The Scenic Route Maine Tours
The Scenic Route Maine Tours
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
We are a local, family owned and operated tour company looking to share with you what we love about Maine! Fully narrated by local Maine guides! City & Lighthouse Tour ~ 2hrs * City highlights * 30 mins at Portland Head Light. More time than any other tour company! Kennebunkport Tour 3.5hrs * 90 minutes of free time to enjoy this lovely fishing village * Enjoy the view of Walker's Point, where the former President Bush spends the summers. WE ONLY OPERATE WHEN CRUISE SHIPS IN TOWN OR PRIVATE TOURS.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
430 reviews
Excellent
326
Very good
73
Average
15
Poor
13
Terrible
3
julieo63
Pokolbin, Australia704 contributions
Sep 2022
I originally booked the combined tour of Portland and Kennebunkport. After booking & paying for the tour I received an email saying I needed to choose between the two tours as we had to pass through immigration leaving insufficient time to do the combined tour.
I chose to do the City tour of Portland which included going to the Lighthouse.
The bus tour was a brief look at the city prior to heading out to spend 30mins at the lighthouse.
I enjoyed the light house as we were able to get out and take photos.
I chose to do the City tour of Portland which included going to the Lighthouse.
The bus tour was a brief look at the city prior to heading out to spend 30mins at the lighthouse.
I enjoyed the light house as we were able to get out and take photos.
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky8910
Wheeling, WV83 contributions
Oct 2022
Our tour in Portland was in a twelve passenger van with ten folks.(I would not have wanted two more!) Our drive through the city neighborhoods with our driver’s narration was pleasant. We disembarked at the Portland Head Lighthouse. This most photographed lighthouse is beautiful! Two other lighthouses are viewable in the distance. The tour was easy to find directly off the ship and a good value.
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen G
Jacksonville, FL115 contributions
Oct 2023
We signed up for this tour last minute, and so glad we did. The tour company is a family owned business who valued and respected their customers.
The tour started in Portland with a 40 minute drive to Kennebunkport. Along the way, our driver/guide talked about the history and interesting facts, he was friendly and very informative, Once we arrived in Kennebunkport, we drove around and saw the beaches and the Bush complex and then had plenty of time to walk around town and do a little shopping, dining or exploring. Kennebunkport is a quaint little town that is full of character and charm.
We would definitely recommend this tour, or any tour by The Scenic Route Main Tours.
The tour started in Portland with a 40 minute drive to Kennebunkport. Along the way, our driver/guide talked about the history and interesting facts, he was friendly and very informative, Once we arrived in Kennebunkport, we drove around and saw the beaches and the Bush complex and then had plenty of time to walk around town and do a little shopping, dining or exploring. Kennebunkport is a quaint little town that is full of character and charm.
We would definitely recommend this tour, or any tour by The Scenic Route Main Tours.
Written October 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan M
1 contribution
Oct 2023
I recently had the opportunity to take the Kennebunkport Tour. While the guide was knowledgeable and provided interesting insights, I must admit that the overall experience was quite uncomfortable due to the cramped conditions.
During the one-hour trip from Portland to Kennebunkport, my husband and I were squeezed into a small van-like vehicle, which significantly detracted from the enjoyment of the tour. The limited space made it difficult to move around or even find a comfortable sitting position, not to mention it was very warm. It was a shame because I genuinely looked forward to fully immersing myself in the experience. We ended up paying out of pocket for an Uber ride back to Portland, so we didn't have to suffer trough the trip back.
On the positive side, the guide's knowledge and expertise were evident throughout the trip. They shared exciting facts, historical information, and engaging anecdotes, which made the journey informative and engaging. I appreciated their efforts to make the best of the situation despite the uncomfortable circumstances.
While I understand that some tours may have space constraints, it would have been helpful to have been informed about the limited space in advance. This would have allowed me to manage my expectations and perhaps choose an alternative tour option that better suited my comfort preferences. Overall, the cost of the tour plus the Uber ride back not worth the money. You are better off paying for a taxi ride and exploring alone.
During the one-hour trip from Portland to Kennebunkport, my husband and I were squeezed into a small van-like vehicle, which significantly detracted from the enjoyment of the tour. The limited space made it difficult to move around or even find a comfortable sitting position, not to mention it was very warm. It was a shame because I genuinely looked forward to fully immersing myself in the experience. We ended up paying out of pocket for an Uber ride back to Portland, so we didn't have to suffer trough the trip back.
On the positive side, the guide's knowledge and expertise were evident throughout the trip. They shared exciting facts, historical information, and engaging anecdotes, which made the journey informative and engaging. I appreciated their efforts to make the best of the situation despite the uncomfortable circumstances.
While I understand that some tours may have space constraints, it would have been helpful to have been informed about the limited space in advance. This would have allowed me to manage my expectations and perhaps choose an alternative tour option that better suited my comfort preferences. Overall, the cost of the tour plus the Uber ride back not worth the money. You are better off paying for a taxi ride and exploring alone.
