American History Bus Tour: Boston to Cambridge, Concord, and Lexington
4.5
American History Bus Tour: Boston to Cambridge, Concord, and Lexington
By Brush Hill Tours
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About
Get a comprehensive overview of the history of the greater Boston area on this round-trip tour of Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, with pickup available from selected Boston hotels. Benefit from the insider knowledge of your expert guide as you explore Civil War landmarks including the Battle Road Trail and Lexington Common and be immersed in American literary heritage as you visit the homes of writers such as Hawthorne, Emerson, and Alcott.
Ages 0-99, max of 50 per group
Duration: 5h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
Highlights
- Gain an overview of greater Boston’s history and culture in just half a day
- Zip between dispersed towns with ease via air-conditioned coach
- Tick off top attractions, including Harvard Square and Battle Road Trail
- No need to bring a guidebook with insights provided by an expert guide
- 4-Hour American History Tour from Boston
- Visit three of Boston's historic neighboring towns: Cambridge, Concord, and Lexington
- Round-Trip Transportation Aboard Air-Conditioned Coach Bus with lavatory
- Hotel Pick-Up (select Boston hotels)
- Professional Driver/Guide
- Follow the route of Paul Revere as he warned the countryside "the British are coming!"
- Travel past the homes of Hawthorne, Alcott and Emerson
- Entry/Admission - Minute Man National Historical Park
What's not included- Hotel Drop-Off (tours will drop-off at Faneuil Hall Marketplace or Park Square)
- Gratuities
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
- Option 18 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, USA
- Option 2Massachusetts, USA
- Option 3Cambridge, MA, USA
Pickup details- For those not using a hotel pick up, please meet at the Gray Line Ticket Office/Transportation Bldg. located at Park Sq., l0 Park Plaza on the Charles St. South side., next to P.F. Chang’s. Please arrive no later than 8:45am.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:- Option 1Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109, USAGuests taking the ½ Day Cambridge, Concord & Lexington Tour will be dropped off at Faneuil Hall Marketplace or the Gray Line Tour Office in Park Square.
- Option 28 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, USAGuests taking the ½ Day Concord & Lexington Tour will be dropped off at Faneuil Hall Marketplace or the Gray Line Tour Office in Park Square.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3978TOUR2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- Starting October 1, 2019 a $5.00pp fee will be charged by the National Park Service for entry into the Minute Man National Park. Entry fee is included with the price of your tour.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3978TOUR2
Itinerary
- 1
- 2Pass byBattle Road Trail
- 3Pass byLouisa May Alcott's Orchard HouseCambridge CommonCharles RiverRalph Waldo Emerson HouseHarvard SquareBuckman TavernLongfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic SiteCharles River EsplanadeHarvard Museum of Natural History
- 4
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- gdoty740 contributionsBoston to Maine Tour is a great tourThis was an awesome tour. My husband and I loved it. We saw such a variety of places and had such scenic and picturesque tour stops. It was a great value for our money. Kennebunkport was beautiful and the Trolley tour through the city with Ed as our tour guide was very informative and also fun. He was a great tour guide. Our tour driver from Boston to Maine was also wonderful. Lucia was friendly and nice and made everyone feel comfortable. She was very knowledgeable about the area and shared so much valuable information. We highly recommend this tour if you are in the Boston area. You won’t be disappointed.Written September 18, 2022
- John S0 contributionsStep back in timeStep back in time , especially as the leaves turn, to visit this incredible piece of American history…. Walk in the footsteps and the houses of both the Wampanoag Indians and the English Puritan settlers… the guides wear period costumes and are extremely well versed in their topic..you and the kids can touch real bearskin, beaver pelts and deerskin blankets something not readily available in todays modern world….Written August 31, 2022
- Carol G0 contributionsWonderful OverviewWe took a ship's tour to view the Old North Church, the Freedom Trail, Boston Commons (oldest park in the U.S.), the Zakim Bridge paying homage to the nearby Bunker Hill Monument and the rigging of the U.S. Constitution. We visited Cambridge where Harvard and MIT neighbor one another. We drove through Beacon Hill and saw the gold-domed Massachusetts State House. We drove through the South End with its many seaside restaurants and boutiques as well as a dozen special-interest museums. Our guide was extremely informative about the history of the area and shed light on how buildings were repurposed.Written July 29, 2022
