Tour of Boston’s Transformation from 1630 into the Future

In this walking tour, you’ll hear the stories that connect Boston’s past, present, and future.

You'll experience not only popular historic highlights, but also the off-the-beaten path gems and local traditions that make this culturally rich city truly unique (or in our signature humility, as one of Boston’s official slogans calls our city, "the hub of the universe").

You'll cross parts of the Freedom Trail hearing about the Revolution/War of Independence from the British Empire. You'll also hear of the numerous other "trails" that continue to inspire locals and visitors, such as the Innovation Trail, the Black Heritage Trail, the Irish Heritage Trail, the new Walking City Trails, and even the Ice Cream Trail! You'll also hear of some of the challenges we are facing, such as sea level rise from climate change and the rising costs of living, with ways that the people of Boston are working to lead the way to create a livable future. From well before 1630 to today, the people who’ve lived here have many stories worth telling. And as a city that always has an eye towards the future, we can imagine this city on its 500th birthday, in 2130.

You'll leave the tour inspired and entertained with numerous chances to pause at some of the city's most iconic photo locations (all of the photos shown in this listing are my own photos from the tour route).

FAQ:

Not sure about if the full tour might be too long? We’ll take breaks along the way, with opportunities for a snack, coffee, and restrooms, plus you’ll have a nice rest on a water ferry ride near the end.

Approximate timing:
(1) 60 minutes - Touring the Waterfront Wharf District and Marketplace District, starting at Rowes Wharf (if you arrive early there are very nice public restrooms and an impressive indoor gallery of historic maps — we will also take a restroom break at Faneuil Hall before moving into the next section)
(2) 60 minutes - Touring the Financial District (including a ~10 minute break partway in a nice park cafe for coffee, snacks, and restrooms) 
(3) 45 minutes - Tour of the central hub of Downtown Crossing towards Government Center, where we’ll finish at the Old State House, which is an entrance to the Orange Line, and near to numerous options for bars, restaurants, and food halls.

If you are returning to the starting point, it is a 5-10 min walk back to Rowes Wharf, and a short walk to additional public transit stations on “the T” with the green, orange, and blue line trains (State, Government Center, Haymarket, Aquarium) as well as several ferry routes from Long Wharf, and a moderate walk of 10-15 min to South Station for the red line, commuter rail, Amtrak, and Flixbus).

You’ll get several tours in one with a unique perspective from being able to combine these neighborhoods that differ in architectural styles and character.

*for winter starting Dec 1, we are not getting on a ferry during the tour, in case you read that in reviews, but if you’d like to ($3.40 and 10 min each way Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard) I’m happy to show you how to, it is a fun time even in the cold and especially with the early sunset it’s a nice “sunset cruise” at 4pm, 4:15, or 4:30! Instead, we’ll shorten the tour, keep moving throughout, and make some indoor stops as well.