Uncover the shadowy past of Boston through an immersive 90-minute walking tour. Led by passionate guides, this captivating experience delves into the city’s darker chapters, from tales of crime and scandal to the supernatural. Explore the hidden history that lurks beneath the surface, uncovering stories of the Boston Strangler and the Great Molasses Flood. With a maximum group size of 25 and accessibility for all, this tour offers a unique glimpse into the city’s rich, yet unsettling legacy. Prepare to be enthralled as you discover the alluring, yet unsettling, side of Boston’s history.
About Your Stay
- Explore Boston’s hidden history through a 90-minute walking tour focusing on tales of crime, scandal, and the supernatural.
- Led by passionate guides, the tour offers an immersive experience into the city’s darker narratives.
- Accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and service animals, ensuring an inclusive experience.
- Moderate physical fitness level required, with a maximum group size of 25 for personalized exploration.
- Positive traveler feedback highlights the tour’s engaging content and knowledgeable guides.
Tour Overview
The Dark Side of Boston is a 90-minute walking tour that takes visitors on an exploration of the city’s hidden history and unsavory past.
Led by passionate, well-trained guides, the tour takes small groups of no more than 25 travelers through the streets of Boston, sharing intriguing stories and shedding light on the city’s darker chapters.
Offering a moderate level of physical activity, the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are welcome.
With a 4.8-star overall rating from 4 reviews, this tour promises an engaging and informative experience for those interested in discovering the lesser-known side of Boston’s history.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Boston.
Meeting and End Points
The meeting point for the Dark Side of Boston tour is Hanover Street and Cross Street in Boston, MA 02109, where visitors will gather at the statue of boxer Tony DeMarco.
From this starting point, the 90-minute walking tour will take guests through the streets of Boston, eventually ending at Hull Street and Salem Street in the North End.
The tour’s endpoint is just a short distance from the meeting location, making it convenient for participants to explore the city further on their own after the tour concludes.
The tour’s route is designed to provide an immersive experience, delving into Boston’s darker historical narratives along the way.
Tour Features
Passionate, well-trained guides lead The Dark Side of Boston tour, providing an immersive experience as they explore the city’s darker historical narratives.
The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, catering to a range of mobility needs. Service animals are welcome, ensuring an inclusive experience.
Participants should maintain a moderate level of physical fitness, as the tour involves walking through the streets of Boston.
With a maximum group size of 25 travelers, the experience offers an intimate and personalized exploration of the city’s shadier past.
Booking Information
Travelers can receive confirmation of their booking at the time of purchase for The Dark Side of Boston tour.
This 90-minute walking tour explores the city’s dark history, led by passionate and well-trained guides. With a maximum group size of 25 travelers, the tour is accessible to individuals with wheelchairs or strollers, and service animals are welcomed.
Guests should have a moderate level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the experience. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, The Dark Side of Boston tour promises an immersive and informative look into the city’s lesser-known stories and landmarks.
Traveler Feedback
Reviews for The Dark Side of Boston tour have been overwhelmingly positive, with all 4 reviews rating the experience 5 stars on both Viator and Tripadvisor.
One reviewer, Silvana_G, praised the "interesting stories about Boston’s history while walking through its streets."
Travelers have highlighted the knowledgeable and passionate guides, as well as the moderate physical fitness level required, making the tour accessible to a wide range of visitors.
The tour’s features, such as being wheelchair and stroller accessible, and allowing service animals, have also contributed to its positive reception among reviewers.
- Knowledgeable and passionate guides
- Moderate physical fitness level required
- Accessible to a wide range of visitors
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Exploring Boston’s Dark History
On the "Dark Side of Boston" tour, participants explore the city’s shadowy past, uncovering tales of crime, scandal, and the supernatural.
From the notorious Boston Strangler murders to the haunted Omni Parker House Hotel, the tour guides shed light on Boston’s darker moments. Visitors learn about the city’s bootlegging history, the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, and the grisly fate of the infamous swindler Charles Ponzi.
The tour also explores the eerie legend of the Ghost of the Old Corner Bookstore.
Practical Tips for the Tour
For the "Dark Side of Boston" tour, participants should plan to arrive a bit early at the designated meeting point on Hanover Street and Cross Street. The tour is limited to a maximum of 25 travelers, so punctuality is key.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as the tour covers approximately 1.5 miles through the streets of Boston.
The tour is accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers, and service animals are welcome. Participants should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, as the tour involves walking at a steady pace.
- Bring water and snacks, as the tour doesn’t include any stops for refreshments.
- Dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour runs rain or shine.
- Review the meeting and end points to ensure a seamless start and finish to the experience.
Questions About Your Stay
What Types of Dark Historical Events Will Be Covered?
The tour covers the city’s dark historical events, such as crimes, murders, and other unpleasant aspects of Boston’s past. It provides an informative and engaging look at the gritty side of the city’s history.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?
The tour does not have any age restrictions, as it is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Participants of all ages can join the tour, as long as they have the required moderate physical fitness level.
Can Participants Take Photos During the Tour?
Participants are generally allowed to take photos during the tour. However, guides may request that photos not be taken in certain sensitive areas or during portions of the tour. Checking with the guide is recommended to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.
Is the Tour Offered in Languages Other Than English?
The tour is offered in English only. The website and booking information do not indicate any other language options are available for this walking tour of Boston’s history.
Is There a Discount for Group Bookings?
The tour doesn’t mention any discounts for group bookings. However, the maximum group size is 25 travelers, so larger groups may be able to negotiate a group rate directly with the tour operator.
Final Verdict On This Stay
The "Dark Side of Boston" walking tour provides a captivating glimpse into the city’s shadier past. Guided by passionate storytellers, this 90-minute experience explores Boston’s hidden history of crime, scandal, and the supernatural. With a small group size and accessibility features, the tour offers an immersive and informative way to uncover the darker chapters that have shaped the character of this historic city.
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