Walking Tour activities in New England
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NPS Freedom Trail Tour
Show up at least 30 minutes early to snag a spot on one of the free, ranger-led Freedom Trail tours provided by the National Park Service. Tours depart from the visitor center in Faneuil Hall, and follow a portion of the Freedom Trail (not including Charlestown), for a total of 90 minutes. Each tour is limited to 30 people.
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Greater Portland Landmarks
Greater Portland Landmarks offers 1½-hour walking tours of the city. It’s a sprightly trip that’ll provide you with an interesting overview of the city’s history as you make your way around the Old Port, Eastern and Western Promenades, and the Portland Head Light. Trips depart at 10:30am in front of the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland. They also offer a tour of the historic Eastern Cemetery and of Portland’s 19th-century homes (each offered once a week).
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Office of Admissions, Smith College
While most will be very pleased with themselves after a stroll around Paradise Pond with its pretty Japanese tea hut, ambitious others might consider taking a guided campus tour arranged by the Office of Admissions.
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Harvard Tour
This company was founded by a couple of Harvard students who shared the inside scoop on history and student life at The University. Now the company offers a whole menu of Boston tours, but the funny, offbeat Harvard Tour – still led by students – is the trademark. Tours depart from the Cambridge Visitor Information Kiosk in Harvard Sq; see the website for schedule details.
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North End Market Tour
A three-hour tour around the North End that includes shopping in a salumeria, sampling pastries at the local pasticceria, smelling the herbs and spices that flavor Italian cooking, and sampling spirits at an enoteca (wine bar). Guests have the opportunity to chat with local shopkeepers and other long-time North End residents to reminisce about eating and living in this food-rich neighborhood.
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Old Boston Original Secret Tour
Spend two hours on this excellent walking tour and learn all the sordid secrets about the North End, one of Boston's oldest and most enigmatic neighborhoods. Strange and startling stories focus on the influence of the various immigrant groups, including 'secret tunnels, anarchists and hidden loot.' Are you intrigued yet?
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Boston by Foot
This fantastic nonprofit offers 90-minute walking tours, with specialty theme tours like Literary Landmarks, Boston Underfoot (with highlights from the Big Dig and the T) and Boston for Little Feet – a kid-friendly version of the Freedom Trail.
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On Location Tours
It’s not Hollywood, but Boston has hosted its share of famous movie scenes. More than 30 films were shot along Boston’s Movie Mile, which you will see along this 90-minute walking tour. For even more movie madness, the company offers a three-hour bus tour that visits 40-plus sites.
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New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center
Offers free walking tours three times a day in July and August. Or pick up a map of Herman Melville’s New Bedford.
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Captain’s Walk
A well-laid-out walking tour starts along the restored pedestrian mall called the Captain’s Walk.
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Concord Walking Tours
The Chamber of Commerce offers tours of both revolutionary and literary Concord. Tours depart from the visitors center.
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Photo Walks
A walking tour combined with a photography lesson. Different routes cover Boston's most photogenic neighborhoods.
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Freedom Trail Foundation
This educational nonprofit group leads excellent tours of the Freedom Trail, broken up into bite-size portions (eg Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, North End, etc). Frequent departures from Faneuil Hall and Boston Common make this a convenient option. Tour guides are in period costume, for whatever that's worth.
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Boston Chocolate Tours
If you believe that 'the best things in life are chocolate,' then pick a neighborhood and let the experts show you where you can sate your craving.
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Black Heritage Trail
This free 1.6-mile walking tour explores the history of the abolitionist movement and African American settlement on Beacon Hill. The NPS conducts guided tours, but maps and descriptions for self-guided tours are available at the Museum of Afro-American History. Departs from the Robert Gould Shaw memorial.
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