Boston: Underground Railroad History Tour of Beacon Hill

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Boston, USA

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· MaryAnn_H ·

Oct 2025

very knowledgeable guide good background in history clear and organized pleasant, friendly demeanor answered questions with clarity

· Tina_C ·

Nov 2025

Book this tour!! Don't hesitate! Will masterfully and passionately delivered the best explanation of the workings of the underground railroad that I've ever heard. He is a true history buff. I cant wait to come back with my daughters. There is a good bit of walking so wear comfy shoes.

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Overview

Experience the Black Heritage Trail and get to know more about Civil War-era Boston on this small-group walking tour. In the company of a guide, head out into Beacon Hill and hear stories about the Underground Railroad, Boston Brahmins, and other historical facts. Enjoy a focus particularly on the Civil War years.

Explore Boston on foot
Learn about the Civil War in Boston from your guide
Enjoy focused attention on a small-group tour
Visit landmarks on the Black Heritage Trail

What's Included

Black Heritage Trail (All 10 landmarks)
Small Groups (16 guests max)
Beacon Hill Neighborhood

Gratuity for Guide (optional)
Admission inside Museums
Guides in Period Costume

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Soldiers and Sailors Monument
139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02109, USA
Meet your guide at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the center of Boston Common, steps from the Boston Common Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Street (02108). Look for a white granite column topped by a female figure holding a flag; four bronze statues surround the base of the central column.

End point

Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial
26 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Your 2.5-hour tour concludes in front of the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial, across the street from the Massachusetts State House. This special loop tour of Beacon Hill ends within 0.2 miles of its starting location at the Prescott House.

Itinerary

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Boston Common (Pass By)

Acorn Street

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Louisburg Square (Pass By)

Phillips School

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

John J Smith House

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Charles Street (Pass By)

Charles Street Meeting House

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

John Coburn House (Pass By)

66 Phillips St

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Otis House

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old West Church (Pass By)

20 Hancock St (Pass By)

Smith Court Residences (Pass By)

Abiel Smith School (Pass By)

African Meeting House

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

5 Pinckney St

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Massachusetts State House (Pass By)

Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Not recommended for travelers who have difficulty standing for extended periods
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 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

5.0

based on 144 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Good tour of Beacon Hill....

Janelle_E, Mar 2026

Good tour of Beacon Hill. Not entirely about the Underground Railroad. More like the history of abolitionists in Boston.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your review, and we're glad you had a good tour with your guide! Our tour does try to set the activities of the Underground Railroad into the abolitionist story it's a part of, and we're sorry if it missed the mark for you. We want to earn five stars from all guests, and hope you'll give us the chance to earn that fifth star another time.

Dana was awesome!

Nadiyah_T, Nov 2025

Dana was my tour guide, and they provided such an informed and comprehensive history of African American and Boston Brahmin history on Beacon Hill and beyond while also being a great human! I would recommend this tour to any travelers to Boston, as I was not aware of the influence Black Bostonians had on the Civil War and society in America.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Well, thank you for taking the time to leave this awesome review! Dana is so skilled and experienced as a guide, as well as deeply passionate about sharing this part of Boston's history. Beacon Hill's holds layers of communities, people, and important history.

5 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Allie_M, Nov 2025

Amazing tour given by Meghan! My favorite thing we did during our Boston trip. So much fascinating local history to absorb. Not only do I recommend it but I hope to go again the next time I’m in town.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Allie, thank you: we're thrilled to be the favorite thing on a trip to Boston! We agree that Boston history is fascinating, and we love to share it. We appreciate your enthusiastic recommendation, and we look forward to seeing you on another tour!

The Best Historical Tour!!

Tina_C, Nov 2025

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Tina, thank you so much! Will is indeed a passionate master historian to whom this tour means a lot. We would love to see you again with your family! And also, great advice: comfy shoes really help on Beacon Hill.

very knowledgeable guide...

MaryAnn_H, Oct 2025

very knowledgeable guide good background in history clear and organized pleasant, friendly demeanor answered questions with clarity

Response from Host, Oct 2025

MaryAnn, thank you so much for your 5-star review of the Beacon Hill tour! Our guides are very passionate about sharing the history of the neighborhood and people who lived there. Safe travels!