- Carol_OHara500 contributionsFun fun funIt’s a must see. Take the tour bus and enjoy. Loves the day I spent there. Awesome show if witch trial and the area Is full Of history.Written June 27, 2021
- Ron S0 contributionsA Day In BeantownProfessional driver.Extensive explanation of everything we saw and heard. Comfortable ride and outstanding Fall scenery.Written March 17, 2020
- Debbie H0 contributionsAmazing cruise. Don't miss this opportunityBest sight seeing cruise you will ever take! JFK museum was unbelievable!! Shopping was time well spent!!Written March 5, 2020
- JorgeA360 contributionsSAM YOU ARE!Amazing! Sam has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge. His charisma is second to none. Will def recommend.Written February 29, 2020
- robsmith40 contributionsMr & Mrs SmithOn a chilly Friday in February, my husband and I along with 14 other joined ‘ Sam I am’ on a Boston in one day tour. There was nothing frostie about our excellent, friendly and extremely funny driver/guide. Sam I am was a wealth of knowledge on all things Boston. The 7 hours flew by and we were both sad when our tour ended, we could have listened to Sam for hours. If you’re in Boston and you have a spare 7hrs, take in Sams tour. He will make your day a memorable one. Sam I am really does deserve this five star rating. If we ever find ourselves back in Boston, we will definitely book the Plymouth/Cape Cod tour and we will be asking for Sam. 😉Written February 21, 2020
- Roland D0 contributionsVery enjoyable rideSAM I AM! Remember this name, and cross your fingers you get Sam as your tour guide. He delivered a phenomenal historical brief around the Civil War, the memorial sites, and all things Boston, Cambridge, Lexington. Overall it was a very enjoyable ride, could use more time around MIT and Harvard as these were quick "pass-by"sWritten February 15, 2020
- kevinbonnt0 contributionsGood 1 day tour forNever been to Boston before and was looking for some nice tour. We really enjoyed, tour guide was informative and awesome.Written January 13, 2020
- angelasL9610TJ0 contributionsUnderwhelming and Waste if moneyThis trip was not what was listed in the itinerary. We stopped at Harvard for an hour. Spent another hour on the Paul Revere and Minutemen battlefield. Everything was closed and/or being remodeled which was not told at the time of booking. Our tour guide said he hadn’t done the tour in 2 years and kept repeating the same information. Being an American History teacher I didn’t want to hear the same information that I can find in our textbooks in Texas. 😒 Our guide was also late to the USS Constitution and we only got 8 MINUTES to see it and another 8 to walk in the museum which at least needed an hour. Several others on the tour also complained. The sites that we wanted to see we couldn’t and sites that didn’t require more than a drive by or 10 minutes we stayed too long. Some people didn’t even get off the bus because the sites like the Harvard dorms weren’t what they really wanted to see. Save your money and do the hop on hop off bus. Or the 1.5 hour cruise. This was a waste of $90.Written December 29, 2019
- Larry J0 contributionsGreat TourWe took our nine year old son and seven year old daughter on the tour and they loved it! The ride through Lexington and Concord were very informative. We were able to walk the Freedom Trail and cross the North Bridge. It was cold but absolutely wonderful.Written December 28, 2019
- DonnaJ17850 contributionsNewport VisitThis is a great tour. Admission to 2 mansions, the ocean drive tour, free time to explore and dine, and best of all a comfortable bus ride from Boston with a gtreat driver and knowledgable tour guide. No hassles, no worries.Written December 16, 2019
- Debora D0 contributionsBoston in one DayVery good tour. Perfect overall highlights of Boston and surroundings. Sam was very knowledgeable, funny and kept the energy going! Sam also can get a little “ pushy” in his mannerisms. I personally did not mind but I can see where same of the negative reviews came from. I would recommend this tour!Written December 15, 2019
- sje590 contributionsExcellent trip in bostonJust returned from this one day trip. Our guide was linda and joe was our driver. Saw places we never would have seen as tourists from England without a car. Linda lives in Cambridge so she was very knowledgeable about the area and also the history of the war. She was really friendly, as was joe the driver. Both couldn’t do enough to make sure we had a great trip. Felt like part of the family by the time we returned to Boston. Highly recommend !Written November 29, 2019
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
98 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Joe L
2 contributions
Mar 2020
Our tour guide, Sam, and his encyclopedic knowledge made this the best tour a have ever taken. Sam spoke for more that eight hours without ever referring to a single note or book. He was amazing!
