This small city on Casco Bay is home to one of the most celebrated food scenes in New England, a working waterfront that has been active since the 17th century, three of Maine's most iconic lighthouses and a coastline of rocky headlands and island-dotted bays that define the northeastern idea of the sea. Whether you want to walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Port, sail Casco Bay on a tall ship, crack a lobster beside the harbor or drive up the coast to the charming village of Kennebunkport, Royal Caribbean shore excursions in Portland offer a memorable way to experience the best of coastal Maine.
Lighthouse Excursions in Portland, Maine
Maine ranks third among US states (after Rhode Island and Michigan) in terms of lighthouses per mile of coastline, and Portland's most celebrated is Portland Head Light at Fort Williams, the oldest lighthouse in Maine and the first completed by the U.S. government. It is also the most visited, painted and photographed lighthouse in New England. Scenic lighthouse tours typically include two or three additional lights along the coast, including the cast-iron Bug Light and the spark-plug style Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, giving guests a full picture of how Maine's rocky shores were navigated before modern technology.
- Portland Head Light: Maine's oldest lighthouse, completed in 1791 at Fort Williams on Cape Elizabeth
- Bug Light: a distinctive cast-iron lighthouse alongside the Liberty Ship Memorial, honoring 266 WWII ships built nearby
- Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse: an unusual spark-plug style structure connected to the shore by a granite causeway
Portland City Tours and Walking Excursions
Portland's Old Port is one of the most walkable historic districts in New England, a neighborhood of 19th-century red brick buildings now filled with restaurants, galleries, boutiques and craft breweries a short walk from the waterfront. Walking tours go deeper than the main streets, exploring the cobblestone side streets of the working waterfront, the Eastern Promenade trail with its views over Casco Bay, and the Victorian architecture of the residential neighborhoods beyond. Scenic city drives cover the Arts District, Victorian mansions, the Portland Observatory and the broader sweep of the city in less time.
- Old Port district: 19th-century brick warehouses converted into one of New England's best concentrations of restaurants, bars and independent shops
- Eastern Promenade: a trail along a former rail corridor with panoramic views of Casco Bay and the Portland Observatory, built in 1807
- Wadsworth-Longfellow Mansion: the childhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of Portland's most significant historic properties
Sailing and Harbor Excursions in Casco Bay
Casco Bay is one of the most scenic stretches of water on the New England coast, and the best way to appreciate it is from the deck of a boat. The standout option is a two-hour sail aboard a historic 88-foot wooden schooner launched in 1912 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, through island-dotted waters where harbor seals are a common sighting. Shorter harbor cruises offer a more relaxed alternative with panoramic views of the Portland skyline.
- Wendameen schooner: a historic 88-foot tall ship with an experienced crew who welcome guests to help hoist the sails
- Harbor seals and bald eagles: common sightings along the bay during warmer months
Kennebunkport Excursions from Portland
Kennebunkport sits about an hour south of Portland along one of Maine's most scenic coastal roads, and it is one of the most charming towns in New England. The village is known for its Federal and Victorian mansions built by wealthy sea captains in the 18th and 19th centuries, its independent shops and galleries around Dock Square, and Walker's Point, the Bush family estate that served as the summer White House during both Bush presidencies. Several excursion formats are available, from a straight scenic drive with free time in Dock Square to a combined option that adds a harbor cruise along the rocky coast.
- Dock Square: Kennebunkport's village center, with independent shops, galleries, restaurants and waterfront views
- Walker's Point: the Bush family estate on the rocky coastline, visible from the water and from the coastal road
- Kennebunkport harbor cruise: a 50-minute boat tour past Walker's Point and along the Maine coast
- Local craft brewery stop: a Kennebunkport excursion option that includes a tasting at one of the area's well-regarded breweries
Food, Lobster and Local Experiences in Portland
Portland has earned a national reputation as one of the best food cities in America, and several excursions are built around that identity. A small-group Royal Signature experience takes guests to the Custom House Wharf for a guided lobster cracking lesson, with the harbor and the daily catch visible from the deck. Food and beer walking tours explore the craft breweries and culinary scene that have made Portland's waterfront one of the most talked-about dining destinations in New England.
- Lobster cracking lesson: a guided hands-on experience at a working waterfront restaurant overlooking Portland Harbor
- Portland craft beer tour: a small-group walk through the working waterfront with tastings at local breweries
- Maine sweet treat sampler: a Portland or Kennebunkport excursion option that includes stops at local confectionery producers
Portland, Maine Shore Excursions: Explore New England in a Day
Portland, Maine brings together coastal scenery, maritime history, lighthouse views and one of New England's most celebrated food cultures in one outstanding port day. From sailing Casco Bay on a historic tall ship and touring three of Maine's most iconic lighthouses to cracking lobster on the waterfront and exploring the Victorian streets of Kennebunkport, shore excursions in Portland offer something genuinely rewarding for every kind of traveler. Royal Caribbean shore excursions in Portland are designed to help guests make the most of their time on this beautiful stretch of the Maine coast, whether that means a morning on the water, an afternoon in the Old Port or a drive up the coast to one of New England's most picturesque villages.
Planning Your Day in Portland, Maine
Portland is a compact city and easy to navigate, but a few excursions reach further up the coast. A few things to keep in mind:
- Kennebunkport is about an hour from the pier each way. Excursions that include a harbor cruise there fill quickly and should be booked before sailing.
- Weather along the Maine coast changes quickly and the water can be cool even in summer. A light layer is recommended for any sailing or harbor cruise excursion.
- Portland Head Light is a short drive from the Old Port and easy to combine with a city walking tour in a single day.
