Boston is one of the great American cities. Millions of visitors come each year to soak up the relaxed vibes and admire the beautiful architecture, unique culture and world-class local cuisine. From its rich history to its pretty harbour, its reputation as a great foodie city as well as a prominent sports city, there is something for everyone in Boston, Massachusetts. Looking for some action packed activities? Here’s the best tours to do in Boston.

Best Boston tours:

Tour of Historic Fenway Park

Fenway Park is “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark”. It has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the American professional baseball team, since 1912. The Red Sox team has had a long and illustrious history and is one of the most storied franchises in American sports. 

As you tour the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball (MLB), you’ll learn all about the sport, the team and its legendary players such as Ted Williams, Babe Ruth and Carl Yastrzemski. On this thrilling one-hour tour you’ll get a chance to visit Pesky’s Pole and sit on top of the Green Monster, which stands 37 feet 2 inches high overlooking left field. A tour of historic Fenway Park is a must-do activity in Boston whether you are a fan of baseball or not.

The Revolutionary Story Tour

Boston is one of the most historic cities in the United States with a multitude of iconic sites. The history of Boston plays a central role in American history. To really get to know the city, you have to learn about its past. A walking tour is a great way to do this, and one of the best is a Revolutionary Story Tour. 

What sets this tour apart from the rest is that it doesn’t just take you along the Freedom Trail in a linear fashion. It takes you on a tour of the city, visiting the locations in chronological order. The guides let the escalating action of the American Revolution dictate the route and order of the stops. The sightseeing unfolds with the stories. It is an incredibly engaging way to see the city and learn about its role in American History. 

City Bicycle Tour

Boston is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the United States. If you want to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, then peddle-power is the way to go.

On this three-hour cycle tour, you’ll enjoy a leisurely cycle through the streets with a guide who will introduce you to Boston’s most famous sites as well as lesser-known hidden gems. You’ll cycle through Little Italy passing by places of interest like Copley Square, Fenway Park and the Faneuil Hall marketplace. You’ll continue to Beacon Hill, where you’ll get a chance to cruise through the diverse neighbourhoods whilst your knowledgeable guide provides eye-opening insights on Boston’s fascinating, rich history.

Evening Ghost Tour of Boston

If you are a fan of things that go bump in the night, then you’ll love this spooky evening ghost tour of Boston. It’s more frightseeing than sightseeing. As you stroll the shadowy streets you’ll discover the dark side of the city’s history. You’ll hear about the horrid history and the legends and ghosts that still roam Downtown Boston.

On this two-hour tour, you’ll walk the streets that the Boston Strangler once prowled and hear the bloody details of the Boston Massacre. You’ll also learn about the famous deaths that have occurred here. You’ll also try to capture some of the ghosts and paranormal activity too, so don’t forget your camera.

Private Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour

Loads of Hollywood’s leading actors are Bostonians. Mark Wahlberg, James Spader, Uma Thurman, Chris Evans, Matt Damon, Leonard Nimoy, Eliza Dushku and Barbara Walters were all born in Boston. However, they are not the city’s only connection to the movies. There have been a fair few films made in the city, too.

If you are a movie buff, a great way to see the sights of your favourite films is to take a walking tour of the various filming locations. In fact, on a tour of the Boston Common and Beacon Hill areas, you’ll visit more than 30 movie locations. An expert guide, who’s also a local actor, will show you where movies like The Departed, The Town, Ted, Good Will Hunting, The Thomas Crown Affair and Ally McBeal were shot.

Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise

Boston Harbor on Massachusetts Bay is a major shipping facility in the northeastern United States. The first American lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor in 1716. It is also the site where, in 1773, American colonists dumped 342 chests of tea, imported by the British East India Company into the water.

Taking a tour of the harbour is a great way to learn more about the history of Boston. You also get to see the city from a new perspective. On a sunset cruise, you’ll see the sun setting below the horizon as you pass the skyscrapers of downtown. You’ll also hear the cannons being fired from the U.S.S. Constitution, America’s oldest commissioned sailing ship, and see the flag being lowered to signal the day’s end. It’s all very dramatic.

Guided Brewery Tour with Tastings

Want to follow in the Founding Fathers’ footsteps and quench your thirst at the same time? Then a guided brewery tour with tastings should be on your list of things to do when you visit Boston. 

On this five-hour tour, you visit some of the most historic breweries, cider houses and distilleries in the city. You’ll also learn about the wonderful new, innovative craft breweries that have recently opened up in the city. This is a great tour to brush up on your beer knowledge, sample some great food and drink some delicious beer! Depending on the time of your tour you’ll tuck into a terrific lunch or dinner. Some of the places that you might visit include the iconic Samuel Adams Brewery, Night Shift Brewing, Night Shift Brewing and Meadhall.

Codzilla High-Speed Thrill Boat Ride

Skim across Boston Harbor at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in a boat with two turbo-charged diesel engines and 2800 horsepower! Phwoar! Prepare to scream with delight as you experience thrilling high-speed bumps, twists and 360-degree turns. You’ll also learn all about how Codzilla, the monstrously fun boat ride, came to Boston.
You board the 70-foot boat at Long Wharf and then off you go on a 45-minute exhilarating water ride. You will get wet, but that’s all part of the fun. Think of it as The Fast and The Furious, but on boats.

Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Catamaran

Step aboard a beautiful high-speed catamaran and enjoy the stunning views from the three outdoor decks. As you sail away you’ll hear guided commentary from a naturalist from Whale Center of New England (WCNE). Members of the WCNE are recognised worldwide as authorities on whales.

Some of the whales you are likely to see on a Boston Whale Watching Cruise are Humpbacks and Finbacks. If you are lucky you might also see the critically endangered Right Whales. You’ll also visit the Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. This is a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds and other marine creatures. This is a great tour to do in Boston for wildlife lovers and for families.

Boston’s North End “Little Italy” Food Tour

The North End is Boston’s ‘Little Italy’ and is the city’s oldest and most iconic immigrant neighbourhood. It is famous for its old buildings and authentic Italian restaurants, cafes, pizzerias and espresso bars. The neighbourhood is compact, so it is very easy to get around on foot. One of the best, and tastiest, ways of getting to know North End is on a walking tour that not only covers the history but the food too.

As you wander the warren of little streets you learn all about the people and places central to the neighbourhood. You’ll also get to taste pizza, cannoli, coffee, and a whole lot more. Walking in the footsteps of revolutionary patriots like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and George Washington you’ll see historical sites and landmarks. Stops include Paul Revere House, the Skinny House, Bunker Hill Monument, USS Constitution and Copp’s Hill Cemetery. All that walking is rewarded with lots and lots of tasty Italian food.