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Boston Harbor

Boston Harbor: Our most recommended tours and activities

Boston: Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

1. Boston: Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

Go whale watching off the coast of Boston on a comfortable, high-speed catamaran with maximized outdoor and indoor viewing capacity. Look out for humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as white-sided dolphins on this adventure cruise. Benefit from the best-guided experience, with professional researchers from the Whale Center of New England, the region's foremost authority on whale populations, on-hand to provide you with expert commentary. After you find your crew at the dock, board the high-speed catamaran that offers the fastest, most comfortable way to explore the Atlantic.  Make the most of the 3 outside viewing decks, climate-controlled cabin space with cushioned seating, tables, state-of-the-art sound and video systems, and a galley offering snacks and beverages for purchase. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for:  Humpback whales The humpback’s name comes from the way its back arches out of the water when preparing for a deep dive. “Megaptera” is its true scientific name, which means “large-winged,” in reference to its long flippers. Finback whales Finbacks are second only to Blue Whales in overall size, measuring in at 45-70 feet in length and weighing approximately 40 tons as full-grown adults. Minke whales A sleek, small dolphin-like baleen whale, Minkes are the most abundant whale in the world today with a population numbering well over 1 million worldwide. White-sided dolphins Found only in the North Atlantic, in waters just south of New England and north to Norway, these playful mammals feed on single prey such as squid, unlike whales, who feast on large numbers of small fish.

Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour

2. Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour

Enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour aboard Boston’s charming orange and green Old Town Trolley and visit more than 100 points of interest in the city at your own pace. Enjoy the freedom to hop on or off all day and discover sights like the Boston State House, Liberty Wharf, and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Take in double-decker height views while protected from the elements. The comfortable enclosed trolleys allow you to experience elevated viewing come rain, snow, or shine. Choose between 1-day and 2-day ticket options with free unlimited re-boarding. The Boston Trolley tour covers all the major areas including downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the theater district, and the waterfront. Conductors narrate the tour, offering a fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. There are 14 stops conveniently located close to over 100 points of interest in Boston, these are: • Stop 1: New England Aquarium/Faneuil Hall Marketplace • Stop 2: Historic North End • Stop 3: USS Constitution/Charlestown Navy Yard • Stop 4: North Station/TD Bank Garden • Stop 5: Old State House * Stop 6: Beacon Hill/Antique Row • Stop 7: Cheers Bar "The Original" • Stop 8: Prudential Center/Skywalk Observatory (Currently closed due to construction) • Stop 9: Christian Science Plaza/Symphony Hall • Stop 10: Copley Place Shopping Galleries • Stop 11: Copley Square/Trinity Church • Stop 12: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center • Stop 13: Boston State House/ Boston Common/Beacon Hill • Stop 14: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (discounted admission included)

Boston: Historical Sightseeing Cruise

3. Boston: Historical Sightseeing Cruise

Board a sightseeing cruise in Boston and take a tour around Boston Harbor. Experience breathtaking views, refreshing sea breezes, and vividly told stories of Boston's past and present as you admire the city's sights from the water. Depart from Long Wharf, then Cruise past the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned US Navy warship afloat today, marvel at the Bunker Hill Monument, and catch a glimpse of the fabled Old North End Church steeple. Hear heroic tales told by expert narrators and learn about local legends from the Revolutionary War. You'll also discover how the harbor was transformed into one of the cleanest waterways in the country. Enjoy the best view no matter the weather, with spacious outdoor viewing decks when the weather is fine, and indoor spaces with large windows if you want to be indoors. Onboard refreshments and snacks are also available for purchase.

Provincetown: Whale Watching Cruise in Cape Cod with a Guide

4. Provincetown: Whale Watching Cruise in Cape Cod with a Guide

Immerse yourself in the wildlife of Cape Cod on this beautiful and intellectually enriching guided cruise through the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Departing from Provincetown, embark from the closest port to the sanctuary, cutting down on the journey time and increasing your time viewing the abundant whales and marine life. This unique whale watching experience offers a wide spectrum of educational tools, which are specifically designed to enhance your awareness of whales, other marine life, and the marine habitat that surrounds you. The goal is to have each passenger depart the cruise with a greater understanding and appreciation of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the wealth of life it supports.

Boston Harbor: Fall Foliage Luncheon Cruise

5. Boston Harbor: Fall Foliage Luncheon Cruise

Step aboard your yacht and settle into a seat in the climate-controlled observation cabin or on the open top deck. Once your captain has the vessel underway, you are welcome to move around the boat and get your hands on a beverage from the bar.  As part of your ticket, enjoy a gourmet buffet-style lunch. Our menu can vary, but there will be several entrees and sides that may include seasonal meat dishes, pasta, salad, and dessert. This cruise is excellent for families, friends exploring Boston and surrounding areas, and visitors or locals looking for a unique and relaxing afternoon adventure. Join the people that are drawn to New England every year thanks to its vibrant foliage. Capture the unique colors of fall on the Boston Harbor Islands while hearing stories about pirates and ghosts that haunt the islands. Find out how the islands have played an integral role in fortifying Boston in every war from the Revolutionary War until World War II. 

