Walking Tours in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville: WELCOME!
Brief descriptions of some of the many walking tours available in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. Links to tour websites and related BPL library books are included.
Introduction
Welcome to Boston Public Library's guide to walking tours of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. This selection of walking tours includes free and self-guided tours, public tours that are regularly offered, as well as tours that privately arranged.
Please note:
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Check each individual tour for prices, up-to-date scheduling, and any other specific information. Tour information changes all the time, so it is best to verify with the tour company.
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This list does not include guided tours of buildings, such as museums, or of tours outside of the defined area, such as Plymouth or Salem.
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The main tour companies or organizations are listed for additional information and links.
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If you are curious to learn more about Boston history and culture, take a look at some of the books available at the Boston Public Library and listed in Further Reading.
Walking Tour Apps
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GPSMYCITY16 self guided walking tours of Boston--including one designed for children--and neighboring areas like Cambridge and Marblehead.
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GeoTouristWalking tours of Boston to download. Based on your exact location access auto-play guided audio tours in multiple languages right on your smartphone.
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National Park ServiceFree. The official app for Boston National Historical Park and Boston African American National Historic Site. Use it to explore the "Trails to Freedom" and to help create your own, special experience of Historic Boston.
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Know-It-All Tours Freedom TrailAn interactive app designed to explore the Boston Freedom Trail. It includes audio, video, GEO location and maps, historical information, and details such as public restroom locations, handicap accessibility, contact information and hours of operation.
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Freedom Trail Walking TourFree. An interactive app introducing you to the Freedom Trail. This app makes it fun to learn about Colonial Revolutionary Boston. You get maps, pictures, descriptions and YouTube videos of all 17 historical stops on the trail.
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Freedom Trail Official App - Freedom Trail FoundationThe Official Freedom Trail® App allows you to visit Trail sites one after the next, and to stroll as Revere and Adams did through the colonial town of Boston.
Further Reading
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Walking Boston: 34 Tours Through Beantown's Cobblestone Streets, Historic Districts, Ivory Towers and Bustling Waterfront, 2nd edition by Call Number: F73.18 .F45 2013Publication Date: 2013 -
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Only in Boston: A Guide to Unique Locations, Hidden Corners, and Unusual Objects by Call Number: F73.18 .S65 2018Publication Date: 2018 -
Not For Tourists Guide to Boston (eBook)Call Number: eBook available on HooplaPublication Date: 2018 -
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Boston in the American Revolution: A Town Versus an Empire by Call Number: F73.44 .B37 2017xPublication Date: 2017 -
Gangland Boston: A Tour Through the Deadly Streets of Organized Crime by Call Number: HV6452.M4 S844 2018Publication Date: 2018 -
Irish Boston: A Lively Look at Boston’s Colorful Irish Past by Call Number: F73.9 .I6Q46 2004Publication Date: 2004 -
Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and the Building of Boston's Golden Age by Call Number: F73.68 .B4C53 2010Publication Date: 2010 -
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Boston's North End: Images and Recollections of an Italian-American Neighborhood by Call Number: F73.9.I8 R525 2006Publication Date: 2006 -
Building Old Cambridge: Architecture and Development by Call Number: NA735.C28 M39 2016Publication Date: 2016 -
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Boston Murals: Urban Panoramic Photography by Call Number: ND2638.B7 V47 2017xPublication Date: 2017
Tours
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African-American PatriotsFreedom Trail Foundation. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking distance. Available in February only.
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Black Heritage TrailNational Park Service. Free. Guided tours start Memorial Day (late May) through October. This tour can be self-guided as well.
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Boston By Little FeetBoston By Foot, especially for children 6-12 yrs. 1 hour, .7 miles total walking. Available May-October and April school vacation week.
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Boston's Freedom Trail with BenWalking Boston. Three Freedom Trail tours available, from 3.5-5.5 hours. Available March-December.
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Boston History & HighlightsBoston Urban Adventures. Price includes one beer/non-alcoholic beverage. 2 hours. Available all year. Maximum tour size: 12.
