Boston · BOSTON CITY TOURS

The 15 Best Boston City Tours

38 tours  ·  from $7 a head

Boston itineraries always run one afternoon short. These 15 boston city tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back to the chowder.

Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - Choose a departure point that fits your day
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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

See Boston by road and river in a renovated World War II amphibious vehicle. A ConDUCKtor narrates the route past Boston Common, the State House, Quincy Market and more before a 20-minute cruise on the Charles River. Choose a departure near the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium or Prudential Center.

“It was really fun. A great experience. Our driver and guide were both very knowledgeable and entertaining. Really interesting to see how we could go both on land and water.”

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Boston: City Cruises Historical Sightseeing Cruise - Bunker Hill Monument and the harbor islands
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Boston: City Cruises Historical Sightseeing Cruise

2.City Cruises Historical Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,771 reviews · 1 hour · from $46

Cruise Boston Harbor for an hour from Long Wharf, passing the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Church, and Castle Island. An English-speaking guide shares local and Revolutionary War stories, with guides such as Kevin, Holly, and Liz praised for humor and clear narration. Choose an open deck or a large-window indoor seat; snacks and drinks cost extra.

“It was comfortable cruising. Loved the guide, she explained everything with some humor and jokes. The weather was great for the day, sunny and warm. It was very enjoyable and informative.”

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City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise - Old Ironsides from the water
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City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

3.City Cruises Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,388 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $46

From Long Wharf, take a one-hour narrated cruise past the USS Constitution, Boston Tea Party ships, Old North Church and Boston Light. Hear Revolutionary War stories and harbor lore, with skyline views from the open deck and indoor seating for colder or wet weather. The guide varies by sailing; narrators have included Holly, Kevin and Mike.

“Enjoyable narration during the cruise providing great stories and history about Boston. Nice introduction for a sightseeing tour from the harbour”

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2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour - Starting on historic Essex Street
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2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour

4.2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Top rated

Spend 2.5 hours walking Salem with local guide Kenneth, from Essex Street to the McIntire Historic District and Witch Trials Memorial. You’ll hear about Indigenous peoples, Puritans, Patriots, and Salem’s seafaring past, while viewing historic homes from outside. Buildings are not entered, so plan separate visits if you want to see their interiors.

“Ken was fantastic! He shares a wealth of knowledge about Salem and its history with us. He was entertaining and focused on our interests. He went out of his way to keep us comfortable and even walked us to our next destination. Highly recommend him and this tour.”

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Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor - Castle Island, Fort Independence, and the Harbor Islands
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Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

5.Sightseeing Day Sail around Boston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 541 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $66

Set sail from Rowes Wharf aboard Schooner Adirondack III or IV for a 90-minute or two-hour trip around Boston Harbor. You’ll pass the Seaport, Fan Pier, Castle Island, and harbor islands, with a crew ready to answer questions. This is not a formal narrated tour. Drinks are available for purchase by card, and you can bring a snack.

“We lucked out on the weather and sailing was so relaxing and beautiful! The crew was really informative and we learned a lot of things about the islands and area in which we sailed. A wonderful experience!”

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City Cruises Boston 90-Minute Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise - Old Ironsides and the cannon at day’s end
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City Cruises Boston 90-Minute Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise

6.City Cruises Boston 90-Minute Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 411 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $56

Cruise Boston’s inner and outer harbors for 90 minutes, with live English commentary, skyline views at sunset, and a look at the restored Boston Tea Party ships and USS Constitution. The Constitution’s cannon and flag lowering mark the day’s end. Depart from Long Wharf, May through October. Food and drinks are sold on board.

“The boat tour was great. Great views & the tour guide made it very enjoyable & funny. Only bad part was the annoying family that was being very loud & listening to music the whole time on their phone. Would have liked to throw them overboard. Would still highly recommend though!”

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Boston: Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour - Stop 2: The Old State House and Boston’s historic core
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Boston: Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour

7.Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 272 reviews · 1 day · from $47

Spend a day riding Boston Sightseeing’s open-top double-decker bus between eight stops, from the Aquarium and Faneuil Hall to Beacon Hill, the Public Garden, and Back Bay. English commentary, Wi-Fi, and a tour map are included. Guides such as Chris, Eli, and Charming have been praised for lively, informative presentations, though bus waits and stop locations can be less predictable.

“The driver/guide was Onecie the best we ever had. His presentation was comparable with the one you would have from a university professor. We just admired him.”

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Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise - The skyline, Seaport District, and harbor islands
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Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

8.Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 186 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Board Northern Lights at Rowes Wharf for an approximately 90-minute Boston Harbor cruise. You’ll pass the Seaport District, Spectacle Island, and USS Constitution, with the captain offering moderate commentary rather than a continuous narration. Choose between the climate-controlled cabin, covered upper deck, and open bow. Food and drinks are available to buy by credit card.

“Great boat, very comfortable! We sat on the upper deck and it was perfect! Bar prices were reasonable.”

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Boston History & Highlights Tour: From Revolution to Today - The State House, with a weekday condition
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Boston History & Highlights Tour: From Revolution to Today

9.Boston History & Highlights Tour: From Revolution to Today

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 178 reviews · from $44

Follow a local English-speaking guide from Boston Harbor through Faneuil Hall, the Old State House and Beacon Hill to the Public Garden. The 4 km walk is limited to 16 people, with a weekday visit inside the Massachusetts State House when possible. Guides on past tours have included Molly, Allen Pierce, Bob and Sully.

“Molly is excellent. Knowlegeable, energetic and engaging. Also, as a solo traveler I was happy to be with a small group of polite, interested and interesting tourists who came from near and far. Thanks!”

