Travel Planning Guide for Boston, Massachusetts: Tour Packages

For the ultimate in elegance, you can't go past this three-hour dinner cruise on Boston's famous harbor. Enjoy fine dining, award-winning wines, and entertainment perfectly suited to the evening. Sit and relax as you listen to the music or take a stroll on the decks of Boston's premier dining ship as the city floats on by.

Step Aboard...
As you are boarding, the ship's photographer records the moment for your entire party. The Captain and crew greet you as you step onto the ship. Step inside your deck, the hostess will greet you and escort you to your private table where your wait staff will introduce themselves and give you the opportunity to decide for yourself how to pace your service. Serving begins.

Explore and enjoy...
From each of her three climate-controlled dining decks to the Observation deck, Boston Dinner Cruise offers a singularly unique setting that begs to be explored. Understated art-deco accents. Enticing dance floors. And a distinctive atmosphere reminiscent of the classic ocean liners. Be sure to visit the Captain's bridge, open to all passengers throughout most of the cruise.

Indulge your senses...
A menu of creative seasonal hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, entrees and desserts is prepared fresh, on board daily - complemented perfectly by an excellent wine list.

Dance...
Enjoy high-energy dance bands Soul Poets and Upbeat. Soul Poets is a five-piece band and Upbeat is a four-piece band, each offering something for every one, from Motown to disco, from 80's ballads to swing, and from Latin to jazz standards

Take home a memory...
Return, hours later. Relaxed. Refreshed. As you depart, you'll find your Souvenir photo ready for purchase.

Visit the home of Hobbamock, the Pokanoket Wampanoag Indian who lived next to the plantation, providing guidance and counsel to the pilgrims. Objects from the museum's collection are displayed in the Exhibit Gallery and an audio-visual presentation will give you a broad overview of 1620 Plimoth Plantation. Time is provided to explore on your own at the waterfront area. You will have the opportunity to view the Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II or climb Cole's Hill.

This tour is seasonal and only operates from June to October

Then, journey to Newport, the Sailing Capital of the World, and admire the Colonial heritage. Stroll along Newport's beautifully restored waterfront for shopping and lunch on your own. See the glamorous private yachts, modern racing sailboats, Newport's fishing fleet and ships from around the world.

In the afternoon, visit a second famous mansion, and enjoy ten-mile Ocean Drive with spectacular views of mansions and secluded coves before returning to Boston.

This tour is seasonal and only operates from June to October.

Beginning in Boston, pass by Long Island Head Light and Deer Island Light, and then near Boston Light, the oldest lighthouse station in America. Heading north, the tour will cruise by several sites including Graves Light, Hospital Point Light, Marblehead Light, Fort Pickering Light, Bakers Island Light, Eastern Point Light, Ten Pound Island Light, Straitsmouth Island Light and more. The Northern Lights tour culminates with a view of Thacher Island, the site of the only still operating twin lighthouses left in the entire country.

The tours are narrated by lighthouse expert Doug Bingham of the American Lighthouse Foundation, or by other members of the foundation.

The Boston Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour is the easiest way to get around town. You can hop on and off at any of the 18 stops as often as you like. Trolleys depart every 20 or 30 minutes (depending on the season).

Admission to the Old State House Museum
Show your Old Town Trolley Ticket (after voucher exchange) and receive free admission to the Old State House, Boston's preeminent historical museum. The museum's collection includes authentic artifacts chronicling Boston's history, all housed within the oldest surviving public building in Boston. The Old State House Museum is conveniently located at Trolley Stop #5.

You'll visit Stellwagen Bank, the East Coast's most famous whale watching destination. Stellwagen's heavy concentration of humpback, finback, and minke whales guarantees an adventure filled with opportunities to view and learn about whales as they frolic in their natural habitat.

Each Boston Whale Watching Cruise is narrated and guided by a naturalist from the noted Whale Center of New England (WCNE). The WCNE has been studying the whales of New England for more than 20 years and its members are recognized worldwide as authorities on whales.

With the data collected on each cruise, WCNE is able to further the understanding of whales and their world. And, their presence on board ensures that your whale watch will be an exciting and educational trip.

