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Abigail Adams (Bunker Hill, 1775)
"Perhaps the decisive day has come upon which the fate of America depends."
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CRUCIBLE OF REVOLUTION
While the Freedom Trail links the structures, spaces, and final resting places for many of Boston's most famous residents, it is the historical figures themselves—their ideas, their actions, their sacrifices—that rendered these landmarks worthy of preservation. Hub Town Tours recreates the full picture of the complex, fallible, and determined individuals who spurred a town to declare war on an empire. Whenever possible, we use primary sources and direct quotations to enliven our narratives, giving voice to the men and women whose arguments and actions resulted in the creation of the United States of America.
®
"Just superb. You will come away knowing so much more about Boston, the underpinnings of the Revolutionary War and the key people and events."
Battle of Bunker Hill
BOSTON FAQs
Why choose Hub Town Tours?
You have many choices for guide service when visiting Boston's Freedom Trail! Hub Town Tours has a straightforward mission: to provide the most fulfilling history tour experience of this essential city. That's it. We keep our groups small, our guides happy, and our history accurate. Most importantly, we emphasize the fascinating stories found in Revolutionary Boston, and have years of delighted former guests who vouch for us... Hub Town Tours is a Top Ten Tour of Boston on TripAdvisor, boasting 100% 5-star reviews across all major online platforms!
Where does my tour start?
The starting location of your tour depends on the type of tour you've booked. If joining a public tour, your tour meets at 1 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108. If you're enjoying a private or charter tour with us, however, your meeting point will be specified in your custom itinerary.
When do the tours begin?
Any time between 8:00am and 8:00pm! Hub Town Tours operates two public tours: our Midday Tour begins at 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm (all Saturdays and holiday weekends), while the Evening Tour commences at 4:00pm (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays). We also partner with top-quality local guides to offer a pair of Morning Tours. Private and charter tours are available at your convenience, be that an early morning walk to beat the crowds, a post-work evening stroll for business team outings, or any time in between!
What is the duration of the tour?
It truly depends on how interested you are in Boston's Revolutionary stories! The Freedom Trail is 2.5 miles long, and we've arranged its complex history into three neighborhoods: Downtown Boston, the North End, and Charlestown. Our most popular private tour is the Half-Day Tour, approximately three hours in duration. Our most popular public tour is the Evening Tour; please allow two hours for this small-group walk. Our longest tour duration is the Full-Day Tour, traveling the Freedom Trail end-to-end over 7 hours, with lunch included. Our shortest tour is the Midday Tour, which last for approximately 90 minutes.
Any COVID-19 safety measures?
Absolutely! Please view our complete COVID-19 Guidelines. All tours are conducted outdoors, in well-ventilated spaces, while following proper social distance protocols. We specialize in private tours, which can be limited to your immediate household. As an additional courtesy for our guests, your guide will have hand sanitizer and disposable masks available, free of charge. Most importantly, your guide will be wearing a face covering throughout the entire tour.
Are your tour routes accessible?
Hub Town Tours endeavors to make our tour routes accessible for everyone. As mentioned above, Boston has a number of very narrow or unevenly paved sidewalks that can make passage difficult. We kindly ask that you let us know in advance about any accessibility concerns, and pledge to do our best to accommodate every guest.
Is there a limit on group size?
It's an open secret in Boston that the Freedom Trail is incredibly popular... Boston tour group sizes may have ballooned, but Hub Town Tours recognizes a tour is only worthwhile if you can hear your guide and appreciate the history up close! As such, our Midday Tour and Evening Tour have a maximum of 15 guests. For private and charter tours, we are always happy to cater to groups of any size, whatever you decide are the needs of your party.
What will we see on the tour?
You can compare routes for our most popular tour itineraries, but really, it's up to you! The Freedom Trail traverses an incredible range of history, from 17th-century cow pastures (Boston Common) to 18th-century colonial capitals (Old State House) to 19th-century marketplaces (Quincy Market). To see the most significant landmarks on the trail, we suggest our Half-Day Tour or Evening Tour through Downtown and the North End. Please note, our Midday Tour visits only the historic highlights found in Downtown Boston.
Will we enter any historic sites?
Aside from public spaces and burying grounds, your guided experience with Hub Town Tours will NOT enter any historic sites. Many Freedom Trail sites are privately operated museums or churches, and several charge admission fees. If you would like to enter select sites, however, we are happy to arrange visits for any private or charter tour booking. We highly recommend returning to favorite landmarks after your tour has concluded, too!
