Recently Viewed
Hammond Castle Tour: Explore Medieval-Style Architecture
5.0
1 Rating
Gloucester
Embark on a captivating tour of Hammond Castle, a medieval-style architectural gem in New England. Discover the eccentric inventor behind it, explore ancient artifacts, and delve into Boston’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
-
Hammond Castle Museum - 60 min - drive to Hammond Castle
90 min - Visit Hammond Castle, built in the 1900s by an eccentric inventor using parts imported from real medieval European Castles. Learn of Hammond’s love of pranks, and view his extensive collection of private artifacts dating to the Roman era
60 min - drive back to Boston - Boston Public Market - Free time for lunch at local artisanal farm-to-table market with many options (price not included in tour). Options range from sandwiches, seafood, bagels, beer, and more! All locally sourced! Prices range $10-$30.
- Old North Church & Historic Site - See Old North Church, where the lanterns were hung signaling Paul Revere to begin his midnight ride
- Paul Revere Mall - Visit the historic Paul Revere Mall park, home to one of the city’s most iconic “postcard” locations of the statue of Paul Revere with the backdrop of the Old North Church. View the plaques surrounding the park commemorating many of the other Revolutionary figures. Learn the real story behind the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere!
- Boston Common - Drive around the oldest public park in America, listening to stories of how Boston was founded.
- Beacon Hill - See the historic brownstone neighborhood of Beacon Hill.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Drive through the MIT campus and learn about the university’s “theory and practice” motto, focusing on belief that the dual approach of learning and doing is the way! Hear all about (in)famous MIT pranks, some of which can be seen to this day! See the main MIT building, the Great Dome.
- Copley Square - See Boston’s most cultured square, home to many historical institutions including first buildings for MIT, Museum of Fine Arts, Northeaster, Museum of Science, and more. Today it is home to the historical Copley Library, Trinity Church, Old South Church, and John Hancock tower. No expense was spared by the city of Boston when building this square! The Copley Library contains “America’s Sistine Chapel”, painted over the course of 30 years by John Singer Sargent.
- Kendall Square - Visit Kendall Square in Cambridge, known as “the most innovative square mile on the planet.” A dense urban area famous for start-ups and innovation - currently the location of the Boston offices for Google, Apple, Novartis, Pfizer, and Akamai, as well as the world Headquarters for Moderna. The area is also home to projects such as CRISPR, Human Genome Project, and the creation of the guidance computers that enabled Apollo spacecraft to successfully travel to the moon.
- North Square Park - See Paul Revere’s House, one of the oldest wooden houses in Boston. Learn about the immigrant history of the North End as told by artwork installed in the square.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Hammond Castle tour ticket
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Surcharges on fuel
- Parking fees
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Additional Information
Experience a genuine medieval-inspired castle located in the heart of New England! Begin your expedition at Hammond Castle, a manor house from the 1900s in Gloucester, MA, constructed with segments derived from actual European fortresses. Discover the peculiar building while gaining insights about one of the most creative and eccentric inventors of the past century (and his enjoyment of practical jokes!). Behold an expansive array of antique artifacts privately owned, including items tracing back to ancient Rome. Back in Boston, avail of leisure time for lunch in a historically significant region, followed by a tour around the city’s noteworthy landmarks, filled with amusing tales from Boston’s history! Conclude with a stroll through the Little Italy district, observing sites of crucial incidents in the American Revolution.
- Note that per Massachusetts state law: “All children riding in passenger motor vehicles must be in a federally approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions until they are 8 years old OR over 57 inches tall.” We do not provide child seats, please bring age appropriate car seats for kids who do not meet these criteria. We will not be able to do the tour if you do not have child seats for everyone that needs one. A refund will not be issued the day of the tour due to lack of proper car seats. All children must be registered as separate tour guests.
- Luggage - please note that the tour vehicle is a Toyota Sienna minivan. If you are planning to bring luggage on the tour, the vehicle will only be able to seat up to four guests. The back row of seating can be collapsed to fit 4-5 suitcases or smaller bags, but the minivan will not fit 6 passengers with more than one personal item each. If you have more than 4 guests with luggage on the day of the tour, and your guide determines upon arrival that the luggage and passengers can not all safely fit in the vehicle, the tour will be canceled without refund. For alternative options, please contact us directly before booking.
- Note that most areas in Hammond Castle are only accessible by winding stair cases. There are no elevators or ramps.
Location
Hammond Castle Museum
80 Hesperus Ave
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(1 Rating)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Renee_t
May 29, 2024
Exactly what I was looking for! - Chris worked with me to customize the day’s itinerary to fit my needs and wants. Maria made it happen! It was a wonderful day, seeing several new-to-me sights that were of interest. Maria is an extremely knowledgeable guide and great company. A fantastic excursion!
Review provided by Viator