Whale sightings on every whale watch. If you do not see a whale on your trip, you will receive a free ticket for a future Boston Whale Watching Cruise.

The catamarans feature 3 outside decks for optimum viewing capability. Inside you will find climate controlled cabin space with cushioned seating, tables, state-of-the-art audio-visual, and a galley offering snacks and beverages for purchase.

You've never toured Boston in anything that comes close to Boston Duck Tour! The fun begins as soon as you board your "DUCK", an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle. First, you'll be greeted by one of their legendary tour ConDUCKtors, who'll be narrating your tour. Then you're off on a journey like you've never had before.

You'll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill and the Fleet Center, Boston Common and Copley Square to the Big Dig, Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. And, as the best of Boston unfolds before your eyes, your ConDUCKtor will be giving you lots of little known facts and interesting insights about our unique and wonderful city.

And just when you think you've seen it all, there's more. It's time for "Splashdown" as your ConDUCKtor splashes your DUCK right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines, the kind of view you just won't get anywhere else.

So take the ride of your life. Hop on a Boston Duck Tour!

Join other adventure seekers and become an apprentice grave digger on an entertaining tour through the darker side of Boston. A scary, fun and informative frightseeing experience that is truly one of a kind.

Step aboard the trolley of the doomed and join your host, a 17th-century grave digger, cursed with a sentence of eternal damnation. This wretched creature is doomed to travel the streets of Boston and relay the stories of the unfortunate souls he encountered and the macabre events he had been witness to during his purgatory.

Hear about Boston's most sinister characters - from the Angel of Death to the king of all killers - the Boston Strangler. Learn about all the haunts that call the "Hub" their home. But that's not all! Step inside two of the oldest burying grounds in Boston for a walking tour you will never forget. Learn the significance of much of the imagery found in these 17th century burial grounds and the famous and not so famous (but even more interesting) occupants therein.

Visit Copp's Hill Burying Ground in the North End, nestled atop the tallest point in one of Boston's oldest historic districts. Here you will visit the final resting place of Cotton Mather, a man famous for his "intimate" involvement with the Salem Witch Trials. Then to the Granary Burying Ground where you will visit the final resting places of many of the famous heroes of the American Revolution including John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams.

Remember that half of the tour is walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended (so you don't become "dead" on your feet)!

Most famous attractions at one amazing low price with plenty of time to see it all! And with a leisurely nine days to use all of the tickets, you can take everything in on a weekend break or take your time to visit these world famous attractions! See the Skywalk Observatory, Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Science.

CityPass is the best deal in Beantown containing actual tickets to these premier attractions:

• New England Aquarium
  
• John F. Kennedy Library and Museum or Harvard Museum of Natural History
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center
• Museum of Science

CityPass has done all the work so you can save time and money. Each ticket booklet is packed with useful information, such as hours of operation, transportation information, contact information and insiders' tips so you can get the most out of your vacation- yet it is so compact it will fit into your back pocket. It's all you need to see the best of Boston!

Take the opportunity to view the unique scenery of the New England coast. Travel north through Boston and its "North Shore" communities, making your first stop at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Time for a light snack here on your own. Your second stop will be along the rocky coast of Maine, where you will view the famous "Nubble Light" lighthouse in York.

Soak up the beauty of the Maine coast as you head toward Kennebunk Village and Kennebunkport. Kennebunk's tree-lined streets are showcases of 18th and 19th century architecture built by merchants and sea captains. You will then view former President Bush's summer home from Walker Point. Return to Kennebunkport for 2 hours of shopping and lunch on your own at the many quaint shops and eateries in the village.

This tour is seasonal and only operates from June to October

After a busy day sightseeing or working, what could be nicer than relaxing onboard one of Boston's finest boats for a cruise on the harbor? Watch the sun setting below the horizon as you glide by the skyscrapers of the downtown. And you can't miss the booming cannons of the U.S.S. Constitution, America's oldest commissioned sailing ship!

Savor the view of a spectacular sunset on this historic Boston cruise, including the U.S.S. Constitution's sunset cannon serenade, signaling the day's end.

This cruise is seasonal and operates from May to September only.