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Copley Square (Back Bay) to Downtown Freedom Trail Via Beacon Hill (Tour #3)Boston City Walks, 2 hours, 2 miles total walking. Available all year.
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Downtown Freedom Trail to Copley Square (Back Bay) Via Beacon Hill (Tour #2)Boston City Walks, 2 hours, 2 miles total walking. Available all year.
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Downtown Freedom Trail Walking Tour - History & Architecture (Tour#1)Boston City Walks, 1 hour and 10 minutes, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Freedom TrailCambridge Historical Tours. 1.5 hours. See website for availability. Reservations required.
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Freedom TrailFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year. Reservations required.
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Freedom TrailHub Town Tours. Public tours 4 hours or 2 hours; appointments required. Private tours available with appointments.
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From Food to Freedom Trail Walking TourBoston Urban Adventures. Price includes food and coffee. 5 hours, available all year.
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Heart of the Freedom TrailBoston By Foot. 1.5 hours, 0.7 miles total walking. Available April-November.
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Lantern TourFreedom Trail Foundation. Evening tour. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Dark and macabre history. Available September-October.
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North EndFreedom Trail Foundation. 1.5 hours, 0.8 mile total walking. Available April-November.
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Photowalks Freedom Trail TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Pirates and PatriotsFreedom Trail Foundation. 1.5 hours, 1.25 miles total walking. Available July-August.
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The Revolutionary Story Tour: An Epic Walking Tour of Boston's Main and Hidden Sights3.5-4 hours (1/2 day), available again March 2020.
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Revolutionary WomenFreedom Trail Foundation. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available in March only.
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Tours of the Freedom Trail: Enemies to this CountryNational Park Service. Free, but ticket required. Daily, 1 hour, May-October.
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Tours of the Freedom Trail: Meetings, Mobs, & MartyrsNational Park Service. Free, but ticket required. Daily, 1 hour. May-October.
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Walk Into History AND Reverse Walk Into HistoryFreedom Trail Foundation. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Back BayBoston By Foot. 1.5 hours, 0.7 miles total walking. Available May-October.
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Back Bay East, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Back Bay West, self-guidedBoston Women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Beacon HillBoston By Foot. 1.5 hours, less than 1 mile total walking. Available May-October.
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Beacon Hill, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Downloadable map. 1-1.5 hours, 1.3 miles total walking.
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Beacon Hill, self-guidedBoston women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Beacon Hill Crime TourFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. This tour is not recommended for children under 16 years unless they are comfortable with graphic information. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available May-October.
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Black Heritage History of Boston TourFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Reservation required.
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Black Heritage TrailNational Park Service. Free. 1 hour. Summer/Fall, not yet scheduled. Call for more information, (617) 242-5601. Freedom Trail guided tours will also be available.
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Black Heritage Trail, self-guidedNational Park Service. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Boston Chinatown TourFree Tours By Foot. Reservations required. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-October.
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Boston History & HighlightsBoston Urban Adventures. Price includes one beer/non-alcoholic beverage. 2 hours. Available all year. Maximum tour size: 12.
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Boston Jewish Culture Walking Tour (Tour #6)Boston City Walks, 2 hours, 2 miles total walking. AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE BOOKING ONLY. Available all year.
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Boston Journalism Trail, self-guidedCreated by Emmanuel E. (Manny) Paraschos. Self-guided and free. Available all year.
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Boston Literary District, self guidedFree and self-guided, available all year
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Brahmins of Boston: Small Group Walking TourContext Travel. AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE BOOKING ONLY. 3 hours, available all year.
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Chinatown/South Cove, self-guidedBoston Women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Dark Side of Boston (North End)Boston By Foot. Evening tour. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-November.
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Downtown, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 2 hours. Available all year.
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East Boston, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Equality Trail, self-guidedFree and self-guided. Available all year.
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Hub of Literary AmericaBoston By Foot, 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available May-October. Private tours also available.
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Hub Town ToursRevolutionary Boston history, Freedom Trail and beyond. Private, public, and group tours available. Appointments required.
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Irish Heritage Trail, self-guidedFree and self-guided. Available all year.