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie P
4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Our party of three couples immensely enjoyed our tour of Kennebunkport. Our guide, Al, was informative as well as entertaining. He shared lots of interesting facts of the area, and made sure we were comfortable throughout the trip. We booked this tour prior to our cruise, and they were located right off the pier which made it very convenient. The owner was quick to respond via email to several questions I had prior to booking. We would definitely recommend this company.
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory M
5 contributions
Oct 2023
We took the Kennebunkport tour during our shore time off a cruise ship. The origination / pickup point was conveniently located near the cruise terminal. We enjoyed the guide and his knowledge of local lore and his interest in accommodating the passengers' interests. This tour was an excellent option to what is offered by cruise lines.
Written October 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott
Murfreesboro, TN1 contribution
Oct 2022
In Portland for one day on a cruise and took this bus tour to Kennebunkport. It was a very pleasant drive-through with a great overview of a beautiful coastal town and just the right amount of time to walk around the downtown and/or eat lunch. We hope to return to Kennebunkport.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe H
Ankeny, IA1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
Guide Al - spent more time trying to tell jokes (his side gig) and only talked to front passenger. Very little information about the trip on the city or history. Talked about airports and non meaningful things. The van also needed a front end alignment and tie rod repair - van kept jolting slightly left and right on the interstate.
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EpicuriousExplorer
Houston, TX45 contributions
Jul 2013
This tour being rated the #1 tourist attraction in Portland is making me doubt the legitamacy of any trip advisor reviews. The tour guide Bob rambled on & on & on (ad nauseum) about his girlfriend, his daughters & every detail of their lives, his childhood in Hoboken NJ and many more snooze-worthy personal details which had nothing to do with Portland Maine. In fact, Bob droned on non-stop, apparently never coming up for air . This tour was expensive for a family and NOT WORTH IT ! I suggest the owner of this business write out a narrative for guides to follow and invest in some sharper guides. This was a waste of money and time and a terrible disappointment.
Written July 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you think this review is "helpful" than you are missing out on a great tour and the #1 Tour in Portland, Maine. This review has gone out of it's way dis The Scenic Route and we stick by our drivers/guides!
Hope to see you all soon!
Written August 5, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brian R
Baltimore, MD2 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
My girlfriend and I recently went to Portland for the first time. Being new to the city and wanting to get a good overview of the history and areas to check out, we looked up on TripAdvisor some of the best tours... and we see that the #1 rated attraction is a tour! We were excited as we have done great tours in New Orleans and Nantucket that were easily the highlights of our trip. We had high expectations for this tour and that was perhaps our fault.
Our tour guide was Bob. He seemed knowledgeable but as we started our tour... I could see this wasn’t going to go well. Bob spent a fair amount of time repeating his facts and not in a good way to reinforce a core concept or theme of the city. Instead, I think he just forgot he had said it. He had the same 10 facts on repeat. Examples of his repeated facts include "Portland Head Light was commissioned by George Washington. The light originally burned whale oil until that was replaced with a Fresnel lens which Bob apparently used when he was in the Navy." Though this fact is nice to know, to hear it 6 times during a 90 minute tour is a bit repetitive. There were several parades happening during the day which caused Bob to have to take a detour. This detour showed that Bob didn't know a ton about the city as basic questions regarding some interesting features in the city were met with "well I have a book of history up here" or "why don’t you Google it?" One question we asked was about the Urban Outfitters store which is actually an old bank. Inside the store, the original vault is still there and that is where they keep the sale items. It is quite cool and we went into that store before the tour based on another local's recommendation. When we asked Bob about the bank, wanting to know anything interesting - history, what it was before it was an urban outfitters, etc. - he had nothing to add. Though I dont expect him to know everything, I expect my tour guide to have been around the city so long he can tell me something he remembers. The climax of the tour is Portland Head Light. It is a very nice area which is basically a park. Bob dropped us off for 30 minutes while he ate his lunch. He said he would meet us at the lighthouse after the 30 minutes where, I assumed, Bob would give us some history of this very old lighthouse. Not a chance. He basically piled us all back in the van and we went back to town. So, a 90 minute tour is really 60 minutes and 30 minutes where I can walk around a park. I paid for a tour to learn - not for a taxi to a place I could go to on my own and walk around. By the end of the tour, my girlfriend and I were happy to be back on our own to explore the town.
I went into the tour hoping to learn more about Portland including its history, culture, facts, and key areas which I may want to check out after the tour. I left the tour knowing a little about the history and facts but nothing else. Needless to say, for the $28 a ticket, I expected much more. All in all, the best information about the city we received was from the concierge at the hotel as we checked in and that was free.
