USA · TOURS IN BOSTON

The 15 Best Boston Tours & Harbour Trips

61 tours  ·  from $18 a head

The Freedom Trail is free to follow and better with someone talking. These 15 compare the guided walks, the duck boats, the harbour cruises and the Salem day trips on price, length and how much of it is on foot.

Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - Downtown Boston: parks, markets, and the Freedom Trail area
City Sightseeing Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston

Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

1.Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,378 reviews · from $59Our pick

Ride a restored World War II amphibious vehicle through Boston with a live ConDUCKtor, then splash into the Charles River for skyline views. Choose departures near the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center. The GPS audio app adds Spanish, German, French, Japanese, and other language options, but you must bring headphones and cellular service.

“It was great. Our tour guide/narrator was so much fun and very knowledgeable. This is an easy tour you just sit and enjoy the view.”

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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - Starting at Boston Common and the State House
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Walking Tours

Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

2.Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,450 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35Top rated

Follow all 16 official Freedom Trail landmarks on a 2.5-hour walk from Boston Common to Copp’s Hill Terrace. Guides such as Jon, Maura, Mark, Alejandro, and Maz bring the 1760 to 1775 story to life with quotes, questions, and warm-up stops in cold weather. The tour includes outdoor sightseeing but no museum admissions.

“Fantastic tour guide and a great walking tour of the city. Great history and city tour. I would highly recommend.”

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Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 13 Stops - How Much Time You Really Need
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Trolley & Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 13 Stops

3.Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 13 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,576 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Ride Boston’s enclosed, heated trolley between 13 stops on two loops, with live commentary from guides such as Rocky and Captain E. Hambone Wiggles. Use a 1-day or 2-day pass to reach the North End, USS Constitution, Boston Common, Back Bay, Copley Square, and more. Expect traffic, possible transfers, and uneven wait times.

“A wonderful way to get the lay of the land when in Boston then on the second trip around the city you know where you want to get off to explore. Also well narrated to give you lots of Boston as well as American History! Highly recommend!”

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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise - Reaching Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Boston, Whale Watching

Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

4.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,710 reviews · 3h 30m · from $85

Set out from Boston’s Long Wharf on a high-speed whale-watching boat with outdoor decks, heated indoor seating, snacks, and New England Aquarium naturalists. Expect about 3.5 to 4 hours on the water, including roughly 1.5 hours near Stellwagen Bank. Humpbacks, fin whales, minkes, dolphins, and other marine life are possible sightings.

“Andrew was a great tour guide and was very enthusiastic. We saw many whales and even dolphins.”

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Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous - From the State House to Bunker Hill
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston

Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous

5.Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,935 reviews · from $60

See Boston by road and river aboard a WWII-style amphibious Duck. A lively ConDUCKtor leads you past Boston Common, Copley Square, Quincy Market, and Bunker Hill before the splash into the Charles River. English tours include a local guide, with optional audio in several languages. Bring headphones for the app.

“This was a great tour - our guide was funny- we saw a lot. Worth it. Compared to the trolley”

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Cambridge: Harvard University Student-Guided Walking Tour - Starting in Harvard Square by the Red Line
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Walking Tours

Cambridge: Harvard University Student-Guided Walking Tour

6.Harvard University Student-Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,931 reviews · 1h 10m · from $22

Walk through Harvard Yard with a current student guide who explains campus traditions, famous alumni, and daily life at Harvard. The 70-minute route covers less than a mile and includes Johnston Gate, the John Harvard Statue, Memorial Hall, and Widener Library. Meet outside the Harvard Shop by the Harvard Red Line station.

“Natalie was so amazing. I could understand everything, her English was slow enough and clear. She told several interesting things and the tour was fun”

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Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour - Harvard Square: The Campus Begins in Public
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Walking Tours

Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour

7.Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,632 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $23

Meet a straw-hat-wearing Harvard student outside Harvard Square station for a brisk, funny 70-minute walk. Visit Harvard Yard, the John Harvard Statue, Memorial Hall, the Fogg Art Museum exterior, and Harvard Square. Guides such as Jonathan, Natalie, Evan, and Lorenzo add personal stories, while an illustrated map helps you explore afterward.

“I recently had the pleasure of going on a tour of Harvard with Maria, and it was an incredible experience. Maria was so knowledgeable and passionate about the university, and she made the tour both informative and engaging. I learned so much about the history and traditions of Harvard, and I left feeling inspired and excited about the possibilities of higher education. I highly recommend Maria as a tour guide to anyone visiting Harvard.”

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Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options - Key points to know before you go
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston

Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options

8.Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,606 reviews · from $20Best value

Explore Fenway Park with an English-speaking guide on a 15-minute express tour, public or private one-hour tour, or pre-game visit. See the Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, Roof Deck, press box, historic seats, and Red Sox memorabilia. The pre-game option may include field access and begins three hours before first pitch.

“The tour was incredible. I lucked out and ended being the only one on the tour so I got my own personal tour of Fenway. Joe was a great guide and was great to chat to along the tour. 11/10 and amazing value for money.”

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Boston to Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour - The early Boston pickup and ride to Falmouth
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston

Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

9.Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,162 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $129

Leave Boston early for Falmouth, then sail 35 to 45 minutes to Martha’s Vineyard. Explore independently or add a three-hour narrated bus tour with stops in Edgartown and Aquinnah. Guides such as Johnny Boston, Tom, Elaine, and Jonathan are praised for lively local commentary. Expect a long day, plenty of road time, and 5.5 to 6 hours on the island.

“Martha’s Vineyard was Beautiful! We loved all the little shops and the Black dog had great breakfast.”

