Boston Donut Tour: Five Bakeries, North End & Harbor Walk

Five stops, five donut shops, one neighborhood's sweetest history

A two-hour guided walking tour of Boston's historic neighborhoods (the North End, Quincy Market and Boston Public Market), where you taste handcrafted donuts from five local bakeries, including Kane's Donuts, Union Square Donuts and Bova's Bakery, and hear stories about Boston's architecture and food culture from a live guide. The tour is wheelchair accessible, suitable for all fitness levels, and welcomes children from age two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Quincy Market15m
2. North End15m

Explore Boston's iconic donut spots

• Sample donuts at Kane’s Donuts
• Walk along the harbor greenway
• Explore Quincy Market shops
• Try apple cider donuts at Boston Public Market
• Walk through Boston’s North End neighborhood
• Taste artisanal donuts at Union Square Donuts
• Sample Boston cream donut at Bova’s Bakery

The experience

The tour starts downtown at Kane's Donuts in the Financial District, where you sample some of their classic creations before walking along the harbor toward Quincy Market. The route takes you through the Greenway and past several local shops and restaurants, then to Boston Public Market for warm, fresh apple cider donuts made by a local baker. From there you head into the North End, Boston's historic Italian neighborhood, stopping at Union Square Donuts to try their rotating selection of artisanal donuts made fresh daily. The final stop is Bova's Bakery, one of the oldest in the North End, where you finish with a Boston cream donut.

Your guide walks the route with you for the full two hours, sharing stories about the North End's history, the architecture you pass, and the businesses along the way. You'll get insider recommendations for other food and drink spots in Boston, and there are opportunities to photograph some of the city's most recognizable locations. The group stays small, which means the pace is personalized and you can ask questions as you go.

The tour is family-friendly and works for children from age two. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the walk suits all fitness levels, though the operator notes it is not recommended for travelers who have difficulty walking or standing for extended periods.

What’s included

• Handcrafted donut tastings from five of Boston's top bakeries.
• a guided two-hour walking tour through downtown, Quincy Market, Boston Public Market and the North End with a live English-speaking guide.
• stories about Boston history, architecture and local culture.
• insider recommendations for additional food, drink and sightseeing in the city.
• opportunities for photos at recognizable Boston landmarks.
• and a small group atmosphere for a personalized experience.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 70 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Thursday: 09:00, 10:00 and 12:00Friday to Sunday: 09:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 13:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 201 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Underground Donut Tour

Is this one for you?Two hours is short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without eating up your whole day, leaving time to explore other neighborhoods or return to a museum or restaurant you want to linger in. If you want a deeper dive into one area or a longer food crawl, this tour's fixed stops and pace won't give you that flexibility.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What donuts will I actually taste on this Boston tour?

You'll sample donuts from five different bakeries: Kane's Donuts in the Financial District, apple cider donuts from a local maker at Boston Public Market, artisanal donuts from Union Square Donuts in the North End, and a Boston cream donut from Bova's Bakery, one of the oldest bakeries in the neighborhood.

How long is the walking tour and what neighborhoods do we visit?

The tour runs two hours and takes you through Boston's downtown, along the harbor, through Quincy Market, and into the North End, Boston's historic Italian district, with stops at iconic landmarks like Boston Harbor and Boston Public Market along the way.

Will the guide tell us about Boston's history, or is this just about the food?

The guide shares stories about Boston's history, architecture, and local culture as you walk, and answers questions about the neighborhoods and businesses you pass, so you get both the food and the context of the places you're visiting.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour route are wheelchair accessible, and the experience suits all fitness levels.

What should I know before I book?

The tour is two hours of walking and standing, so it is not recommended for travelers who have difficulty with either; come hungry, as you'll be tasting donuts at each stop; and the guide leads in English.