About

What we do

See and learn the history and beauty of Boston, Cambridge and beyond!

Boston Sightseeing Tours provides a complete range of professional sightseeing services including custom tours, private tours, walking tours, school, and corporate group tours, and more. Our staff is well-versed in Boston area history, architecture, events, hospitality venues, restaurants, etc., and the importance of offering high-quality custom tour experiences for everyone.

Team

Meet our guides

NEAL

NEAL

Lead Guide Neal has been a licensed guide for 35 years and is a member of the Greater Boston Tour Guide Association. As a father of three, as well as a newly retired middle school teacher he welcomes families on all of his tours which are fun, educational, informational, and entertaining. Neal knows all the "ins and outs" of Boston and the surrounding areas and was also a concierge for a large Boston hotel so he is glad to help you with restaurants, shopping, and other excursions as well.

Neal holds two master's degrees plus he has an extensive art, design, and photography background which comes in handy on his tours. You will learn a lot on your tour, but more importantly, you will have fun. He is a firm believer in a balanced tour without an "overload" of facts and figures that most people won't remember anyway. You will leave knowing a great deal about his home town but will also go home with a smile on your face. Sightseeing should always be fun, never boring. Neal is also a huge Boston sports fan and will happily show you where our teams win championships!

NAOMI

NAOMI

Naomi, a Cambridge resident for 40 years, has enjoyed guiding tours in Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, Concord, Salem, Marblehead, Gloucester, Plymouth, and the wider environs for decades. With a degree in education, she finds guiding an opportunity to present history and current information in a fun, entertaining way. She appreciates the interests of students and senior citizens alike and has developed tours for many specialized niches. Having worked with many international students and adults.

Naomi has left those groups with the cultural and historic aspects that make Boston shine. A fan of history and architecture, and urban, waterfront, and country landscapes, her gentle humor, and attentiveness will keep you smiling on her scenic, captivating tours.

PAT

PAT

Pat has been giving tours as well as instructing new guides for over 20 years. He combines an in-depth knowledge of the colonial era as well 19th century Boston with stories and antidotes of everyday life in the city. His extensive background in the events leading to Lexington/ Concord as well as the reasons behind the American Revolution and Boston's involvement are informative and interesting. Pat also has a strong background and knowledge of Cambridge, including Harvard University, the Beacon Hill, and Back Bay districts of Boston, providing an educational and enjoyable tour for all.

ELLIE

ELLIE

Ellie was born in Scotland but grew up just outside of Boston which she believes is one of the most beautiful cities in America. She loves sharing the history and beauty of Boston with everyone on her tours and enjoys seeing the faces of her guests light up when they see and experience something new and exclaim how much they too love the city. Ellie feels that people on her tours start out as strangers but leave as friends.

Ellie worked for the State of Massachusetts for over 40 years overseeing Unemployment offices and Career Centers, she always told people that if they had a change in their employment status they should take that opportunity to follow their passion; this is just what Ellie has been doing since her retirement two years ago.

What matters to Ellie is providing exciting discoveries, new experiences, and shared memories. She can’t wait to meet you

Michael

Michael

Meet Michael, your gateway to Boston's vibrant past. More than just a tour guide, Michael is a passionate storyteller, a retired Boston Public Schools educator, and a lifelong resident eager to share the hidden gems and rich history of his beloved city.

Fueled by a deep connection to the city's soul, Michael has dedicated years to uncovering and sharing the captivating narratives woven into Boston's fabric. His specialty lies in unearthing the often untold stories of the Underground Railroad, its brave conductors, and the resilient souls who sought freedom along its secret routes.

Step onto the Freedom Trail with Michael, and prepare to embark on a captivating journey beyond the typical tourist landmarks. Whether you're tracing the footsteps of revolutionaries, delving into the poignant chapters of the Black History Trail, or venturing beyond the beaten path, Michael's enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge will ignite your curiosity and leave you with a newfound appreciation for this historic city.

Cindy

Cindy

For over three decades, Cindy has painted Boston's vibrant history onto the hearts of countless travelers. But her expertise extends far beyond guidebooks! By day, she weaves captivating narratives for visitors, and by night, her pen crafts whimsical children's stories. In fact, you might even say storytelling runs in her blood - she's a descendant of a Plymouth Elder, not to mention two signers of the Declaration of Independence (one of whom doubled down with a signature on the Constitution!).

Exploring Boston on foot is Cindy's passion. Imagine strolling cobbled streets, where each step whispers tales of revolutionaries, literary giants, and everyday heroes. With Cindy as your guide, history isn't a dusty textbook, it's a living, breathing adventure! Prepare to be charmed by her wit, captivated by her knowledge, and transported by the rich tapestry of Boston's past, present, and future.

