Private tour in Boston Joshua L
4.3
(9) reviews
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Joshua L.
4.9
Guide rating
134
Reviews
Tours delivered
4 hrs
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It would be my pleasure to welcome you to Boston, the perfect walking city! I grew up here, and I love my hometown for its fascinating history and incredible beauty. I'm passionate about introducing visitors to everything from our classic spots to the hidden gems of Boston, Cambridge, Salem, Lexington, Concord, Plymouth, and beyond! Professionally, I am a designer of extraordinary educational experiences — in addition to tour guiding in the Boston area, I have worked as a teacher and facilitator, actor and theatre director, historical interpreter, international trip leader, and am currently an instructional designer at a local university. I have a master's degree in theatre and education, and my storytelling savvy makes Boston's history and culture come alive! I am also a fluent Spanish speaker, having been a Fulbright Fellow in Colombia, and led travel and exchange programs across Latin America and Asia for high school and college students. I am happy to deliver any of my tours in Spanish or English. I'm immersed in Boston's vibrant arts and culture scene. I perform improv comedy and sing in a choir. I enjoy introducing visitors to the abundant cultural offerings here, from theatre and music to visual arts and dance. I also love the Red Sox, but I won't hold it against any of you Yankees fans out there…my dad is from New York, after all! I love meeting people from all over the world customizing my tours to fit my clients' interests. Here are a few examples of bespoke tours that I've recently given: •A tour focusing on Jewish Boston from colonial times through the present day •A ghost tour focusing on haunted local spots, alluringly bizarre legends, and true crime •A tour for a celebrated podcast focused on abolitionists and poets along the Black Heritage Trail in Beacon Hill •A tour in Spanish for Argentine physicians focused on scientific and medical innovations •A recorded tour series around Harvard and Cambridge for the iFit's Immersive Global Workouts As a tour guide, I love revealing the rich layers of history and illuminating architectural masterpieces that exist along the Freedom Trail and beyond. -From Native Americans to Puritans and witches in the 1600s -Revolutionaries and Sons of Liberty in the colonial 1700s -Civil War heroes, literary superstars, and globetrotting sailors in the 1800s -Mobsters, Kennedys, and Boston Brahmins in the 1900s -Boston's sports successes and futuristic advances in science and technology coming out of Harvard and MIT in the 2000s Literally anyplace that you stand in this dynamic city has fascinating stories to tell. The foodie scene is also tremendous! I relish (my jokes are usually better than that, I swear!:) introducing visitors to the deliciousness that abounds here, from classics like waterfront lobster rolls and heirloom apple cider at farmers markets, to unique tastes like shakshuka at innovative boutique cafes and pastries at the best Italian bakeries hidden down back alleys in the North End. Another of my favorite things to do as a tour guide is create customized adventures around the region, from Boston and Cambridge walking tours to excursions out to fascinating historic and scenic spots like coastal Salem and the North Shore; Plymouth; Lexington and Concord; architectural gems like the Boston Public Library; universities like Harvard and MIT; and places where nature's beauty shines, like gorgeous Mt. Auburn Cemetery or Arnold Arboretum. I also enjoy curating guided visits to our extraordinary museums, featuring one-of-a-kind treasures of art, history, archaeology, and science. Popular ones include the Isabella Stewart Gardner, the MFA, and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. I connect really well with everyone from seniors to families with kids, and clients tell me that my passion and excitement is contagious! If you're also curious about the world around you, love a good story and a good laugh, and get excited about delicious food, we'll definitely enjoy each other's company. I look forward to helping you craft your dream Boston area experience! • MA, Emerson College- Education and Theatre • BA, Vassar College • Fulbright Fellow, Colombia • Certificate in Spanish, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina • While Boston doesn't offer tour guide licensure, I have given hundreds of private concierge tours throughout the Greater Boston area for a local boutique tour guiding company specializing in customized experiences for a diverse range of clients I am not a commercially licensed driver. If you wish to take a driving tour, I can either accompany you as a passenger in your personal or rented vehicle, or we can hire an insured car and driver from a local chauffeur service.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Joshua L.
Taste the essence of my hometown in this personalized gastronomy-focused foodie walking tour. Learn history by tasting it! Discover my favorite local gems, like Italian bakeries hidden down back alleys, aromatic spice and cheese shops, and pubs where the revolutionaries drank and dreamt big. Decide for yourself amongst rival family pizza shops and gelaterias. Visit artisanal chocolateries try the pastries at vintage cafes. Enjoy creative cocktails and swanky tapas or bargain with produce hawkers at old-world Haymarket and try the freshest local seafood at the oldest restaurants in America. Savor local delicacies while exploring the history of New England's cuisine. Discover how our food reflects the vibrant and diverse culture of Beantown, this city that I love. And eat delicious food!!!
-There are days worth of delicious food to try here, so we'll focus on whatever you're most interested in, as this experience is completely customized to your tastes! -What we eat depends on the neighborhood/s you choose to explore, the time of year, and the time of day. During the day, there are more shops open just to snack and look around, whereas in the evening, the city's restaurants come to life and we choose where to eat entirely based on what you what to experience. (NB: reservations recommended for dinner tours) -We can also make this a hybrid foodie/history walking tour with stops to snack- just let me know what you're up for, and we'll make it happen :) -Here are some possibilities, both sweet and savory: -North End gems: Italian pizzerias, European cafes, bakeries, restaurants -Historic pubs and classic oyster houses -Local microbrews and outdoor food halls in Cambridge/Somerville -Artisanal patisseries -Farmers markets -The best Shanghai soup dumplings and Vietnamese bánh mì in Chinatown
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Walking is generally perfect as downtown Boston is quite compact. But if you'd like to cover more ground quickly or explore a more far-flung area, we can always hop in a quick Uber or subway ride.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Wherever you'd like. Just let me know! I can also suggest a meeting spot to best fit your interests.
9 reviews
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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