Portland Observatory

Portland Observatory One of the earliest maritime signals to be built, the Portland Observatory is the only remaining signal tower in the US.
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Please check our website for current hours, tours, and admission. A typical season runs seasonally between Memorial Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. The tower is closed on July 4 every year. Tours of the Observatory offer in-depth history of the builder, Captain Lemuel Moody, the purpose of the signal tower and its impact on Portland Harbor, as well as the history of the physical structure. Additi

onally, the spectacular views of the Harbor and the city of Portland from the top are well worth the trip! Restored in 2000, the Portland Observatory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It received additional recognition in 2006 by becoming a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

06/14/2026

POV: The perfect Maine summer day. Live music, free admission, and great weather. Come visit the Portland Observatory today as we celebrate Flag Day! We're here until 3:30.

We've been getting questions about the spring raffle — so here's everything in one place. 👇❓ Do I need a ticket to the e...
06/11/2026

We've been getting questions about the spring raffle — so here's everything in one place. 👇

❓ Do I need a ticket to the event to enter?
Nope. The raffle is open to everyone, no event ticket required.

❓ How do I enter?
Purchase a raffle ticket online — link in bio. That's it.

❓ How much?
$20 per ticket. Buy more than one to increase your chances.

❓ How is the winner chosen?
All entries go into a randomizer and the winner is drawn on June 24th. Fair, simple, transparent.

❓ What's the prize?
A private cocktail party for 8 at the Portland Observatory — one of Portland's most iconic venues.

Any other questions? Drop them in the comments. 👇

PLEASE NOTE that we'll be open at 11:30am on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. We'll have guided tours all day from 11:30am-3:30pm....
06/09/2026

PLEASE NOTE that we'll be open at 11:30am on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. We'll have guided tours all day from 11:30am-3:30pm. Hope to see you there!

Join us in ONE week for: Portland Observatory Flag Day Celebration Sunday, June 14 | 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM Portland Observa...
06/08/2026

Join us in ONE week for:
Portland Observatory Flag Day Celebration

Sunday, June 14 | 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Portland Observatory | Free Admission

Come celebrate Flag Day the Portland way, at the last remaining maritime signal tower in the country!

The Portland Observatory has been keeping watch over Casco Bay since 1807, and on June 14th this National Historic Landmark and National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark opens its doors to the whole community, completely free of charge. Spend as much or as little time as you like with self-guided tours running all day, and friendly docents will be on hand to share the stories behind this one-of-a-kind structure and answer every question you can think of.

Live banjo music and sea shanties by James Weitlauf will keep the good vibes going throughout the day, and there are activities for kids to enjoy as well. And if you think you know what this tower is, think again: come find out once and for all why the Portland Observatory is absolutely, definitively NOT a lighthouse.

Free and open to the community. No registration required. Just show up and explore.

Chalk art, colorful windows, and the flags flying high. Thank you to whoever left us this beautiful chalk drawing. When ...
06/05/2026

Chalk art, colorful windows, and the flags flying high. Thank you to whoever left us this beautiful chalk drawing. When the community shows up for you like this, you know you are doing something right. And this is why we love this place.

Come see what all the love is about. We're open seven days a week! Sunday-Thursday 10:00-3:30 and Thursday-Saturday from 10:00-7:00. Weekend morning and weekend day tours are led by our knowledgeable, passionate docents. If you prefer to walk up on your own, we offer self-guided tours weekend afternoons, and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 4:30-7:00.

Visit our website for more information: www.portlandlandmarks.org/the-portland-observatory

Hope to see you there!

05/22/2026

No, you don't need to adjust your glasses, but you do need to save the date!

What you're seeing is a historic image of the "Faith" statue in Hallowell—brought to life in 3D. This is just one glimpse of what awaits you at Portland Unlocked, Greater Portland Landmarks' upcoming fundraising event.

On Tuesday, June 23, Maine State Museum Director Bernard Fishman will take you on a journey through rare stereograph images from the mid-to-late 1800s and early 1900s—photographs you've likely never seen, presented in breathtaking 3D. The centerpiece presentation, "Historic Maine in 3D", happens inside the magnificent The Portland Masonic, one of Portland's most storied and long-hidden gems, in its original plush velvet seating, surrounded by Masonic murals and woodwork that have to be seen to be believed. And getting there you'll ride elevators of the same manufacture as those aboard the Titanic.

Want to go deeper? Only 50 VIP tickets are available for an exclusive private tour and a special reception with Bernard in the stunning Billiards Room — crystal chandeliers, leather couches, and yes, billiards tables included. VIP tickets go on sale May 26, with general admission following on May 28.

This is a rare chance to step inside Maine's past—literally—while supporting the organization that works to preserve these irreplaceable spaces. Don't miss it.

Check our website for more information as it becomes available: https://www.portlandlandmarks.org/portlandunlocked

😎 You know it's summer when the Observatory opens! Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 23rd at 10am, when we open...
05/20/2026

😎 You know it's summer when the Observatory opens! Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 23rd at 10am, when we open for the season.

Our hours will be:
Monday-Friday: Guided tours 10:00-3:30.
Saturday and Sunday: Guided tours 10:00-12:00 and self-guided tours 1:00 to close.

We're also open evenings in June, July, and August:
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: Self-guided tours from 4:30-7:00

Check our website for more information and admission.
portlandlandmarks.org

Looking forward to seeing you this season!

The Portland Observatory is owned by the City of Portland, Maine and operated as an educational museum by Greater Portland Landmarks.

Visit Portland Maine
Visit Maine

This Saturday, May 16th! Do you live or work on Munjoy Hill? Do you walk by the Observatory and think "someday, I've got...
05/14/2026

This Saturday, May 16th! Do you live or work on Munjoy Hill? Do you walk by the Observatory and think "someday, I've got to visit"? Make Saturday that day! The Observatory is holding a special pre-season open day for Munjoy Hill residents and workers. We'll be open from 11:00am-3:00pm for self-guided tours. Admission for Munjoy Hill residents and workers is FREE. Come meet our friendly docents and staff, learn about the history of the Observatory and your neighborhood, and see the best view in Portland. Put on in collaboration with the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization. We hope to see you there!

Contact [email protected] with questions.

Planning your trip to the Observatory and can't quite wait until we open on May 23rd? Check out "The Last One Standing,"...
05/11/2026

Planning your trip to the Observatory and can't quite wait until we open on May 23rd? Check out "The Last One Standing," a documentary about the Observatory created by SMCC students Noah Bonnell, Keegan Pierce, Kyle Scott, and Abe Huff. They did such a great job interviewing site manager Peg and docent Daphne and highlighting our special building.

Check out the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YEWWaweYFw&t=40s

Inaugural Open Call for the Board of Trustees! Do you have a passion for Portland's history and neighborhood character, ...
02/03/2026

Inaugural Open Call for the Board of Trustees!

Do you have a passion for Portland's history and neighborhood character, or perhaps just a real appreciation for understanding sense of place and how it can be retained? You are the right person to answer the call!

Greater Portland Landmarks is looking to grow our Board of Trustees with our first open call. If you feel you have an interesting perspective to bring to our organization, we would love to hear from you.

Interest Forms accepted until March 13th, the form should take roughly 15 minutes to finish, so don't delay!

Learn more here: https://www.portlandlandmarks.org/2026-bot-open-call

Address

138 Congress Street
Portland, ME
04101

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 3:30pm
Friday 10am - 3:30pm
Saturday 10am - 3:30pm
Sunday 10am - 3:30pm

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