The 10 Back Bay and Charles River Tours in Boston That Earn Their Price

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 aboard a restored WWII amphibious duck boat. A personal ConDUCKtor, such as Mike or the Viking, supplies jokes and history as you pass the Common, State House, Quincy Market, TD Garden, and more. The final 20 minutes are on the Charles River.

“Super fun and good way to see Boston on land and in water. Fun ride for the whole family. The conductors are very knowledgeable.”

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2.Downtown Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill & Back Bay Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

This two-hour morning walk links Boston’s colonial landmarks with Beacon Hill, the Public Garden, Back Bay, and Copley Square. Guides such as Allan and Alan add local stories, architectural details, humor, and restaurant tips. Expect a small group of up to 20, varied sidewalks, and all-weather operation.

“Had a wonderful morning being guided through Boston by Alan. The tour was informative, interesting and fun. Would not hesitate to recommend this tour.”

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3.Charles River Sightseeing Cruise

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

Spend 70 minutes on the Charles River with a live English-speaking guide and views of Beacon Hill, Back Bay, MIT, Harvard, Boston University, and the CITGO Sign. Choose covered seating or the front of the boat. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, and parking is available at CambridgeSide Mall.

“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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4.Beacon Hill + Back Bay History + Photo Walking Tour(SMALL Group)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55Top rated

Join longtime local guide Saba Alhadi for a two-hour small-group walk through Beacon Hill, Acorn Street, Louisburg Square, the Public Garden, and Back Bay. You’ll hear Boston stories, learn easy smartphone photo tips, and finish near First Church in Boston.

“Saba, our guide was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. We have beautiful family pictures with gorgeous backdrops.”

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5.Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Spend 2.5 hours walking Boston’s Back Bay with a small group of up to 15 people. Guide Maura introduces you to Pauline Shaw, Julia Ward Howe, Blanche Ames, Lucy Stone, and other women who shaped the fight for voting rights. Expect outdoor stops, historic homes, and no museum admissions.

“It was a great experience. I really enjoyed learning about the cool history of the women’s segregation.”

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6.Back Bay Chocolate and Art Galleries Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Join Adam of Up and Adam Food Tours for a 2.5-hour, 1.3-mile walk through Boston’s Back Bay. You’ll taste hot chocolate, a cookie, cupcake, and chocolate hazelnut cake, visit art galleries, and hear neighborhood history in a group capped at 12.

“Adam was an amazing guide, very very knowledgeable and could answer almost any question you ask. Tasted some of the best chocolatey desserts ever, and saw some beautiful artworks. If you love chocolate and modern art this is the tour for you!”

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7.Harbor and Charles River Architecture Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · from $47

Set out from CambridgeSide Mall with an English-speaking guide for a two-hour cruise along the Charles River, its locks, basin, and Boston Harbor. Look for the Custom House, Prudential Building, Hancock Tower, and newer designs while guides such as Michelle explain the city from the water.

“It was awesome. Michelle was so knowledgeable. I enjoyed the whole trip. It’s so nice too see the city from the water.”

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8.Back Bay Chocolate and Art Galleries Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2h 30m · from $65

Meet Adam at the Prudential Center for a 150-minute guided walk through Back Bay. Taste hot chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, and chocolate hazelnut cake bites, then visit two art galleries and receive Adam’s Boston food and sightseeing tips by email.

“I like the art gallery,. there should be more or at least another art gallery on the tour”

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9.Back Bay Evening Chocolate Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $60

Join guide Adam from UpandAdam for a two-hour walk through Boston’s Back Bay, with hot chocolate, a cookie, cupcake, and chocolate hazelnut cake. You’ll visit two art galleries, stroll Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue, and finish about half a mile from the start.

“Adam from UpandAdam yours was a great host, very knowledgeable. He made the tour interesting and personalized, since I was the only person who signed up!”

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10.Old Boston: Beacon Hill & Back Bay Walking Tour in French

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews · 2h 30m · from $45

Spend 150 minutes with a French-speaking local guide, including Maria, tracing Boston from Beacon Hill to Back Bay. See secret gardens, Commonwealth Avenue, Newbury Street, Copley Square, and the Boston Public Library reading room in a group limited to 15 people.

“Visite parfaite, en petit groupe, et en français, avec Maria, adorable !!. On finit cette visite en ayant appris beaucoup de choses sur l'histoire de Boston, depuis le May Flower avec l'arrivée des puritains, jusqu'à nos jours. Avec toutes les étapes importantes de l'indépendance, et de la guerre de sécession, et le rôle joué par Boston dans l'histoire américaine. Tout cela en suivant l'évolution de l'implantation de cette ville. Je conseille fortement à tous les “parlant français” qui veulent avoir une bonne vision de Boston, en quelques heures”

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