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Jamaica Plain, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Kennedy and Boston Irish TourFree Tours By Foot.. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Kennedy Family Sights in Boston, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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North End (“Little Italy”), the Old Downtown and the Waterfront (Tour #4)Boston City Walks. AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE BOOKING ONLY. 2 hours, 1.5 miles total walking. Available all year.
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North End, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours, available all year.
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North End/Little Italy, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided.
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North End Little Italy TourFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available March-December.
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PhotoWalks Back Bay and Esplanade TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Available all year, Sundays.
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PhotoWalks Back Bay Boston Architecture TourPhotoWalks Tours.. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks Beacon Hill Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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PhotoWalks Boston Freedom TrailPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks Boston University Bridge and Esplanade EveningTourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Approximately 1.5 miles total walking.
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PhotoWalks Fan Pier and Seaport District Night TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Night tour. Approximately 1 mile total walking. 2 hours.
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PhotoWalks Highlights of BostonPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours, available all year.
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Photowalks North End - Little Italy TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks South End Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours.
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Public Garden Audio Tour (with downloadable audio)Free downloadable audio tour of the Public Garden. Available all year.
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Reinventing Boston: A City EngineeredBoston By Foot. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available May-October.
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South End, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 2 hours total walking time. Available all year.
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Walk to the Sea Trail, self-guidedFree and self-guided. Created by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Boston Public Library. Available all year.
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Allston Arts & EatsBites of Boston Food Tours. Tour explores food and public art. Price includes tastings. 3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-November. Ages 12+, tour limited to 12 participants.
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Back BayBoston By Foot. 1.5 hours, 0.7 miles total walking. Available May-October.
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Back Bay East, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Back Bay TourFree Tours By Foot. AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE BOOKING ONLY. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Back Bay West, self-guidedBoston Women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Beacon HillBoston By Foot. 1.5 hours, less than 1 mile total walking. Available May-October.
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Beacon Hill, self-guidedBoston women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Beacon Hill, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Downloadable map. 1-1.5 hours, 1.3 miles total walking.
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Beacon Hill and Back Bay TourBoston Foodie Tours, price includes food, 4.5 hours. Available all year.
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Beacon Hill Crime TourFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. This tour is not recommended for children under 16 years unless they are comfortable with graphic information. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available May-October.
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Boston Chinatown TourFree Tours By Foot. Reservations required. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-October.
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Chinatown's Culture & Cuisine TourBites of Boston Food Tours, 3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available between April and mid-December. Tour is limited to 12 participants. Must be 12+ years.
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Chinatown/South Cove, self-guidedBoston Women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Chinatown Walking ToursChinese Historical Society of New England. 1.5 hours. Evening tours.
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Copley Square (Back Bay) to Downtown Freedom Trail Via Beacon Hill (Tour #3)Boston City Walks, 2 hours, 2 miles total walking. Available all year.
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Dark Side of Boston (North End)Boston By Foot. Evening tour. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-November.
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Downtown, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 2 hours. Available all year.
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East Boston, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Fenway Neighborhood Food TourOff the Beaten Path. 2.5 hours, 1.5 miles total walking. Price includes food. Does not include ballpark entry.
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Introduction to Boston Tour: Portrait of the North EndContext Travel. 3 hours. Available all year. Private and semi-private tours only.
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Jamaica Plain, Boston Food TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. Brewery entry extra. Vegan friendly. 2 hours plus 30 min for brewery tour, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Jamaica Plain, Boston Vegan Chocolate TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Jamaica Plain, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Ladies Walk, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Little Italy Food TourFree Tours By Foot. PRIVATE TOURS ONLY. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. Food not included; you pay the restaurants and shops directly. 2.5 hours, available April-October.
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North EndFreedom Trail Foundation. 1.5 hours, 0.8 mile total walking. Available April-November.
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North End (“Little Italy”), the Old Downtown and the Waterfront (Tour #4)Boston City Walks. AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE BOOKING ONLY. 2 hours, 1.5 miles total walking. Available all year.
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North End, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours, available all year.
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North End/Little Italy, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Downloadable map. Available all year.
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North End: Gateway to BostonBoston By Foot. 1 hour, less than 1 mile total walking. Available May-October.