Enjoy learning about the Underground Railroad

Debbie_H, Oct 2025

Lots of walking! Meghan explained everything so well and made it interesting to learn about the Underground Railroad. We enjoyed going through the old neighborhoods and seeing the buildings. Meghan was easy to understand and she kept a good pace for us to follow.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thanks for the great review, Kathy! Meghan is an incredible guide, her background in the National Parks Service gives her the insight and extensive knowledge to bring the history of Boston's Abolitionist movement to life! We're so glad you enjoyed your time with us on the Freedom Trail!

Great tour. Well...

Mary_D, Oct 2025

Great tour. Well informed guide. Enjoyed walking through Beacon Hill and hearing about how the neighborhood came about

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Mary, we appreciate the compliments for this tour and your guide! It's lovely neighborhood, and it's has some fascinating, important stories in its history.

The best tour...5 Stars!!!

Darla_S, Oct 2025

This tour was incredible!! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. Dana our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge and great at providing interesting stories and history that was fascinating and intriguing. I learned so much on this tour and enjoyed every minute of it. I plan to come back and take this tour again. I literally couldn't ask for a better tour or tour guide.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Darla, thank you so much for the "best tour" vote and your kind, enthusiastic review! Dana loves doing this tour and has years of experience sharing history to bring to these important stories. We would love to see you again, and again, thank you for this wonderful review of the Underground Railroad/Beacon Hill tour.

Informative tour with a great tour guide

Elizabeth_P, Oct 2025

Joe was an Excellent and informative tour guide. We highly recommend this tour. Great history tour of Beacon Hill

Response from Host, Oct 2025

We're grateful for your recommendation and five stars! Joe is a lifelong educator and very experienced guide, and we're delighted you enjoyed the important abolitionist history of Beacon Hill with him.

Lots of hills but so with it.

Carol_T, Oct 2025

Lots of walking up hills and on uneven surfaces If you’re OK with that, Lin did a fabulous job. She had so much information to share and did it beautifully.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Carol, thank you for using "fabulous" to describe Lin's tour! It's so important to her to engage guests with this part of Boston's history and to tell the Hill's fascinating stories. Beacon Hill is an old, historic district, and it is a hill, and we work to make the stories worth the trickier bits of walking. We sincerely hope you will let us try to earn that fifth star another time, perhaps on one of our other, flatter tours.

Engaging, meaningful history on beautiful Beacon Hill

Rob_M, Oct 2025

The tour is about 2.5 hours of walking, and Beacon Hill is pretty, well, hilly, but the pace is measured and there are frequent stops. So wear comfortable shoes and bring water - it's worth it! Our guide Lin N. from Hub Town Tours was extremely knowledgeable and she presented the remarkable history of slavery and abolition in Boston (and on Beacon Hill in particular) in an engaging and relatable manner. The beautiful old neighborhood and historic homes made for a unique experience.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

We truly cannot thank you enough for this spectacular review of Lin's Beacon Hill tour, Rob! Lin is a passionate historian dedicated to sharing Boston's diverse history and this tour is a shining example of her brilliance as a storyteller. We're so glad you found this experience enlightening and relatable--it is truly the best compliment to get as a historical guide. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her!

Should be required for everyone!

Mary_E, Sep 2025

We learned about how much we were never taught in school! Dana was truly wonderful and engaging....it is clear he loves the subject and he inspired us to really get involved and ask questions. Loved this activity!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Wow, Mary, thank you for this enthusiastic review for Dana, who is passionate about sharing this history! We're glad you felt engaged and ready to ask questions. And that you felt you got a valuable history lesson along the way.

Amazing tour guide,...

Irum_Z, Sep 2025

Amazing tour guide, learned so much from him, and you can tell he is passionate about often neglected parts of history; bonus that we were able to see a bit of the African American museum as well. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you very much, Irum, for these kinds words for your guide! Our Beacon Hill guides are passionate about these important and fascinating parts of Boston history. Appreciate your recommendation!

Must see experience

Nancy_H, Sep 2025

There is a lot of walking but it was well worth it. Will brought history to life. I recommend to every one

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Nancy, we really appreciate your "must see" vote and recommendation! Our Underground Railroad tour does have some steep walking and is 2.5 hours long, with a break. But we love to share the important, fascinating history on beautiful Beacon Hill. Will, our Research Manager, is a master historian and superlative storyteller, and we're so glad you felt it was time and steps well spent.

