There is more to New England than Championships! Visit America's original home town in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on a private Plymouth tour with a local New England guide.

Experience the nature and history with stories from your local, private guide. See the Pilgrim's first settlement at the Plymouth Plantation. Climb aboard the Mayflower II to feel what it was like for the those Europeans who first saw Plymouth Rock. Take in the scenery at Brewster Gardens.

Let our local Plymouth guide bring history alive for you.

You can choose a Plymouth tour offered by ToursByLocals, but feel free to contact a guide to suggest alternative places and activities that strike your interest. Your guide wants you to have the ultimate Plymouth experience, and will happily customize any itinerary to suit your needs.

Plymouth

For those who can't decide between a driving tour & a walking tour, this 4 hour journey covers all the highlights of Boston in a luxury minivan and on foot. Join me & have a great time as we take a step back into history. Walk through the historic North End, (Little Italy) home to the Old North Church & legendary Paul Revere house. See the many sights along the historic Freedom Trail & the luxury homes of Beacon Hill. Enjoy the beauty of the upscale Victorian Back Bay, and if time allows, go across the river to Cambridge, home of some of the world's finest institutions of higher education including Harvard and MIT. I will show you all of the hidden places that most visitors miss. Option to not walk as much (or at all) is available.
You will see virtually all Boston has to offer in half a day. All of my tours are very flexible and may be customized with added stops and experiences. See, Experience, Learn, & Laugh on a tour you will remember forever!

Four hour driving/walking tour of Boston, Cambridge and Charlestown

Half Day Tour of Boston and Region

Boston Sightseeing or Shore Excursion Tour

This fully-narrated three-hour driving tour provides an overview of Boston by concentrating on our historic past and thriving present. This is an ideal tour if you're visiting Boston, and are looking to make the most out of your time here. Travelers are sure to find a place or two along the tour that they wish to return to on their own. You'll see the sights and hear the stories, from Boston's colonial past to its most recent history. You'll see Boston's most prominent buildings and neighborhoods as well as some lesser-known points of interest. This is the best way to see as much of Boston as possible at a pace you will enjoy. Ample opportunity for taking pictures provided.
This is an excellent tour for first-time visitors or seasoned travelers. This tour can be adapted to the interests of the travelers. Enthusiastic five-star reviews of this tour and tour guide place this among the most thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended tours available.

Fully-narrated three-hour driving tour for up to six guests

Boston Sightseeing Tour

This driving tour of Boston will focus on the highlights of this historic and culturally significant city.

The tour will cover all of the important neighborhoods in downtown Boston including the North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and Seaport District. With an emphasis on history, the tour will tell the stories of how Boston was founded by the Puritans in 1630, why the American Revolution began here in 1775 and what changed so dramatically about the landscape of the city in the 1800's.

A clean, comfortable Honda Odyssey minivan will be used to conduct the tour, with many opportunities to stop and take pictures while getting out to see the sights.

There is no better way to cover more of Boston in 3 hours then with this overview of city.

Transportation in a clean comfortable Honda Odyssey. Can seat 7.

Boston Harbor taken from the Seaport District

A comprehensive overview of Boston in 3 hours

Half Day Boston Tour

Boston Walking Tour: The Revolution in Ninety Minutes

On this 90 minute tour learn where and how the crucial events of the Revolution occurred in Boston. The walk is from Paul Revere's House to the Old South Meeting House. Included are talks on The Stamp Act Riots, The gangs of Boston, The Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Part, The spy networks and Paul Revere's Midnight ride. The roles of John Hancock and Samuel Adams are discussed as well.

The Freedom Trails Greatest Hits.

Don't miss out on the classic Boston Freedom Trail walking tour - We'll walk through all the sites on this side of the harbor - from the Boston Common to Old North Church. You'll hear the story of the Revolution told in a clear and engaging way. On this tour, historical Boston is surrounded by modern Boston. Get a little view into what life in Boston looks like and how the modern Bostonian and the historical one still frequent many of the same buildings (one has been a tea/coffee shop since the 1870s!)

You'll leave this tour knowing how all the things fit together - The Tea Party, Paul Revere's Ride, the Boston Massacre, and more!

By the end of our tour, you'll not only feel equipped to retell the history, but I will help you understand the wandering streets of Boston so you can comfortably continue your exploration on your own!