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North End Little Italy TourFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available March-December.
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North End Neighborhood Tour (Little Italy)Boston Foodie Tours. Price includes food. 3.5 hours. Available March-December.
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PhotoWalks Back Bay and Esplanade TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Available all year, Sundays.
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PhotoWalks Back Bay Boston Architecture TourPhotoWalks Tours.. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks Beacon Hill Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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PhotoWalks Boston University Bridge and Esplanade EveningTourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Approximately 1.5 miles total walking.
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PhotoWalks Fan Pier and Seaport District Night TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Night tour. Approximately 1 mile total walking. 2 hours.
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PhotoWalks Fan Pier and Seaport District Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours.
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Photowalks North End - Little Italy TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks South End Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours.
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Rozzie Village Farm to Table Food TourOff The Beaten Path. Roslindale neighborhood. Starts June 2019. More details coming!
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Sweet & Savory South End Neighborhood Food TourBites of Boston Food Tours. 3 hours, 3 miles total walking. Available between April and mid-December. Must be 12 yrs+. Limited to 16 participants.
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Allston Arts & EatsBites of Boston Food Tours. Tour explores food and public art. Price includes tastings. 3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-November. Ages 12+, tour limited to 12 participants.
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Back Bay Wine Tasting and Walking TourCity Wine Tours. Price includes wine and food. 2 hours, available all year. Limit 12 participants.
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Beacon Hill and Back Bay TourBoston Foodie Tours, price includes food, 4.5 hours. Available all year.
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Boston Public Market and North End (Little Italy) TourBoston Foodie Tours. Price includes food, 3 hours. Available all year.
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Chinatown's Culture & Cuisine TourBites of Boston Food Tours, 3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available between April and mid-December. Tour is limited to 12 participants. Must be 12+ years.
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Central Square, Cambridge Food and Mural Arts TourOff The Beaten Path. Explores food and public art. Price includes food. 3 hours, 1.25 miles total walking. Available March-December.
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Davis Square, Somerville Food and Marshmallow Fluff TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 2.5-3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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From Food to Freedom Trail Walking TourBoston Urban Adventures. Price includes food and coffee. 5 hours, available all year.
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Harvard Square, Cambridge Chocolate TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Harvard Square, Cambridge Food and History TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 2.5-3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Historic Pub CrawlFreedom Trail Foundation. Must be 21+ years. 1.5 hours, 0.25 miles total walking. Price includes food and drink. Available all year.
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Historic Tavern and Boston Bar TourFree Tours By Foot. AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE BOOKING ONLY. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2.5 hours, available all year. Must be 21+ years.
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Historic Taverns Pizza TourBoston Pizza Tours. Combine pizza, beer, and history. Visit historic taverns, including the "oldest tavern in America." Includes four slices and three drinks, plus visit five Freedom Trail sites. Reservations recommended but not required. 2.5 hours. Cash not accepted; credit cards only. Recommended for 21+ yrs.
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Jamaica Plain, Boston Food TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. Brewery entry extra. Vegan friendly. 2 hours plus 30 min for brewery tour, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Jamaica Plain, Boston Vegan Chocolate TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Kendall Square, Cambridge Food and Innovation TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 3 hours, 1.5 miles total walking. Available all year.
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Little Italy Food TourFree Tours By Foot. PRIVATE TOURS ONLY. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. Food not included; you pay the restaurants and shops directly. 2.5 hours, available April-October.
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North End Neighborhood Tour (Little Italy)Boston Foodie Tours. Price includes food. 3.5 hours. Available March-December.
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North End Pizza TourBoston Pizza Tours. Food tour through Little Italy that includes three different slices of pizza and five Freedom Trail site visits. Size limited to 16. Reservations recommended. Cash not accepted; credit cards only. 2.5 hours.
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North End Wine Tasting and Walking TourCity Wine Tours. Price includes wine and food. 2 hours. Available all year. Limit 12 participants.
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Rozzie Village Farm to Table Food TourOff The Beaten Path. Roslindale neighborhood. Starts June 2019. More details coming!
