Whether you’re a lifelong Bostonian longing to embrace your inner tourist, or you have a limited amount of time in Beantown, here are 23 tours guaranteed to show you the sights you want to see.
Note: Price estimates are based on individual adult rates available at the time of publishing. Check each company’s website to see current pricing.
Top tours
Old Town Trolley Tours | $50-$79 per person | Available year-round
Hop on and off a double-decker trolley to choose your own adventure. Tours depart from the trolley booth located at 200 Atlantic Ave.
Fenway Park Tour | $15-$40 per person | Available year-round
Take a behind the scenes look at America’s most beloved ballpark, including walking across the Green Monster, touring the press box, and learning about the Sox most memorable moments.
Duck Boat Tours | $36-$50 per person | Available March through November
Take on Boston by land and by sea on an 80-minute tour with an intro-duck-tion to landmarks like the Massachusetts State House and Quincy Market.
New England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise | $45-$65 per person | Available May through November
Hop aboard this adventure out to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary and spot various species of whales and marine animals.
Harbor Cruise | $40-$45 per person | Available daily through October, weekend availability through December
Head to the Boston Harbor and hop on a narrated adventure to take in the city skyline from the outdoor or indoor viewing areas. Cash bar and light snacks are available for purchase.
Boston Segway Tours | $80-$120 per hour | Available daily
Zip around Boston on this guided tour with one-hour or two-hour options to enjoy city views, street arts, and historic sites.
Did you know that Fenway Park has a garden and they donate a portion of the food to a local food bank?
Photo by @digitalsouvenirs
Eat and drink
North End Food Tour | $84 per person | Available daily
Enjoy a casual walking tour of the historic North End and feast on some of the best dishes this city has to offer.
Underground Donut Tour | $40-$50 per person | Available daily
This tasty tour begins in the Financial District at Kane’s Donuts and continues to the Boston Public Market. Enjoy bites from Union Square Donuts + apple cider donuts along the way.
Sweet and Savory South End Tour | $85+ per person | Available on Saturdays
Stroll the scenic South End during this three-hour tour and sample specialties from local eateries. Bonus: this company also offers a private Chinatown tour.
North End Pizza Tour | $50 per person | Available daily
This two and a half hour tour includes three full slices of pizza, a walking tour of the historic neighborhood, and a cannoli.
It’s easy to spot your historic tour guides in Boston.
Photo by @thefreedomtrail
All in on history
Freedom Trail Tour | $8-$17 | Available Thursdays through Sundays
This guided “Walk into History” 90-minute tour begins at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center and walks visitors through some of the destinations on the Freedom Trail.
African American Patriots Tour | $0-$17 | Available of select Saturdays and Sundays
Join the Freedom Trail Tour company for a 90-minute guided tour through the eyes of African-American revolutionaries such as Crispus Attucks, Phillis Wheatley, and Prince Hall.
Revolutionary Story Tour | $45-$76 | Dates vary by group size
Learn about the start of America on this half-day walking tour through some of the most popular locations, famous landmarks, and oldest neighborhoods in Boston.
Black Heritage Trail Tour | Free | Available Wednesdays through Sundays Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston for a 90-minute tour through Beacon Hill’s 19th century Black community. This tour begins at the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial and ends at the Museum of African American History, covering about 1.4 miles.
Jamaica Plain Historic Walking Tours | Free | Available on select Saturdays May through September
No reservations are required for this community walking tour. Check the schedule for the weekly meeting point (think: Hyde Square, Monument Square, or Jamaica Pond) for the 11 a.m. tours.
The Central Library’s reading room should be on every Bostonian’s bucket list.
Photo by @ma_nushi
Art is all around
Public Art and Architecture Tours | Free | Available Mondays, Tuesdays Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Visit the Boston Public Library for the hour-long tours that start in the McKim Building Vestibule, just through the Dartmouth Street entrance.
Boston Athenaeum Tour | $4-$15 | Available daily
Join a docent for an hour-long tour and discover the history, collections, and cozy nooks at the library located at 10½ Beacon St.
Central Square Food and Murals Arts Tour | $80 | Available on Sundays
This 1.5 mile walking tour will explore the public art murals in the Cambridge neighborhood and sample delicious eats along famed Mass. Ave.
Get ghosted
Ghost and Gravestones | $45 per person | Available year-round
Listen to a ghostly tale while walking through the city’s historic burying grounds and the Omni Parker House hotel.
Boston Ghost Pub Crawl | $30 per person | Available year-round
Start the night at 21st Amendment and continue on the two-hour tour to three more locations in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.
Ghost & Gravestones Evening Tour | $45 per person | Available year-round
Join the Boston Tea Party Museum team for a night walking with the dead beginning at 6 p.m.
Star-studded locations
Boston TV and Movie Locations Tour | $45-$61 per person | Available on Saturdays
Hop on the bus for this three-hour tour to see the real life locations from wicked Boston movies like “The Town” and shows like “Cheers.”
Boston Movie Mile Tour | $26-$36 per person | Available April through October
This unique walking tour of Boston Common and Beacon Hill guides you through the places you’ve seen on screen in movies like “Good Will Hunting” and “The Departed.”
What did we miss? If you know a tour that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction using this survey.