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City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat - A naturalist-led search, not a silent sightseeing ride
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Boston, Whale Watching

City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat

10.City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,115 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

From Long Wharf, you’ll ride a high-speed catamaran to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary with a naturalist guide. Watch for humpback, fin, and minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds from the outdoor decks, then warm up in the cabin with snacks and drinks for purchase. The cruise lasts about 3.5 hours.

“Our trip was a bit unconventional. There was a medical emergency which required our excursion to be. It short as we dropped off the person in another community. However the staff was purely professional, communicative and went around individually to see if anyone needed help. It was still a fun event on the water.”

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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark - The press areas, concourses, and behind-the-scenes access
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston

Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark

11.Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,013 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $45

Spend about an hour touring Fenway Park with a professional guide. See the Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, roof deck, press areas, and Fenway Park Living Museum. Hear stories about Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Yaz, and the Red Sox World Series titles. Spanish and Japanese tours may be arranged in advance.

“This tour was very informative on the history of Fenway park and baseball. Lots of stairs but worth it!”

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1 or 2 Day HOP-ON & HOP-OFF Narrated Trolley Tour of Boston - Stop 1: Quincy Market and Boston’s waterfront
2-Day Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Trolley & Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

1 or 2 Day HOP-ON & HOP-OFF Narrated Trolley Tour of Boston

12.1 or 2 Day HOP-ON & HOP-OFF Narrated Trolley Tour of Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,849 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $48

See Boston’s key districts by narrated trolley, from Quincy Market and the North End to Beacon Hill, the USS Constitution, and the Tea Party Museum. Choose a 1 or 2 day pass, then use nine GPS walking tours to explore on foot. Guides such as Hugo, Jesse, and Joey are known for lively local stories, though some rides use recorded narration.

“The drivers were friendly, and when we got off to explore, we didn’t wait long at all at for the next trolley.”

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Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide - Starting near Boston Common and the State House
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Walking Tours

Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide

13.Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,531 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $26

Follow a 1.2-mile stretch of Boston’s Freedom Trail with a costumed guide playing figures such as Benjamin Edes, John Hancock, or Mother Goose. In about 1 hour 45 minutes, you’ll hear stories of the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere, and colonial Boston while seeing the State House, Granary Burying Ground, Old State House, and North End.

“The walk was longer than advertised and worth it. Took time so that everyone could walk along at ease. Various ages attended. Our guide was extremely informative, interesting, friendly & fun.”

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Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Admission - The Meeting House and the night of December 16, 1773
Attraction Tickets & Passes, Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours in Boston

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Admission

14.Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,512 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $35

At Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, costumed guides lead you through the events of 1773 in a lively, one-hour experience. Board the replica Eleanor and Beaver, throw tea overboard, watch a multi-sensory film, and see the Robinson Tea Chest. Oliver and Steve are among the engaging guides who may lead the experience.

“TLDR Version: The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Tour is quite fun and educational. You should do it. On Friday morning, December 26, 2025 we enjoyed the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Tour. It was quite fun, and educational. They had actors in period dress, not only acting out and narrating the history, but adding humor to it as well. For example, "Peter - the rope maker's apprentice" (played by a woman) went around the room asking people where they are from, and when someone said, "Texas", he said, "where is this place?" Then the guy was quick enough to respond, "Mexico". There was audience participation with role…”

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Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour - Granary Burying Ground puts Revolutionary Boston under your feet
Ghost, Cemetery & Haunted History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston, Trolley & Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour

15.Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,413 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $47

Ride Boston’s Trolley of the Doomed with a costumed 17th-century grave digger, then walk through Copp’s Hill and Granary burying grounds. Expect ghost stories, grim crime tales, Revolutionary-era graves, theatrical guides such as Petunia Pickman and Dr. Atticus Nobody, and about an hour on foot.

“great tour! we went for the spooky vibes since it was around halloween and they definitely delivered, but it was also an interesting and engaging way to learn about local Boston history. definitely gained some stories I’ll be sharing with friends! our guide was Petunia Pickman and she was AMAZING. very engaging and a great orator, and had really interesting insights on the stories she told. great experience, definitely recommend to anyone visiting Boston or locals wanting a fun and educational way to kill two hours”

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New in Tours in Boston

★ 5.0Delicious Donuts of Boston: A Sweet History Walking TourFrom $701,038 reviews
★ 5.0Boston’s Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking TourFrom $311,343 reviews
★ 4.5Freedom Trail Walking Tour 250From $261,118 reviews
★ 5.0Boston North End Food Tour of 6+ Tastings, Cannoli, Lobster RollFrom $1191,404 reviews
★ 4.5Sunset Sailing Cruise on a Tall Ship in Boston HarborFrom $68414 reviews
★ 4.5City Cruises Salem High Speed Ferry to/from BostonFrom $42727 reviews
★ 4.0Narrated Sunset Cruise of Boston HarborFrom $29532 reviews
★ 5.0Boston’s North End Food and History Walking Tour459 reviews
★ 4.5Boston Harbor Sunset CruiseFrom $54632 reviews
★ 4.5Boston Pizza Lovers Food and History Walking Food TourFrom $691,082 reviews
★ 4.0New England Aquarium Admission Ticket in Boston446 reviews
★ 5.0Boston’s North End Food Tour: Italian Flavors & Heritage WalkFrom $701,322 reviews
★ 5.0Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group TourFrom $60996 reviews
★ 4.590-Min Narrated Trolley Tour of Lexington and Concord, MAFrom $40358 reviews
★ 5.0Boston City View Bicycle Tour: History and LandmarksFrom $78638 reviews

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