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flymetothemoonnow
McKinney, TX33 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Sam I am is a very kind and inviting guide. We purchased the half day tour and I’m glad we went ( I think all day would be great as well.
The bus is comfortable, the stops are spaced just about perfect , and it’s just nice and easy way too see a bit of the Boston area.
The bus is comfortable, the stops are spaced just about perfect , and it’s just nice and easy way too see a bit of the Boston area.
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily
16 contributions
Sep 2019
I am speaking to my own generation with a disapproving 'tsk tsk' when I say that my husband and I boarded the tour bus and promptly realized we were going to be the youngest people in the group by about 30 years, give or take a decade. What's wrong with Generation X, doesn't anyone else my age appreciate a good history lesson?
Ugh, my generation is missing out. The tour was well organized and a perfect way to get out to Concord and Lexington for a tourist with no car. The countryside was just beautiful - not quite bursting into riots of color just yet, but the green forests were peppered here and there with a bright yellow patch of leaves. And the gorgeous million-dollar mansions of Cambridge provided their own kind of envy-inducing scenery.
Even if the view wasn't pretty, there's no danger of being bored if your tour is run by Sam I Am. A self-described camel jockey, he's a crack-up comedian who had the entire bus dying of laughter all the way to Concord. He entertained us with unending anecdotes, some historical, some current events, some about his own life in Massachusetts. And he did so at a pithy, effortless pace proving he's been conducting this tour for years and knew it by heart, well enough to conduct the entire monologue while also driving a giant bus!
The tour includes a stop in Lexington, where one can roll around on the sacred grass of Lexington Green, another in Concord with the famous bridge and an attached museum, and a stop at Louisa May Alcott's house with guided tour. All delightful, all interesting and educational. Other people here have complained that not enough time is given at Lexington (an extra 10 minutes would be nice) and that the driver does nothing to guide you once at the destinations. My response is: at the Concord bridge there is an attached museum with a perpetual video telling the story of the battle, so the driver needs to say nothing. And at Lexington, well, maybe not every driver in Gray Line does this, but Sam I Am gathered us all together at the foot of the monument and recounted the entire story of the Shot Heard Round the World. Sam is, by the way, 100% American, or became so the day he got his citizenship. He told the story of America's first battle with the kind of reverence that only someone who had to work to belong to America could have.
My only real concern is the long delay at the end of the tour, when everyone had gathered back onto the bus and we realized we were missing one. This delay cost us somewhere between 20-30 minutes, as guests went running everywhere to find the missing tourist. When asked if we could call, the driver explained the company doesn't collect phone numbers. To avoid the trouble of future delays, maybe Gray Line should reconsider this policy, and mandate cell phone numbers at the start of every tour.
Ugh, my generation is missing out. The tour was well organized and a perfect way to get out to Concord and Lexington for a tourist with no car. The countryside was just beautiful - not quite bursting into riots of color just yet, but the green forests were peppered here and there with a bright yellow patch of leaves. And the gorgeous million-dollar mansions of Cambridge provided their own kind of envy-inducing scenery.
Even if the view wasn't pretty, there's no danger of being bored if your tour is run by Sam I Am. A self-described camel jockey, he's a crack-up comedian who had the entire bus dying of laughter all the way to Concord. He entertained us with unending anecdotes, some historical, some current events, some about his own life in Massachusetts. And he did so at a pithy, effortless pace proving he's been conducting this tour for years and knew it by heart, well enough to conduct the entire monologue while also driving a giant bus!
The tour includes a stop in Lexington, where one can roll around on the sacred grass of Lexington Green, another in Concord with the famous bridge and an attached museum, and a stop at Louisa May Alcott's house with guided tour. All delightful, all interesting and educational. Other people here have complained that not enough time is given at Lexington (an extra 10 minutes would be nice) and that the driver does nothing to guide you once at the destinations. My response is: at the Concord bridge there is an attached museum with a perpetual video telling the story of the battle, so the driver needs to say nothing. And at Lexington, well, maybe not every driver in Gray Line does this, but Sam I Am gathered us all together at the foot of the monument and recounted the entire story of the Shot Heard Round the World. Sam is, by the way, 100% American, or became so the day he got his citizenship. He told the story of America's first battle with the kind of reverence that only someone who had to work to belong to America could have.
