Top 10 Tours in Massachusetts, United States

What makes this tour different is that instead of walking the Freedom Trail geographically – starting at one end and following it to the other – we let the escalating action of the American Revolution guide us through the crooked streets of Boston. The sightseeing is synchronized with and unfolds to the storytelling. There’s a lot less emphasis on dry facts and dates and a lot more on the passions, personalities, and psychologies driving the events; recreating the drama and recapturing the energy that invented America. It's not only much more enjoyable it's also the most effective way to explore the city and relive the history. The entire experience has been built with the aspirations and anxieties of a fellow tourist in mind: the groups are kept small so you aren't herded around; we cover both the major sights and the hidden gems; extensive visual aids and props help you grasp the material, and you'll traverse all original neighborhoods getting a sense of the modern city as well. 

Inclusions: Limited group size. No massive crowds., Professionally operated: no actors, costumes, scripts, or kitsch, Insights from prestigious historians and scholarship, Restroom / Coffee / Snack break midway through, 12 (of 15) Freedom Trail sights visited

Exclusions: Gratuities. (optional)

Discover the local side of Boston’s most popular neighborhood, the North End.  Visit Boston’s most revered church and snack your way through the neighborhood, tasting meats, cheeses, fresh bread, pastries, pizza and cappuccino.  Continue along the Freedom Trail and beyond and experience modern Boston through the city’s incredible history.  From the iconic Boston Harbor,  into the heart of beautiful Beacon Hill, join your local guide on an experience that connects you to the Boston of old and new.

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, A variety of food samples such as fresh bread, pizza, and pastries, Entrance fee to the historic church (or equivalent alternative), A surprise local treat

Exclusions: Tips/gratuities for your guide

Discover the local side of Boston’s most popular neighborhood, the North End. Visit Boston’s most revered church and snack your way through the neighborhood with delicious tastings of meat, cheese, bread, pastries, pizza, and cappuccino.  Tradition, history and food define the North End, so join us to discover the best of this dynamic neighborhood and we’ll taking you off the beaten path to discover some of our favorite hidden gems too!

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, a variety of food samples such as fresh bread, pizza, meats and cheeses..., ...pastries and a hot drink, , plus the entrance fee to the historic church (or equivalent alternative).

Exclusions: Additional food and drink, Souvenirs, Tips/gratuities for your guide

Guaranteed Sightings!  7 Seas Whale Watch is located in the heart of historic downtown Gloucester, MA and in one of the busiest parts of Gloucester harbor. As soon as you board the Privateer you will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of Gloucester’s working waterfront. You may see fishing boats unloading fish, lobster men baiting and setting their traps, and perhaps even some of our indigenous wildlife such as Harbor seals, Gray seals, and various species of birds. The tour begins with a harbor tour of Gloucester Harbor starting with Cape Pond Ice (which most of you have seen on Wicked Tuna and ends at the Dog Bar Breakwater.  A typical trip is anywhere from 3-4 hours but may be extended if the whales move further out for feed.  The Privateer IV was built for 300 passengers but we only book to 150 to ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers and is equipped with restrooms, and on-board food Galley and bar.

Inclusions: A 3 and a half hour to 4 hour excursion.

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks (available for purchase)

Come and explore the rich, mysterious history of one of New England's most loved destinations. This nightly 120-minute walking tour brings to life the true story of Salem's storied past. We are a diverse groups of historians, teachers, professional and artists whose passion for Salem's history is truly engaging. You will learn about Salem's rich past as a world-class seaport, hear hauntedly chilling tales of the supernatural, visit one of the most beautiful streets in America and learn of three hundred years of architecture, and find out the truth about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials hysteria. You will leave Salem wanting to plan your next trip back! Come and see why this the *only* tour you while in Salem.

Inclusions: 2-hour Hauntings & History Salem Walking Tour, Listen to 400 years of Salem history from a local historian, Day-time or lantern led night-time tour options available, Professional/Local Guide, Complimentary Bottled Water (summer only) or Hand Warmers (winter only)

Exclusions: Gratuities

Come experience the darker side of Salem on our night-time walking tour of Salem. We retell the most spine-chilling tales of murder, mystery and macabre. Why did an insane woman in the early 1600s murder her child? Who was the famous hitman who murdered the slave trader in his sleep? Did the Boston Strangler really make a visit to Salem? These tales and much more will unfold on this whirlwind 90-minute tour of this mysterious seaside city. Not for the faint of heart, but for those who love a good scandalous story! This tour is a combination of the real, actual murders, crime stories, ghostly sightings and history. This tour is not appropriate for children. Travelers must be 13+. Tours run RAIN or SHINE. We do NOT cancel for weather. For a full refund, you must cancel 24 hours in advance, no exceptions.

Inclusions: 90-minute Mysteries & Murders of Salem Walking Tour, Hear spine-chilling tales of murder, mystery and macabre on this adults only tour. , Professional Guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Real history, real hauntings! Spellbound is a unique walking tour of the Witch City focusing on the history of the Salem Witch Trials and paranormal investigation! Learn the secrets of 1692 as well as the sinister side of Salem today!

Inclusions: English-speaking guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Treat yourself to some of the best pizza in Boston on this North End History & Pizza Walking Tour through Boston's "Little Italy". See the sights as you walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary Patriots like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and George Washington. During this fun history walk you’ll see FIVE Freedom Trail sites, plus enjoy THREE different slices from some of Boston’s very best Pizzerias. Pizzerias on tour can rotate from day to day, and may include – a slice named in the “Top 25 Best” in America by a Famous Food Critic, a slice from Boston’s oldest Pizzeria with a brick oven from 1883, a “Secret Underground” spot for grilled flat-bread Pizza, or from a restaurant named one of the “Top 10 Best” Italian Restaurants in the World! Bonus Stop at Modern Pastry to finish with a FREE cannoli! See top Boston sites including Paul Revere House, the Skinny House, Bunker Hill Monument, USS Constitution, and Copp's Hill Cemetery.

Inclusions: 2+ hour History & Pizza Walking Tour of Boston's North End, Visit campus of historic Old North Church & The Clough House, Enjoy 3 Pizza Tastings from some of "Little Italy's" Top Pizzerias , See 5 Freedom Trail Sites along your route, including Paul Revere House, Bunker Hill & Old Ironsides, Walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary Patriots like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and George Washington, Professional/Local Guide, Bottled water, Cannoli from Modern Pastry

Exclusions: Gratuities

Enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise in Boston Harbor which heads out to Fort Independence located on Castle Island and named after George Washington. Then take in views along Boston's waterfront such as the Mystic Tobin Bridge, Leonard Zakim Bridge, Custom House Tower, Old North church steeple, USS Cassin Young, and the USS Constitution.  An extra special feature on this cruise is the cannon fire at Sunset, which is presented off the USS Constitution every night to announce the setting of the sun. Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting time to check-in at the ticket booth, obtain boarding passes and pre-board.

Inclusions: Cruise

Exclusions: Food and drinks (available for purchase by credit card only), Gratuities

Step back in time and see how the Boston Tea Party changed American history! This Boston museum details the series of events leading to December 16, 1773, and then goes on to demonstrate how that fateful day kick-started the American Revolution. View the Robinson Tea Chest, the only known surviving tea chest from the Boston Tea Party and experience it’s amazing story. At the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, spend your day exploring the famed tall ships, throw the fated tea into Boston Harbor, explore museum exhibits on your own and more!

Inclusions: Self guided tour experience

Exclusions: Port pickup and drop-off, Gratuities, Museum open Thursday through Sunday, Museum closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and subject to closures for private events.