Walking Tours
May 25 to October 16
4:00pm ET daily
Save your spot using Evenbrite* or pay with cash
One of Yankee Magazine's top five cemetery tours in New England! Walk Portland's Old Burying Ground with a trained guide. Hallowed? Not officially. Historic? Absolutely. Haunted? You decide. Visit the cemetery's unique field of underground tombs, the oldest gravemarker from 1717, the final resting place of the famed Captains of the 1813 battle between the Boxer and the Enterprise, and the interesting carvings of Portland's first stone-cutter, Bartlett Adams. Tours include early gravestone art, important local historic figures, Portland's historic events, and the landscape of this National Historic Landmark, including segregated sections for Black people, Catholics, Quakers, and strangers. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the ground is uneven once we leave the main pathway. Tours are held unless the weather is stormy.
These tours are led by trained volunteers who cover the cemetery's history, prominent historical figures, and early gravestone art.
Or take a virtual tour, Eastern Cemetery in 12 Stops anytime!
Tour Details
- Tours leave from the Congress Street gate.
- Tickets are $10, students and seniors (62+) $5, children under 12 are free
- Tours last up to 1 hour.
- Wear appropriate layers and sun protection — the wind is always a bit stronger on the hill! The terrain is uneven, and there is very little shade.
- Proceeds go to Spirits Alive to maintain the landscape and conserve Eastern Cemetery's stones.
Please buy tickets ahead of time (tour guides do not make change)! Reserve your tour on Eventbrite* if possible. If not, please have exact change unless you'd like to donate the extra to cemetery conservation work. Thank you!
Hold your phone's camera up to this QR code to open our tour ticket page: 
*Note that our ticketing system, Eventbrite, charges a fee for each ticket—this keeps the system available for those who prefer it, and they don't charge our small non-profit for the service.
Let us customize tours at a specific date and time for you at no extra charge. If you’re unable to attend at 4:00pm, or if you’re interested in a private tour focusing on a special history or cemetery-related subject, please contact us in advance.
Group Walking Tours
We love group tours! Contact us to set up a private group tour of Eastern Cemetery. We can schedule at your convenience and tailor the content and length of the tour to reflect the interest of your group. Email us to inquire about special tours and rates for your group, or phone Jeff Lyons at 207-772-4068. Groups that have enjoyed specially organized private tours include:
- Grade Schools, College Classes
- Family Reunions
- Stone Carvers and Artists
- Historical Society and Museum Volunteers
- Company Staff Events
Virtual Walking Tour
We have developed a virtual tour, Eastern Cemetery in 12 Stops for you to take, either in the comfort of your favorite space or with you to the cemetery when the gates are open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
We also conduct evening tours around Halloween called Walk Among the Shadows.