Can I arrive via public transit?
Hub Town Tours encourages all visitors to use public transit. In Boston, the subway and bus system is referred to as “the T”: all stations are identified by T-in-Circle signs and the various lines are color-coded. If gathering for a Midday Tour or an Evening Tour—that is, meeting your guide at 1 Washington Street—the nearest stations are State Street (Orange Line); Government Center (Green and Blue Lines); and Downtown Crossing (Red Line).
Where should I park my vehicle?
Parking in Downtown Boston is difficult and often expensive. If possible, utilize public transportation! On weekends and evenings, Post Office Square Garage (130 Congress Street) offers parking for a $9.00 flat rate, which is among the most affordable in Boston. The closest parking garage to the center of the Freedom Trail at Faneuil Hall is Dock Square Garage (20 Clinton Street)—please be aware that this particular garage often fills up early in the day due to many attractions nearby. Other garages within a short walk: 75 State Street Parking (5 Broad Street); Government Center Garage (125 Bowker Street); and Pi Alley Parking Garage (275 Washington Street). If you're feeling lucky, street parking is available on a very limited basis, but read all posted signs carefully—Boston has active meter attendants!
Is this a good tour for all ages?
Hub Town Tours strives to offer an experience that is accessible for a wide range of ages and learning levels. We absolutely welcome visitors of any age, but most tours involve more than a mile of walking over the course of several hours, with an in-depth historical narrative best suited for adults and older children. As such, children ages 4 and under are always free with an accompanying adult. For families with younger children, we recommend our Midday Tour, which runs for approximately 90 minutes.
How should I dress for my tour?
Comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity! Appropriate footwear is essential to navigate the varied paving surfaces in Boston—concrete, asphalt, bricks, pavers, cobblestones—few of which are actually level. Summer weather in Boston is typically temperate, but it is good practice to bring a light jacket (except perhaps during the hottest months of July and August). During the spring and autumn, please dress accordingly and be prepared for high winds in parts of downtown!
What happens in poor weather?
We make every effort to deliver any tour that's on our calendar, rain or shine (or wind or wave or...). If it's just a little rain, we are prepared to get wet for the sake of history! Aside from seriously atypical conditions, the only reason we might cancel a tour would be the presence of thunder and/or lightning. If your tour is prematurely ended due to weather events at any point, you are entitled to a full refund to the card on record.
How strenuous is the walking?
The world-renowned Freedom Trail® is a red-brick line running through Boston, measured at 2.5 miles end-to-end. We do our best to find benches, but please be prepared to be on your feet for an extended period! Hub Town Tours can access all three neighborhoods along the trail: Downtown Boston, North End, and Charlestown. Our most popular tours—the Half-Day Tour (private) and Evening Tour (public)—travel about 2.0 miles along relatively level, paved surfaces. Our shortest tour is the Midday Tour (public), which travels approximately 1.1 miles.
What is your tour refund policy?
Full refunds are possible with 24 hours notice prior to your tour start time. We aim to provide a guided tour experience through Boston that is consistently the highest quality and enjoyed by every guest. If you feel your experience has fallen shy of that standard after the tour has concluded, please let us know within 24 hours of your tour start time and we will promptly provide you with a full refund to the card on record. You may email refund requests directly to info@hubtowntours.com and we will be happy to assist.
How do I pay for the tour?
Payment must be made in advance for all public tours, whether booked through our website or affiliated travel platforms. For private and charter tours, Hub Town Tours typically collects a deposit to hold a tour reservation; payment in full is collected in-person at the conclusion of your tour. We are happy to accept multiple forms of digital payment, including Venmo, PayPal, and all major credit cards.
NEWSLETTER
MOST RECENT ISSUE
"Martyr in a Massacre"
Volume 5 — Issue 6
June 15, 2021
JOIN MAILING LIST
2021 – VOLUME 5
Introducing the key political players at every level of society in Colonial Boston, from 1760 to 1780.
(18 issues, April–December 2021)
2020 – VOLUME 4
Recounting the formation of the Sons of Liberty in Revolutionary Boston, from 1760 to 1776.
(16 issues, May–December 2020)
2019 – VOLUME 3
Traveling the iconic Freedom Trail, from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument.
(18 issues, April–December 2019)
