Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (73 reviews) 92% rated it 5 stars
Free cancellationExcellent quality
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 2
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 3
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 4
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 5
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 6
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 7
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 8
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 9
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 10
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 11
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 12
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 13
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 14
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 15
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 16
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 17
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 18
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 19
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 20
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 21
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 22
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 23
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 24
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 25
  • Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard 26
1/26
Duration6h–8h
GroupUp to 6
LanguagesEN
PickupAt your hotel

Charlestown Navy Yard holds the oldest ship still afloat, and you walk inside it.

A small group tour of Boston limited to six guests, led by a local guide through Charlestown Navy Yard, Bunker Hill, Harvard, Beacon Hill and the Freedom Trail landmarks — you hear how everyday institutions grew from colonial America and see where the Revolution took shape. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours with stops for pictures on request, and includes bottled water and soft drinks; pickup is arranged before you book.

6h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boston's historic landmarks

  • Visit Charlestown Navy Yard and Old Ironsides
  • Tour The Battle of Bunker Hill battleground and museum
  • Learn Harvard's origins and history
  • Explore Beacon Hill neighborhood
  • See Granary Burying Ground
  • Visit Boston's first Anglican Church and burial ground
  • View site of The Latin School and Parker House hotel
  • Visit Old South Meeting House
  • Walk through Faneuil Hall Marketplace
  • See Old State House
  • Explore Boston's oldest neighborhood

The Experience

Stewie leads groups of no more than six through the interior of the USS Constitution at Charlestown Navy Yard, the only warship still in active commission from the age of sail. From there the route moves to Bunker Hill, where the Continental Army's first major engagement taught the British that the new war would not end quickly. The stops are chosen to show you not just where things happened, but how ordinary places became the birthplace of the nation — a one-acre farm that grew into Harvard, a grain storehouse that became the Granary Burying Ground because there was no more room elsewhere, a meeting house where the Sons of Liberty gathered before the British dragoons desecrated it.

The tour passes through Beacon Hill, where the city's wealthy and powerful ruled for two centuries, and stops at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the oldest outdoor market in America and Boston's first town hall. You see the Old State House, where the Boston Massacre happened and the Declaration of Independence was read aloud. The guide shares details about the city's layers — British in the 17th and 18th centuries, then Irish and Jewish arrivals in the 19th, and the neighborhood that became Little Italy. Bottled water, Coke, Diet Coke and Polar Orange Dry are provided; you can ask to stop for pictures anywhere along the route.

A local operator means the guide actually depends on your satisfaction, not on volume. The group stays small enough that you hear the stories without shouting, and the pace holds together because one person is driving and narrating instead of herding a bus. If you're traveling with luggage and there are four or fewer of you, the tour can carry it.

What’s included

  • Expert guide in English.
  • pickup arranged before you book.
  • bottled water and soft drinks (Saratoga Springs water, Coke, Diet Coke, Polar Orange Dry).
  • stops for pictures on request.
Good to know
Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Best Boston Tour

Is this one for you?The 6 to 8 hour commitment means you see the major sites without rushing through them, and the small group size keeps the pace conversational — you're not competing for the guide's attention or standing in a crowd at each stop. This works best if you have a full morning or afternoon free and want to understand how Boston's neighborhoods connect to the Revolution, not just tick off landmarks.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★
73 verified traveler reviews
5 67
4 4
3 1
2 1
1 0
Read all the reviews ›

