The best Boston trolley tours

Look for the bright orange and green trolleys to see the city on your own schedule with this hop-on-hop-off tour featuring 18 stops. The tour covers all the major neighborhoods and sights, including four exclusive stops: the historic North End, North Station, Boston Convention & Exposition Center, and the Seaport District. Guides are knowledgeable and entertaining. Choose a two-day ticket to have even more time to explore. One- and two-day tickets include free admission to the Old State House and discounts on other admissions.

If you’ve had your fill of history, explore the spooky side of Boston with Ghosts and Gravestones. On the 90-minute Trolley of the Doomed tour, you’ll hear tales of the Boston Strangler, murders and executions that took place on the Boston Common, and paranormal activity at the Omni Parker House. Most of the tour is aboard the trolley, but you’ll also walk through two of the oldest burial grounds in the city and visit the site of a notorious grave-robbing scandal. It’s not for little kiddies or the easily spooked. 

Another hop-on-hop-off option, the CityView Trolley Tour features nine stops, including the New England Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Boston Common, and South Station. Drivers narrate along the way. Stops are convenient for shopping or grabbing a bite to eat. Seasonally, you can add a harbor cruise for a small additional fee. 

Stay off your feet and enjoy a three hour guided tour with the Beantown Trolley. Informative guides narrate the tour as you pass the highlights, including Beacon Hill, Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and the New England Aquarium. There are three stops for photos along the way, at Copley Square, Fenway Park, and the USS Constitution. (A harbor cruise tour can be added for an additional fee.) 

This unique trolley tour explores Boston’s historic underworld. You’ll learn about heists, mobster hangouts, infamous thieves, sinister local lore, and general Boston mayhem. More entertaining than scary, it’s a fun tour for groups of friends and family. After touring around in the shadows, you’ll enjoy a traditional New England lobster dinner at a waterfront restaurant.