Boston · BOSTON HISTORY TOURS

The 15 Best Boston History Tours

110 tours  ·  from $5 a head

The Revolution started within a few blocks of Faneuil Hall, and most of the buildings are still there. These 15 tours cover the massacre site, the tea, Bunker Hill and the trials up in Salem, each with its price and pace.

History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour - The Bewitched statue and Salem’s pop-culture image
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History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

1.History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14,564 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Starting at Old Town Hall, a local historian leads a two-hour walk past the Witch Trials Memorial, the Bewitched statue, Ropes Mansion, and the Witch House. Guides such as Lisa, Michael, and Sean bring Salem’s past to life with history, humor, architecture, and ghost lore. Choose a daytime departure or a lantern-lit evening tour.

“Dana was very an informative and interesting tour. Had a great attitude the whole time and was able to keep the tour fun the whole time.”

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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - The graveyard and the people behind the Revolution
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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 $35

Follow Boston’s Freedom Trail for 2.5 hours with a historian and a group of no more than 16. Starting at the Boston Foundation Monument, you’ll pass Boston Common, the Granary Burying Ground, the Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall and Paul Revere’s North End before finishing at Copp’s Hill Terrace. Guides such as Jon, Maura and Alejandro have led engaging, question-friendly tours.

“Lots of walking but you learn so much and cut through the heart of historic Boston! Our guide Will was extremely knowledgeable and passionate on the subject!”

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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark - The Living Museum brings the numbers to life
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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark

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

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

Spend about an hour inside Fenway Park with a professional guide, seeing the Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, the roof deck and the Red Sox Living Museum. You’ll hear about players such as Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski, plus the club’s World Series wins. Guides have included Steve, Matt, Jack and Mary Ella, but your guide is assigned on the day.

“Great tour! Tour guide was very passionate, knowledgeable and a good sense of humor. Love the history at Fenway. It encouraged us to come back for a game.”

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The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small Group Boston Walking Tour - See the present-day city between historic stops
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The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small Group Boston Walking Tour

4.The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small Group Boston Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,356 reviews · 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Walk from City Hall Plaza to Lewis Wharf with a guide who links Boston’s Revolutionary sites in chronological order, then steps off the Freedom Trail to show you modern city life. The three to three-and-a-half-hour tour includes up to 15 people, a stop inside Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and a finish on the North End waterfront.

“Very informative! Chris was amazing and filled with passion and details for history. The tour tied together the people of the Sons of Liberty and what they did with the places in Boston.”

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Boston Food & History: Pizza, North End & Freedom Trail - Old City Hall, King’s Chapel and Granary Burying Ground
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Boston Food & History: Pizza, North End & Freedom Trail

5.Boston Food & History: Pizza, North End & Freedom Trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,772 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend about five hours walking from Boston Harbor through the North End and along the Freedom Trail, with bread, pizza, an Italian deli sandwich, coffee and other treats along the way. Guides such as Nabil, Bob, Lexie and Claire have led lively history walks for groups of up to 12. Expect about five miles on foot.

“Nabil was an outstanding g your guide - funny, knowledgeable and super friendly. Will def do another tour in the future.”

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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

6.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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Boston's Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour - From the Common to the State House and old burial grounds
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Boston’s Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour

7.Boston’s Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,748 reviews · from $31

Follow Boston’s Freedom Trail with a live English-speaking guide, starting and ending beside The Embrace on Boston Common. In 2.5 hours, you’ll pass the State House, burial grounds, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, Old North Church, the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. Guides such as Rob, Kenneth, Alissa and Charlie have led engaging, story-filled tours.

“Sam was amazing! Truly passionate about American History he gave us many anecdotes and made the tour really interesting! Recommended 100%!”

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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - The graveyard and the people behind the Revolution
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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

8.Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,590 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35

Follow Boston’s Freedom Trail for 2.5 hours with an English-speaking local guide and no more than 15 people in your group. See all 16 official landmarks from the outside, hear how Boston’s choices led toward revolution, and finish near the Old North Church. Guides such as Maura, Nick, and Alejandro have brought the city’s people and events to life for past groups.

“Really knowledgeable and friendly guide. A great way to start our week visiting Boston.”

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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

9.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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Boston's Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour - From the Common to the State House and old burial grounds
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Boston’s Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour

10.Boston’s Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,343 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $31

In about 2.5 hours, an English-speaking guide leads you from The Embrace through Boston’s Freedom Trail sites to Copp’s Hill Terrace. Expect stories of Paul Revere, abolitionists, the Boston Massacre and more, plus views of Bunker Hill Monument and USS Constitution. Guides such as Jim, Alissa and Kenny have drawn praise, but your guide will depend on the date.

“Boston was definitely not on my bucket list, but my friend wanted to visit so I agreed. I saw this tour and decided I needed to give Boston a chance by signing up for this! I was so very glad I did! Our tour guide was so good at her job!! It is a history refresher for sure but so much fun!! Thank you so much for enlightening me!!”

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Boston Pizza Lovers Food and History Walking Food Tour - Copp’s Hill and the view toward Charlestown
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Boston Pizza Lovers Food and History Walking Food Tour

11.Boston Pizza Lovers Food and History Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,082 reviews · 2 hours 50 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Walk Boston’s North End with a local guide, stopping for three full-size pizza slices and a cannoli from Modern Pastry. Along the way, hear stories about Paul Revere, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill, and the Revolution. Guides such as Scotty and Big Al have led the tour, though your guide may vary.

“This was a terrific tour! Scotty, our tour guide, was knowledgable, funny, and informative, and gave us great ideas for things to do and see after our tour -- and where to find a great steak! The pizza was delicious -- it's amazing to be able to link the food to the Freedom Trail. Would highly recommend this tour!”

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Delicious Donuts of Boston: A Sweet History Walking Tour - Into the North End for Union Square and Bova’s
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Delicious Donuts of Boston: A Sweet History Walking Tour

12.Delicious Donuts of Boston: A Sweet History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,038 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Follow a guide from Kane’s Donuts to the Boston Public Market, Quincy Market, and the North End, sampling local donuts along the way. The two-hour walk ends at Bova’s Bakery with its Boston cream donut. Guides have included Jackie, Lucy, Katie, and Stephanie, though your guide may vary.

“We stopped at 4 different donut companies and got to enjoy 7 different donuts. Katie was a lot of fun as a guide. We really enjoyed our tour and would probably do it again in a couple of years.”

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Wicked Awesome Tours: Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts! - The Bewitched statue and Salem on screen
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Wicked Awesome Tours: Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts!

13.Wicked Awesome Tours: Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,032 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29Best value

Walk central Salem with a licensed guide, visiting the Witch Trials Memorial, Burying Point, the Bewitched statue, and other historic or spooky sites. Guides such as Allie, Chris, Misha, and Jake bring their own style to the stories. The tour lasts about an hour, costs $29, and starts and ends near Church Street.

“Awesome, very informative and interesting. Allie was an awesome tour guide. Would recommend this tour to everyone.”

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Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour - The Freedom Trail, in a short local stretch
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Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour

14.Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 996 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Meet your Bostonian guide by the Samuel Adams statue at Faneuil Hall for a 2-hour-15-minute crawl through four pubs in the Freedom Trail’s Faneuil Hall section. Expect colonial and revolutionary stories, local drink suggestions, and just two blocks of walking. Choose from three start times, buy drinks as you go, and bring a photo ID proving you are at least 21.

“We had SO MUCH fun on this tour! Our guide Cassandra was amazing. Very informative and fun tour. Highly recommend”

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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

15.2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour

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

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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