Boston Revolutionary Story: Comprehensive American History Tour
5.0
1,263 Ratings
Boston
Experience the Boston Revolutionary Story, a comprehensive American history tour that brings the landmarks, characters, and events of the American Revolution to life. Explore Boston's oldest neighborhoods and follow the revolution's timeline, all while being entertained and educated by knowledgeable guides. Voted Best Historical Tour and a top tour in the United States.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- The Revolutionary Story Tour - City Hall Plaza is a pedestrian only plaza very centrally located directly across from and overlooking Faneuil Hall. We meet between the Five Iron Golf and City Hall. There is a statue of a basketball player (Bill Russel) in front of the seasonal Beer Garden and next to a large “BOSTON” sign that provides a great photo opportunity to start off the tour with.
- Boston City Hall - Famous (or infamous) for its unique architecture.
- King’s Chapel Burying Ground - Learn about the incredibly unique people who first settled Massachusetts Bay. The Puritans are more important (and much weird!) than you can imagine!
- King’s Chapel - First Anglican Church in Boston
- Granary Burying Ground - Who really were the Sons of Liberty? Visit the tombs of Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Sam Adams and find out!
- Park Street Church - Brimstone corner. Famous for its fiery sermons. July 4, 1829 “William Lloyd Garrison made his first public address against slavery here.
- Old City Hall - Some of the most beautiful architecture in the city is the background of a discussion about the historic obstacles to and inherent challenges of democracy
- Statue of Benjamin Franklin - Lean about America’s first public school and its most famous pupil the incomparable Benjamin Franklin!
- Old State House - The oldest public building in the country and the nerve center of Massachusetts politics. The great political debate between British authority and American rights was here
- Boston Massacre Site - Learn about the soldiers, the citizens, the loyalists, and patriot leaders all pulled into this explosion of tensions!
- Old Corner Bookstore - Former publishing house of American literary icons (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathanial Hawthorne, and more)
- Old South Meeting House - The Boston Tea Party starts here! The most pivotal event leading up to the American Revolution. There’s no turning back after this!
- Post Office Square - The road to revolution runs right the heart of downtown Boston. While the core of this tour is built upon 12 of the 15 Freedom Trail locations a beautiful and booming modern city has grown up all around its historic foundation. Neither should be missed and we will not overlook the present in our pursuit of the past.
- Financial District - Education, Healthcare, & Finance
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace - “The Cradle of Liberty” is not only the symbol of American Democracy but its deepest roots can be traced to this building. This is where a protest becomes a revolution!
- Quincy Market - Warning! Tourist traps abound!
- Rose Kennedy Greenway - Beautiful public garden running the length of Boston
- The Paul Revere House - The house is in the oldest and most charming square in the city and surrounded by some of the best restaurants in America. The man is even more impressive than the legend!
- North Square Park - Oldest residential square in America
- Paul Revere Statue - Iconic photo opportunity
- North End - The oldest residential neighborhood in America. You won’t find a better combination of culture, food, and history in any square mile in the country. Italian, Seafood, Pizza, Cannoli, we’ll talk about it all!
- Old North Church & Historic Site - “One if by land, two if by sea.” We go through Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride with the iconic steeple from which he signaled his famous warning; culminating in “the shot heard round the world,” and chaotic battle at Lexington & Concord. The British are coming - are you?
- Copp’s Hill Burying Ground - We go in depth on the Battle of Bunker Hill. The strategy, the tactics, the consequences.
- Boston Harbor - We stroll along the Harbor Walk for one of the best views of the city, the beauty of Boston Harbor, and to finally kick the British out of Boston!
- Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park - We finish up along at Christopher Columbus Park. A jewel in Boston’s revitalized crown, some of best people watching in the city, and very centrally located between the North End (pizza, restaurants, & cannoli); Long Wharf (Aquarium, Harbor Tours, water shuttle to Charlestown, Metro station); and Quincy Market (souvenirs & shopping). Only a five minute walk to where we begin if you’ve parked nearby
What's Included
- Expert Guide with specialized knowledge (Masters in American History)
- Experience 14 key sights on the Freedom Trail, plus Faneuil Hall entry
- Discover public spaces and secret spots, like ‘Little Italy’ and Harborwalk
- Scheduled breaks for snacks and refreshments
- Insights from award-winning historians and engaging storytelling
- Entertaining experience with a sense of humor throughout the tour
- Enjoy a personalized experience in a small group setting
- Curated tour connecting significant Revolutionary events and characters
What's Not Included
- Costumes, Actors, Scripts, or Kitsch
- Transportation (this is a walking tour.)
