Our tour takes you through the historic sites on the Freedom Trail. Depending on whether you choose the 3-hour Regular or 4-hour Extended tour version, you can visit a different number of sites along the Trail.
This is a private tour, consisting of only you and your party. One ticket admits a group of 1-6 guests. The tour lasts either 3 or 4 hours (depending on the type of ticket you buy), including travel time from and back to your hotel or residence, if you are staying in downtown Boston.
Both versions of the tour include:
The tour is completed by a pleasant drive along the Charles River, by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a view of Boston's skyline.
This is a private tour, consisting of only you and your party. One ticket admits a group of 1-6 guests. The tour lasts either 3 or 4 hours (depending on the type of ticket you buy), including travel time from and back to your hotel or residence, if you are staying in downtown Boston.
Both versions of the tour include:
- Old North Church where Robert Newman displayed two lanterns “one if by land, two if by sea” to warn Paul Revere of British troop movements toward Lexington and Concord
- Massachusetts State House
- Beacon Hill: a charming, affluent, residential neighborhood with gas lamps, ancient elms, brick sidewalks, and 19th century row houses, registered as a National Historic District
- Back Bay of Boston including the Grand Boulevard of Commonwealth Avenue, and the attractive boutique shops of Newbury Street
- Harvard University: oldest institution of learning in the USA (est. 1636). Among its esteemed graduates are six presidents of the United States. We have a photo opportunity by the statue of John Harvard, for whom the University is named.
The tour is completed by a pleasant drive along the Charles River, by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a view of Boston's skyline.
What Is Not Included?
A snack or beverage, which you can purchase at one of the tour stops, is not included in the price of the tour. We recommend you bring about $8-$10 in extra cash or credit.
Entrance to sites along the Freedom Trail that have their own entry fees is not included in the price of the tour. Certain sites cost approximately $3-$5 per person to view the inside, so please bring extra cash (approximately $10-$15).
Entrance to sites along the Freedom Trail that have their own entry fees is not included in the price of the tour. Certain sites cost approximately $3-$5 per person to view the inside, so please bring extra cash (approximately $10-$15).
Meeting Location
Your hotel/residence within 20 mi radius of Boston (Boston, MA)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
- Tickets must be purchased in advance, and since tours sell out quickly, we recommend that you book well in advance. This ensures a greater likelihood that you will get the day and time you prefer.
- How long is the tour?
- You can choose between a 3 or 4 hour duration for the tour. The 3-hour Regular version includes all the sites mentioned, including 3-4 stops along the Freedom Trail. The 4-hour Extended version includes all the sites mentioned and time to explore more sites along the Freedom Trail. These durations include transportation time from your hotel/residence and back after the tour, if you are staying in downtown Boston. If you are not staying in downtown Boston please check the questions below for more information. If you have specific questions about additional transport time, you can also click on the "Contact AcornTours" link.
- How do I estimate the travel time to and from my hotel/residence?
- If you are staying outside of downtown Boston, the tour duration does NOT include travel time to and from your hotel/residence. In these situations, you can look up the distance from your hotel/residence to these locations, add it to the tour duration, and that will give you an approximate total tour time. West (of Boston): You should use Kenmore Square. North (of Boston): You should use Kendall Square in Cambridge. South (of Boston): You should use South Station.
- Where do we meet the tour? Where do you drop us off?
- We pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or residence. We will pick up from any location within a 20 mile radius of Boston, in other words within 10 minutes of I-95/Rt 128 free of charge. If you are staying at a hotel, you should meet us at the bellman's stand about 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of your tour. When you arrive, let the bellman know who you are waiting for, if the tour guide isn't there already. If you would like us to pick you up from your residence, the tour guide will ring your front door bell upon arrival.
- What if I'm not staying within 20 miles of Boston?
- If you are staying outside of a 20 mile radius of Boston, but within a 40 mile radius, in other words 15 minutes of I-495, we will pick you up from your hotel/residence, but you will be charged an additional $20, which you must bring in cash with you to the tour.
- What if I'm not staying within 40 miles of Boston?
- If you are not staying within 40 miles of Boston or 15 minutes of I-495, we may ask you to meet us at a central location closer to the start of the tour. Please click on the "Contact AcornTours" link before purchasing tickets to arrange a meeting location.
- How many tickets should I buy for my party?
- One ticket admits your whole group, up to 6 passengers.
- Are we on the vehicle the entire time?
- This is primarily a driving tour; however, guests do have the option of stepping off the vehicle at sites and times of their choosing. Guests usually get on and off at approximately 3-4 main sights along the Freedom Trail, including the Old North Church, Bunker Hill, and others. We're also happy to accommodate guests' other requests for stops, i.e., the Public Gardens in spring; Copley Square & the Boston Public Library courtyard; Harvard Square, Harvard Yard, and the statue of John Harvard. We also have a shorter snack stop, where you can purchase something to eat or coffee, tea, hot chocolate or lemonade.
- Are the sites along the Freedom Trail free?
- You can enter many of the sites along the Freedom Trail free of charge. However, a few, like the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, and the Paul Revere House have their own entry fees (usually ranging between $3-$5). Please bring extra cash with you, if you would like to enter these sites.
- Would children enjoy and benefit from this tour?