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Newport Afternoon Sightseeing Sail on Classic Sailboat - Newport Harbor Light from the water
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Newport Afternoon Sightseeing Sail on Classic Sailboat

10.Newport Afternoon Sightseeing Sail on Classic Sailboat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $61

Board Newport Classic Cruises’ sailboat at Bowen’s Wharf for a 90-minute trip around Narragansett Bay. Expect views of Newport Harbor Light, Fort Adams, and Hammersmith Farm, plus brief local stories from the crew. The boat carries up to 47 people, and sails may go up or remain slack if the wind is light.

“Perfect. Soothing and refreshing So worth it. Convenient Crew was delightful. Late afternoon the best”

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Boston Private Driving City Tour - Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Copley Square
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Boston Private Driving City Tour

11.Boston Private Driving City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 127 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

See Boston with a private guide in an air-conditioned vehicle, from the Freedom Trail and Bunker Hill to the North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Seaport, and Fenway. Guides named for the tour include Martin, Joan, and Christian. Expect a flexible city overview, with time for selected stops and an optional cannoli break.

“We had a lovely time with Martin and saw more of Boston than we expected. The car was very comfortable and Martin was very knowledgeable about Boston, past and present, and had many maps and photos for explanation.”

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Boston Hop-On Hop-Off All Day Sightseeing Tour - Boston Common and Beacon Hill are the best places to slow down
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Boston Hop-On Hop-Off All Day Sightseeing Tour

12.Boston Hop-On Hop-Off All Day Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 124 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Ride a narrated double-decker loop past Boston Common, Beacon Hill, Copley Square, and the waterfront, with eight listed stops for hopping off. The ticket includes GPS-guided commentary and runs in English. Guides such as Hambone and Dave have been praised for lively, useful city stories, but bus frequency and pickup details can be inconsistent.

“Nice tour but limited sights. You need other tours to see north church etc. need to purchase otheres”

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Boston: Charles River Sightseeing Cruise - The Riverfront Views: From Beacon Hill to the Back Bay
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Boston: Charles River Sightseeing Cruise

13.Charles River Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 109 reviews · from $30Best value

A 70-minute narrated cruise from CambridgeSide Mall follows the Charles River past views of Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, the Esplanade, Boston University, MIT, and Harvard. Your guide points out landmarks and local details while you relax under cover or head to the front for a clearer view. Snacks and drinks are available to buy.

“Fantastic well priced 90 minute cruise. Dillon the mate was awesome and his tour narration was fantastic. Captain Tina brilliant too.”

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Private, Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marthas Vineyard Island(3hrs) - Aquinnah’s clay cliffs and lighthouse
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Private, Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marthas Vineyard Island(3hrs)

14.Private, Guided Sightseeing Tour of Marthas Vineyard Island(3hrs)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

In about three hours, a local guide takes your private group around Martha’s Vineyard in a clean luxury minivan. Expect lighthouse views, Aquinnah’s painted clay cliffs, Edgartown’s harbor and Oak Bluffs’ Gingerbread Cottages, with island stories along the way. Craig leads many tours; the start is at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority Terminal.

“My family and I traveled to the vineyard, as my mom has always wanted to go. Craig was wonderful. The experience was personal, Craig was very knowledgeable about the different parts of the island and was very accomadating, as we had a toddler with us and my parents are seniors. It was a great experience that I would say, highly recommend!”

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Private Newport, Rhode Island City Tour - Ocean Drive: a change from city streets
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Private Newport, Rhode Island City Tour

15.Private Newport, Rhode Island City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

This 90-minute to two-hour private drive takes you from Newport’s colonial Point district to the Cliff Walk, Ocean Drive, and Bellevue Avenue mansions. A local guide, often Peter, shares the city’s history and can pause for photos. Transport is included; hotel pickup costs extra, and mansion interiors are not part of the listed route.

“Excellent local guide! Highly recommend for anyone that wants both the touristy and local flavor. 5 stars!”

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New in Boston City Tours

★ 5.0Historic Highlights with the Gilded Age Private Van TourFrom $10012 reviews
★ 5.0Tour-in-Four — A Private four hour walking & driving city tour32 reviews
★ 5.0Private City Tour of Boston and CambridgeFrom $46033 reviews
★ 5.0Highlights of Boston Private TourFrom $39031 reviews
★ 4.0Boston Private City Tour 4 hours and Harvard UniversityFrom $9015 reviews
★ 5.0Boston Seafood to Freedom Trail Highlights Private TourFrom $3915 reviews
★ 3.0Boston Sightseeing Single Ride Pass With Double Decker Tour BusFrom $4114 reviews
★ 5.0Private City Tour of Boston, Lexington, and Concord12 reviews
★ 5.0Highlights and History of Boston: GPS Guided Audio TourFrom $94 reviews
★ 5.0Day Sailing and Sightseeing Boat Tour on a SchoonerFrom $5719 reviews
★ 4.1Boston Sightseeing: Single Ride Pass With Double-Decker BusFrom $418 reviews
★ 5.0Private City Tour of Boston & CambridgeFrom $3975 reviews
★ 3.4Hop-On Hop-Off All Day Boston Sightseeing TourFrom $4727 reviews
★ 5.0Seafood, History & Highlights Day TourFrom $1693 reviews
★ 5.0City Lights Sightseeing Cruise on Classic BoatFrom $454 reviews

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Out and about in Boston

Pick a trail, a boat or a town up the coast.

On foot

Freedom TrailWalking ToursBeacon HillHarvardHistory Tours

On the water

Harbor CruisesSunset SailsWhale WatchingBoat Tours

At the table

Food ToursNorth EndPub CrawlsBrewery Tours

After dark

Ghost ToursSalem Witch TrialsSunset CruisesHoliday Cruises