Boston · TOUR REVIEWS

Boston’s 15 Best Tours, from the Freedom Trail to the Islands

662 tours  ·  from $5 a head

A long weekend in Boston fills fast: the Freedom Trail, the harbor, a day north in Salem. The 15 below are the tours that earn a slot, each priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want more.

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 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

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

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

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: 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

3.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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Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 13 Stops - How the two loops affect your day
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Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 13 Stops

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

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

Ride Boston’s orange-and-green trolley on two loops linking the North End, the Freedom Trail area, the waterfront, and Back Bay. Conductors narrate the ride, and you can hop off to explore before continuing. Guides vary; names heard include Rocky, Captain E. Hambone, Wiggles, and Charming and Earnest. Choose a one- or two-day pass.

“This is a great option to see the sights and choose where you want to hop off and explore more. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable.”

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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise - Stellwagen Bank is the main event
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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

5.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

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

Sail from Long Wharf to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary on a high-speed boat, with outdoor viewing decks and a warm, windowed cabin. New England Aquarium naturalists explain the whales and other wildlife you may see. Humpbacks, fin whales, minkes and dolphins are possible, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Guides were well versed and so helpful and smart!!”

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Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester - Watching whales, not staging a show
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Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester

6.Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,460 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $48

From 415 Main Street in Gloucester, Cape Ann Whale Watch takes you aboard the 115-foot Hurricane II for an approximately four-hour search for whales and dolphins. A naturalist explains the wildlife as you travel toward feeding grounds that can shift with the animals. Expect open viewing decks, a heated indoor cabin and food and drinks for purchase.

“Well run, great focus on safety. Parking onsite made things very easy. Excellent job by the crew finding a variety of whales to see.”

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Salem's Best Ghost Tour - Cemetery stories from the Old Burying Point gates
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Salem’s Best Ghost Tour

7.Salem’s Best Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,186 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $30

Follow a licensed Salem guide on a 75-minute evening walk past the Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Gardner-Pingree House, and Hocus Pocus filming sites. Expect local history, ghost stories, and a lively downtown route. Guides such as Sebastian, Penny, Raymond, and Elaina have led tours.

“Nyxs was amazing loved the tour very informative but also entertaining! Definitely recommend this tour ❤️✨💫”

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Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous - A brisk route through Boston’s landmarks
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Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous

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

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

See Boston by road and river on an 80-minute ride in a WWII-style amphibious vehicle. A live ConDUCKtor shares local history and jokes as you pass landmarks such as Boston Common and Quincy Market, then splash into the Charles River. Guides vary; past tour leaders have included Beth Metal, Flo, Ben, and Robin the Riveter.

“Bobby and Kim were great. We enjoyed this tour very much.”

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Cambridge: Harvard University Student-Guided Walking Tour - From Harvard Square through Johnston Gate
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Cambridge: Harvard University Student-Guided Walking Tour

9.Harvard University Student-Guided Walking Tour

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

Meet a Harvard student in Harvard Square for a 70-minute walk through the university’s historic grounds. See Johnston Gate, the John Harvard Statue, Memorial Hall, and Widener Library while hearing campus stories and student-life details. The route is under a mile, wheelchair accessible, and led in English.

“We enjoyed the tour so much, Jonathan was awesome. We totally recommend that tour while visiting Havard.”

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Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour with Breakers Admission - Ocean Drive and Newport’s Atlantic edge
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Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour with Breakers Admission

10.Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour with Breakers Admission

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,785 reviews · 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $47

Ride a comfortable Newport trolley past Ocean Drive, Bellevue Avenue, Cliff Walk, Fort Adams, and more than 150 points of interest. A guide such as Trolley Rob or Carlos shares local history, then you get about 90 minutes to explore The Breakers and its grounds. The full outing takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours.

“This was a great tour giving alot of history and seeing the beautiful sites. Our guide was very well learned in the history and he was entertaining as well.”

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Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour - The John Harvard Statue and the art museums
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Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour

11.Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour

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

A current Harvard student leads this under-one-mile walk through Harvard Square and campus, sharing university history, traditions, and student-life stories. You’ll see Harvard Yard, the John Harvard Statue, Memorial Hall, and more, then finish at the student-run Harvard Shop. The tour costs $23 and runs about 70 minutes.

“Nice tour of the campus! We visited the most important and historic buildings and got to know fun facts about the school. Oksana was an amazing guide.”

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Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options - The Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, and the Roof Deck
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Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options

12.Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options

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

Explore Fenway Park with a guide on a public or private one-hour tour, a pre-game visit, or a 15-minute express tour. Look for Pesky’s Pole, the 37-foot Green Monster, the Roof Deck, and, on some options, the Red Seat or visiting clubhouse. Guides such as Joe, Andy, Mike, and Mary Ella have led tours, though your guide will vary.

“Great tour at a great price! Our guide was very pleasant and provided a wealth of history of the park. We got to see all the highlights of the park - the historic wooden seats, The Green Monsta’, the Press Box, famous red seat in right field. A must see!”

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Boston to Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour - A short cruise across Vineyard Sound
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Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

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

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

Leave Boston at 6:15 a.m. for Falmouth, then sail to Martha’s Vineyard for 5.5 to 6 hours on the island. Explore Oak Bluffs and other towns at your own pace, or pay extra for a three-hour narrated bus tour that includes Edgartown and the Aquinnah cliffs. Guides such as Tom, Elaine, and Johnny Boston have led past trips.

“Elaine was an excellent driver and guide. She gave us some history as we drove along. I really enjoyed the trip. Hopefully when we return Elaine won't have retired as we would definitely request her.”

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City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat - The naturalist makes the waiting worthwhile
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City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat

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

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

Leave Boston’s Long Wharf aboard a high-speed catamaran for a roughly three-and-a-half-hour whale watch at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Watch from open decks, then warm up in the indoor cabin. A naturalist explains whale behavior, conservation, and tracking. Humpbacks, fin whales, minkes, dolphins, and seabirds may appear.

“It was amazing! The whales showed up and gave us a show! Truly a special experience! And the crew were amazing and informative! They were all invested in making sure the guests had a great safe experience!”

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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

15.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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