One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston is dripping in history. As the birthplace of the American Revolution, it is a captivating place to visit. There are numerous historic sites and cultural landmarks related to the Boston Tea Party scattered about town, and many visitors to the city enjoy learning about how America won its independence.
With the wonderful Boston Harbor for you to visit as well as the incredible campuses of Harvard University and MIT to explore, Boston certainly has a lot for visitors to see and do. With so much on offer, here are the best tours which will take you all around the amazing city.
1. Harvard: 70-Minute Harvard Tour
Source: Jannis Tobias Werner / shutterstockA very popular tour, this trip around Harvard University is as interesting as it is educational; on your way around the campus, you’ll see all the main sights.
The oldest university in the States is dripping with history and your student guide will tell you all there is to know about such landmarks as Johnston Gate and Memorial Hall.
A fascinating place, this tour will bring this magnificent seat of learning to life before your eyes. You’ll get loads of insight into the culture of the institution and the stories behind some of its most famous students.
2. Boston’s Freedom Trail Walk Into History Tour
Source: getyourguide.comPerfect for history lovers, this tour sees you follow in the footsteps of the men who founded America as you visit Faneuil Hall and Boston Common.
The Freedom Trail is a captivating affair; it is amazing to think of the impact that this part of Boston has had on the world. The tour includes visits to 11 of the 16 historic sites on offer.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn all about how the US won its independence and how a representative government came to be.
3. Boston: Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley 1-Day Ticket
Source: getyourguide.comThis hop-on-hop-off trolley tour around Boston is ideal for people who want to see as much of this amazing city as possible. The stops are conveniently located next to all the most important landmarks.
Among the many highlights on show are Boston Common, the Cradle of Liberty, and the USS Constitution; the commentary will tell you all about their fascinating history.
A great option for people with not much time on their hands, this ticket will whizz you around Boston’s main sights. In no time at all, you’ll come away with a greater understanding and appreciation for this marvelous city.
4. Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous
Source: viator.comHighly rated by people who have been on it, this tour sees you take to an amphibious vehicle as you explore Boston by land and river.
Sailing along the Charles River is a great experience; you get to see Boston from a whole new perspective and the views are stunning.
With a professional guide on hand to explain everything you pass by, you’ll learn about how Boston is the birthplace of freedom, as well as the city’s rich cultural heritage.
5. Boston 90-Minute Historic Sightseeing Cruise
Source: getyourguide.comA wonderful outing, this cruise takes you around the city’s inner and outer harbors. On the way, you’ll see some of Boston’s most spectacular views and most important landmarks.
Cruising along the waterways is a great way to spend an afternoon and the audio commentary will tell you all that there is to know about the sights you see. The views of the Boston skyline are divine.
Sailing around the Harbor Islands National Park Area is a lovely experience as you pass islands, docks, and a historic lighthouse while learning all about the history of Boston.
6. Whale Watching Cruise from Boston
Source: getyourguide.comCatching a glimpse of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is a magical affair, and seeing a minke or humpback whale breach the water will live long in the memory.
This whale watching cruise is one of the most popular tours in Boston, and with good reason; the chances of seeing the largest mammal on Earth are very high in the waters off the city.
With a professional crew on hand to tell all about the various types of whales you might see, this tour is educational, interesting and entertaining.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Public Tour
Source: getyourguide.comOne of the best universities in the world, MIT is renowned for its cutting-edge research; its students and professors constantly push the boundaries of what is possible.
Taking a tour around its expansive campus is an illuminating affair, as you pass by its cavernous libraries and the spectacular Great Dome; your student guide will give you the low-down on the university’s culture.
With such famous alumni as Buzz Aldrin and Kofi Annan hailing from MIT, it is an impressive place to visit. You’ll come away from the tour amazed at the buzz of creativity that surrounds the campus.
8. Boston Tea Party: Ships & Museum Interactive Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis fun tour sees you travel back in time to 1773 so that you can experience the Boston Tea Party for yourself and see how the American Revolution came to pass.
On the interactive tour, you’ll meet some of the most important characters and even play a part in it yourself as you march on Griffin’s Wharf.
On top of all this, you get to explore an 18th-century replica ship and wander around the interactive and engaging museum, which has a great film of the historic events.
9. Boston Buffet Lunch Cruise
Source: getyourguide.comIf you want to fit as much sightseeing into the day as possible, this two-hour cruise is the perfect way to enjoy Boston’s sights while eating a delicious buffet lunch.
While you sit back and dine, the cruise takes you past Bunker Hill and around Boston Harbor – the views of the city are breathtaking.
With great entertainment on offer, this cruise is a fun and relaxing way to experience Boston from the water. You’ll set foot back on land, rearing to go and ready to see the rest of the city.
10. Welcome to Boston: Private Tour with a Local
Source: Sean Pavone / shutterstockA fantastic way to get an authentic look at Boston and what life in this fantastic city is like, this private tour with a local is a personable and illuminating experience that you’ll look back on fondly in years to come.
As the tour is customized to your interests, you can either explore some of the city’s main landmarks or go for a walk around some of Boston’s local neighborhoods.
With a friendly face to show you around, you’ll come away with a more intimate experience of what life in Boston is like.
11. Boston in One Day Sightseeing Tour
Source: Sean Pavone / shutterstockIdeal for people who don’t have much time on their hands, this whirlwind tour will take you around all of the main sights in just one day; you’re sure to come away tired but happy with all that you’ve seen.
As well as taking you around Boston’s downtown – home to so many fabulous sights – the tour leads you to some of the historic towns that surround the city, such as Cambridge and Lexington.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn all there is to know about the sights you pass by – as well as the history of Boston itself.
12. Boston: 3-Hour Secret Food Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThe perfect tour for foodies, this three-hour excursion sees you visit seven places, where you’ll try all sorts of different foods and tasty treats.
With a local guide by your side to explain the dishes and the history behind them, you’ll come away having learned a lot about Boston’s culinary heritage.
Fun and delicious, this tour will leave you salivating as you try lobster rolls, an Italian sandwich, and cannoli – among others.
13. Boston: 2.5-Hour City View Bike Tour
Source: getyourguide.comA great way to see Boston’s many amazing sights is by bike; on the way, you’ll get to see some lovely local neighborhoods.
With visits to the Christian Science Center, the Charles River Esplanade and the Rose Kennedy Greenway included on the tour, you’ll fit more in than you would on foot – the two and a half hours will fly by.
Accompanied by a trained guide, you’ll learn loads about the city and come away with a newfound love for Boston and its wonderful leafy parks.
14. Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail
Source: getyourguide.comA fun and friendly tour, this excursion combines drinking and history into one unbeatable package. You’re sure to come away having made a couple of new friends.
On the way, you’ll stop off at four historic taverns; while you sample some of the local brews, your guide will tell you all about the history of Boston and its drinking culture.
The old cobbled streets of Boston’s downtown are magical to wander around and you’ll definitely want to return to the atmospheric taverns later in the evening.
15. Downtown Boston Harbor Day Sailing
Source: getyourguide.comSailing around Boston Harbor is a delightful affair as you pass the Inner Harbor Islands and such famous attractions as Boston Fish Pier, Waterfront Park, and Charlestone Navy Yard.
The Adirondack III is a wonderful ship to cruise around on and the views that it provides of Boston’s magnificent skyline are incredible.
With a great crew on hand to answer any questions you may have about the ship or Boston, you’ll come away with fond memories of a day spent cruising around Boston Harbor.