Guilds Lake c.1900 St. Helens Road (HWY 30) is just a dirt road. Ypu can see farms (they are small shakes) there are horses grazing as well as a horse pulling a wagon. The lake is really just a swamp/slough reparian marsh not much of a lake

Slabtown Tours

Where Portland's stories still linger…

Slabtown Tours is a locally owned, women-owned walking tour company based in Portland, Oregon.

Our research-based tours focus on the city’s layered history—its working waterfront, changing neighborhoods, and the people who shaped it—with a thoughtful nod to the stories and hauntings that still linger.

If you’re looking for a Portland tour that goes beyond the surface, you’re in the right place.

“Dr. March is an amazing guide – knowledgeable, engaging, and an infectious love for the city. I loved the small group setting of our weeknight tour and the ambiance created by that little lantern.”

John D, – Google

Our Most Popular Portland Tours

Step into the story each week…

A group of first and second graders- you only see the backs of their heads. They are wearing Friendly House Camp T-shirts. There is an umbrella.

Soul of Slabtown

Portland’s working-class

Explore this storied neighborhood’s transformation through historic photos, vanished ballpark, and the 1905 Exposition entrance. Experience a legacy of resilience and urban evolution.

Portland Unfiltered

Women of Nob Hill

elegance in the Alphabet District

From grand 1890s merchant manors to vintage streetcar corridors, this tour explores architectural shifts, social history, and the vibrant evolution of Portland’s trendy shopping scene.

Walk in Her Footsteps
A group of guests on a night tour, fake row of corn plants/ bamboo in the background. One guest is holding the lanturn, There are seven guests in the picture.

A Night With Ghosts

Portland’s paranormal heritage

Grounded in primary sources and private archives, this tour explores restless spirits and eerie phenomena tucked away within the historic streets of Northwest Portland.

History & Haunts

“Such a fun and informative tour! Dr. March did an amazing job of giving us in-depth history without embellishment. Perfect for history nerds and anyone who wants to learn more about the Portland of yesteryear.”

Beth G. – TripAdvisor

Step into the story each month…

Foster: The Widest Road

SE Portland’s Main Street

Once the city’s widest boulevard, this former trolley-line hub boasts a rich cinematic history and a modern evolution of preservation, coffee, and culture.

Stroll the Boulevard
Six guests on a daylight tour walking down stairs under the St. Johns Bridge. The dement massive bridge supports appear as if they are walking into a massive church hence why they named the park cathedral park in the 1980s

St. Johns: The Peninsula City

small-town charm along Two Rivers

View historic architecture from St. Johns’ days as an independent city while enjoying views of the iconic bridge and eclectic local businesses.

Discover A Hidden City
Five guests on a night time tour walking down stairs under the St. Johns Bridge. The dement massive bridge supports appear as if they are walking into a massive church hence why they named the park cathedral park in the 1980s. The portland park lanterns in the distance are casting a yellow orange glow on the structure and river in the distance.

Murder, Mayhem & Oddities

Investigate the dark side of St. Johns

From the 1903 arsenic poisoning sisters to the 1910 Riot and the eugenics movement, this tour uncovers the gritty history and a couple of haunted locations.

Reveal Dark Secrets

“What a wonderful way to spend an evening , getting to know history and ready walking the streets with someone who really knows her history! A very fun and educational way of getting a true tour of the Slabtown neighborhood, I took the ghost tour and learned about so much more than just ghosts! “

Broche E. – Yelp

Upcoming Tour Calendar


Historic SE Foster: The Widest Road in Portland

If a tour is sold out, see our calendar for alternatives or for A Night With Ghosts, join our waitlist.

See Calendar
A Night With Ghosts Waitlist

Private Tours

For Yourself or a Group

Let’s create a tour to fit your needs and specific interests. Perfect for: Team building, family gatherings, birthday parties, and history nerds. Your Schedule: Pick the time, pace, and neighborhood that works for you. Inclusive: Routes can be customized for all mobility and ability levels. Want more details?

Interested in Meeting with Tanya beyond a walking tour?

Learn more about her Research Services and the Humanities of Portland Book Club.

Tanya March @ age fifty leaning against a basalt wall (Part of St. Patricks Church) stairs to church curve behind her. Freeway (I405) section in top right corner. Left side a Irish Celtic Cross carved into the building.

Who Is Dr. Tanya Lyn March?

Tanya Lyn March brings decades of research, storytelling, and Portland knowledge to every tour she leads.

A Portland historian with advanced training in historic preservation and community development from Portland State University and Columbia University, Tanya is known for connecting neighborhood history with the people, architecture, and everyday stories that shaped the city.