Codzilla has arrived. And Boston Harbor will never be the same. Now there are more thrills, more laughs and more speed than you ever imagined as you zip across the ocean at up to 40 miles per an hour.

But don't worry. A ride on Codzilla is as entertaining as it is thrilling. The wind roars. The music blares. And the waves will splash as the crew recounts the legendary tale of how Codzilla came to Boston. This wet and wild ride is 40 minutes of full blast, sensational fun for the entire family.

• Codzilla seats 135 people
• Codzilla is a wet ride - you will get wet, please dress appropriately
• With two turbo-charged diesel engines, Codzilla roams the ocean with 2800 horsepower
• If you're a fan of "easy-listening" stations, be prepared to cover or plug your ears, the soundtrack is loud!

This cruise is seasonal and operates from May to September only

Enjoy the spectacular New England countryside as the leaves turn a multitude of colors during the fall season. A pleasant tour of foliage display is capped by a stop at a native orchard for apples and cider.

Experience the gently rolling New England countryside, awash with the colors of Indian Summer. Travel past quiet ponds and ancient farms, weathered roadside taverns and sturdy colonial churches. Enjoy a hot Yankee style lunch at a quaint New England tavern nestled in the heart of the mountains (cost is additional).

Finish your afternoon with a visit to a native orchard where apples are grown and local (non-alcoholic) cider is made. Pickup and drop off from selected Boston and Cambridge hotels.

This tour is seasonal and operates from September to October

Beacon Hill impresses locals and tourists alike with its charming streets, brick sidewalks lined with gas lamps, hidden houses, and parade of doors and doorknockers. This 18th century neighborhood is rich in history, elegant architecture and stately homes and is waiting for you to explore on this Boston Walking Tour.

Discover the gems that make Beacon Hill sparkle, and hear fascinating stories about the residents who once lived there. How did Beacon Hill get its name? Why do the street names have a common theme? Learn that and more as you're transported to a different place and time on the Beacon Hill Masterpieces tour.

This Boston Walking Tour is a photographic journey takes you from the Shaw Memorial to the picturesque streets of Beacon Hill. Stops along the way include Acorn Street and Louisburg Square.

The best of old and new Boston have been combined with a journey into the historic countryside towns of Cambridge, Lexington and Concord. Follow the route of Paul Revere and view the "Battle Trail" where the minutemen fought for their freedom. Journey past the homes of Hawthorne, Alcott and Emerson. In Boston, stop at the Faneuil Hall, "Quincy Marketplace." Boston hotel pickup, trolley tour, harbor cruise and expert narration included.

You'll have time for lunch and shopping on your own. In the afternoon, view the 18th century steeples and stately Beacon Hill townhouses alongside the monumental architecture of the new Boston. Its 371 years of history, tradition and Yankee ingenuity. In addition, enjoy a harbor cruise that departs from the New England Aquarium and lasts for approximately 45 minutes. 

This tour is seasonal and only operates from May to October.

Time is provided for lunch (on your own) either before or after the cruise. Then spend the rest of your day sightseeing and shopping in quaint seaside villages along the Cape.

This tour is seasonal and only operates from June to September

In Salem, step back to 1692 and visit the Salem Witch Museum (admission not included). Learn about the history of witchcraft as well as some of the reasons why the witch trials occurred.

Travel down Derby Street past Nathaniel Hawthorne's Custom House&the House of the Seven Gables. Time is allowed to stop at Pickering Wharf for Lunch and exploring. Whether it is witches or authors, museums or shopping, you will find it in Salem.

This tour is seasonal and only operates from June to October.

Dive deep into the ocean inside the New England Aquarium, and experience engaging exhibits featuring animals from across the globe. Stand in awe of the four-story, 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank, home to everything from sea turtles to sharks to tropical fish, and sit back to experience an unforgettable IMAX® film on New England's largest screen. Get up-close with charismatic seals at the New Balance  Foundation Marine  Mammal Center, our newest signature exhibit opening July 2009.

Complete your day with a larger-than-life IMAX film at Simons IMAX Theater. The Simons IMAX Theatre uses amazing IMAX 3D technology and New England's largest screen to take guests to places most have only dreamed of going! IMAX films provide people of all ages with larger-than-life experiences that captivate, enlighten and inspire.

