Boston: Underground Railroad History Tour of Beacon Hill
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Beacon Hill's historic streets
- Learn about Boston's abolitionist movement
- Visit key Underground Railroad sites
- Discover stories of freedom seekers
- Engage with knowledgeable local guides
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Small Groups (16 guests max)
- Black Heritage Trail (All 10 landmarks)
- Beacon Hill Neighborhood
- Gratuity for Guide (optional)
- Admission inside Museums
- Guides in Period Costume
Itinerary
Meet your guide at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the center of Boston Common, steps from the Boston Common Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Street (02108). Look for a white granite column topped by a female figure holding a flag; four bronze statues surround the base of the central column.
Pass by: Oldest public land in the Americas and Boston's communal grazing pasture (1634)
Narrow cobblestone alleyways wind throughout historic Beacon Hill
Pass by: Elegant neighborhood square from elite world of 19th-century "Boston Brahmins"
Built as a whites-only school in 1824, but among the first schools to integrate in Boston by 1855
Home of leading abolitionist, state legislator, and former barber
Pass by: Primary thoroughfare of Beacon Hill, lined with local shops and restaurants
Historic meeting house (1807) and site of contentious debate over racial integration
Pass by: Home of African-American community activist and abolitionist
Underground Railroad safe house owned by the Haydens, staunch abolitionists who were formerly enslaved
1796 residence of Harrison Gray Otis, Boston mayor and nephew of revolutionary James Otis, Jr.
Pass by: Historic 1806 church designed by noted architect Asher Benjamin
Pass by: Home of outspoken abolitionist and U.S. Senator beaten unconscious in the Capitol over the issue of slavery in 1856.
Pass by: Homes of several African-American abolitionists, including historian William Cooper Nell
Pass by: Founded in 1835 as segregated school for Boston's African-American children
Cultural center of Boston's African-American community and oldest extant black church building in the U.S. (1806)
Oldest extant house in Beacon Hill (1787) was home to African-American Revolutionary War veteran
Pass by: Massachusetts state capitol and "Hub of the Solar System" (1798)
Our tour concludes beside the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial opposite 24 Beacon Street.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tours are conducted rain or shine; dress accordingly.
- Advance booking is recommended to secure your spot.
- Group sizes may vary; contact the provider for specific details.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
- Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
Second to None!
The Beacon Hill/Underground Railroad tour and Dave, our tour guide, was amazing! Our guide had so much knowledge and shared so many insights that really brought the tour to life! Definitely recommend the tour and Dave, the guide!
Beacon Hill Underground Railroad
Dave was the best tour guide! He knows the history and his knack for storytelling made the walk through Beacon Hill so enjoyable.
Great Tour, Lin was fabulous
Our tour guide, Lin, was absolutely fantastic. The tour was a great pace with times to rest between walking around the sights of Beacon Hill. We appreciated Lin’s connections between the past and current times, use of visuals, and general knowledge of the area and topic. The small group size was an added bonus and we would love to take more Hub Tours in the future.
A brilliant, thought provoking journey below the surface
This was a great tour - expertly led by Joe who was full of passion for the subject and for sharing a host of insights and details into the antislavery movement in Boston and beacon Hill. I had walked around the area previously, but this tour really brought to life the stories and people of the area - particularly the African American community and their key role in the Revolution, the underground railway and the civil war. Fascinating and insightful!
Best tour I have...
Best tour I have experienced. Joe the guide was excellent. He is knowledgeable and does a great job of teaching the history of the tour.