MARISOL (Beanie)

MARISOL (Beanie)

Marisol a.k.a. "Beanie" is a Boston native. She is a Coast Guard wife and a mom of two. Marisol has earned her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at the Univerisity of Phoenix and is currently working on her bachelor's degree. While her family and school keep her busy, it doesn't stop her from her passion for giving tours. She has been a professional tour guide for 20 plus years. Even now, Marisol is always learning something new about Boston and enjoys showing off the liveliness and the rich history of "Beantown". Marisol believes in giving a fun, and educated, historic tour of Boston. One that she hopes you will remember.

DAN

DAN

Dan is an urban investigator, who is eager to share his curiosity of Boston with all those who are willing. Over ten years in the tourism business gives him a great footing in helping you explore the side of Boston you want to see. A believer in "To ask is to know" all questions are Dan's catnip. His strong preference for travel by foot and the "T" allows you to experience the city authentically.

STEVE

STEVE

After 17 years, Steve is an unofficial “Uncle” to the two dozen guides that he helped train who still ply the streets of Boston. Whether it’s driving a tour, chaperoning international cruise ship passengers, or taking one person on an intimate stroll down Boston’s fabled lanes,

Steve loves showing them this most cosmopolitan of American cities. As a former university employee, he has a special niche showing prospective students Greater Boston’s 54 colleges and universities. (One M.I.T. Ph.D. from India returned on Alumni Weekend 11 years later to introduce his young sons to "his Boston uncle.")

Steve is a member of the Greater Boston Tour Guides Association, as well as many of the museums and historic sites that we show our guests.

CAITLIN

CAITLIN

Caitlin is a Texan transplanted for the love of Boston and an enduringly curious soul. She is a voracious reader and an ever-eager explorer of the wide and wonderful world.

She moved to Boston seven years ago after two brief visits because she felt a real connection to the city. There is so much history and culture here! While Caitlin has been giving tours for six years, she is still constantly learning new things and finding new hidden treasures, and it gives her great joy to be able to share this marvelous place!

Caitlin feels that by walking in the footsteps of the people who made history, seeing where they lived, and hearing their stories where they happened, history can truly come alive. From the Puritans to the American Revolution to the cultural and industrial revolutions of the 19th century and onward, Boston has it all. And it's all so close together, we can walk the same path five different times and uncover a new story each time!

RUTH

RUTH

Guide Ruth has had a life-long passion for Boston history. One of her favorite activities is sharing this her love of Boston with others.
FRANCINE

FRANCINE

An educator and lifelong learner, a traveler at heart, Francine is a gifted and talented natural leader. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world, from Antarctica to Mt. Everest, but her true love is her hometown of Boston Massachusetts. Francine has worked as a Travel Guide in her native Massachusetts for many years and is fondly remembered by her guests for her welcoming spirit and the friendliness and enthusiasm that she unfailingly brings to her profession.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts and an avid student of history, Francine brings the history and traditions of Boston to those fortunate enough to have her as a Guide. Her enthusiasm for touring is contagious! “I love sharing my beloved city of Boston with visitors, it’s such great fun to spend time helping my guests to understand and appreciate this beautiful part of our world.”

TRACY

TRACY

Tracy grew up in the Boston area. A gifted communicator and storyteller, her education is in education. After completing her studies, Tracy went on to work in Customer Service and eventually became a professional driver. Tracy has been a tour guide for 10 years haven given tours in Boston and Hawaii but Boston is where her heart is. She loves this city, where the history and folklore are endless. Tracy enjoys meeting people from all over the world and traveling the globe. Her ventures have taken her to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. When away from work, Tracy can be found walking or training her deaf dog, Bohdi.

JOSH

JOSH

Josh grew up in the Boston area and loves introducing visitors to the embarrassment of riches that this region has to offer. Professionally, he is a designer of extraordinary experiences — in addition to tour guiding locally, he works as an educator and facilitator, a learning designer, an international trip leader, a writer, and an actor and theatre director with youth and adults. Personally, he is a world traveler, a foodie, a singer, a big fan of arts and culture, a lifelong learner, and an improvisational comedian. He holds a master's degree in theatre education from Emerson College and is a proud alumnus of Vassar College. Josh was a Fulbright fellow in Colombia and is a fluent Spanish speaker. He loves connecting with people from across the world and enjoys customizing his tours to fit his clients' interests. He is constantly amazed that every corner of this city is brimming with hidden stories, and his storytelling savvy makes Boston's history and culture come alive!

MANNY M

MANNY M

Manny has lived around the world, including Thailand, Taiwan, China, the Philippines, and Australia. During his time abroad, he found himself giving tours of these cities to friends and family. Now back in Boston, he is sharing his version of the city with our guests - showing you parts of the city that you may not ordinarily experience. This is especially important to Manny. "There's nothing more that I hate than experiencing a sanitized and dull version of a city. I want to know what really happened in a place and why and what sort of effect it had on the people."

