The Freedom Trail tour in Boston comes in two forms online on WizardTrip. The first is a 2.5-hour walk in a small group. The second is a 1-hour-20-minute Duck Boat tour, an amphibious vehicle that drives into the Charles River.
The walk has 8,262 reviews, rated 4.9 out of 5. The Duck Boat has 10,129 reviews, rated 4.6 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026). This article compares the route, the departure point, the language, accessibility and cancellation, then says which one to choose depending on your time and mobility.
Freedom Trail tour in Boston: what you need to know
The Freedom Trail is a pedestrian path paved with bricks. It links 16 historic sites of the American Revolution. The walk follows the sixteen official landmarks and focuses on the years 1760 to 1775. The Duck Boat passes several of these sites, including Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House, but without stopping at them.
Freedom Trail on foot in a small group: 2.5 hours from Boston Common to Copp’s Hill
The meeting point is the Boston Foundation Monument, in Boston Common, on the northern edge of the park, opposite 50 Beacon Street. This granite monument bears a bronze bas-relief of two men shaking hands. The group has 16 people at most.
The longest stops last 20 minutes. They take place at Boston Common, the Granary Burying Ground, the Boston Massacre site and in front of the Paul Revere statue. The Massachusetts State House, King’s Chapel and the Old North Church are seen without stopping. Laurie writes in October 2026: “It was nice that our group wasn’t too big.”
The tour ends at Copp’s Hill Terrace, in the North End, with a view of Boston Harbor. Hanover Street, with its Italian restaurants, bakeries and pizzerias, is nearby. Across the Charles River, the listing mentions the U.S.S. Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument, but exploring Charlestown is not included. An October 2026 review places this end point about 1.5 miles from the start.
The base price excludes museum admission. Three options add a museum pass, for self-guided visits. It is valid for 7 days after the tour. It covers one site (the Old North Church, with crypt access), three sites or five sites. The five sites include the Paul Revere House and King’s Chapel.
Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour4.9(8,276 reviews)From €35From€35View activityBoston by Duck Boat: 1 hour 20 minutes, including 20 minutes on the Charles
The Duck Boat is a renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle. A guide called a “ConDUCKtor” gives live commentary on the route. The tour lasts 1 hour 20 minutes, including 20 minutes on the Charles River. From the water, the view takes in the Boston and Cambridge skylines.
On land, the route passes the Boston Public Garden, Boston Common and the Boston Public Library without stopping. It also goes by the Old State House, the Massachusetts State House, Newbury Street, Copley Place and the TD Garden. Shubha, who had only one day in Boston, writes in September 2026: “it was a perfect tour for us.”
There are three departure points: the Prudential Center, the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science. Their addresses are 53 Huntington Avenue, 1 Central Wharf and 1 Science Park. You choose at checkout, and the Duck Boat returns to its starting point. At the Museum of Science, departures run every half hour or every hour depending on the season, starting at 9 am.
On the day of the tour, exchange your voucher at one of the Duck Boat kiosks, 30 minutes before the scheduled time. The narration app offers Spanish, German, Mandarin, French, Japanese, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean and Cantonese. It requires a mobile connection and your own headphones. A note in the listing, however, limits these audio guides to the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science: check before booking. Tips, hotel transfer and headphones are not included.
The two Boston tours compared
| Freedom Trail on foot | Duck Boat with cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 1 hour 20 minutes, including 20 minutes on the Charles River |
| Starting point | Boston Foundation Monument, in Boston Common | Prudential Center, New England Aquarium or Museum of Science, your choice |
| End of the tour | Copp’s Hill Terrace, in the North End | Return to the starting point |
| Route | 16 Freedom Trail landmarks, stops of 10 to 20 minutes | Sites seen without stopping, then into the Charles |
| Group size | 16 people at most | 30 people at most |
| Guide language | English | English, app in 9 languages including French |
| Options | Museum pass for 1, 3 or 5 sites | Choice of starting point |
| Wheelchair | Accessible, all surfaces on the route | Adapted vehicles, call after booking |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before | Full refund up to 24 hours before |
| Price from | $39 | $62 |
Are these tours suitable for children and wheelchairs?
On foot, the listing states that the tour is wheelchair accessible, across all areas and surfaces on the route. Strollers and service animals are accepted. The listing doesn’t recommend the walk in case of a spinal injury, a cardiovascular problem or difficulty standing for long periods.
The Duck Boat suits all fitness levels and also accepts strollers and service animals. For a wheelchair, call the organizer right after booking: it reserves three additional seats. The listing names adapted vehicles at the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science, while another line mentions all three departure points. Neither listing sets a minimum age.
What happens if it rains or you need to cancel?
The walk takes place in light rain. It can be canceled in extreme weather, or if the number of participants is insufficient. When the organizer cancels because of the weather, the listing promises a refund or a reschedule. Dress in layers.
The Duck Boat runs in most weather conditions, with a possible cancellation in extreme weather. For both tours, a full refund requires canceling at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which one should you choose in Boston?
- You want to follow the 16 Freedom Trail landmarks with a guide: the small-group walk, 2.5 hours.
- You have only a few hours: the Duck Boat, 1 hour 20 minutes in total.
- You want to go inside the historic sites: the walk with a museum pass for 1, 3 or 5 sites.
- You prefer commentary in French: the Duck Boat and its app, depending on the departure point.
- You travel by wheelchair: both listings accept it, the Duck Boat after a call to the organizer.
For the rest of your stay, the city’s tours, cruises and excursions are gathered on the Things to do in Boston page. More travel ideas in the country are on the United States page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Freedom Trail tour in Boston last?
On foot, in a small group, the Freedom Trail tour lasts 2.5 hours, from Boston Common to Copp’s Hill Terrace, in the North End. By Duck Boat, the narrated tour lasts 1 hour 20 minutes, including 20 minutes on the Charles River.
Is the Freedom Trail tour in Boston offered in French?
The walking tour is guided in English only. The Duck Boat has live commentary in English. A narration app in French can be downloaded to your phone; it requires a mobile connection and your headphones. A note in the listing limits these audio guides to departures from the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science.
Where do the Duck Boats in Boston depart from?
Three departure points are offered: the Prudential Center, the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science. Their addresses: 53 Huntington Avenue, 1 Central Wharf and 1 Science Park. You choose the location at checkout, and the Duck Boat returns to its starting point.
How many people take part in these tours?
The Freedom Trail walking tour brings together 16 people at most. The Duck Boat takes a group of 30 people at most, according to the listing. On both tours, the guide speaks English, and the Duck Boat adds a narration app in several languages.
What happens if it rains during the Freedom Trail tour?
The walking tour takes place in light rain and can be canceled in extreme weather. The Duck Boat runs in most weather conditions, with a possible cancellation in extreme weather. A full refund requires canceling at least 24 hours before departure.
Is the Boston Duck Boat wheelchair accessible?
Yes, adapted vehicles exist, but you need to call the organizer right after booking: it must reserve three additional seats for the wheelchair. The listing names departures from the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science, and elsewhere all three departure points.
Activities mentioned in this guide
All activities in Boston, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Boston
