Portland Vintage Fire Engine Guided Tour
Explore Portland’s history from an open-air 1971 fire engine
Duration
50 minutes
Ideal For
Up to 13 people
Includes
Narrated tour, fire engine ride
Highlights
Climb aboard a retrofitted vintage fire engine for a narrated introduction to Portland’s history and changing cityscape. Hear local stories while taking in the city from an open-air viewing platform.
- Ride aboard a retrofitted 1971 vintage fire engine
- Discover the four great fires that helped shape Portland
- View archival photos on a large onboard screen
- Pass Portland Head Light, historic forts, and waterfront views
- Explore Portland’s historic districts through live narration
Itinerary
- US Customs House
- Maine State Pier
- Casco Bay Lines
- Ocean Gateway Terminal
- Shipyard Brewing Company
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad
- The Portland Company
- Fort Allen Park
- Spring Point Lighthouse
- Fort Gorges
- Bug Light
- Baxter School for the Deaf
- Eastern Promenade
- East End Beach
- Loring Memorial Park
- East End Community School
- Portland Observatory
- Eastern Cemetery
- Maine Jewish Museum
- St. Paul’s Church
- The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Lincoln Park
- Central Fire Station
- City Hall
- First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist
- Chamber of Commerce
- Monument Square
- Portland Public Library
- Longfellow House and Maine Historical Society Museum
- Maine College of Art
- Children’s Museum and Theater
- Portland Museum of Art
- Longfellow Square
- Arts District
- Neal Dow Memorial
- Bramhall Station
- Maine Medical Center
- Adam P. Leighton House
- Western Cemetery
- Victoria Mansion
- Wharf Street
- Portland Downtown Shopping
Important details
- Arrive before the stated departure time; tours leave promptly
- Allow extra time for Portland traffic and difficult parking
- Use a restroom before arriving, as no public restrooms are near the departure point
- Requires climbing a small five-step ladder with handrails to reach the seating area
- No wheelchair access is available due to the vintage vehicle
- Expect a bumpy ride, which may not suit people with back problems
- Bring appropriate clothing, rain gear, water, and sunscreen
- All tours are given in English
Cancellation Policy
We leave promptly at the designated tour times. No refunds for late arrivals.
Product ID: UMVN6W
FAQs
All tours depart from 180 Commercial St. in front of The Portland Lobster Co.
The ride lasts about 50 minutes, though traffic may extend it slightly.
No. Guests must climb five steps to board.
Meeting details
In front of Portland Lobster Co., 180 Commercial St., Portland, ME 04101
More about Portland Head Light
Portland Head Light stands as Maine's most photographed lighthouse, perched dramatically on the rocky cliffs of Cape Elizabeth where it has guided ships safely into Casco Bay since 1791. Commissioned by George Washington himself, this iconic beacon offers sweeping Atlantic views, crashing surf against granite ledges, and a slice of maritime history that defines coastal New England. While Portland Head Light sits just outside the downtown core, exploring Portland's storied streets aboard a vintage fire engine sets the perfect tone for appreciating the seafaring spirit that built this lighthouse and the working harbor it has long protected.
The Portland Vintage Fire Engine Tour rolls through the cobblestone lanes of the Old Port and along the historic waterfront in a beautifully restored open-air fire engine, with the salty breeze in your hair and the clang of the bell announcing your arrival. Your guide shares tales of the Great Fire of 1866, the rum-running days, and the brick warehouses that once stored cargo bound for ports far beyond Portland Head Light. You will pass landmarks tied to Portland's shipbuilding past, hear stories of the fishermen and lightkeepers who shaped the city, and see the same harbor waters that vessels still navigate today using Portland Head Light as their northern marker.
This tour is ideal for families with curious kids, couples looking for something memorable, and history lovers who would rather learn through stories than placards. Anyone planning to drive out to Portland Head Light afterward will find the experience adds rich context to that visit, turning a simple lighthouse photo stop into a deeper understanding of why this stretch of coast mattered so much to early America. Climb aboard the fire engine, soak up the city that grew up alongside Portland Head Light, and let Portland reveal itself one breezy, bell-ringing block at a time.