He looks forward to exploring Boston with people who want a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what Boston has to offer - culturally, artistically, and societally.

BILL

BILL

Upon graduating from college nearly thirty years ago, Bill came across a job posting looking for tour guides and decided to give it a shot. The rest is history, as in the history of Boston and the surrounding area which he has developed a vast knowledge of from reading and extensive study.

Bill also goes by the nickname "Coach" due to his passion for sports and being a father of three who has enjoyed coaching all of his children during the past dozen-plus years. Guests who have enjoyed touring with Coach over the years have remarked on his uncanny ability to present the facts in a fun and informative way.

RICHIE

RICHIE

Richard has been conducting tours of Boston, Concord, Lexington, and Salem for the past 30 years. Richard T. Holland, Sr. is the real deal. He is, quite literally, a walking encyclopedia. Born and raised in Boston, he conducted historical tours both locally and abroad for over 30 years. He earned a Master's degree in Education from Gordon College.

Richie's motto is “Give the best tour possible, so the tourist, hopefully, will tell 5 other people to take my tour, so that should mean I have a job next year."

HENRY

HENRY

Guide Henry is a retired school teacher who has been giving tours of Boston for a many years.
Mary Margaret

Mary Margaret

For over 10 years, Mary Margaret has enjoyed showing off Boston to her visitors. Whether they are interested in Boston’s famous historic neighborhoods and its storied past or captivated by its vibrant new neighborhoods and bustling energy, everyone has a wonderful time. Mary Margaret’s favorite part of these tours is hearing how many people want to return to Boston and explore more of our fascinating city.

A graduate of Regis College and Harvard School of Ed, Mary Margaret and her husband live in Boston. She is a member of the Greater Boston Tour Guide Association, the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the faculty of the Brookline Adult and Community Education program.

Virginie

Virginie

A native of France and kindergarten school teacher, Virginie has been giving bilingual tours of Boston and its region since 1998 alongside her teaching career. She feels comfortable narrating the History of Boston and its region in a pedagogical manner that's interesting and interactive for audiences of all ages in French and English.

BRIAN

BRIAN

Brian has been a Boston guide for over two decades. From leading groups of all shapes and sizes to explore the city's most iconic landmarks, Brian is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to discover the heart and soul of Boston. With a passion for showcasing his hometown to travelers from all around the world, Brian's enthusiasm is sure to leave you spellbound.

PAUL

PAUL

We remember Paul who was a legend in the Boston tour business where he gave me a job that ultimately would become a way of life for me. He began with a van in 1974 and built it into a company that would show thousands of visitors around Boston with his small fleet of buses. He was willing to show off a city that was old, dirty, and rough when others would not and saw the city he loved grow into a beautiful, vibrant tourist mecca.

Paul brought his knowledge, humor, and artistic talents to work every day where you would find his short pencil graveyard, eclectic office decor, and entertaining morning rituals. For 30 years I have called him a colleague, boss, and friend and I truly thank him for that.

Boston seems a little emptier today without Paul showing it off.

-Neal

Seán

Seán

His name is Seán

Seán isn't just a Boston tour guide, he's a Bostonian through and through. Growing up in Cambridge, he explored every corner of the city. His adventurous spirit took him beyond Boston, canoeing and hiking throughout New England. He's clocked thousands of miles exploring the region, by motorcycle, car, and even on international motorbike journeys. After years of traveling the world, Seán returned to Boston, captivated by its rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. He's passionate about sharing his deep knowledge and love for this special place, where innovation, delicious food, and a significant role in American history come together.

OTHER GUIDES

OTHER GUIDES

Bill S, Cloudy, Manny B, Mike, Robin, Rob, Scott, James, Adri, Christian, Ernie, Naim, and Melanie.

Boston Sightseeing Tours is growing, and we are looking to add additional guides and tour options for our guests. We are looking for experienced guides to conduct walking and step-on tours of Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, Concord, Salem, and Plymouth as well other locations in the Boston area including specialty tours of individual neighborhoods and themes. Please call us at 617-285-6696 or email info@bostontours.com for more information.

Experience the vibe, passion & innovation of modern day Boston.

Customize Your Adventure!

Your tour can be customized to your liking. If there are things that you wish to skip, add, spend more time at, or change altogether, that is never a problem. Do you want to go into any of the more than 30 museums? How about "throwing" tea overboard on the Boston Tea Party ship? Whatever you are in the mood to do we can accommodate your wishes. Pricing depends on the length of the tour and your tour selection. Please call us to discuss your options.

Why choose us?

See More With Our Knowledgeable Local Guides!

Our guides are well-versed in Boston's fascinating history, architecture, culture, and food. They'll show you local favorites like Fenway Park, the Boston Marathon finish line, and the bar from Cheers. You'll get the local perspective on Boston's arts, culture, food, education, and sports legacies. There is something here for everyone, and our guides can't wait to share it all with you!