Dane is an awesome tour guide

Renita_N, Sep 2025

Awesome tour guide. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I wish the tour ran more in time though because it went 2 hours over. But it was captivating.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you very much for this 5-star review for Dana, who is deeply enthusiastic about sharing history. There is so much, it's easy to run over, but we will alert him to your feedback and appreciate it. Thank you for sharing that you found it captivating and enjoyed.

Escape from the South

Marjorie_C, Aug 2025

Very informative! The subject matter is not pretty, slavery and those trying to escape it from the South! But we thought it was very well done! History is what it is and learning is important!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Marjorie, thank you for this review of our Beacon Hill Tour! We are so happy to hear that your guide's knowledge brought the story of the Underground Railroad and fight for Abolition to life in a compassionate way. At Hub Town Tours we recognize the complexity of our city's past, and our goal is to create an inclusive and diverse narrative of Boston's rich Black History.

Fabulous Family Tour!

Michaela_M, Jul 2025

We had a really informative and powerful morning with our guide Lin. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the the Black history of Boston. We had our 15 year old and 12 year old with us and we all learned so much. Highlights were the secret passages and learning about the people (like the women) that are not listed on the plaques. Great morning! Thank you Lin!!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Michaela, we cannot thank you enough for this fantastic review of Lin's tour Beacon Hill! On our Underground Railroad tour we strive to bring Black history to life, focusing on lesser known historical figures to paint an inclusive picture of the past. We're glad that we hit the mark and that all ages were invested in this important story of freedom that takes place in Beacon Hill.

Underground railroad tour, Boston

Kelly_S, Jul 2025

Dana's knowledge and enthusiasm for the tour made it highly enjoyable. He's a great educator, presenter and historian. I would recommend this toward anyone.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Kelly, thank you for all these kind words for Dana and his tour! He is an experienced educator and love to share history with guests. We're so happy you enjoyed, and we appreciate your recommending us our small business.

Fantastic! The guide was...

Anna_L, Jun 2025

Fantastic! The guide was knowledgeable and answered a variety of questions from our group. I would take this tour again and highly recommend it even if you’re a Boston resident.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Well, thank you, Anna! What a nice way to recommend us. We're so glad you enjoyed the really fascinating history of Beacon Hill with us.

Our tour guide was...

Lori_M, Jun 2025

Our tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate about this history. The detail in his storytelling was captivating.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Lori, thanks for this amazing feedback! Our guides always enjoy sharing their knowledge and passion for Boston's history.

WILL!! His tour is second to none!!

Kelley_D, Jun 2025

WILL!! His knowledge and enthusiasm and very apparent love of history made this a wonderful experience. The fact that it was a moving tour made it even more interesting. I live and work in Boston and never knew any of this! Every school should experience this to truly appreciate the struggles, the local and civil war and the history of what’s in our backyard. And I can’t say enough good about Will! I know I mentioned him earlier but his knowledge of these events and the enthusiasm brings you in to the story and able to visualize and even get a very brief glimpse of the emotions felt by the people he spoke about.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for this wonderful review! Will is one of our best and most knowledgable guides, and his enthusiasm and expertise in Boston history is bar none!

Engaging and fascinating historical tour of Beacon Hill

Philip_L, May 2025

My kids (13 and 10 years old) were groaning about having to do this tour before it started, but by the end, even they had to acknowledge it was pretty interesting. They were able to retell, in their own words, the history of the Boston Brahmins and their long lasting impact on American society and economy; the importance of brave and influential Bostonian African-Americans like W.E. Dubois’s great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Freeman who sued for her freedom, effectively ending slavery in Massachusetts; the wild stories of abolitionists like John Brown, who tried to lay seige to the Federal armory to form an army of enslaved people, and Charles Sumner, who was nearly beaten to death on the Senate floor. Incredible how all this tied back to one small area of Boston - Beacon Hill. A lot of credit goes to our guide, Dana, for infusing the tour with his genuine love and enthusiasm for the subject, and his engaging personality, especially with kids. It was definitely on the long side - expect 2.5+ hours with lots of standing and walking - so you need to be in at least ok shape and have at least a passing interest in American history between 1770 and 1865 for this to be up your alley, but if that describes you, I highly recommend. I learned a lot, and I consider myself at least fairly educated on early American history, so there’s something new in this tour for everyone.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Wow! This is the sort of feedback we love reading, Philip! It's always so gratifying to hear when our tours can interest even the non-history buffs in our groups, and Dana is a guarantee of quality storytelling. As a former history teacher and National Parks ranger, he has deep love and familiarity with not only the historical facts, but the landscape over which they occurred, and he excels at uniting the two in a gripping narrative. While the events of the American Civil War are more often associated with the South, there were many ties to Boston, and especially to Beacon Hill, where much of the Abolition movement began. We are thrilled that Dana illuminated this history for you, and thank you so much for this lovely review and recommendation!