Drive along "Tory Row," past the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet and educator. Follow the route Paul Revere took as he warned the countryside that "the British are coming!" Stand on Lexington Green, where Captain Jonathan Parker and 77 Minutemen stood their ground against 700 of England's finest regulars.

In Concord, journey past the homes of Nathaniel Hawthorne, gothic novelist, Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist and poet. Finally, you'll make your way to the Old North Bridge, where "the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard 'round the world".

This tour operates from May to October.

This Boston Walking Tour is a trek along the Freedom Trail is a walk through Boston's past. Wind your way back into history and follow the trail traveled by the Patriots in their fight for independence. Visualize the scenes and listen to the echo of Patriots in their struggle to break away from British rule.

As you walk the Freedom Trail, you'll discover many of the sites that played an important role in the American Revolution. You'll be at the actual sites where historic events took place. Find out which government building nearly went to Chicago, and which historic building was used as a British riding school. And, which U.S. president once defended British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre?

Every step you take on the Footsteps to Freedom walking tour gives you insight into Boston's colonial times. Some of the historic sites on this photographic journey are the Shaw Memorial, Park Street Church, Old Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, Old City Hall, Old Corner Bookstore, Old State House, Boston Massacre site and Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's house, and Old North Church.

Let your photographs reveal the stories of American history.

Explore Boston your own way with the flexible Go Boston Card. Do as much or as little sightseeing as you like, at your own pace while saving precious vacation dollars. Receive free admission to popular Boston attractions, and enjoy discounts on shopping and dining around town.

Choose free entry to over 70 unique attractions and tours in Boston and its surrounds, then let your Go Boston Card do the rest. You'll receive discounts and special offers on shopping, dining and activities, plus a 148-page guidebook to help you plan your Boston vacation.

The Go Boston Card leaves you in control, allowing you to have the best, customized experience possible. The Go Boston Card is available for one, two, three, five or seven days. You may visit as many attractions as you like in one day, but you are limited to visiting each attraction only once per day.

See 'Itinerary' below for full list of included attractions.

Autumn is a special time in Cape Cod. With summer's warmth lingering, the multicolored splendor of New England's foliage offers a superb accent to the already beautiful vistas of this magical region just south of Boston. Ride through Quincy, past the Adams Mansion and the birthplaces of two American presidents.

After crossing the Cape Cod Canal, you'll visit the Sandwich Glass Museum and the Dexter Grist Mill. Lunch is on your own before arriving in Hyannisport, where you'll visit a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. To cap your day, join a lectured sightseeing cruise, which offers the best possible view of the Kennedy Compound.

This tour is seasonal and operates from September to October

Visit perhaps the most treasured of all Boston's landmarks, the USS Constitution. This 45 minute fully narrated tour brings you up close and personal with "Old Ironsides" at her home in the Charlestown Navy Yard and allows you the option to disembark for a tour of the famous ship and accompanying Naval Museum.

Other highlights of the tour include the Bunker Hill Monument, Boston Tea Party Boat and the Old North Church

Admire the unforgettable sights of Boston on board this breathtaking climate controlled yacht. This cruise offers the most unique brunch setting on Boston's famous harbor. Relax and be captivated by the city skyline while enjoying a delectable buffet brunch menu.

Step Aboard...
Your cruise experience begins as you board the luxury yacht at Rowes Wharf. After a quick stop for a commemorative boarding photo, one of the hosts will greet you and escort you to your private table.

Explore and Enjoy...
Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne or tour the ship's three climate controlled decks. A great way to start your day is by watching the boat castoff from one of the observation decks.

Indulge your senses...
Bring your appetite when you return to your private table, the Executive Chef and galley staff present you with an imaginative buffet of appetizers, entrees, salads and desserts that is sure to please any number of tastes.

Throughout the cruise our live jazz trio sets the mood...
Enjoy a wide range of jazz from artists such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Branford Marsalis.

Take home a memory...
Return, 2 hours later. Relaxed. Refreshed. As you depart, you'll find your boarding photo ready for purchase.