Custom Tours

Custom Tours are our specialty. Let us design one for you!

We specialize in setting up just the right tour for you. We can arrange visits to museums, add stops along the way, coordinate to a...

Custom Tours are our specialty. Let us design one for you!

We specialize in setting up just the right tour for you. We can arrange visits to museums, add stops along the way, coordinate to areas further out of town and anything else that you wish to see.

Step-On Services

Step-On Services for schools & larger groups.

Got a bus? No problem! Need a bus? Again, no problem! We work with area charter bus companies to bring you many different options for small ...

Step-On Services for schools & larger groups.

Got a bus? No problem! Need a bus? Again, no problem! We work with area charter bus companies to bring you many different options for small or large groups that are needing transportation services

Top Rated

Top Rated on Trip Advisor & other travel review sites!

Tour with confidence knowing that we are highly rated on many travel review sites. We are often recommended by concierges from Bost...

Top Rated on Trip Advisor & other travel review sites!

Tour with confidence knowing that we are highly rated on many travel review sites. We are often recommended by concierges from Boston area hotels and travel professionals as well as visitors from around the world.

Location

America's Walking City Boston, USA

Boston is known as "America's Walking City" and as such most of the sites and attractions are within a short walking distance away. Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. It has a rich and varied cultural life, and the love of music attracts many Bostonians throughout the year. Boston’s reputation as a cultural center is built in large part on the prominent museums that are its patrimony.

Frequently asked questions

Most frequent questions and answers

Private tours include just you and your family and friends. That’s all. To ensure you have a personal experience, your group will consist of you and your family/friends/colleagues, only. We never mix groups, or put you with strangers. There is no minimum: if it’s just you, we look forward to becoming your travel companion for the day.

Yes! Larger groups include tour group on a bus, school groups, corporate groups, etc. Tours for larger groups range in size from 10 to upwards of 60 or more people. For information and pricing on group tours for other organizations, please contact us.

We will work with you to the best of our ability to ensure you’re able to enjoy our city at a comfortable pace and within a reasonably safe, respectful environment.

Starting points can vary depending upon the tour that you choose. Private tours can often begin at the Boston location of your choice including hotels, B&B’s private homes, etc. or a designated meeting place will be determined prior to tour day. The Freedom Trail tours begin at the corner of Hanover Street and Cross Street at the Tony DeMarco boxing statue or the corner of Park Street & Tremont Street between the Park St. subway stations.

No! Prices are per group, in US dollars. The price of your tour is guaranteed the moment we receive your deposit.

Optional admission to the Old North Church - $5.00 and Paul Revere House - Adults - $5.00 Seniors and College Students - $4.50
Children (ages 5-17) - $1.00 Cash only for admission. Old State House Museum optional visit admission: Adults - $10.00 , Seniors (62+) - $8.50, Students - $8.50, Youth (6-18), Members, US Military, and Veterans - FREE

A booking fee is added to bookings made online through the reservation service. Call us with questions or for additional details.

We accept all major credit cards, Venmo or company check in advance of your tour.

BTS must receive written notification of cancellation. The date such notification is received by BTS will determine the applicable cancellation penalties. The following cancellation penalties apply:

  • More than 90 days prior to participant's scheduled tour date, 100% of paid contracted tour amount will be refunded by BST.
  • From 21-90 days prior to participant's scheduled tour date, 50% of paid contracted tour amount less any costs associated with ground transportation will be refunded by BST.
  • From 14- 21 days to scheduled day of participant's tour date 25% of paid contracted tour amount less any costs associated with ground transportation will be refunded by BST.
  • Any cancellation of tours less than 14 days prior to participant's scheduled tour date, no refunds will be issued will be refunded by BST.
  • For tours requiring use of a third-party vehicle, no refunds are available if the notice given conflicts with the third-party cancellation policy.

Tipping is by no means a requirement or expectation for anyone on our team. If you had a great tour and enjoyed the service that your guide provided then leaving a tip is always greatly appreciated. This can be done with cash, Venmo or added to your invoice.

Tours run year round. Select the date on our reservations calendar and a tour representative will respond to confirm the date and time you prefer is available.

This is New England. We are a hearty bunch and will go out in all kinds of weather. If it rains, we can spend more time inside of attractions and dodge the puddles while using an umbrella. Flexibility is the name of the game! We reserve the right to cancel any tour if the weather conditions are determined to be unsafe.

To book a private tour for up to 6 people you can book online or call us at 866-817-TOUR. To book a tour for a larger group contact us by email or telephone. Please note that as we are often out giving tours, phone calls are returned in the late afternoons or evenings.

Yes! We offer virtual gift cards for any amount which can be sent to you or directly to the recipient. Simply click here.

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