Our tour guide was Bob. He seemed knowledgeable but as we started our tour... I could see this wasn’t going to go well. Bob spent a fair amount of time repeating his facts and not in a good way to reinforce a core concept or theme of the city. Instead, I think he just forgot he had said it. He had the same 10 facts on repeat. Examples of his repeated facts include "Portland Head Light was commissioned by George Washington. The light originally burned whale oil until that was replaced with a Fresnel lens which Bob apparently used when he was in the Navy." Though this fact is nice to know, to hear it 6 times during a 90 minute tour is a bit repetitive. There were several parades happening during the day which caused Bob to have to take a detour. This detour showed that Bob didn't know a ton about the city as basic questions regarding some interesting features in the city were met with "well I have a book of history up here" or "why don’t you Google it?" One question we asked was about the Urban Outfitters store which is actually an old bank. Inside the store, the original vault is still there and that is where they keep the sale items. It is quite cool and we went into that store before the tour based on another local's recommendation. When we asked Bob about the bank, wanting to know anything interesting - history, what it was before it was an urban outfitters, etc. - he had nothing to add. Though I dont expect him to know everything, I expect my tour guide to have been around the city so long he can tell me something he remembers. The climax of the tour is Portland Head Light. It is a very nice area which is basically a park. Bob dropped us off for 30 minutes while he ate his lunch. He said he would meet us at the lighthouse after the 30 minutes where, I assumed, Bob would give us some history of this very old lighthouse. Not a chance. He basically piled us all back in the van and we went back to town. So, a 90 minute tour is really 60 minutes and 30 minutes where I can walk around a park. I paid for a tour to learn - not for a taxi to a place I could go to on my own and walk around. By the end of the tour, my girlfriend and I were happy to be back on our own to explore the town.
I went into the tour hoping to learn more about Portland including its history, culture, facts, and key areas which I may want to check out after the tour. I left the tour knowing a little about the history and facts but nothing else. Needless to say, for the $28 a ticket, I expected much more. All in all, the best information about the city we received was from the concierge at the hotel as we checked in and that was free.
Written June 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First, I want to say that we are very sorry that you and your girlfriend did not enjoy our tour. We were a little surprised when we read your review because most guests are loving the tour. We have had nothing but rave reviews for Bob. Nevertheless, it does not discount the fact that clearly there were some issues and less than optimal conditions on your tour (parade)...and we will certainly address the concerns you expressed. Of course we would be happy to refund the cost of your tickets. When we send people on tour we have full confidence in our team and only want people to have a positive experience. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in Portland.
Khaled
Written June 20, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Does this tour still exist? How much does it cost
Written February 4, 2020
Can i use my mobility scooter on the tour and can you have space on your van for it?
Written July 14, 2019
Khaled H
South Portland, Maine
Hi Carroll,
There is not space for the scooter however if the person can get in and out of the vehicle on their own, we typically leave the scooter at the booth for the duration of the tour. It's safe with us.
Written July 22, 2019
Hi, we will be in Portland,Maine from 8am to 4pm and would like to get suggestions on doing our own shore excursion. There's 24 in our group. Thanks
Written January 10, 2019
We took the 2 hour tour as we were at Kennybunkport a year ago. The mini bus was at the cruise terminal waiting it was a rainy and foggy day which limited our availability to view certain historical sites.The driver who was a resident provided interesting information about the history of the Portland area.We were taken to the famous lighthouse which we found to be very interesting were able to spend about 20 minutes for pictures of the rugged coastline.We returned back to the terminal others continued on to Kennybunkport. We continued on our own and walked through the town exploring various shops and eventually ended up in a quaint little pub where we had cold beer and fish and chips. So we thought for the money we paid for the tour was good value just wish the weatherman would have provided a sunny day.
Written January 11, 2019
ritahayworth2018
Corona del Mar, California
arriving on cruise from NY September 14
with a friend what is the per person cost of this tour and how long does it last are you available on this Date?
Written July 26, 2018
We took the 3.5 hour tour to Kennebunkport. It was $57 per person which was very reasonable. We were able to see many more sights than advertised because everyone arrived at the shuttle early so we departed a few minutes early. We were supposed to be in Kennebunkport for 90 minutes but made a few too many unplanned stops so we were only there for about 75 minutes which meant we couldn’t take the carriage ride that we had planned. They do operate during the month of September and you can see their dates of availabilty on their website. I would highly recommend this tour.
Written July 26, 2018
I hate auto text correcting... I meant it to say flying not flask
Written March 15, 2018
evathompson
Boston, Massachusetts
My husband and I are thinking about going to Portland in 2 weeks Nov 17/19, will this attraction will be open? Thank you!
Written November 4, 2017
I think it would depend on the weather. You might call and check with them directly. It is worth the time and cost. Enjoy!
Written November 5, 2017
?Do you do a shuttle service to Freeport shopping outlet?
Written August 2, 2016
Do you do a shuttle service to Lebanon Freeport shopping from cruise ship
.
Written August 2, 2016
No we just did the tour of the town and a nearby lighthouse
Written August 7, 2016
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