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South End Wine Tasting and Walking TourCity Wine Tours. Price includes wine and food. 2 hours, available all year. Limit 12 participants.
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Sweet & Savory South End Neighborhood Food TourBites of Boston Food Tours. 3 hours, 3 miles total walking. Available between April and mid-December. Must be 12 yrs+. Limited to 16 participants.
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Union Square, Somerville Food & Marshmallow Fluff TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 2.5-3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Boston Food Crawls: Touring the Neighborhoods One Bite and Libation at a Time by Call Number: 647.95744 LouisePublication Date: 2018
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Back Bay East, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Back Bay West, self-guidedBoston Women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Beacon Hill, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Downloadable map. 1-1.5 hours, 1.3 miles total walking.
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Beacon Hill, self-guidedBoston women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Black Heritage Trail, self-guidedNational Park Service. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Boston Journalism Trail, self-guidedCreated by Emmanuel E. (Manny) Paraschos. Self-guided and free. Available all year.
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Boston Literary District, self guidedFree and self-guided, available all year
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Chinatown/South Cove, self-guidedBoston Women's History Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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Downtown, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 2 hours. Available all year.
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East Boston, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Equality Trail, self-guidedFree and self-guided. Available all year.
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Harvard University, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Irish Heritage Trail, self-guidedFree and self-guided. Available all year.
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Kennedy Family Sights in Boston, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Ladies Walk, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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North End, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided, about 1.5 hours, available all year.
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North End/Little Italy, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Downloadable map. Available all year.
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Public Garden Audio Tour (with downloadable audio)Free downloadable audio tour of the Public Garden. Available all year.
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Walk to the Sea Trail, self-guidedFree and self-guided. Created by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Boston Public Library. Available all year.
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Architectual CambridgeCambridge Historical Tours. Price based on group size. 70 minutes. Available all year. Reservations required.
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Cambridge/Harvard TourFree Tours By Foot. At the end of the tour, you pay what you think the tour was worth. 2 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available March-December.
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Central Square, Cambridge Food and Mural Arts TourOff The Beaten Path. Explores food and public art. Price includes food. 3 hours, 1.25 miles total walking. Available March-December.
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Davis Square, Somerville Food and Marshmallow Fluff TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 2.5-3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Evening Excursion to Harvard Square in Cambridge (Tour #5)Boston City Walks Custom Tour. 2 hrs, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Ghost TourCambridge Historical Tours. Price based on group size. 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Reservations required. Available August 30-November 3, 2019.
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Hahvahd Tour: Harvard Campus Walking Tour and Admission to Natural History MuseumTrademark Tours. Harvard student led. 70 minutes, less than 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Harvard and MIT Combo TourCambridge Historical Tours. Reservations required. 3 hours, available all year.
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Harvard Sports HistoryCambridge Historical Tours. Price depends on size of group. 70 minutes. Available all year. Reservations required.
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Harvard Square, Cambridge Food and History TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 2.5-3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Harvard University, self-guidedFree Tours By Foot. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Innovations of CambridgeCambridge Historical Tours. Price depends on size of group. 70 minutes. Available all year. Reservations required.
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Kendall Square, Cambridge Food and Innovation TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 3 hours, 1.5 miles total walking. Available all year.
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Literary CambridgeCambridge Historical Tours. Price depends on size of group. 70 minutes. Available all year. Reservations required.
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MIT TourTrademark Tours. 70 minutes, less than 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Old CambridgeCambridge Historical Tours. Price depends on size of group. 70 minutes. Available all year. Reservations required.
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Tour of HarvardCambridge Historical Tours. Price depends on size of group. 70 minutes. Available all year.Reservations required.
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Union Square, Somerville Food & Marshmallow Fluff TourOff The Beaten Path. Price includes food. 2.5-3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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Boston Journalism Trail, self-guidedCreated by Emmanuel E. (Manny) Paraschos. Self-guided and free. Available all year.
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Boston Literary District, self guidedFree and self-guided, available all year
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Hub of Literary AmericaBoston By Foot, 1.5 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available May-October. Private tours also available.
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Ladies Walk, self-guidedBoston Women's Heritage Trail. Free and self-guided. Available all year.
