Massachusetts, United States

Boston

Boston is one of America's most walkable cities, with the Freedom Trail linking the sites of the American Revolution through a compact historic centre.

Boston: Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour
Featured walk: Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and played a central part in the American Revolution.

Its centre is small. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, marked by a red line in the pavement, links 16 historic sites from Boston Common to Charlestown.

What makes Boston distinctive

  • The Freedom Trail
  • Beacon Hill's brick rowhouses and gas lamps
  • Seafood and the North End's Italian bakeries
  • Harvard and MIT across the river in Cambridge

Walking tours in Boston

Hand-picked guided walks in Boston, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Boston · History walks in Boston

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Beacon Hill

    Cobbled streets and brick townhouses.

  • North End

    The Italian-American quarter of cafés and restaurants.

  • Back Bay

    Victorian brownstones and Newbury Street's shops.

Free self-guided walk

The Freedom Trail, Common to North End

A free self-guided walk along the first part of Boston's Freedom Trail, from Boston Common to the Old State House, Faneuil Hall and Paul Revere House.

2.4 km · 6 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Freedom Trail

    The red line from Boston Common to Bunker Hill.

  2. Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue

    The swan boats, then the tree-lined mall through Back Bay.

  3. Harborwalk

    Waterfront paths along the harbour.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Mostly flat, with a steep climb up Beacon Hill.

  • Distances

    The full Freedom Trail is about 2.5 miles (4 km).

  • Weather

    Winters are cold and snowy; summers warm and humid.

When to visit

  • Spring

    Mild, with blossom in the Public Garden.

  • Summer and autumn

    Warm summers, and autumn colours in October.

  • Winter

    Cold and snowy, but quiet.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Logan International Airport is linked to the centre by the T and the free Silver Line bus.

  • By rail

    Amtrak trains run to New York in about four hours.

Local transport

  • The T

    America's oldest subway covers the centre and Cambridge.

  • On foot

    The historic centre is compact.

Questions travellers ask about Boston

How long does the Freedom Trail take?

About two to three hours on foot, more if you go inside the sites.

How many days do I need?

Two or three days covers the main sights and Cambridge.

Is Boston walkable?

Yes. It is one of the most walkable cities in the US.

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.