Portland and Kennebunkport Tours
You'll see highlights in Portland that include Casco Bay, and the arts and commerce districts, and then visit Kennebunkport. This seaside town boasts Federal and Victorian architecture dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. You'll shop and stroll as you like through the boutiques, antique shope, and galleries dotting Docks Square, and later enjoy a coastal drive to Cape Elizabeth. There, you'll see the Portland Head Light, a lighthouse built in 1791.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $60 for a 5 hour tour.
Booking Advice: This tour is rated as easy, and does take you to both cities. You can visit just Portland via trolley for about $19, and reserve tickets at http://www.portlanddiscovery.com/tours/portland-trolley-tour/ You can see Portland via a duck tour for around $24, and reserve tickets at http://www.zerve.com/DowneastDuck/DuckTour
Maine Lighthouse Tours
Thes tours take you by coach to various lighthouses in the area. One such tour takes you to the Bug Light (lighthouse built in 1875), and then you'll see the Liberty Ship Monument which commemorates the fact that 266 ships were built there for WWII. You'll then see the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, which is built in the “spark plug” style. Your trip concludes after you view the oldest Maine lighthouse, which is the Portland Head Light (circa 1791). You'll also have opportunity to visit the museum housed in the old lighthouse keeper's quarters.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $36 to $46 for these 2 to 3.5 hour tours.
Booking Advice: These tours are rated as easy, and you'll likely discover that there are online 3rd party vendors featuring very attractive rates (although these may not include transportation from the cruise terminal). You may want to investigate http://www.portlanddiscovery.com/tours/lighthouse-lovers-cruise/
Kennebunkport and Scenic Cruise
These tours are rated as easy in terms of physical difficulty. While transportation isn't included, one viable alternative to consider is a cruise from Kennebunkport on an authentic working lobster boat. Cost is about $30 per adult for this cruise. You can find such extremely popular tours at http://www.rugosacharters.com/The_Rugosa/Information.html
Price: A coach drive takes you to Kennebunkport, where you'll see the gorgeous Federal and Victorian architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries, and walk about and shop among the boutiques, antique stores, and galleries at Docks Square. Then, you'll cruise along Maine's coast, where you'll pass by Walker's Point and the Bush estate.
Booking Advice:
Maine Lobster Bake and Fort Scammel
If you like your lobster and love America history, this tour might just be ideal. A cruise takes you to Fort Scammel, which was built in 1661. Fort Scammel was used to protect Portland from the British in the Revolutionary War days, and used again as defense against the South during the Civil War. After walking about, you'll be treated to a lobster bake (1 to 1.5 lb.), or chicken if you'd like, with the sides and trimmings.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $100 for this 3.5 hour excursion.
Booking Advice: This tour is rated as moderate in terms of physical exertion. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Portland Highlights and Art Museums
A coach drive takes you by city highlights, including the boutiques and galleries in the Old Port area, Fort Allen Park, the Portland Observatory, and the arts and the commerce districts. Your guide, also an expert in the art you'll be seeing, will fill you in about Winslow Homer, Kent, Hartley, and Andrew Wyeth. You'll then visit the Winslow Homer Gallery and the Maine Art Gallery. You'll also travel by the lovingly and carefully preserved Victorian houses in Portland.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $50 for this 3.5 hour tour.
Booking Advice: This tour is rated as moderate in terms of physical difficulty due to the walking involved. Cruise line prices appear to be fairly competitive.