Top Boston Half-day Tours

When tracing the roots of American independence, the city of Boston is one of the most important epicenters in the country’s history. The Freedom Trail runs through downtown to Charlestown, taking you on a literal walk through the events that inspired and instigated the American Revolution. Join a local guide for a tour of the entire 2.8 mile (4km) trail which includes visits to Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution so you can hear the full historical tale.

Explore the best of Boston at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour of the city. Choose from a 1- or 2-day pass and see Boston’s top attractions, including the USS Constitution, the original bar from TV show “Cheers,” and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, to name a few. The pass includes discounted admission to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, to enjoy during or after the tour.

Sample some of the tastiest bites that Boston’s North End has to offer—and enjoy a first-hand introduction to the area’s Italian heritage. Choose between our 3-hour or dynamic 2-hour express tour, and bring your appetite: Follow your guide to top-rated local businesses, and try everything from clam chowder and lobster rolls to cannoli. At the end, enjoy a secret dish revealed only on the day of the tour.

While Boston is home to lots of different food tours, not many let you eat like a local on a trip around an Italian neighborhood filled with mom-and-pop shops. On this half-day guided culinary tour, enjoy rich coffee, cheesy pizza, loaded Italian subs, and much more as you explore Boston’s North End.

Avoid tourist traps and eat like a local while you sample Boston’s most famous dishes on this small-group food tour along the Freedom Trail. Savor classics such as creamy New England clam chowder, a classic lobster roll, and Boston cream pie while learning the history behind these classics. Visit local eateries and landmarks and discover how the city's food culture and rich history go hand in hand. Perfect for foodies who want a sampling of Boston's most iconic foods.

Enjoy one of the simplest ways to discover Martha's Vineyard, and leave all the planning and logistics to someone else, on this hassle-free day trip from Boston. Following pickup directly from your centrally located hotel, take a short ferry ride to Martha's Vineyard. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to explore—or upgrade to add on an island tour that visits its highlights. Complimentary snacks, bottled water, and guidebooks are provided during the drive.

Eat your way through Boston’s North End and learn about its history with this small-group tour. Explore the neighborhood’s Italian heritage in the company of a guide and stroll through the area’s scenic streets. Enjoy a local lunch at a North End eatery and hear stories about the neighborhood’s past.

Experience the best of New England’s marine wildlife on this guided whale-watching cruise around the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Hop on a high-speed boat in Boston that gets to and from the whales in the least amount of time possible. Look out for humpback and fin whales, plus Atlantic white-sided dolphins, with the help of a naturalist guide. The on-board galley offers food and beverages for purchase during the trip.

This half day private car tour is a perfect way to visit the Revolutionary War towns of Lexington and Concord and see the site where the "shot heard round the world" was fired. We'll take the same route as Paul Revere, stopping at the most significant sites along the way to give a detailed account of what and how things unfolded in April 1775. The travel time from Boston to these towns is 45 minutes each way and you'll be in one of our comfortable private vehicles with an experienced, knowledgeable and licensed tour guide.

Explore Boston’s Freedom Trail as you wish with this self-guided audio tour. Download the iPhone or Android GPS app and start along the trail when it suits you. As you wander between the sites, dip in and out of their backstories, deep-dive into topics that grab your interest, and stop and resume the audio when you wish. The benefit? You’ll enjoy more flexibility than on a fixed-itinerary tour and have more information at your fingertips than if exploring alone.

Hop into a duck boat—s renovated World War II amphibious vehicle—for a comprehensive city sightseeing tour of Boston. Pass Boston Common, Quincy Market, the Celtics' home turf at TD Garden, and much more. Then splashdown into the Charles River for a view of the city by boat. Learn all about Boston's history and landmarks as you go.

See some of the top attractions in Boston from the waterfront on this narrated sightseeing cruise. Explore the world-famous Boston Harbor and see the city’s historic sites while listening to live commentary on board, from tales of the Revolutionary War to local legends. While you cruise, enjoy views of the city skyline as well as the Boston Harbor Islands, USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Relive one of the most important events leading up to the American Revolution and learn about a side of the story most tourists miss on this guided tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Explore authentically restored tea ships with the help of a guide as you get their insights into this pivotal event, and throw some of your own tea into Boston Harbor. It's an ideal experience for American history buffs, tourists, and locals alike.