The Revolution Made Easy!

Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour

Boston Freedom Trail - Historical Walking Tour

Walk the Freedom Trail and experience, firsthand, Boston's historic buildings and locations related to the founding of the city and events leading to Independence: the Common, the Granary burial ground, Liberty Square, the Boston Massacre Site &amp; Colony House, Faneuil Hall and Marshall Street. We'll cover the North End and Copp's Hill, with the option to cross the bridge to Charlestown and Breed's Hill. We'll round it up back in Beacon Hill ending at an agreed upon place.

Many opportunities to pause, take photos, and see sites! People, for generations, worked and met here to plan actions that changed our world.
Some of the names we know. Others aren't often remembered. We enjoy blessings derived from their dedication.

Experience Boston's Freedom Trail Sites with a Local Guide.

Boston's Freedom Trail: Boston Common to the Old North Church

The Freedom Trail was created in the 1950's to guide visitors on foot along the historic sites in the city. The trail is indicated by a red line (red brick or red paint) on the sidewalk, and while the total Freedom Trail is 2. 2 miles (4 km) long, we will only be walking the most concentrated portion of it from the Boston Common to the Old North Church, which is approximately 1. 3 mile (roughly 2 km). The Charlestown Freedom Trail sites are roughly a 20 minute walk from our finishing point if you would like to continue on your own.

While many of the sites have a direct connection to the events leading to the American Revolutionary War, other sites nonetheless explore the theme of Freedom: such as the Underground Railroad, the Abolitionist Movement and the War of 1812. Along the way, we'll make one or two small detours off the trail to show you some "other" iconic locations that testify to the dynamism of the city!

The Paul Revere Statue and the steeple of the Old North Church, this is iconic Boston!

Built circa 1676, this house was nearly 100 years old when Paul Revere lived here!

The Kings Chapel Burial Ground is the oldest in Boston, some of these gravestones are over 350 years old!

A walk through the downtown Boston core and revolutionary history!

Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 Walking Tour

Examine the demographics, theories and personal stories comprising the dire events of 1692. You will see many of the locations that are full of witch trial history. The structures are long since gone except for a few. This is a fascinating tour that will shed new light on what happened during the infamous witchcraft hysteria which turned neighbor against neighbor.
Learn about the events leading up to the hysteria, how it started, stories of those involved that include perspective from the accused, judges and bystanders and how the trials came to a halt. The witchcraft hysteria lasted a total of 15 months, but resulted in 20 executions with five more people dying in jail. Hundreds were accused from all over Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties.
I have over 10 years of experience teaching the witchcraft trials and believe you will come away from this two-hour tour with a detailed understanding of what was involved in the one of the most compelling episodes in our early history.

The Witch House, home of Judge Jonathan Corwin

Court of Oyer & Terminer was located here.

The plaque that identifies the location of the courthouse

Bridget Bishop, 1st woman executed in 1692, lived where Turner's Seafood is now

Giles Corey was crushed to death just beyond the parking lot.

Sheriff George Corwin had a home on the grounds of this current building

The hysteria that resulted in the execution of 20 people and hundreds of witchcraft accusations

Imagine what it must have been like to live in pre-Revolutionary Boston in the 1700's, or how you would survive in the new world when the Puritans and Pilgrims settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The Puritans arrived here in 1630. Their aim was to set up a society that would live according to "God's will". Anyone who stepped out of line was jailed, banished or worse.

My maternal grandmother, Lucia, immigrated into Boston from Italy in the early 1900's and told stories of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.

I get nostalgic walking through Boston's Italian North End as I smell the aromas of garlic and basil, or pass by while fresh baked goods are being brought from the oven.

George Washington statue at Boston Common

An Overview of Boston Then and Now

Highlights of Boston by Minivan

The North End and Freedom Trail Walking Tour

Step into the heart of history- "the room where it happened" from the 1600s through today!

This scenic walk brings the richness of my hometown's past to life, from Puritans running wild to radical revolutionaries, pirate curses, and an epic flood of molasses.

Meet mobsters, Kennedys, and Sons of Liberty in the pub where they planned the American Revolution.

Visit Paul Revere's house (1680) and the iconic Old North Church (1723), from which Revere began his midnight ride in 1775, walking the same cobblestones as the founding fathers.

