Boston Harborwalk: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Uncover the secrets of the American Revolution and Boston’s storied past on a self-guided audio walking tour along the scenic Harborwalk. Lifetime validity, no expiration!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • South Station - Our historic tour begins at one of Boston’s most underappreciated marvels of architecture: South Station. We’ll take a moment to analyze the enormous eagle and clock dominating the facade.

Note: This 1+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Harborwalk and Tea party in 1-1.5 hours.

  • Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum - As we walk along Boston’s Harborwalk, we’ll look out across the water for a glimpse of an actual blast from the past: a colonial ship packed with tea crates! We’ll learn about the events of Boston’s Tea Party but we’ll also dive deeper: what really caused this riot? Why were taxes so high? What did a far-away international war have to do with the price of tea in Boston?
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - Right across the street, we’ll find a stunning example of modern architecture with the Federal Reserve. As we walk past, we’ll learn the intriguing stories behind the bland name.
  • Atlantic Wharf - At Russia Wharf, we’re officially at the start of our Harborwalk journey and our trip into the past. We’ll learn about the booming international trade during the colonial era…. the foundation which would later lead to the epic Boston Tea Party.
  • Harbor Towers - The Brutalist-style Harbor Towers are unmissable. Brutalism was all the rage in the 1970s. Today, the style polarizes observers. Some people see a kind of strange beauty in the sparse, overbearing structures. Others see, well, just plain ugly buildings! These days, you can always identify the style anywhere by its grim, fortress-like appearance. We’ll learn about the towers, Boston’s struggle between affordable and luxury living, and one of the city’s most ambitious projects: cleaning up this very harbor.
  • Rowes Wharf - Our journey brings us to Rowe’s Wharf — named for one of the tea smugglers who encouraged the “Tea Party”! We’ll learn about John Rowe and his adventures with the law as we walk through.
  • The Marina at Rowes Wharf - The Harbor Hotel is a stunning piece of architecture, blending modern and colonial styles seamlessly. Its 80-foot copper dome contains a glass cupola. If you walk to the center of the archway and look straight up, you can see all the through the top of the dome to the glass cupola above.
  • Long Wharf - Our tour along the scenic Harborwalk ends at one of Boston’s most historic spots: Long Wharf. From colonial battles against the British to modern crowds of tourists, this Wharf remains a Boston hotspot. Enjoy the views and history as we conclude our story at this scenic stop.
  • New England Aquarium - We’re now approaching a popular stop in Boston and along the Harborwalk: the Aquarium! This huge attraction is partially built over the Harbor, allowing the aquarium access to the natural environment of Boston’s Harbor.
  • Boston Harborwalk - The Harborwalk is 43 miles long, but we’ll focus on the historic Waterfront District from South Station to Long Wharf. That’s only about 1 mile. We’ll cover everything from the Boston Tea Party to the newest skyscrapers along the shore.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

This is not a ticket to attractions along the route.

Immerse yourself in the stories of the American Revolution, Boston Tea Party, and Sons of Liberty as you stroll along Boston’s scenic Harborwalk! With this self-guided audio tour, unearth tales of rebellion, sabotage, and intrigue surrounding the Founding Fathers. As you walk, discover Boston’s historical and storied past while enjoying its beautiful harbor views between South Station and Long Wharf.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
South Station
Atlantic Avenue
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(13 Ratings)
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1 star
Guy_f
May 12, 2024
Interesting and Educational Interactive Tour - Easy to load and use the app. GPS assures that tour aligns with the user’s location. Narration was interesting and educational. Using the app was far better than walking aimlessly through the city. I’ll be sure to look up additional tours when I’m touring other cities. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Evan_b
Apr 1, 2024
Great afternoon walk! - I really enjoyed this GPS audio tour. Basically, you will along a Google Maps-like app to tour around the Seaport area of Boston. As you walk to the different stops, the app uses GPS to play the information about what you are seeing. The narrator was very engaging and funny. The tour was a good length and was very interesting. The sites were great and it was a beautiful and fun afternoon!
Review provided by Viator
Patty_o
Jun 17, 2023
Self paced, informative, just the right amount of information. - Great information about the Boston Tea party. Loved learning about the expensive rentals and hotel rates!
Review provided by Viator
Fred152
Mar 25, 2023
Learning while strolling - This self-guided tour is clear, concise, and interesting. I like the way it has each stop be a relatively quick overview, while at perhaps half of them, adding another 1-3 items for optional, more detailed, topics.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelly_s
Dec 30, 2022
Use earbuds - Here visiting family and found this tour and thought it would be a great opportunity. Very informative and instructive. Just remember to bring your earbuds as it’s easier to listen to.
Review provided by Viator
Emma_h
Jul 17, 2022
Great history thank you... - Great history thank you for the information as I had just movie knowledge before my visit this past weekend
Review provided by Viator
494mereditht
Jun 5, 2022
Do this first to get your visit to Boston off on the right foot - Great self guided tour. Take this tour first - it gives you some highlights you can choose to see later during your time in Boston. If you have multiple people in your group, make sure everyone has their own phone to listen to the information. Also make sure your phone is fully charged or bring a portable charger. I had some time to kill on a business trip before my flight and this was perfect to see some sights, stretch my legs and learn about some history, architecture and enjoy the beautiful harbor. Wish I’d had time to see the Tea Party museum and the aquarium. But now I know to see those places next time I’m in Boston. Thanks for a great tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nick_c
May 23, 2022
Great experience - I love these audio tours! I can go at my own pace along the tour. It was very informative and lots of little known facts.
Review provided by Viator
Shrey_k
Apr 1, 2022
Quick and informative tour. - If you are looking for a holistic view and are short on time then, this is the best tour. Very informative walking tour.
Review provided by Viator
Sarahco8516jl
Apr 12, 2022
Good self walking tour - A good alternative tour around Boston harbour. The app works well. Very informative. Really enjoyed it and recommend it. We couldn’t get tickets for the Boston Tea Party museum so chose to do this instead.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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