Discover the South End in a fun and memorable way with this Sweet and Savory Food Tour. Make your way through this iconic Boston neighborhood, stopping for treats like French-Cambodian appetizers to a charming cheese market and locally famous sweets. As you walk, admire the architecture and learn about the area’s rich cultural history. Your guide will share insider knowledge and point out hidden gems along the way.

Discover Boston’s top attractions on this comprehensive guided bike tour around the city. See the unique character and charm of each community up close, like the beautiful brownstones in Back Bay and the South End. Visit Boston’s historic North End and pedal past Copley Square and Fenway Park. Cross the Freedom Trail, passing significant locations to United States history.

End a day in Boston the right way with a sunset sightseeing cruise on Boston Harbor. See all of the harbor’s historic attractions as well as the city’s modern skyline, and witness the USS Constitution’s traditional sunset ritual: a ceremonial firing of the cannon of the oldest commissioned sailing ship in the US, and a lowering of her flag, signaling the end of the day.

If you've always wanted to visit this infamous town, then let's do it during your visit to Boston. This half day Boston to Salem tour consists of: - Downtown Boston pick up, ~45 minute drive to Salem - Stories of what happened before, during & after the Salem Witch trials - Walking tour of movie scenes, sites and fun facts of Salem - Go into one of the main Salem attractions (entry fee not included, and availability not guaranteed) - 45 minute drive back to Boston If you'd rather skip going into any of the sites, we use that time to take you to Marblehead for some amazing ocean views. The return journey and tour is 4 hours, we're happy to customize it to accomplish the things you're most interested in.

Cover a lot of ground and get a better understanding of the city of Boston with this private driving tour. In the company of your guide, walk the Freedom Trail and learn about the history of the city. Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to easily see part of the city beyond the historic center.

Combine two attractions Boston has to offer—delicious food and rich history—on this walking tour that starts in the popular North End and continues along the Freedom Trail. Taste fresh bread, pizza, and a classic Italian deli sandwich at local stops in this historic Italian neighborhood. Then, walk the Freedom Trail to learn about the American Revolution, all while enjoying scenic views of Boston Harbor and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Explore the charming architecture of Beacon Hill and experience the city's blend of old and new.

Discover the best of historic Plymouth in just one day—and enjoy a hassle-free way to explore—on this full-day trip from Boston. Check off several key Plymouth sights, including Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, and Plimoth Patuxet Museums, all while benefitting from skip-the-line admission tickets. Plus, have bonus free time to explore the 400-year-old town's harbor, enjoy lunch (own expense), and sightsee at your own pace.

This private car tour is the perfect way to see Boston & Cambridge in a half day. You'll get to see all the sites on the Freedom Trail, pausing at some of the city's most significant sites. We'll drive in and out of the other city neighborhoods, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and Seaport and finish out the Freedom Trail with a stop at Bunker Hill. Then it's across the Charles River to Cambridge, where we drive around the MIT campus, and onto Harvard for the history and significant buildings on the campus of the oldest college in the country. We'll share lots of history and legends but also keep it topical with current day fun facts and light hearted stories. All guides are fully licensed and approved Boston tour guides, driving luxury and livery insured vehicles. Downtown Boston pick up and drop off included.

Home of the famous Samuel Adams and Lamplighter breweries, Boston has a thriving culture of microbreweries, distilleries, and cider houses. A brewery tour is one of the best ways to experience Boston’s beer scene, and on this half-day excursion you can taste award-winning beer and cider, learn about the history of each brewery, and explore the brewing process.

Maximize time in Boston with a private sightseeing tour. Get picked up at your hotel or the address of your choice in Boston and set out on a half-day excursion. Learn about the history behind top landmarks including the Paul Revere House, the USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Battle Monument. Explore several neighborhoods including Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the South End.