See grand architecture, from the State House's golden dome astride Beacon Hill, to a grasshopper flying above Faneuil Hall since 1742.

Taste local delicacies from secret Italian bakeries tucked away down back alleys, and meet the generations of Irish, Jewish, and Italian immigrants who built this City on a Hill.

This tour is completely customizable to your interests- tell me what excites you, from history and literature to food and wine, and we'll make that our focus.

The Road to Liberty in Historic Downtown Boston

Boston has arguably more nicknames than any other American city: Trimountaine, the City upon a Hill, the Athens of America, the Cradle of Liberty, the Bean town, the Hub... Throughout its history, Boston has grown from a humble Puritan settlement to a vibrant cosmopolitan city, and all these monikers accurately describe its unique character and establish its identity. 

Founded in 1630 by a group of English puritans, it was first named after the three prominent hills, one of which, Beacon hill, became home to Boston's oldest and most prestigious neighborhood. Called the Cradle of Liberty due to its role in the 18th century revolutionary events, Boston has numerous monuments and landmarks that commemorate them. Whether you follow the red-brick Freedom Trail, stroll in historical parks, or get lost in cobble-stoned streets of Beacon Hill, you'll be traveling through turbulent and fascinating history of Boston and its people.

A Private Tour for History Enthusiasts 

Boston: A Journey Through Time

Make Boston yours as we learn its history and the stories behind the history along the Freedom Trail from its start at Beacon Hill and continuing on to the Old Downtown and North End.

You will get the historical background and stories from a Bostonian's perspective, along with the architecture and culture that make Boston special.

Highlights included
• The Freedom Trail from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall
• The quirky, vibrant architecture and streets of old Downtown
• The historic European North End, including Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church on the Freedom Trail.

Downtown and the North End, Boston's Little Italy

Walking Tour of Boston's Freedom Trail

Is this your first visit? Do you have a lot of questions about Salem, past and present? Then, this is the tour for you!

On our walking tour we will see Salem Harbor, once one of the busiest ports in the U. S. , sending sailing ships all over the world. Now full of pleasure craft from May to November, it is still surrounded by the grand mansions and public buildings here 200 years ago. We will hear about the tragic witchcraft episode in 1692 and how Salem has become "the witch city" in recent years. We will learn how the vast profits from global trade after the American Revolution were reinvested in manufacturing—textiles, shoes, Parker Brothers toys and games—and see what a tourist mecca Salem now is, attracting visitors from all over the world, especially at Halloween.

See Salem with an expert! I'm not only a Boston native and resident of Salem's McIntire District since 2005, but an historian specializing in early America, who was Director of the Historic Deerfield museum for 28 years.

Salem Harbor was the center of activity and source of great wealth for Salem in the Great Age of Sail. Derby Wharf extends 2,000 feet into the harbor and contained several shipping-related buildings like the Pedrick sail loft shown here.

The Salem Town Hall was built in 1815 to accommodate town meetings and a marketplace for agricultural produce. A weekly market is still held here from spring to fall.

Salem is now known as the "Witch city" and the Halloween capital of the world, attracting vast crowds in October. Among the attractions are many occult museums and shops.

The Jonathan Corwin House (1675) is known as the Witch House because many of the accused in 1692 were brought to Judge Corwin's house for pre-trial examination.

An Introduction to Salem's Past and Present

Salem through the Centuries

My half day private driving tour takes you from one end of the city to the other.

As we drive along Boston's Freedom Trail, I'll share stories of the city's almost 400 year history, the events, people and sites that make Boston unique.

We'll drive into the oldest and most modern neighborhoods of Boston, pull in at certain sites to compare old and new and I share pictures on my iPad that help give context to current day Boston.

There's an optional stop at the infamous Old North Church, and time to take photos along the way. All the classics like Bunker Hill, Paul Revere House & Tea Party are covered, as well as icons like Fenway Park and the Cheers Bar.

This is the perfect way to orientate yourself to Boston, to see not just the historic sites, but the entire city. As we tour around, I can give lots of suggestions of favorite local bars, cafes and restaurant.

Please contact me for more info, with questions or for help customizing your tour.

