Touring Boston by Bus

Nothing is more fun for a child, or anyone for that matter, than to ride in a trolley. The Beantown Trolley Tour and Harbor Cruise is a great way for a family to tour Boston. The tour is narrated and if you choose not to disembark at any of their stops, the tour lasts approximately two hours. If you choose, however, you can hop off the trolley at any of the points of interest stops to look around at your leisure. At every designated stop a trolley will pull up in 20 minute intervals which gives you as much time in any one spot as you would like. There are 20 stops in all with over 100 points of interest, and you have the option to spend as much or as little time at each. The first tour begins at 9:30 am and the last departure time is 4:30 pm. After the trolley your tour continues with the harbor cruise, which is available only May through October.

If you plan on staying at a qualifying hotel, the trolley will pick you and your family up from there free of charge if you use the 9:30 am departure time only. Rates are available for same day tours for $35.95 per adult ages 12 and up. However, if you know you are visiting Boston ahead of time, you can order your tickets on line and save $5.00 off each adult ticket. Rates for children ages 5-11 are $11.95 and children under 5 are free, however they must sit on an adult's lap. You can reserve your tickets online or by calling 1-800-301-3239. If you purchase tickets on line you can print them out. You must have your E-ticket to board, otherwise you will be charged again with no refunds. All sales are final, no refunds. There is a one time $3.95 processing fee to order no matter how many tickets you purchase.

The red Beantown Trolley takes you to Beacon Hill, Newbury Street, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Bunker Hill Pavilion and plenty more. Each stop has anywhere from 3 to 8 or more places of interest, which include the New England Aquarium, Federal Courthouse, Paul Revere House, Old South Church, Site of the Boston Massacre, Wilbur Theater, Cheers (a must see for you fans!), Boston Public Library and the Computer Museum, just to name a few.

These are just a few of the participating hotels where the trolley stops for pickup: Adams Inn (Best Western Quincy), Back Bay Hilton, Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston Park Plaza, Four Seasons, Holiday Inn Express Dorchester. For a complete listing of hotels or further information visit www.bostontours.us.

Another great way to see Boston is to take the Boston Duck Tour. You will be riding in an authentic World War II amphibious landing vehicle, which not only travels on land, but also takes a dip into the Charles River and continues the tour from there! The entire tour lasts approximately 80 minutes. You will meet your guide and he or she will narrate your adventure as you pass by the State House, Bunker Hill, the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston Common, Copley Square, Quincy Market and the Prudential Tower, just to name a few. Then, you will be driven into the Charles River and see a great view of Boston and Cambridge Skyline. The river portion lasts about 20 minutes.

Some facts to know, there is no hotel pickup. Adult ticket rate is $34.95, senior (ages 62+) and Military (id required) rate is $30.95, children 3-11 $25.95 and children under 3 is $6.95. All children require a ticket, regardless of age, as stated. Tickets can be reserved on line or by calling 1-800-301-3239. There are no refunds and all sales are final. However, if there is bad weather, the Duck may not venture into the water. In that circumstance half the ticket price will be refunded to you per person upon request. The Ducks are wheelchair accessible. As a reminder, you cannot leave the Duck at any time during the 80 minute non-stop tour. Tipping is not mandatory but if you enjoyed your tour guide, show him or her your appreciation! You will not get wet while on the water portion of the tour but if there are high winds, you may get a spray up from the river. The Ducks are heated and enclosed with a canopy. The tour runs rain or shine. Seating is on a first come, first seat choice basis. Most Ducks have a section of outdoor seating so if you want one of those, it is recommended to get there at least a half hour ahead of the scheduled departure times. Strollers are not permitted on the tour and will be housed at the guest service center until your tour is over.

The Boston Total Experience Tour is a 7 hour bus tour which takes you into the historic countryside towns of Lexington, Cambridge and Concord. You'll hear all about Paul Revere's route, you'll see the homes of Hawthorne, Alcott and Emerson. You'll stop at Fanueil Hall, Quincy Marketplace in Boston and have time for lunch and shopping, too. This tour is also narrated as you learn the history of Boston. There are 20 stops in all including Harvard Yard, Lexington Green and North Bridge. Each stop can take anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes. During the afternoon you can hop on and off during the trolley tour at any of the stops.

Adult tickets (ages 6 and up) are $65.95 but here again you can save $5.00 on each adult ticket if you purchase them on-line. Children (ages 5-11) tickets cost $33.95 and children under 5 years of age to ride are free of charge but must sit on an adult's lap. Your tour starts with pickup at your hotel if you stay at one of the participating hotels. You can visit their website for a full listing of hotels, which include the Sheraton Boston, Marriott Quincy, and Transportation Center, just to name a few. Reservations are recommended. There is a $3.95 processing fee per order. There are no refunds and all sales are final.

There is a lot of great history in Boston. No matter which bus tour you decide to take i'm sure it will be a great experience for the entire family.