BOSTON · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in Boston

208 tours  ·  from $5

Everything with a guide, a boat or a ticket attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour - The Bewitched statue and Salem’s modern 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

Walk Salem with a local historian through the Witch Trials Memorial, Essex Street, McIntire District, Ropes Mansion, and Witch House. Choose daytime or lantern-lit evening departures. Expect lively storytelling, modern witchcraft, ghost lore, and outdoor stops only.

“Lisa was amazing!! We had a great time. The hand warmers were a great touch for our cold day. It was a good mix of witches, architecture and spooky ghost lore.”

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Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - From Boston Common to the State House
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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 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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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - Granary Burying Ground puts famous names in one place
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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

Spend about 2.5 hours tracing Boston’s Revolutionary story with a historian guide such as Jon, Maura, Mark, or Alejandro. Groups are capped at 16, and the route covers all 16 official Freedom Trail landmarks, from Boston Common and the Boston Massacre Site to Paul Revere’s home and Copp’s Hill Terrace.

“Excellent tour, our guide made it very interactive and fun. She was very informative and answered all our questions in detail.”

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Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 13 Stops - Stop 3: USS Constitution Museum
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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 through the North End, Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Fort Point. Live guides share history and stories, while flexible hop-on access lets you explore places such as Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Boston Common, and Copley Square.

“The tour guides were fantastic. Some sort of tracker of the buses would be helpful to maximizing time at the stops especially when it’s especially cold/hot out.”

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Salem's Best Ghost Tour - Meeting at 127 Essex Street
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Salem’s Best Ghost Tour

5.Salem’s Best Ghost Tour

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

Walk Salem after dark with a licensed local guide such as Sebastian, Raymond, Elaina, or Penny. This 75-minute tour covers the Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Gardner Pingree House, Old Town Hall, Saint Peter’s Church, and Essex Street, blending documented history with ghost stories.

“Raymond was highly entertaining and knowledgeable my 9&10 year olds really enjoyed his stories also.”

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Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous - Starting from the Museum of Science or Prudential Center
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Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous

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

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

See Boston from land and water on an 80-minute Duck Tour departing from the Museum of Science or Prudential Center. A live ConDUCKtor narrates sights from the State House to Quincy Market, then guides the vehicle into the Charles River. Foreign-language audio is available through an app.

“Best guide I have ever had on any tour anywhere. The gentleman was fun but unbelievably informative about Boston. Every block he had something to point out and provide in depth knowledge. He was colorful but completely knows the city, its architecture and its history. First class overview of major sites in 80 minutes.”

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Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour - Harvard Yard: the heart of the visit
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Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour

7.Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour

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

Walk Harvard with a current student guide, hearing campus traditions, personal stories, and a little humor along the way. This 70-minute route covers Harvard Square, Harvard Yard, the John Harvard Statue, Memorial Hall, and nearby sights, then ends at the student-run Harvard Shop.

“Our tour guide, Natalie is a senior concentrating on neuroscience. I went on this tour with my son, who has been accepted to Harvard's neuroscience program, so this was a perfect match for us! Natalie was very knowledgeable about all of the ins and outs and the traditions for Harvard students and was able to share some trade secrets for my son to help him be successful. She was also willing to share her contact info with him in case he had any other questions. It was definitely cold, a but she did a great job of answering questions and taking extra time as needed in different spots along the…”

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Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options - Meeting at Gate D on Jersey Street
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Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options

8.Boston Fenway Park: Guided Ballpark Tour with Options

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

Explore Fenway Park with an English-speaking guide on a public or private one-hour tour, a pre-game visit three hours before first pitch, or a 15-minute express tour. See the Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, Roof Deck, press box, trophies, and historic seating.

“A great, reasonably priced way to be able to visit Fenway Stadium without the crowd and learn about its history. The tour was a highlight of our trip to Boston and worked in perfectly with our tickets to the game later that day.”

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Boston to Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour - Oak Bluffs and its gingerbread cottages
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Boston to Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour

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

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

Leave Boston early in a 24-passenger minibus, ride through Cape Cod to Falmouth, and cross Vineyard Sound by ferry. On Martha’s Vineyard, explore independently or add a three-hour tour covering Edgartown, Aquinnah, Gay Head Light, and all six island towns. Guides such as Tom, Elaine, and Johnny Boston may lead the day.

“If I had the option I would give 3 1/2 stars. It is a FULL DAY TOUR! 2 1/2 hours to the ferry and same time getting back from the ferry is the worse part, but not horrible. Once on the ferry and getting to the island is enjoyable and scenic. We opted for the guided tour and Tom was an encyclopedia of the history and culture of the island. Tour is a thorough view of basically the entire island and towns. Not a lot of WOW moments but a few interesting facts and some nice views.”

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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark - The first hour inside Fenway Park
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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark

10.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 guide such as Steve, Matt, or Mary Ella. Visit the Green Monster, roof deck, Pesky’s Pole, press areas, and Living Museum, then trace Red Sox history through players, World Series wins, photos, and game-used memorabilia.

“It was a great time and we learned so much about a really cool baseball field! We got to see all kinds of things and learn a lot about it history. Heads up get there a little early and make sure you get your tickets printed at gate a.”