Paul Revere Mall & Old North Church, Boston

We'll drive by the Granary Burial Ground, Boston

History and neighborhoods of Boston

Private driving tour of Boston - 3 hours

Highlights of Boston and Cambridge One-Day Tour

Enjoy the most popular attractions that Boston and Cambridge have to offer. During your walking and driving tour, you'll experience the highlights of these two fascinating cities while discovering the stories behind many historical sites.

A visit to The Freedom Trail reveals the history of the American war for independence as you explore churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, and parks.

The architecture of Boston is also one of the highlights of the city. Copley Square is an architecturally significant public location.

Boston is also home to famous neighborhoods. Walk around Beacon Hill, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the US.

And explore a few attractions not seen by most tourists.

As your private guide around Boston and Cambridge, I can personalize any part of the tour based on your interests and expectations. I can make changes to the itineraries as needed.

Get to know the heart of Boston (and Cambridge) in this exciting sightseeing tour.

Complete city tour with your Boston private guide

Boston Begets a Revolution: Forgotten Stories of Patriots - Private Walking Tour

This tour mainly follows the lives of 4 Bostonians whose influence on the American revolution is often forgotten or misunderstood.

John Winthrop, Puritan founder of Boston, led the 1st government that ruled by written laws and liberties rather than by the passion of men. 7 of the US Constitution's Bill of Rights can be traced to the 1641 Massachusetts Body of Liberties.

Samuel Sewall, Salem Witch Trials judge, wrote in 1700 the 1st anti-slavery tract wherein he refutes the religious and practical justifications for slavery.

Benjamin Franklin spent his youth in Boston where he learned his art of politics, to fly his kite and write satire. As colonial envoy to England, his testimony to Parliament inadvertently inflamed the growing rebellion in America.

John Hancock, unanimously elected in 1775 as President of the 2nd Continental Congress by the likes of Franklin, George Washington, John Adams & Thomas Jefferson; became the 1st President of the United States 14 months later!

Customizable itinerary:

Sometimes called "the most photographed street in America", Acorn Street on Beacon Hill was built as a back alley in the 1820s for tradesmen and coachmen serving the surrounding mansions of Boston's "Brahmin" families.

Louisburg Square, named after the 1758 British victory at Fort Louisbourg during the French and Indian War, is probably the most prestigious address in Boston.

Tucked among the brick and stone buildings of Beacon Hill, there are hidden sights that are easily overlooked if you don't know where to look!

My tours are an immersive experience to help the traveler re-live the past. While we walk we will hold a conversation. Sometimes we might experience the sights, sounds and smells of historic Boston. I use one-of-a-kind maps I have personally edited going back to first sources. Special photo-transparencies are overlaid against modern sites to help you see Boston as it appeared in the past.

Cedar Lane Way appears on 18th century British maps as a place of interest to sailors and seaman near the foot of Beacon Hill before the area was later developed in the 1820 - 1850s. Ask me why?

John Hancock, the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, twice Governor of Massachusetts and a very wealthy merchant, kept his counting house money in this safe.

From this second floor balcony on the Old State House, the people of Boston first heard the reading of the Declaration of Independence on 18 July 1776. The City of Chicago offered to buy and relocate the building after its 1871 fire destroyed thousands of buildings!

Benjamin Franklin's boyhood neighborhood of the early 1700s includes Marshall Street, built by a local well-to-do but lazy mill owner.

The oldest extant home on Beacon Hill is a two-family wooden residence built by free African Americans- one the soldier who led a Black militia company responsible for protecting Boston businesses from British Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War.

Park Street Church, once the tallest building in America, has a strong abolitionist tradition of preaching with fire and brimstone. The song "America" was first sung from its steps. Billy Graham began his first crusade here in 1949.

Boston harbor island state park tours

Explore with 115 tours and 21 guides.

Neal R.

$ 525 (USD)

Peter B.

$ 595 (USD)

Christian V.

$ 500 (USD)

Ted K.

$ 125 (USD)

Shannon K.

$ 200 (USD)

Curtis B.

$ 500 (USD)

Edward B.

$ 300 (USD)

Giovanni A.

$ 250 (USD)

P Lucia V.

$ 475 (USD)

Josh

$ 665 (USD)

Olga K.

$ 720 (USD)

Alan M.

$ 595 (USD)

Donald F.

$ 200 (USD)

Martin M.

$ 525 (USD)

Naim B.

$ 1,000 (USD)

Ricky M.

$ 735 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Boston harbor island state park

Customize your tour