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Offered languages
- English
Winner of Boston Magazine's Best Historical Walking Tour.
A small group, in-depth exploration of Boson's original neighborhoods and a complete retelling of the American Revolution from the founding of Boston to the Declaration of Independence. Unlike most tours which limit themselves exclusively to what's on the Freedom Trail (in whichever order and direction it happens to go) this tour takes a wholistic approach to the city and the story. We follow a curated route visiting 14 iconic landmarks in the same order the history unfolded, pulling everything together into an immersive citywide narrative that recreates the drama and brings to life the passions personalities, and psychologies that invented America.
There are no big crowds or cheesy costumes. This tour combines expert insights with a light-hearted sense of humor and expands beyond "just" the Freedom Trail so you will enjoy the charm of the old town while getting a real sense of the beautiful and booming modern city as well.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The tour meets in City Hall Plaza directly across the street from Faneuil Hall (1 City Hall Square, Boston MA, 02201.) Your guide will be in the plaza between a Five Iron Golf (1 Washington Mall, Boston, MA 02108) and a seasonal beer garden next to a statue of a basketball player (Bill Russel)
We finish on the waterfront in the heart of "Little Italy" Boston's North End. Lewis Wharf has public restrooms, a parking lot, and is a less than five-minute walk to the Aquarium t-stop and a less than ten-minute walk back to the original meeting point. (Restaurant recommendations included!)
Itinerary
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1
City Hall Plaza is a pedestrian only plaza very centrally located directly across from and overlooking Faneuil Hall. We meet between the Five Iron Golf and City Hall. The guide will be in front of the seasonal beer garden and next to a large "BOSTON" sign with Faneuil Hall in the background that provides a great photo opportunity to start off the tour with.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Famous (or infamous) for its unique architecture.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3King's Chapel Burying Ground
Learn about the incredibly unique people who first settled Massachusetts Bay. The Puritans are more important (and much weird!) than you can imagine!
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Freedom Trail
Iconic brick pathway connecting 16 historic landmarks. Whereas most tours just blindly follow this path geographically from one direction to the other, we weave around the city visiting the sights in chronological order.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
King's Chapel (Pass by)
First Anglican Church in Boston
Admission ticket free -
Park Street Church (Pass by)
Brimstone corner. Famous for its fiery sermons. July 4, 1829 "William Lloyd Garrison made his first public address against slavery here.
Admission ticket free -
5Granary Burying Ground
Who really were the Sons of Liberty? Visit the tombs of Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Sam Adams and find out!
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Old City Hall
Some of the most beautiful architecture in the city is the background of a discussion about the historic obstacles to and inherent challenges of democracy
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Statue of Benjamin Franklin
Lean about America's first public school and its most famous pupil the incomparable Benjamin Franklin!
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Old State House
The oldest public building in the country and the nerve center of Massachusetts politics. The great political debate between British authority and American rights was here
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Boston Massacre Site
Learn about the soldiers, the citizens, the loyalists, and patriot leaders all pulled into this explosion of tensions!
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Old Corner Bookstore (Pass by)
Former publishing house of American literary icons (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathanial Hawthorne, and more)
Admission ticket free -
10Old South Meeting House
The Boston Tea Party starts here! The most pivotal event leading up to the American Revolution. There's no turning back after this!
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11
The road to revolution runs right the heart of downtown Boston. While the core of this tour is built upon 12 of the 15 Freedom Trail locations a beautiful and booming modern city has grown up all around its historic foundation. Neither should be missed and we will not overlook the present in our pursuit of the past.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
Education, Healthcare, & Finance
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
13Faneuil Hall Marketplace
"The Cradle of Liberty" is not only the symbol of American Democracy but its deepest roots can be traced to this building. This is where a protest becomes a revolution!
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
14Quincy Market
Warning! Tourist traps abound!
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
15
Beautiful public garden running the length of Boston
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
16The Paul Revere House
The house is in the oldest and most charming square in the city and surrounded by some of the best restaurants in America. The man is even more impressive than the legend!
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
17North Square Park
Oldest residential square in America
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
18Paul Revere Statue
Iconic photo opportunity
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
19Old North Church & Historic Site
"One if by land, two if by sea." We go through Paul Revere's legendary midnight ride with the iconic steeple from which he signaled his famous warning; culminating in "the shot heard round the world," and chaotic battle at Lexington & Concord. The British are coming - are you?
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Copp's Hill Burying Ground (Pass by)
The second oldest burial ground in Boston. We have already gone in two sets of burying grounds, so we only visit this from the outside, but we get spectacular views of Charlestown and Boston Harbor from the terrace across the street.
Admission ticket free -
20
We do a complete recreation of the Battle of Bunker Hill - the biggest battle of the American Revolution.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The oldest commissioned naval vessel in the world. "Old Ironsides" was undefeated in battle. It was not part of the American Revolution, and we only see it from the other side of Boston Harbor, but we do provide an overview of its history and provide tips on how best to experience it.
Admission ticket free -
21
The oldest residential neighborhood in America. You won't find a better combination of culture, food, and history in any square mile in the country. Italian, Seafood, Pizza, Cannoli, we'll talk about it all!
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
22
We stroll along the Harbor Walk for one of the best views of the city, the beauty of Boston Harbor, and to finally kick the British out of Boston!
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
23
Stroll along the Harborwalk and enjoy ocean breezes and spectacular cityscapes from the piers, wharfs, and waterfront parks other tours leave out.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
24
We finish in the heart of "Little Italy" the historic North End only blocks from Boston's Best pizza, clam chowder, cannoli, seafood, and Italian. There are public restrooms, bicycles, public transportation and parking in close proximity, and we will be a less than ten-minute walk from our original meeting point.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour is appropriate for all ages, but it is not a "kids" version of events.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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