Boston: Sunset Skyline Cruise with Commentary

6. Boston: Sunset Skyline Cruise with Commentary

Admire the Boston skyline from the water on a relaxing sunset cruise. Learn about the city's iconic sights with commentary on board and watch the sun dip behind the city, painting it in bright orange hues. Watch and listen as the USS Constitution fires her cannon at sun down, witnessing a ceremonious moment to mark the end of another day. On this cruise, be introduced to all the history, sights, and lore that Boston Harbor has to offer. Plus, be on hand to witness the USS Constitution's sunset serenade as she fires her cannon and lowers her flag ceremoniously, signaling the day's end.

From New York City: Boston and the Freedom Trail Day Trip

7. From New York City: Boston and the Freedom Trail Day Trip

Depart New York along the Eastern Coast through Connecticut to Massachusetts and to its capital, Boston. Your first stop is the city of Cambridge where will find one of the most famous and most prestigious universities in the world: Harvard. The tour starts with a walk in Harvard Yard; the oldest academic ground in America. See Widener library, then rub the shoe of John Harvard for good luck. Continue to a panoramic tour passing by City Hall, MIT and Cambridge College. Then cross the Charles River and arrive in the center of the intellectual capital of the country. Visit Copley Square, home to beautiful Trinity church. Next up is a walk along the Freedom Trail through Boston Common Park. Break for lunch at Quincy Market, and try the world famous Clam Chowder or a lobster roll. After lunch, visit the site of the famous Tea Party and the navy ship Constitution. In the late afternoon, depart southwest for an evening arrival in New York.

Boston Harbor Fall Foliage Weekend Brunch Cruise

8. Boston Harbor Fall Foliage Weekend Brunch Cruise

Capture the unique colors of fall on the Boston Harbor Islands while hearing stories about pirates and ghosts that haunt the islands. Find out how the islands have played an integral role in fortifying Boston in every war from the Revolutionary War until World War II.  Enjoy panoramic views of Boston Harbor with the decorative colors of fall and see historic sites along the harbor. Keep an eye out for harbor seals in early spring and fall, cormorants, ospreys, egrets, blue herons, oystercatchers, and other wildlife. Enjoy a brunch freshly made by the onboard chef. Menu items may vary but typically include: • Selection of Pastries • Yogurt • Seasonal Fruit • Bagels • Potatoes • Breakfast Meats • Eggs

Boston: Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

9. Boston: Harbor Sunset Yacht Cruise

Embark on a sunset yacht tour of Boston Harbor. Step aboard the classic Northern Lights yacht, a coast guard certified vessel with a captain and crew. The motor yacht Northern Lights is stylized after the classic New England 1920s-style steamships. Sit back and relax in a climate-controlled (with heating and air-conditioning) cabin, or enjoy the sea breeze on the open-top deck. Be sure to visit a fully stocked bar on the main deck to purchase refreshments by credit card, to sip refreshing drinks as you cruise along the harbor. The Northern Lights yacht is one of the most comfortable and versatile cruise vessels in Boston Harbor, at 115 feet in length it features six bathrooms and provides ample seating throughout the ship for up to 149 passengers. Built for taking groups of people on spectacular sightseeing adventures, she is the perfect vessel for taking groups of friends and family out to see the harbor.

Boston: Afternoon Sailing Trip Around Boston Harbor

10. Boston: Afternoon Sailing Trip Around Boston Harbor

Embark on a scenic sailing trip on board an authentic tall ship in Boston Harbor. Sailing offers a great family-friendly way to see Boston from a new viewpoint. Choose between a 1.5-hour sail on the Liberty Star or a 2-hour sail on the Liberty Clipper. Hop on board and be transported back to the time when the tall ships would come in from the Old World. You can help set the sails, take the wheel, or sit back and enjoy the passing scenery of the Boston Harbor and the surrounding islands with the city skyline as a backdrop. The Liberty Clipper is a 125-foot gaff-rigged schooner designed after early American privateers. There is a cash-only bar on the ship with beer, wine, mixed drinks, sodas, bottled water, and snacks available. The Liberty Star is another gaff-rigged schooner modeled after 19th-century vessels that were once known for their speed and agility. The vessel offers a similar taste of what it was like to sail the magnificent ships that were once a common sight in every port. 

Available activities

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Other Sightseeing Options in Boston Harbor

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What people are saying about Boston Harbor

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 5,259 reviews

Our harbor tour was great! The weather was working with us during our hour tour. Seeing Boston from the harbor was wonderful. Give you a different perspective. Plus, the guide was very good. Easy to hear, funny and very informative. I would highly recommend the tour.

The 2 tour bus drivers we had the pleasure of travelling with were incredibly entertaining as well as full of fun facts, I wish I could remember their names!

The overall experience was very enjoyable. The boat that we went out in was in excellent condition and was well staffed with a courteous crew.

Perfect day. Great way to view and understand a bit more about Boston. Thanks

We loved the time we spent with Janet. She was warm and knowledgeable.