Why does Portland's waterfront draw ghost hunters and history buffs to the same tour? Because the stories here are rooted in what actually happened. The guide walks you through one mile of the Old Port and harbor district, stopping at sites where documented events—shipwrecks, unexplained deaths, strange occurrences reported by staff and guests—have become part of the city's haunted reputation. Bell Buoy Park marks maritime tragedies tied to Casco Bay. Andy's Old Port Pub carries reports of a spirit named Betsy, with accounts of moving objects and shadowy figures in the pool room. The Portland Harbor Hotel, built in the heart of the oldest streets, has guests and staff reporting unexplained sounds and sightings. Each stop is a real place with a real history, not a theatrical setup.

The guide is a local who knows these stories firsthand and can answer questions about what you're standing in front of. You'll also see the Berlin Wall section—a Cold War monument that carries its own weight of loss and tension—and pass through Monument Square, anchored by the 1891 Soldiers and Sailors Monument honoring Civil War veterans. The Chapman Building, a 1924 landmark famous for its rooftop time-and-temperature sign, rounds out the tour with one of Portland's most persistent ghost stories: a mysterious female apparition in the offices and elevators. The whole walk takes about an hour and moves at a pace that lets you absorb the history without rushing between stops.

The tour runs every night of the year, so you can book it around your schedule, not the other way around. It's built for groups—bachelorette parties, birthdays, private gatherings—as well as solo travelers and couples. The guide is knowledgeable about Portland's maritime heritage and the documented events behind each legend, so you're getting history alongside the folklore. Bring comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather; the route is outdoors and covers uneven historic streets along the waterfront.

What’s included

• Professional local guide who knows Portland's history and legends firsthand.
• thoroughly researched and accurate historical context woven through each stop.
• authentic local ghost stories tied to real maritime tragedies, mysterious deaths, and documented unexplained activity at each location.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Boston Ghosts By Us Ghost Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying downtown or using public transit—the Old Port meeting point is walkable and the nightly schedule lets you join any evening that fits your plans.

Top questions

What exactly happens at Andy's Old Port Pub on the tour?

Andy's Old Port Pub is a stop where the guide shares the legend of Betsy, a spirit believed connected to the building's earlier use as a pharmacy. Staff and guests have reported unexplained noises, moving objects, shadowy figures, and strange activity, particularly around the pool room—the guide explains what those reports are and why the pub has become part of Portland's haunted reputation.

How long is the walk and what kind of fitness do I need?

The tour covers one mile and takes about an hour, moving through Portland's historic waterfront and Old Port district. Moderate physical fitness is recommended because the route includes uneven historic streets and waterfront terrain; it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Does the tour include food, drinks, or transportation to the starting point?

The tour itself does not include food, drinks, or transportation. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're not driving, and you'll need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. The guide and the stories are what the ticket covers.

What is the Berlin Wall section doing on a Portland ghost tour?

The Berlin Wall section serves as a Cold War monument in Portland's landscape. While not tied to a specific haunting, the guide includes it because its connection to decades of political tension, loss, and human suffering lends the monument a somber atmosphere that fits the tour's themes of history and remembrance.

Can I bring my service animal on the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the ghost tour. The one-mile outdoor walking route accommodates them, though you'll want to confirm with the guide when you book if you have specific questions about the terrain or stops.

Does the tour operate in winter, and how often does it run?

The tour operates nightly, year-round, including winter months. You can book it any night that fits your schedule, making it easy to add to your Portland trip regardless of when you visit.