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1 or 2 Day HOP-ON & HOP-OFF Narrated Trolley Tour of Boston - Stop 1: Atlantic Avenue, Quincy Market, and the North End edge
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1 or 2 Day HOP-ON & HOP-OFF Narrated Trolley Tour of Boston

11.1 or 2 Day HOP-ON & HOP-OFF Narrated Trolley Tour of Boston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,849 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $48

See Boston’s main sights from an English-narrated trolley, then hop off at places such as Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, Beacon Hill, and the Tea Party Museum. Choose one or two consecutive days, use nine GPS walking tours, and look for guides such as Hugo, Jesse, or Joey for extra local color.

“There was no presence at the cruise ship dock. No signage. No people. Frustrating as we needed to make a call. Basically told we need to go to stop one. Took cab to the boarding g location. (Would have been nice to know that.) The first individual was very rude that we got our tickets from. Pouring rain. All we wanted to do was get on the bus. However, she said you can only go around once. Our first bus driver was not good at all. So we got off the bus at the next stop in the rain. We waited and then on another bus. Nice bus driver. We…”

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Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide - Starting beneath the State House dome
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Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide

12.Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Costumed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,531 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $26

Follow a 1.2-mile stretch of Boston’s Freedom Trail with a costumed guide playing figures such as Ben, Katherine, or John Hancock. Expect colonial stories, humor, Granary Burying Ground, the Boston Massacre site, and a finish near Faneuil Hall or Paul Revere Mall. The $26 tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes.

“It was very informative about our History and lots of fun at the same time! Our guide was so funny and witty!”

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Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour - The trolley ride from Atlantic Avenue
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Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour

13.Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,413 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $47

Spend about two hours on Boston’s evening Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, led by a guide in 17th-century gravedigger costume. Hear dark tales, then walk through Copp’s Hill and Granary Burying Grounds. Guides such as Mercy, Petunia Pickman, and Dr. Atticus Nobody are known for strong character work.

“We’ve done ghost tours in several cities and this is a good one. Well run experience from start to finish. Check in went smoothly. The guides were knowledgeable and great storytellers. Our group of teens and adults all enjoyed it. I would recommend it for anyone 10 or older with the exception of people with mobility issues. Walking around the graveyards at night could be a challenge.”

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The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small Group Boston Walking Tour - Starting at City Hall Plaza
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The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small Group Boston Walking Tour

14.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 Boston’s Revolution in chronological order with guides such as Tyler, Mike, Chris, and Tom. This three-hour small-group tour links 14 Freedom Trail landmarks with burying grounds, modern Boston, the North End, and Boston Harbor. Expect visual aids, lively storytelling, and plenty of walking.

“Tyler was an excellent guide! He was a knowledgeable historian and learned so much about the Revolution and the history of Boston. Highly recommend!!!”

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Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour - Start at Long Wharf, then use the route as your map
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Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour

15.Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,121 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $52

See Boston from an enclosed orange and green trolley with live narration from guides such as Crafty, Beanie, and Cogs. Use a 1-day or 2-day ticket to visit 13 stops near Faneuil Hall, the North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Tea Party Museum, and more.

“I loved the drivers!! They were very entertaining as well as very informative!! They made it fun!!”

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New in Tours

★ 5.0Beacon Hill True Crime Walking TourFrom $3519 reviews
★ 5.0Public Innovation Trail Tour in CambridgeFrom $2019 reviews
★ 4.0North End Boston Mafia Exploration Game and TourFrom $79 reviews
★ 5.0Haunted Boston Common & Beacon Hill Ghost TourFrom $3925 reviews
★ 4.5Magic Lantern TourFrom $2028 reviews
★ 5.0Private Walking tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail and more!29 reviews
★ 5.0Tour Boston’s Rock & Roll Past and Present by Soundscape ToursFrom $3526 reviews
★ 4.5Boston to Newport: Breakers and Marble House Small Group TourFrom $16929 reviews
★ 4.5Self-Guided Boston’s Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking TourFrom $929 reviews
★ 5.0Boston’s North End History + Photo Walking Tour (SMALL Group)From $4527 reviews
★ 5.0Private North End Neighborhood TourFrom $13526 reviews
★ 5.0Back Bay Chocolate and Art Galleries TourFrom $6529 reviews
★ 4.5Salem, MA: Mysteries & Murder Guided Walking TourFrom $3629 reviews
★ 4.4Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost TourFrom $2626 reviews
★ 5.0Seafood Tasting & Historical Walking TourFrom $15928 reviews

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Boston Freedom Trail Tours31Boston Harbor Cruises25Boston North End Food Tours22Salem Witch Trials Tours31Boston Museum and Attraction Tickets27Walking Tours90
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Explore Boston

Pick a walk, a hull, a plate or a ghost story.

On foot

Freedom TrailBeacon HillBack BayAudio WalksWalking Tours

On the water

Harbor CruisesSunset BoatsTall ShipsBrunch AfloatEvery Boat

At the table

North End FoodFood ToursSeafood and LobsterPubs and BreweriesCannoli Stops

After dark

Ghost ToursWitch TrialsSalem at NightTrolleys and DucksChristmas Walks