- Children are very welcome on the tour. Particularly for eight year olds and older, the sites we visit have a particular historic interest and charm.
- Is there an age limit for the tour?
- No, so feel free to bring the whole family. However, we do require that children ages 4 and younger, weighing under 40 pounds use a car seat (it's Massachusetts law!). You must supply your own car seat.
- Will there be anyone else on the tour with my group?
- No, all our tours are completely private and consist of only our group so everyone gets a personalized experience!
- What is the maximum number of people on the tour?
- Our luxury minivan accommodates a maximum of 6 people, including children, for the tour. In particular circumstances, for groups of between 6 to 12 people, we can arrange for a larger vehicle so that the group can travel together. Please click on the "Contact AcornTours" link for more information on larger group accommodations.
- What happens if it rains?
- Our tours run rain or shine, and are always enjoyable no matter what kind of weather is going on! Rain does not impact visibility. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, though, as we do make several stops where we get off the vehicle.
- Do we stop for lunch during the tour?
- No, we do not stop for lunch on this tour. We do have a shorter snack stop, where you can purchase something to eat or coffee, tea, hot chocolate or lemonade. Please bring some extra cash or a credit card (approximately $8-$10) if you would like to purchase a snack during the tour.
- Can we take photos during the tour?
- Boston and Cambridge offer wonderful photo-ops. Cameras, both still cameras and video cameras, can be taken along and used.
- Do you provide us with maps or guidebooks?
- Yes, in addition to a comprehensive narrative by your tour guide, we have maps and brochures for your use. We find these are helpful in getting you acquainted with sights along the way. If your child is doing a school project, s/he will especially appreciate them, as it gives them some reference material after the fact!
- Can I bring food or drinks on the tour?
- You're welcome to bring any non-alcoholic beverages of your choice and also any snacks you would like to enjoy during the tour. We also provide you with a bottle of water.
- Are the tours conducted in English only?
- Tours can be conducted in either English or French, with no advance notice. Just let us know that you would prefer to have your tour in French at the start time. We may also be able to arrange for a Mandarin interpreter. This will reduce the tour capacity to 5 guests. If you are interested in having your tour interpreted into Mandarin, please click on the "Contact AcornTours" link to make arrangements before purchasing tickets.
- Are bathrooms available along the way?
- Bathrooms are available at a few stops along the way. Also, we are only about 5-10 minutes away from a bathroom stop at all times. Should you need to stop, just let your tour guide know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
- Is the van wheelchair accessible?
- At this time, the van does not have a wheelchair ramp. However, if you are able to rise out of your wheelchair to enter the vehicle with minimal assistance, we will gladly place the wheelchair in the back of the van and carry it during the stops. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate guests with limited or no mobility who need to be lifted into the vehicle.
- Are gift certificates available for the tour?
- Yes. Gift certificates for Acorn Tours are great for any occasion. To purchase a gift certificate, click on the "Contact AcornTours" link.
Refund/Rescheduling Policy
- Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.
- Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
Weather Policy
- Activity takes place rain or shine.
- The activity runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability).
Other Policies
- Tour duration depends on transportation time to and from hotel or residence.
- The transportation time from your hotel or residence to the start of the tour in Boston, and back after the tour, is ONLY included in the tour duration if you are staying in downtown Boston. If you are staying outside of downtown Boston, the transportation time is NOT included in the tour duration.
- An additional $20 surcharge will apply to pick-up locations w/in a 20-40 mi radius of Boston.
- Locations between a 20 mile (or 10 minutes of I-95/Rt 128) and 40 mile radius (or 15 minutes I-495) have an extra $20 surcharge per tour. Someone in your party must bring $20 cash to the start of the tour. We will contact you via email after you purchase tickets if this applies.
- You must provide a car seat for all passengers ages 4 and younger, weighing less than 40 pounds.
- In accordance with Massachusetts state law, all small children must be properly secured in a federally approved car seat. You must provide a car seat for each child in your party.
Acorn Tours of Boston
Una McMahon has been providing high-quality tours of Boston and New England for the past seven years. Her love of Boston is matched only by her knowledge of its fascinating history.
Her participation in formal courses on American history, particularly Boston history, along with lectures by noted professors and authors in the Boston area, combined with her own research, all contribute to the abundance of knowledge she shares with guests on her tours.
Una's early experience in conducting cultural tours to France and Canada for her students of French Language at a Boston private high school, already indicated a high level of service and expertise.
She has continued to provide the same excellent service when she founded her own company to provide private, customized tours of Boston & Cambridge, and New England.
With Acorn Tours of Boston, you can relax, soak in the attractions of Boston and New England, and return home with a memorable experience.
Her participation in formal courses on American history, particularly Boston history, along with lectures by noted professors and authors in the Boston area, combined with her own research, all contribute to the abundance of knowledge she shares with guests on her tours.
Una's early experience in conducting cultural tours to France and Canada for her students of French Language at a Boston private high school, already indicated a high level of service and expertise.
She has continued to provide the same excellent service when she founded her own company to provide private, customized tours of Boston & Cambridge, and New England.
With Acorn Tours of Boston, you can relax, soak in the attractions of Boston and New England, and return home with a memorable experience.
