Guided Walking Tour of Copley Square to Downtown Boston Freedom Trail

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Boston, USA

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Boston, Massachusetts

4.8

(17)

Private Day Trip to Salem and Hammond Castle from Boston

from $462

Price varies by group size

Likely to Sell Out

Back Bay Chocolate and Art Galleries Tour

Boston, Massachusetts

5.0

(37)

Back Bay Chocolate and Art Galleries Tour

from $65

Boston, Massachusetts

The Mighty Mighty Bus Tour

from $75

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Explore elegant neighborhoods, historic streets, and American landmarks on a Boston walking tour from the Back Bay to Beacon Hill and downtown portions of the Freedom Trail. Learn about Boston’s history and culture as you stroll brownstone-lined avenues and walk the shady paths of the Boston Public Garden. Step into Boston’s Revolutionary history in the churches, cemeteries, and battlegrounds of the American struggle for independence.

Boston walking tour with an experienced guide
Explore historic Boston neighborhoods
Walk parts of the Freedom Trail with an experienced guide
Learn about Revolutionary events and sites
Ideal choice for families
Informative, friendly, and professional guide

What's Included

Professional guide
2-Hour Walking Tour of Back Bay and The Downtown Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall
See the Victorian brownstone homes in Back Bay and historic Beacon Hill neighborhood to Faneuil Hall

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

230 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
Departure Point: Steps of the Boston Public Library on Dartmouth Street in Copley Square Address: 230 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116. Note that this tour does not return to the Starting Point.

End point

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston, MA 02109, USA

Start time
.1:00 pm

Itinerary

Meet your guide at the iconic Boston Public Library, close to public transport and parking in Boston’s vibrant Back Bay neighborhood. Start your walking tour by exploring Copley Square, where you’ll find historic architecture juxtaposed with gleaming skyscrapers: cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon, see the Romanesque lines of Trinity Church, and catch your reflection in the John Hancock Tower.

Walk to the edge of Boston Public Garden to spot picturesque swan boats and the world’s smallest suspension bridge, then snap a ‘can't-miss’ photo of Acorn Street in Beacon Hill. Join the thin, red line of the Freedom Trail at the Massachusetts State House, and follow in the footsteps of early American colonists and revolutionaries. Learn why the Park Street Church was called ‘Brimstone Corner,’ see the graves of Paul Revere and John Hancock in the Granary Burial Ground, then see the 18th-century King’s Chapel.

Continue to the Old and New City Halls, the Old State House, and the Boston Massacre Site, then finish your walk at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, near some of downtown Boston’s best restaurants and attractions.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate

Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.5

based on 46 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

Great over view of Bostons neighborhoods

Deborah_B, Oct 2023

Nice small group where we could listen as we walked to guides comments. Meet up was easy in front of public library. We should of showed up early to visit the interior of the library. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had lots of information to keep us interested.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Glad you enjoyed it.

Fun, Engaging and Insightful Tour!

Susan_T, Jul 2023

Superb walking tour! Our tour guide Andrew was engaging and brought the history to life with fun facts and historical context that was unbeknownst to me, a college history major. It’s amazing how much one can keep learning! I was riveted by it all. Well worth the time and money.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Andrew can be quite impressive in his history knowledge and presentation!

Fun

Nancy_M, Sep 2022

The information about the building architecture was helpful. Also, the guide agreed to go to Acorn St. and Louisburg Sq. which was a bit off the beaten path in back of Beacon Street which was very interesting.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

All these various aspects add to the tour. Thanks for noticing.

Excellent Tour with a Great Tour Guide

Jeffrey_K, Jul 2022

Any tour is only as good as the guide and we certainly struck gold with Alan. He was personal, witty, and informative. Not only was he well versed on the traditional Boston landmarks, but he was equally informative about any Boston-related question that you could throw his way. I would highly recommend this tour for the Boston newbies and for anyone who wants to be able to go in greater depth about Boston geography, politics, archeology, and history.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thanks so much for your very kind review. I am glad you were able to connect with the Boston history and culture.

Fun and entertaining

Julie_T, Apr 2022

Our guide Alan was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He kept our family (including two teenagers) entertained for the entire tour. Fun tour!

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Glad everybody had fun!

Perfect weather...

Rachel_B, Mar 2022

Perfect weather Great tour guide Great overview of the city Good distance/time Wish we would have started and ended at same place

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Not in charge of the weather, but I understand how that could affect a tour. I also understand the desire to start and end at the same place, but that would mean seeing less on the tour as we would have to backtrack or sub-optimize the sites seen.

Historic Boston

ElizabethM_W, Oct 2021

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and walking through parks and buildings. The local history was impressive.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Glad you enjoyed the tour.

Fun walking in Boston

NealA, Oct 2021

Al was a great guide being both personable and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend we saw a lot and enjoyed the walk!

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Thanks so much. Makes it all worthwhile....

Fun, informative and a great time!

Caitlin_F, Sep 2021

We had a great time on this tour! It was fun, informative and overall well done. Our guide was a great story teller and did a good job of making the history relatable.

Response from Host, Sep 2021

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Great tour!

Bea_H, Aug 2021

Enjoyed the tour. Guide was knowledgeable and provided interesting background on some intriguing sites.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Appreciate your kind words.

Very good experience!

CARLOS_L, Jul 2021

Very interesting and informative. Allen, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable and helpful. I recommend it.

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Thanks for the support. Never gets old.

Informative, Interesting and engaging

Macy_P, Jun 2021

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The pace was just right for a two hour tour. My granddaughter enjoyed the tour and is looking forward to the next one

Response from Host, Jun 2021

Happy that you both enjoyed the tour and that the pace felt comfortable. Hope you both had a great time in Boston!

Lessons learned

Melanie_F, Jun 2021

Alan was a great teacher. Thoughtful of the needs of his group. Thank you for sharing with us along the trial.

Response from Host, Jun 2021

Thanks for your appreciative thoughts. They are appreciated in return.

Very informative and fun. Plus, it...

cr020451, Aug 2017

Very informative and fun. Plus, it starts from the beautiful Boston Public Library, so, go early and go inside to see the amazing library.

The information presented was very...

Carol R, Apr 2017

The information presented was very good. The tour guide was late but took extra time at the end. He was knowledgeable but a little repetitive. The walk was the perfect length.

We were all on time and the tour...

William N, Oct 2016

We were all on time and the tour started casually getting to know each other. Alan was our tour guide and spoke clearly and loudly, He offered amazing insights on the tour and the sights we were seeing. There was one point I wish I had been recording, the information was so enlightening. Highly recommend this tour with Alan!

Tour guide did not give enough time...

Jacob Q, Aug 2016

Tour guide did not give enough time to take photos and spent wasted time talking about non-historical items that could have been spent on historical discussion.