Compare the 13 similar options

Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & HarvardYou are hereBoston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard★ 4.88 (73)6h–8hENUS$ 199
Boston: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley & Freedom Trail with GPS Walking ToursBoston: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley & Freedom Trail with GPS Walking ToursHop-on hop-off trolley tour of Boston's Freedom Trail and Bunker Hill. Includes live tracking, 9 GPS walking tours, and 7-language app. 1 or 2 days.★ 4.37 (2,996)1h 20mEN · DE +6US$ 48View ›Boston Freedom Trail: 16 Sites & Revolutionary History Walking TourBoston Freedom Trail: 16 Sites & Revolutionary History Walking TourTwo-and-a-half hours covering all 16 Freedom Trail landmarks, from the Boston Massacre site to Bunker Hill Monument. Small groups, local guide, all fees included.★ 4.88 (1,710)2h 30mENUS$ 31View ›Boston: Small Group Revolution Walking Tour & Harbor TeaBoston: Small Group Revolution Walking Tour & Harbor TeaWalk Boston’s revolutionary streets with a small group, hear real stories from an expert guide, and end with a surprise tea party by the harbor. Includes Faneuil Hall & North End.★ 4.96 (2,832)3hENUS$ 59View ›Pizza, Pasta & Pastry Tour: Boston's North End Food WalkNewPizza, Pasta & Pastry Tour: Boston's North End Food WalkTaste Neapolitan pizza, handmade pasta and cannoli on a 3-hour guided food tour of Boston's North End with a local expert★ 5.00 (7)3hENUS$ 135View ›Boston Freedom Trail: 16 Landmarks & Revolutionary History Walking TourBoston Freedom Trail: 16 Landmarks & Revolutionary History Walking TourBoston's Freedom Trail walking tour covers 16 historic landmarks from 1760–1775 in 2.5 hours with a local guide. Includes Paul Revere's house and Old State House.★ 4.93 (7,856)2h 30mENUS$ 39View ›Boston Freedom Trail: Self-Guided Audio Tour & MapBoston Freedom Trail: Self-Guided Audio Tour & MapSelf-guided audio tour of Boston's Freedom Trail with 16 historic sites and 51 stories. Includes Paul Revere's route, USS Constitution, Bunker Hill. Lifetime access.★ 4.45 (117)3h–4hUS$ 9.99View ›Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour: Historic Sites & GuideBoston Freedom Trail Walking Tour: Historic Sites & GuideWalk the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Paul Revere Mall with a costumed guide who tells the stories of the Founding Fathers, the Revolution★ 4.60 (2,765)1h 45mENUS$ 26View ›Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour: Paul Revere's HouseBoston Freedom Trail Walking Tour: Paul Revere's HouseBoston Freedom Trail walking tour with professional guide covering 13 historic sites from Boston Common to Paul Revere's House. All fitness levels.★ 4.67 (1,244)1h 45mENUS$ 26View ›Boston Freedom Trail: GPS Walking Tour & USS ConstitutionBoston Freedom Trail: GPS Walking Tour & USS ConstitutionSelf-guided Freedom Trail audio tour via WalknTours app. Covers Boston Common, North End, Bunker Hill, USS Constitution. Go at your own pace.★ 4.41 (284)2h–3hUS$ 7.75View ›Boston: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley with 13 Stops & Walking ToursBoston: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley with 13 Stops & Walking ToursHop-on hop-off trolley covering 13 Boston stops including Faneuil Hall, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay. Unlimited rides with live narration and museum discounts.★ 4.29 (5,958)30m–2hENUS$ 51View ›Free Walking Tour Boston: 10 Freedom Trail StopsFree Walking Tour Boston: 10 Freedom Trail StopsFree walking tour of Boston's Freedom Trail with small groups. Covers 10 historic sites from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall. Tip-based.★ 4.88 (83)1h 15mENUS$ 25View ›Boston Freedom Trail: Complete Walk with Bunker Hill & USS ConstitutionBoston Freedom Trail: Complete Walk with Bunker Hill & USS ConstitutionFull 4-hour Freedom Trail tour from start to finish, including Bunker Hill Monument, USS Constitution, and 10+ Revolutionary sites. Small groups, no skipped sections.★ 4.98 (866)4hENUS$ 79View ›
Compare more experiences like this »

Top questions

What is the USS Constitution and why does it matter?

The USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, is the oldest ship afloat and America's Ship of State. Hundreds of American battleships were built and repaired at Charlestown Navy Yard where it sits, and you walk inside the ship itself on this tour.

How long does the tour take and what should I wear?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, since the route includes walking through neighborhoods and historic sites; public transportation options are available nearby if you need a break.

What happened at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major engagement of the Continental Army against the British occupiers. Though the British won, it was a pyrrhic victory and taught them that the new war would be fought differently than they expected.

Does the guide stop for photos?

Yes, the tour stops on request for pictures and exploration, especially in Beacon Hill and at the other landmarks along the Freedom Trail.

Is this tour good for someone who doesn't know Boston history?

Yes. The guide shares stories about how everyday institutions like Harvard and Faneuil Hall grew from colonial America, and explains the significance of each stop — you don't need prior knowledge to follow along.

Can I bring luggage on the tour?

If your group has four or fewer guests, the tour can carry luggage. For larger groups, luggage cannot be accommodated.

Boston Small Group Tour: Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill & Harvard

6h–8h · EN · at your hotel

from US$ 199 per person

★★★★★★★★★★4.8873 reviews
More experiences in Boston »
Do you need help planning your next activity?