Boston's Haunted Historic Streets Walking Tour: Local expert guide included

Follow the stories buried in Boston's oldest ground

Boston's Haunted Historic Streets Walking Tour is a 90-minute guided walk through downtown Boston that connects four landmark sites—Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, Boston Athenaeum, and Granary Burying Ground—with the true stories of executions, martyrs, and the signers of the Declaration of Independence who rest there. A live English-speaking guide leads the route on foot, and children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boston's haunted historic sites

• Visit Boston Common hanging tree site
• See Mary Dyer’s statue at State House
• Pass by Boston Athenaeum ghost site
• Visit Granary Burying Ground cemetery
• Explore Boston’s oldest cemetery

The Experience

What makes this tour different is the angle: you're not here for the architecture or the tourist highlights, but for the darker threads running through Boston's founding. The walk opens at Boston Common, where the "hanging tree" once stood as the site of early executions. From there, the guide takes you to the Massachusetts State House to see the statue of Mary Dyer, a Quaker martyr hanged for her faith. The Boston Athenaeum comes next—the library where Nathaniel Hawthorne claimed he first glimpsed a reverend's ghost. The route ends at Granary Burying Ground, the oldest cemetery in Boston and the final resting place for three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The tour runs 90 minutes and stays on foot through downtown, so you'll cover the ground at a walking pace without needing a car or transfers. A professional local guide does the talking, which means the stories land with detail and context instead of a rushed audio loop. The guide speaks English and keeps the pace conversational—this is not a sprint through plaques and dates. Children from age 4 can join, though the content focuses on death, execution, and historical tragedy, so it's worth knowing what you're walking into with younger kids.

What’s included

• Professional local guide who speaks English.
• access to all four historic sites on the walking route.
• 90-minute guided experience through downtown Boston.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by ExperienceFirst

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable following a live English narrative and want a guide who knows the dark history and details of Boston's oldest graves and execution sites.

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Top questions

What exactly happened at the hanging tree on Boston Common?

Boston Common's hanging tree was the site of early public executions in colonial Boston. The tour visits the spot and explains the history of capital punishment in the city during that era.

Who are the three Declaration signers buried in Granary Burying Ground?

Granary Burying Ground holds the graves of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, among other notable figures from Boston's founding. The guide walks you through the cemetery and points out their stones.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour runs 90 minutes total, covering all four sites on foot through downtown Boston without breaks for shopping or meals.

Can I bring my young child on this tour?

Children from age 4 are welcome. The tour focuses on historical deaths and executions, so consider whether your child is comfortable with that subject matter before booking.

Do I need to book tickets in advance for the sites we visit?

The tour includes access to the sites as part of the walk; no separate admission tickets are required for Boston Common, the State House grounds, or Granary Burying Ground. The Boston Athenaeum is viewed from outside.