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Literary CambridgeCambridge Historical Tours. Price depends on size of group. 70 minutes. Available all year. Reservations required.
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Allston Arts & EatsBites of Boston Food Tours. Tour explores food and public art. Price includes tastings. 3 hours, 1 mile total walking. Available April-November. Ages 12+, tour limited to 12 participants.
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Boston Movie Mile Walking TourOn Location Tours. Explore the most filmed area in Boston. 1.5 hours. Available April-October.
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Central Square, Cambridge Food and Mural Arts TourOff The Beaten Path. Explores food and public art. Price includes food. 3 hours, 1.25 miles total walking. Available March-December.
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Downtown Freedom Trail Walking Tour - History & Architecture (Tour#1)Boston City Walks, 1 hour and 10 minutes, 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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PhotoWalks Back Bay and Esplanade TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Available all year, Sundays.
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PhotoWalks Back Bay Boston Architecture TourPhotoWalks Tours.. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks Beacon Hill Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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PhotoWalks Boston University Bridge and Esplanade Evening TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Approximately 1.5 miles total walking.
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PhotoWalks China Town and Theater District Night TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Available all year. About 1 mile total walking.
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PhotoWalks Cityscapes At Night TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Approximately 1 mile total walking. Available all year.
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PhotoWalks Dog Photography BostonPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Approximately 1.5 miles total walking.
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PhotoWalks Fan Pier and Seaport District Night TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Night tour. Approximately 1 mile total walking. 2 hours.
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PhotoWalks Fan Pier and Seaport District Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours.
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Photowalks Freedom Trail TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours. Available all year.
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PhotoWalks Highlights of BostonPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks Longfellow Bridge and Charles River Night TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours. Available all year.
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Photowalks North End - Little Italy TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 1.5 hours, available all year.
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PhotoWalks Smartphone Photo tour North End and WaterfrontPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. Approximately 1 mile total walking.
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PhotoWalks South End Walking TourPhotoWalks Tours of Boston. 2 hours.
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BITES OF BOSTON FOOD TOURS
Learn about Boston neighborhoods by visiting restaurants and specialty food markets. Cost includes enough samples and tastings to make a meal for most people. Bites of Boston Food tours include: Sweet & Savory South End, Allston Arts & Eats, Classic Bites of Boston, and Chinatown's Culture & Cuisine. Private tours are also available. Reservations required. -
BOSTON BY FOOT
Boston By Foot is a not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of historical and educational tours. Boston By Foot tours include: Dark Side of Boston, Boston by Little Feet (for children), Hub of Literary America, North End: Gateway to Boston, Reinventing Boston: A City Engineered, Heart of the Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Road to Revolution. Specialty and one-time tours are available and change every year, so check the website. Private tours are also available. -
BOSTON CITY WALKS
Specializing in small groups and available all year long, Boston City Walks tours include: Jewish Culture, North End (“Little Italy”), Old Downtown, and Waterfront, Copley Square (Back Bay) to Downtown Freedom Trail Via Beacon Hill, Downtown Freedom Trail to Copley Square (Back Bay) Via Beacon Hill, Downtown Freedom Trail - History & Architecture and Evening Excursion to Harvard and Harvard Square. Private tours also available. Advance purchase strongly suggested. Tours often sell out in advance.
