With cobblestone streets mixing with modern architecture, Boston offers the perfect backdrop to explore one of the most culturally-rich cities in the U.S. on foot. Whether you’re looking for an immersive walking tour or like to enjoy a leisurely pace, Boston has a lot to offer tourists of all tastes and interests.
Freedom Trail Self-Guided Tour
Address: 204 Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02113
Duration: Variable (approx. 4 hours)
Occurs: All day, Sunday - Saturday
Do you like exploring a city at your own pace? If so, then the Freedom Trail Self-Guided Tour is a great pick for you and your family. Featuring 2.5 miles of urban exploration of all major sites in Boston’s storied role of the American Revolution, you can see Paul Revere’s House, visit the USS Constitution (”Old Ironsides”), peruse Faneuil Hall, and much more. Best of all, the Freedom Trail Self-Guided Tour is free, making it the perfect tour for history buffs on a budget. GPS-enables audio tours are available for those that want a fully-immersive experience on-demand.
Sam Adams Brewery Tour
Address: 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130
Duration: Approximately 1hour, with 30 minutes spent learning about the brewing process and 30 minutes in the tasting room
Occurs: Tours occur roughly every 40 minutes between 11am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday (closed Sundays). Private tours are available Monday - Friday at 11:30 am or 5:30 pm.
All that walking can make you quite patched, so what better way to quench your thirst than experience a couple of brews on the Sam Adams Brewery Tour?The Sam Adams Brewery offers a free tour of its famed brewery, where you can not only sample 3 top-notch brews directly from the source, but see how they do it and how the brewery came to be an iconic part of Boston. Be forewarned: This is a popular tour, so get there early and be prepared to wait.
On Location Tours
Address: Multiple locations
Duration: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours
Occurs: Every other Saturday, April – October at 2:30PM
Boston is a photogenic city, so it’s no surprise that many films and television shows have used it as a backdrop. From Good Will Hunting, Ally McBeal, The Departed, and Cheers, you can feel what it’s like to be on set thanks to On Location Tours. Whether you want to grab a drink at L Street Tavern (Good Will Hunting) or see the FBI headquarters from The Heat, this is one walking tour film buffs don’t want to miss out on. Adult tickets are $48, children $32 (children 5 and under are free)
Bites of Boston
Address: The tour meets near the intersection of Washington Street and Union Park Street in Boston’s South End
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours (depending on destination)
Occurs: Tours run seasonally from March – December, departing at 11:30am and/or 12:30pm depending on the day of the week.
Are you a foodie? The Bites of Boston walking tour gives you the ability to not only taste the delectable offerings that Boston has to offer, but also get a chance to walk off those calories over 1.5 miles! Currently, there are 4 walking tours being offered in Boston’s distinct neighborhoods. Whether you want to taste the Asian flair of Boston’s Chinatown tour or the upscale fusion of the South End tour, Bites of Boston is a yummy way to experience all that “Beantown” has to offer and more. Tours range from $71.49 + tax and up per person, so bring your appetite!
PhotoWalks Tours
Address: 1 Park St Pl, Boston, MA 02108
Duration: 2 hours
Occurs: Varies, check calendar for availability
Need some inspiration for your Instagram? Or, do you want some eye-catching shots to round out your trip to Boston? If you said yes, then PhotoWalks Tours is for you. Offering a plethora of different photo tours around Boston, you can view the classic destinations on the Highlights of Boston tour, take in the architecture of the Back Bay, or experience the city’s nighttime grandeur on the Cityscapes at Night tour - enough to make any photogs drool with envy. Tours are available year-round, as well as during the day or night. And for those that want to have even more fun for the whole family, there are even scavenger hunts to make sure you get the full Bostonian experience. Tours start from $40 USD and up per person.