Hiking Beacon Hill

Nancy_C, Apr 2025

Will was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about Massachusetts history and passionately shared that knowledgeable.

Response from Host, May 2025

Nancy, thanks so much for your lovely words! A knowledgable guide like Will is certainly good company for a hike up historic Beacon Hill!

Brilliant storytelling

Richard_M, Sep 2024

I'm a published Civil War author. William Stillwell's tour of the antebellum period on Beacon Hill was entertaining and flawless. One of the best walking tours I have taken.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Richard, it's wonderful to get a "one of the best" vote from someone like you! To have an expert say Will was flawless doesn't surprise anyone at Hub Town, but it is still deeply appreciated. Thank you so much for this brilliant review, and we're glad you enjoyed beautiful Beacon Hill with Will.

Passionate and knowledgeable guide

susan_s, Aug 2024

Learned a lot about such an important topic. Long but not too long given the large amount of information given. Only complaints are he checked his Apple watch too often and the nice laminated should have been in a binder in order as i usually see so that he didnt have to shuffle through them.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Susan, thank you for joining us for a tour of Beacon Hill. I think it's the most underrated tour in the city! I am sorry to hear you thought the guide checked their watch too often, my guess is that with so much content to cover, he was making sure he was on schedule to finish on time. Thanks for the 5-star review!

Exceptional history tour

Deborah_N, Aug 2024

This tour was a real eye opener into Boston's role in the start of the Civil War. Dana is an excellent tour guide-full of enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject matter.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Thank you so much, Deborah, for this shining review of Dana's Beacon Hill tour! Dana is truly one of the best, ad his passion continues to create memorable experiences for our guests. Thanks again!

You "Will" be glad you did...

Wade_S, Sep 2023

As a 70 year black male with degrees from two well known HBCUs, I can say that without a doubt, this tour guide (Will) provided one of the most intersting and informative experiences I have ever had on a "tour". I would especially encourage those of us who thought we might "know a thing or two" to spend a couple of hours with Will. I believe that like me, you will be glad you did.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you, Wade, for the 5-star review of our new Beacon Hill walking tour. The history of the neighborhood is incredible, and to experience it with a fantastic guide like Will is a treat! Please share your experience with anyone coming to Boston, we feel it is a history that needs to be heard by more Americans!

Incredible Civil War tour with an incredible guide

Alfredo_P, Aug 2023

Incredible story with an incredible history professor. I did not know the amazing story Boston citizens played in the upcoming of the Civil War and the end of slavery. Plus, you get to see more of a beutiful neighbourhood!!! I would recommend this tour to anyone that passes through Boston, or even someone that lives here... Thank you so much Dave for this experience

Response from Host, Aug 2023

The Civil War is not a topic most people think about when visiting Boston, but it's incredible how much of a central role this town played prior to that conflict! Beacon Hill on its architectural merits is a must-visit part of Boston, but the history hidden within is truly eye-opening. Thanks for joining Dave on the Black Heritage Trail to visit Boston's Underground Railroad safe houses and learn more about the birth of America's "Second Revolution"! We hope to see you in Boston again soon, Alfredo.

Very informative & interesting!

Jennifer_B, Jul 2023

Our tour guide, Will, did a fantastic job. He was knowledgeable, engaging and passionate about the subject matter. We truly enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you, Jennifer, for the five-star review of Will's tour! We are lucky to have guides like Will who is not only a veteran tour guide but also dedicated historian and fantastic storyteller.

Our tour guide Drew...

Lisa_G, May 2022

Our tour guide Drew brought history to life. He was engaging and shared some interesting facts of trivia for those of us who are history buffs!

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you for sharing this fantastic review, Lisa! Drew is a veteran guide with years of experience along the Freedom Trail, and we're so excited to have him as part of the team at Hub Town Tours. We'll pass along your kind words!

Likely to Sell Out