Under "Boston Info" on their website, find links to other information sources useful to Boston visitors, such as finding hotels, transportation, food, and maps. -
BOSTON FOODIE TOURS
Tours combine food and history, presented by food professionals. Boston Foodie Tours include: Beacon Hill and Back Bay, North End Neighborhood Tour , and Boston Public Market and North End (Little Italy) Tour . Private tours also available. -
BOSTON PIZZA TOURS
Two walking tours combining history and pizza. Price includes at least three slices of pizza and historical sites. Two tours available: North End Pizza Tour, and Historic Taverns Pizza Tour. Reservations recommended but not required. Private and group tours available. -
BOSTON WOMEN'S HERITAGE TRAIL
Ten self-guided tours designed to educate participants about the achievements of women in Boston's history. Tours include: Back Bay East, Back Bay West, Beacon Hill, Chinatown/South Cove, Downtown, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Ladies Walk, North End, and South End. Also, BWHT's Notable Women of Beacon Hill as available as a guided tour from Boston By Foot. Private tours are also available. -
CAMBRIDGE HISTORICAL TOURS
Tours on the history of Cambridge and Boston, combining research and humor. Tours include: Freedom Trail, African-American History, Old Cambridge, Innovations of Kendall Square, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North End, Women at Harvard, African Americans at Harvard, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Harvard and MIT Combo, Literary History, Back Bay Ghost, Harvard Square Ghost, and Old Cambridge. Some tours available in French and Spanish. Custom and private tours available. Reservations required. Price based on the size of the group. -
CITY WINE TOURS
Explore Boston neighborhoods by sampling wines and visiting restaurants. Each tour includes two stops and samples of six wines. City Wine Tours include: North End Wine, Back Bay Wine, and South End Wine. Private tours also available. -
CONTEXT TOURS
Small (max 6 people) private or semi-private tours led by credentialed guides such as professors and other field specialists. In addition to the walking tours, they also give a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts and custom tours. Context Tours in Boston are Introduction to Boston Tour: Portrait of the North End and Brahmins of Boston. -
FREEDOM TRAIL FOUNDATION TOURS
The original 2.5 mile Freedom Trail with 16 historical sites was established in 1951. Currently the Freedom Trail Foundation offers eight tours led by 18th or 19th century costumed professional guides. Tours include: Walk Into History, Reverse Walk Into History, North End, Pirates and Patriots (July and August), Historic Holiday Stroll (November-January), African-American Patriots (February), Historic Pub Crawl (21 yrs+), Lantern (September-October) (dark deeds history), and Revolutionary Women (March). Private and extended Walk Into History tours are also available. The Freedom Trail can also be explored as a self-guided tour. Click here for a map. -
FREE TOURS BY FOOT
This company offers free and self-guided tours, and name-your-own-price guided tours. That is, after the tour, you pay the guide what you think it was worth. Free Tours By Foot tours are Freedom Trail, North End/Little Italy, Kennedy and Boston Irish Tour, Beacon Hill Crime Tour, Cambridge/Harvard, and Black Heritage History of Boston. Private tours include Boston Chinatown Tour, Little Italy Food Tour, Back Bay Tour, and Historic Tavern Tour. Custom tours are also available.
Self-guided tours are The Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, Harvard University, Granary Burial Ground, North End and Little Italy, and Tour of Kennedy Family Sites.
Their website also includes helpful information about boat and bus tours not offered by their company, and other general information about exploring Boston. Included is a list of fun, free activities. -
HUB TOWN TOURS
In-depth history tours covering Boston colonial and revolutionary history. Private, charter (for groups) and public tours available, limit 15 guests per public tour. Public tours run in the morning and the evening. Morning tours follow Boston's Freedom Trail, and the evening tour explore Boston's role in American history. Private tours run half or full day. -
INTREPID URBAN ADVENTURES
Varied tours featuring history, Freedom Trail sites, and sometimes food. Tours listed on this guide are: Boston History and Highlights, North End Food Tour, and From Food to Freedom Trail. Urban Adventures also offer tours involving subway and/or water taxi segments, not listed in this research guide (see their website). Private and/or customized tours are also available. -
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Free guided and self-guided tours. Tickets are required but free. Guided tours are Tours of the Freedom Trail: Meetings, Mobs, & Martyrs, and Tours of the Freedom Trail: Enemies to this Country. In addition to tours, the National Park Service has free history programs at Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill Monument, and the Charlestown Navy Yard. -
OFF THE BEATEN PATH FOOD TOURS