My only real concern is the long delay at the end of the tour, when everyone had gathered back onto the bus and we realized we were missing one. This delay cost us somewhere between 20-30 minutes, as guests went running everywhere to find the missing tourist. When asked if we could call, the driver explained the company doesn't collect phone numbers. To avoid the trouble of future delays, maybe Gray Line should reconsider this policy, and mandate cell phone numbers at the start of every tour.
Written October 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David A
New Braunfels, TX24 contributions
I rarely post reviews, but Sam was the most awesome tour guide ever! We
learned so much about the role the people and places of this area played in our nation’s history while we were also laughing at the commentary. My family came away with the a whole new depth of appreciation of what our forefathers did for us through Sam’s insights, observations, and stories. Thanks Sam!
I highly recommend this tour for an unforgettable day!
learned so much about the role the people and places of this area played in our nation’s history while we were also laughing at the commentary. My family came away with the a whole new depth of appreciation of what our forefathers did for us through Sam’s insights, observations, and stories. Thanks Sam!
I highly recommend this tour for an unforgettable day!
Written June 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DMCManchester
Manchester, NH53 contributions
Nov 2018
My daughter and I enjoyed a four hour (half day) history tour the day after Thanksgiving. The temps were hovering in the 20's, so the comfort of the larger touring bus was essential. The driver / tour guide, Tony, was personable and attentive - funny at times and inclusive of weird little tidbits about Boston's history to keep us interested. We drove through Cambridge - slowly - as he pointed out various parts of MIT and Harvard, but skirting some of the residential areas was what I enjoyed the most. Beautiful, historic houses - probably monumentally updated with better windows and weather-proofing - were prolific and gorgeous. We made stops in Lexington and in Concord - just enough outdoor time that we didn't all freeze solid - but lovely stops at places of initial revolutionary battles. The half day tour concluded at Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market which gave us a chance for a bit of shopping and lots of choices for lunch. It was an excellent excursion!
Written November 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elsyck
Galveston, TX8 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
I would have liked for the driver to have announced that seating was not assigned. It was first come first serve. I was embarrassed when we made a stop and I sat at a different seat than where I sat originally. Some others did likewise. A man complained to the driver because his wife wanted to sit by her friends. To resolve the complaint the bus driver then announced for everyone to go to their assigned seat over the loud speaker. The couple in question relocated. My mother then announced that she didn't remember where we sat. Then the driver said she could stay where she was. My mother is a senior and hated to have to admit that her memory wasn't so good. My recommendation to the tour company is that if you're to have assigned seating then put seat numbers on the tickets.
In any event, rather than embarrassing people and making them move because others want to sit by their friends announce at the beginning whether seats are assigned or not. They were not assigned; therefore no one person can stake claim to a seat they were not assigned on their ticket!! Besides, I felt like the passengers complaining were behaving childish and the driver embarrassed us. So, buyer beware. . .memorize where you sit otherwise if someone complains that you're in "their" seat the bus driver will embarrass you and make you move.
In any event, rather than embarrassing people and making them move because others want to sit by their friends announce at the beginning whether seats are assigned or not. They were not assigned; therefore no one person can stake claim to a seat they were not assigned on their ticket!! Besides, I felt like the passengers complaining were behaving childish and the driver embarrassed us. So, buyer beware. . .memorize where you sit otherwise if someone complains that you're in "their" seat the bus driver will embarrass you and make you move.
Written June 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
james b
Pearland, TX2 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Sam was very knowledgeable and gave lots of detail on the tour. Sam was very rude to some of the people on our tour. One lady at the start of the tour ask about getting a map of our tour and he was rude to her, He griped about a group of folks on the tour with us, because they did not say thank you after they got off the bus. I would not do another tour if Sam was the guide. His attitude and demeanor was awful.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karenchi223
Chicago, IL41 contributions
While this is a good 1/2 tour option, note that this is more of an “overview” tour, as there were only a couple of actual stops where we got out of the bus to walk around, otherwise, we just drove slowly past different stops. With that said, the knowledge of our guide was great, and our party of six had a good experience.
