About us…
Old Town Tours was sparked by a group of Willamette University students who spoke with over 50 local stakeholders in Old Town, from business owners and service providers to artists and community advocates.
What started as conversations quickly grew into a shared vision: to offer walking tours that center the voices too often left out of Portland’s story. Inspired by local relationships and a commitment to place-based justice, Old Town Tours partners with individuals who have experienced homelessness to co-create guided walks through the neighborhood.
To be clear: these are not poverty tours. Our aim is not to showcase hardship or reduce Old Town to a narrative of deprivation.
Instead, our tours offer a thoughtful exploration of the neighborhood’s cultural, historical, and social landscape, led by those with lived experience and deep local insight. We highlight resilience, community, and the often-overlooked contributions of those who have shaped this place.
These are not tours about homelessness; they are tours with individuals who have experienced housing insecurity. When these topics arise, they are addressed authentically and respectfully, in the words of those who’ve lived them. Our goal is to create space for understanding and connection.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!