Tours combining history and local businesses in neighborhoods not usually featured. Off the Beaten Path tours include: Jamaica Plain (Boston) Vegan Chocolate, Jamaica Plain (Boston) Food, Rozzie Village (Boston) Farm To Table Tour, Fenway Neighborhood (Boston) Food Tour, Central Square (Cambridge) Food and Mural Arts, Kendall Square (Cambridge) Food and Innovation, Harvard Square (Cambridge) Chocolate, Harvard Square (Cambridge) Food, Davis Square (Somerville) Food, Union Square (Somerville) Food. Also, Lowell, MA, Northhampton, MA, and private tours are available. The website also includes suggestions for other happenings off-the-beaten-path, such as music and shopping. -
ON LOCATION TOURS
Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour, 30 movie and tv on-screen locations explored on the Boston Common and on Beacon Hill. Company also has a bus tour. Private tours can also be arranged. Available April-October. -
PHOTOWALKS TOURS OF BOSTON
Walking tours designed to help participants get great photographs of Boston using their cameras or smartphones, and help with composition and/or technical questions. Tours are also enjoyable for non-photographers who are interested in history and/or architecture. Photowalks Tours available include day tours: Highlights of Boston, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, Back Bay Architecture, Back Bay and Charles River Esplanade, Fan Pier and the Seaport District, and North End -Little Italy. Night tours include: China Town and Theater District, Longfellow Bridge, Cityscapes at Night, and Fan Pier and Seaport District Night. There is also a Smartphone Phototour of the North End and Waterfront available, and a tour to learn to take great photos of your dog. Pop-Up tours and customized tours are also available. -
WALKING BOSTON
Private tours of the Freedom Trail, for groups and families led by guide Ben Edwards. Tours run from March-December. Reservations required. Cash and checks only; credit cards not accepted.
Walking Tours From Other Times (digitized--Just click on each one to open. Thanks, Internet Archive!)
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Boston Illustrated (1890)"containing full descriptions of the city and its immediate suburbs, its public buildings and institutions, business edifices, parks and avenues, statues, harbor and islands, etc., etc. With numerous historical allusions." By Edward Stanwood (1841-1923) and Edwin M. Bacon (1844-1916). A description and illustration of Boston Public Library's previous main branch can be found on pages 43-45. There is a description of the library's history and early collections. At the time, McKim (now part of the Central Library) was "in process of erection."
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Literary Landmarks of Boston: A Visitor's Guide to Points of Literary Interest In and About Boston (1922)By Lindsay Swift (1856-1921).
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Literary Boston: A Walking Tour (1975)Created for the Bicentennial in 1975 by the Boston Public Library, this pamphlet ...briefly describes sites of historic and literary significance in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill areas of Boston.
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Welcome to the Freedom Trail and the Many Worlds of Boston (1979)...a guide to Boston's Freedom Trail with a brief description and a color photo of each historic site/building on the Trail; also includes a declaration by Mayor Kevin H. White concerning the Trail, a brief history of Boston, facts about the Trail and nearby points of interest (including the Dunfey family owned Parker House, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Harrison Gray Otis house, etc.) and directions on how to get to the Trail; a copy of this item was in the BRA collection..
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Black Heritage Trail (1981)...a description of 14 sites of historic importance to Boston's Black population; describes a walking tour of downtown Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood; includes the following: African Meeting House, Smith Court residences, Abiel Smith School, George Middleton house, Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial, the Phillips School, John J. Smith house, Charles Meeting House, Lewis and Harriet Hayden House and Coburn's Gaming House; includes a table showing Boston's Black Population from 1820 through 1890 in numbers and as a percentage of the total; a map shows the location of each site; this item was in the BRA collection..
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Beyond Baked Beans (2004)...a guidebook to the small business districts in many of Boston's neighborhoods; for each area gives a brief introduction, list of what ethnic food you might find there, directions on how to get there, and some sights to see; includes a map for each area; the areas covered are: Allston Village // Bowdoin - Geneva (Dorchester) // Brighton // Chinatown // Dudley Square (Roxbury) // East Boston // Egleston Square // Fields Corner // Four Corners (Dorchester) // Grove Hall (Dorchester-Roxbury) // Hyde - Jackson (Jamaica Plain) // Hyde Park // JP Centre / South (Jamaica Plain) // Mission Hill (Roxbury) // Roslindale Village // St. Mark's Area (Dorchester) // Upham's Corner (Dorchester) // Washington Gateway (South End) // West Roxbury..