Written August 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suzieraesmom
Abingdon, VA159 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
We had a fantastic time on this tour. I booked it online in advance of our leaving for Boston, and I called the day before to confirm (always a good idea). They also sent me an email the night before to remind me of the pickup time at our hotel. The bus was waiting when we exited the hotel a couple of minutes early, and took us to the ticketing office where we were all divided up into the different tours we were taking. I was happy to hear that our guide would be Sam since I had read to many positive reviews about him. I was not disappointed....Sam is really good at what he does, and made our experience that much better. We took a few snacks with us on the bus which was a good idea so I do recommend doing that. We drove through Cambridge with Sam pointing out places of interest and slowing down for pictures. We then went to Lexington and had about 40 minutes...we chose to tour Buckman Tavern and still had time to buy a few souvenirs, look at outside memorials, and walk on the green. Then Sam took group pictures and gave a little patriotic talk. Onward toward Concord. We got about 10 minutes to walk across the Battle Road Bridge and back (a bonus) and then the Alcott House. The tour of this house was great, especially for fans of Little Women and Louisa May Alcott. They have a little gift shop, too! We then had a little extra time to spend at the site of the "Shot Heard Round the World!" We arrived back in Boston and chose to stay at Fanuiel Hall. If you hadn't paid for the second half of the tour, you were given the option to add it so that was nice. I can't say enough good things about Sam I am...he made our day!
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cha l
Vallejo, CA2 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Sam I am was knowledgeable and kept it entertaining with his jokes. He gave us extra time in places and dropped us off directly at our hotel. I liked how he told his story coming from an immigrant background and shared his pride of being an American. Especially this day an age where it can be anti immigrant, he assures us we are all immigrants and that every child wants to be in America. Thank you.
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Both my wife and I have Senior National Park passes. Will our October 2019 tour prices be reduced by the $5 that the National Park Service charges others?
Written September 11, 2019
This tour was through Viator. I doubt they accept the pass.
Written September 11, 2019
Hi ! We will be staying at the Boston Marriott Cambridge hotel. Is there a pickup arrangement from here for this tour
Written June 28, 2019
How would two travelers get to meeting destination from Boston dock/cruise ship?
Written September 2, 2019
Can we get off at to purchase souvenirs?
Written June 1, 2019
We are staying at 101 Canal Street Avenir Apts.
Is there a hotel pick up close to us or should we go to 8 Park Plaza for departure?
Written May 29, 2019
The hotel pick up options are listed on the website and on the email they send. It might be easier to go to the pick up point.
Written May 29, 2019
My mom and I are interested in taking this tour in July, but with my mom riding her scooter, she's got reservations about loading and unloading the bus multiple times. Can anyone provide more specific details about the bus? For instance, is there a lift that my mom can ride her scooter on? Or will she need to get off her scooter and climb stairs? Thanks for any info on this matter.
Written April 7, 2019
We had a gentleman who used a scooter on our tour. The bus was a large tour bus and they stored the scooter in the luggage section underneath. The man had to walk into the bus, up the stairs and he sat in the first seat. Not sure how they got the scooter into the luggage section though.
Written April 8, 2019
Is this guided and are you rushed from location to location?
Written March 29, 2019
We had a great guide. We enjoyed all the stops, but our quick stop at Harvard University was a real treat. (Since it’s such a popular university.) We did the half day tour. Then came back to Boston for lunch and a visit to the Boston Tea Party that afternoon. By doing half day trips, you can get more sightseeing in. We even had time for an evening sunset cruise.
Written March 30, 2019
My husband, son & I only have available to tour Sunday, Oct 30th & my history crazy son really wants to do this tour! Any chance we can squeeze on to the bus?
Thank you!
Carolyn Artall
Lafayette, La
artall102@yahoo
Written September 25, 2018
You will need to contact the tour directly. I am not associated with the tour, I only had a bad experience on that tour several months ago.
Written September 26, 2018
It says "hotel pickup" but I've noticed in comments that it's only at certain hotels. Can you provide a list of which hotels? Thanks
Written August 6, 2018
There should be a list associated with the tour. That's where I got my information.
Written December 5, 2018
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