Cruise Route:
Departing from Rowes Wharf, it cruises along Historic Boston Harbor from Castle Island to George's Island, then east to the Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, and back north to Charlestown Naval Yard before returning to the Wharf. Cruise Route may vary depending on weather.

Discover the historic and contemporary milestones of Boston's inner and outer harbors during this fun, informative, fully narrated 90-minute tour. From the hero tales of the Revolutionary War to the local legends of the sea, you'll be entertained and enthralled.

Other highlights you'll see include the nation's oldest continuously manned lighthouse, the Harbor Islands National Park Area, Boston's working port and examples of extravagant waterfront living.

This tour is seasonal and operates from May to October only

You're a star at Macy's Boston! Receive VIP treatment from the world's largest department store! Enjoy a memorable shopping experience that only Macy's can provide.

Your Macy's Boston Star Shopper Package includes:

• Star Value - $25 Macy's gift card, good at over 850 locations nationwide.
• Star Shine - Ladies receive a free makeover or beauty treatment. Gentlemen receive a complimentary consultation with the men skincare experts.
• Star Gift - Stylish Macy's signature fashion tote bag, a $15.95 value.
• Star Taste - Petite 4-piece box of Frango Mint Chocolates.
• Star Scent - Receive a complimentary deluxe fragrance sample and discover the perfect scent for you.
• Star Savings - Exclusive 11% visitor savings, valid for multiple-use on a wide selection of merchandise (some exclusions apply).

Climb aboard for a thrilling, frightening, and fun journey into terror - on the Boston Ghost Cruise! As you sail over the deep, dark waters of Boston Harbor, return to the days when Boston ruled the seas and smugglers, pirates, patriots, plunderers, redcoats, wreckers, and wraiths populated the harbor.

See the actual sites and witness true tales of bloody betrayal, disastrous shipwrecks, gruesome executions, and of course, terrifying encounters with Ghosts and Specters!

Hear tales told by professional troupe of Ghouls - 18th century privateers and sailors, fishwives and doxies. They bring the legends and folklore of Boston and Mass Bay to vivid life-or-death!

Hear the lap of the water against the hull of the ship, feel the salt air in the harbor, see crumbling fortresses or islands and jagged rocks where so many have perished and some have returned from their watery graves.

Do you dare to experience these real tales of terror in the very places they happened?

On this cruise, you can witness and experience:

• "Come Away" - the Puritan Spirit
• The Sea Serpent of Mass Bay
• The Horrid Death of Captain Green
• Vampire of Boston
• Stormbringer
• Ghost Walk and the Tragedy of Boston Light
• Phantom Ships
• Bostons Most Infamous Ghost - The Lady in Black
• The Hanging of the Dread Pirate Fly

On a 2.5-hour Boston Chocolate Walking Tour, your professional guide will take you through areas of the city which are rich in culture, architecture and of course chocolate! Operating on alternate Sundays, you have 2 routes to choose from.

The Harvard Square Chocolate Tour takes you through the neighborhood of Cambridge. Famous as the home-town of world-famous Harvard University, Cambridge has a great relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect place for a walking tour. You’ll sample delicious handmade chocolates at a variety of retailers in Harvard Square along the way.

Staying a little closer to the city center, the Beacon Hill Chocolate Tour takes you walking through one of Boston’s smallest and most historic neighborhoods. Grand townhouses, quaint antique stores and fashionable boutiques are characteristic of Beacon Hill, and of course the finest chocolatiers in Boston!

Whichever route you choose, your tour will include numerous tastings at some of Boston’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants and candy stores. There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase sweet delights along the way so you can stock up on your favorites and take a little taste of Boston home with you.

Boston Chocolate Walking Tours are a unique and delicious way to see the city while burning off some of the calories you consume as you go!

Elegant French-inspired boulevards meet diverse architectural marvels in Boston's Back Bay district. Explore this cosmopolitan neighborhood on a Boston Walking Tour that provides historic commentary of the sites and attractions in Copley Square.

Fun and creative photography tips are also offered so that you will walk away with amazing photographs of the Trinity Church, the John Hancock Tower, the Boston Public Library, Victorian homes, eclectic statues along Commonwealth Avenue, and much more.