- Museum entry fees (other than Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market we stay outdoors)
- Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information
An all-inclusive retelling of the American Revolution entwining the prominent locations, notable figures, principal events, and oldest quarters of Boston into a single monumental and sweeping narrative. Contrary to most tours that stick geographically to the Freedom Trail - beginning at one end and progressing to the other - doling out sporadic information and specifics en-route, this tour navigates the Freedom Trail in the sequence of the revolution’s progress and expands its scope to explore the city in its entirety. It brings to light and interlinks the motivations, characters, and fervor fueling the action.
The historical account is meticulously derived from extensive research and includes insights from renowned scholars in the sector, yet it is presented with an enjoyable flair of humor and vibrancy. The aim is to strike a balance between educational and entertaining, suitable for both ardent history enthusiasts and tourists visiting for the first time.
Boston Magazine’s Top Historical Tour 2022. Viator Experience Award recipient for the best tour in the United States.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour is appropriate for all ages, but it is not a “kids” version of events.
Location
City Hall Plaza
City Hall Square
The tour meets in City Hall directly across the street from Faneuil Hall (1 City Hall Square, Boston MA, 02201.) Your guide will be in the plaza between a Five Iron Golf (1 Washington Mall, Boston, MA 02108) and a seasonal beer garden next to a statue of a basketball player (Bill Russel)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(1263 Ratings)
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Shannon_m
May 20, 2024
Fantastic - Tyler is an amazing tour guide. So knowledgeable and brings the history of Boston to life!
I love how he included the group with name badges of the people he told about. Also, how he ended the tour with maps and lego soldiers to explain and visually show the battle at Bunker Hill, well, Breed's Hill really.😃
Review provided by Viator
Grandtour35880252871
May 18, 2024
Boston Walking Tour - This tour is absolutely wonderful!! Tyler was incredibly knowledgeable!! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in Boston history. It’s a walking tour , the pace is appropriate but you do not go inside the historical buildings. I would not recommend for young children.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cc_o
May 17, 2024
Great Historical Tour - Mike was fun, likeable and very knowledgeable. Very immersive tour.
Lots of facts that you don't find out on other tours.
Review provided by Viator
Cynthia_h
May 17, 2024
Walk and learn! - What a fascinating and enjoyable experience! I learned so much about the key leaders of the Revolutionary War. Mike is knowledgable and clear. It's a fast paced tour, with a strong story line. Mike has a clever way of drawing the group into the story. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Andrew_c
May 17, 2024
Great tour - Very informative tour and the guide was a good story teller, making you feel like you were there. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Cary_s
May 16, 2024
Superior tour - We love to walk and (being in our 70's) we wanted to learn more about the Revolutionary War than was taught all the many years since middle school (known as junior high back then). This tour was exactly what we wanted. Plenty of information put forth by a guide who obviously had both the knowledge and the desire to share what he knew. We would recommend this tour for anyone who wants to learn more about America's early days.
Review provided by Viator
Llw8800
May 15, 2024
Excellent tour! - This was a great informative tour! Mike, our guide, is very knowledgeable and entertaining while he makes history come alive! We definitely recommend this tour. Wear good walking shoes!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawn_b
May 15, 2024
Best Your because of Tyler - This was the absolute best tour that I have ever been on. Primarily because of our extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide Tyler. He gave us the tour by want of an historical story. Tyler has his masters in American History and knew details that we had never heard. Just a wonderful experience. We were very fortunate to have Tyler as our guide. Thank you Tyler!!
Review provided by Viator
Maria_d
May 15, 2024
Tyler’s American History Class - Had an awesome few hours relearning my American history with our very knowledgeable storyteller, witty guide. Tyler is the absolute best.
Review provided by Viator
James_f
May 15, 2024
Amazing facts - Mike was so informative. He did his best to talk over all the city sounds. His knowledge was on point an I learned many facts I didn’t know. All in all a great tour with a great tour guide, Mike we really enjoyed our time with you.
Thanks
Jim & Gloria Feldmann
Review provided by Viator