Boston is a town that is full of historic treasures that are both interesting and significant to the history of our country. Taking a historic tour in and around the city of Boston is a fun and interactive way to experience history for yourself instead of just reading about it. There are several very well planned out and unique historic tours that children, history buffs, and families will enjoy in the Boston area.
The following ten tours take you all over the Boston area to the significant and well known landmarks, as well as off the beaten path to little known historic haunts that are just as important. On the several trips I have made to Boston, I have had the opportunity to take part on a few of the following tours and the others are options that have widespread appeal and interest.
Freedom Trail Tours by the Freedom Trail Foundation
After having the opportunity to take a Freed Trail tour twice at two very different times in my life, as a school kid and again as an adult, I can easily say that the tours offered are among the best, most informative and inspiring historic tours offered in Boston. Dressed in period costume, the tour guides cater each tour to the group they are guiding. Tours are family friendly and historically accurate, but never boring. Sites visited include the site of the Boston Massacre, Bunker Hill Monument, the USS Constitution, and Paul Revere’s House. www.thefreedomtrail.org
Ghosts and Gravestones Tour Boston by Trusted Tours & Attractions
For a historic look at the haunted side of Boston, the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour of Boston is tons of fun and you actually learn a lot of stuff about Boston and history that you find out in any textbook. I enjoyed this tour because it was lighthearted and covered a side of American history that I never would have expected to explore before. The tour guides are dressed in costume and try to keep up the sinister theme all while having fun. The Ghosts and Gravestone Tour is a great option for both families and history buffs, or those who are just looking to fill an afternoon with something fun and different. www.trustedtours.com
Walking Tours of Historic Boston with Ben L. Edwards
More than just a walking tour, the walking tours of historic Boston will give you a very personal view of the city from someone that has generations of family history to share. Truly a tour for history buffs, but also equally entertaining for those seeking a personalized tour of the city, Edwards will take you to fourteen different historic sites all while sharing knowledge that he picked up from years of personal research and passed on through the generations. www.walkingboston.com
Boston Guided Historical Photography Walking Tours by Photo Walks
For a unique twist to the old historic walking tour, try a Photo Walk, which is a historic walking tour through Boston where you are taken to the most photogenic sights and given pointers on your photography taking. This tour is great for those who love to shoot the city they are visiting, or for those who want to see everything Boston has in a different light. www.photowalks.com
Old Town Trolley Tours
One of the most convenient ways to see the most of Boston and on your own terms is with the Old Town Trolley Tours. While on the trolley, guides will point out interesting historical information about statues, building, and parks that you pass. The trolleys make stops at several points of interest, giving you the chance to hop on and off the trolley throughout the day to sightsee more. www.trolleytours.com
Walking Tours of Boston with Boston by Foot
The last time I had the chance to visit Boston, I took the opportunity to go on a Boston by Foot tour instead of just walking around the town on my own. Boston by Foot tours take place all over the city of Boston and there are several different historic tours that cover many different topics. To choose the right tour for you or your family, check out their tour catalog at www.bostonbyfoot.org
Boston Freedom Trail Bike Tour from Boston Tours
Boston Tours offers Freedom Trail Bike Tours through Boston that allow you to follow the Freedom Trail quicker than you would if you were walking. For outdoor enthusiasts this is a great way to get in some exercise and see all the historic sites that Boston has to offer while riding a bike. All the equipment is provided and have a tour guide that is comfortable with biking, the streets of Boston and sharing historical knowledge. www.bostontours.us
Boston Scavenger Hunt from Boston Adventures
For a twist on the old historic tour of Boston, try a historic tour that calls for a scavenger hunt throughout the city. This is a great team building activity for groups, or just a fun way for the family to see all that Boston has to offer while learning about its history. Tours can be arranged at www.discoverboston.com
Boston Duck Tours
Take to the street and the water on a Boston Duck Tour. The tour takes you through a good portion of the city of Boston and even onto its main waterway, the Charles River. Several of the most important historical sites are covered in the tour, along with a few more modern points of interest. www.bostonducktours.com
The Black Heritage Trail
The Museum of African American History and the National Park Service offers a walking tour that takes a look at the history of Boston’s African American Community. I did not have the chance to take the guided tour, but the museum does offer a self guided map that I was able to easily follow through the city. I should also mention that the National Park Service offers free guided tours along the Freedom Trail that are limited and on a first come first serve basis. For the National Park Services tour offerings visit www.nps.gov and for the Black Heritage Trail visit www.afroammuseum.org
