More about: Boston Day Trips from New York
The birthplace of the American Revolution for its independence from the United Kingdom, Boston is full of museums, libraries and important historic buildings that bear witness to the origins of one of the oldest cities in the country, founded by British settlers in 1630.
Boston is considered the capital of culture and knowledge in the USA, as it is home to prestigious universities such as Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), as well as art schools, laboratories, conservatories and important banks and financial institutions. In addition, its port is one of the most important on the East Coast. For these and other reasons, I recommend booking a trip to Boston from New York.
Boston and the Freedom Trail Day Trip from New York
The best of Boston in one day
Enjoy one of the most emblematic cities in the United States with an expert guide. You will also visit Harvard and MIT.
If you want to get to know the capital of Massachusetts, but don't want to worry about the transport, a very convenient and recommended option is to take this day trip to Boston with a visit to Harvard and MIT from £83
Boston is about 350 km from New York, so the adventure starts early, at 6.30 am, when the group of no more than 50 people meets at the meeting point in Midtown Manhattan with the guide in a comfortable minivan. Ahead lies an approximately 4-hour drive along the Connecticut coastline, which, with the minivan's Wi-Fi and the beautiful scenery along the way, is made even shorter. You'll see the city centre, the famous Freedom Trail, Queency Market, Harvard and MIT. Lunch is included.
Why I like this option: it's the cheapest and most comfortable way to visit Boston on a guided tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll tour the city's essential sights and return to New York the same night. It's that easy and comfortable.
Recommended if .... you want to take a break from your trip to New York to visit another of the most important cities on the East Coast of the United States.
Boston and Harvard Day Trip from New York
Boston and Harvard in detail
Get to know Boston and Harvard with an expert guide who will show you both places in detail.
Another proposal is to book an excursion to Boston and Cambridge where the prestigious Harvard University is located from £104, where you will get to know these two emblematic cities on the East Coast of the United States.
An expert guide will accompany you during the tour and will tell you all the details and anecdotes about the tradition, history and architecture of the prestigious campus. You'll also explore iconic Boston landmarks such as the Freedom Trail, a path that leads to 16 historic sites such as the Old State House and Granary Cemetery, where you'll learn more about the American Revolution and the struggle for Independence.
Why I like this option: You'll learn about the history of the American Revolution with a tour of Boston and you'll also tour the prestigious campus of Harvard University with an expert guide. All without worrying about transfers, transport and access.
Recommended if.... You want to get to know two of the most popular places in the USA, Harvard and Boston, in detail and with the peace and quiet it deserves.
How long does an organised tour to Boston from New York last?
Tours to Boston from New York last approximately 14-15 hours including travel time. The journey, which you'll do on a bus, takes about 4 hours (not very long considering the great distances the American cities are separated by).
My advice: booking a tour to Boston might take you a little longer than on your own, as you have to take into account, for example, the stops you'll have to make along the way. However, it's worth it because, by going with an expert guide, you'll make the most of your time in Boston and you'll see much more than you would if you chose to travel on your own.
If you're new to Boston, an organised tour from New York is a great way to get a first impression of the city. You'll also have time to explore at your own leisure and choose where you want to have lunch.
How to get from Boston to New York on your own?
Perhaps you prefer not to book a tour to Boston from New York and have to stick to a specific day and time to visit Boston. In that case, I'll briefly outline the transport options available to you so that you can choose the one that best suits your travel plans:
- The bus: this is the same mode of transport used for most tours and you can get a ticket for as little as $10 (approximately €9.20) each way . It's important to book your ticket in advance to keep prices down. Some of the companies operating are: Megabus, Greyhound and Boltbus. The journey time is about four and a half hours if there is no traffic.
- The train: If you choose the express train, the trip from New York to Boston will take less than four hours. Still, I don't think it's worth it unless you get a great deal online; the price can be around $100 (approximately €92), which is too high a cost to beat the traffic.
- The rental car: if you're travelling in a group, it's a cost-saving option, but if you're not, it's probably not worth it. The journey takes about five hours and car parks are very expensive.
- By plane: the fastest option? Is it the fastest option? On the face of it, yes, as the flight takes less than an hour, but don't forget to add in the time it will take you to get to New York airport and from Boston airport to the city centre. In the end, while the airfare, at around $60 (approximately €55.50), may be worth it, the overall journey time is not.
What will you see on organised tours to Boston from New York?
If you book a tour to Boston from New York you have a major advantage: you don't have to think about what to see once you arrive in Boston, as your tour guide will take you straight to the most important sights. This way you'll get a complete picture of the city without having to plan your time in the city in detail.
The MIT and Harvard University Tour
This tour of Boston takes you to Harvard University with its Harvard Yard campus (the oldest part and heart of the campus, a green space with elm and pine trees that contrasts with the urban character of the adjacent Harvard Square) and the great Widener Library (whose holdings comprise one of the most comprehensive collections in the humanities and sciences in the world). There will also be time to visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The guided tour of the city centre
Once downtown you will visit places of interest such as Trinity Church, the finest example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Copley Square. Then the Boston tour continues with a stroll along the historic Freedom Trail which starts at Boston Common and winds through Downtown on a 4-kilometre route to the harbour area and flagship USS Constitution.
The Freedom Trail
This is a commemorative trail marked by a line of red bricks that leads to the 16 sites that played a key role in the American Revolution for independence. In Boston Common Park, where the Freedom Trail begins, there is a visitor centre where you can get some maps and extra information to complement the information offered by the guide during the activity.
You will learn anecdotes and legends about this episode of American history while admiring the architecture of colonial buildings, very important in the development of events such as:
- The Old South Meeting House: where the meeting that started the tea riot was held.
- The Old State House: seat of the British Colonial Government until 1776.
- Faneuil Hall: where the speeches of the revolution were made, it is known as the "cradle of liberty".
Quincy Market
The best place to get the full experience of historic Boston is Quincy Market, the city's oldest market, which dates back to the 1800s and features a multitude of stalls and carts selling pasta, hot dogs, sandwiches, noodles, etc., although the city's signature dishes are clam chowder and lobster rolls. This market is right across the street from Faneuil Hall and the open spaces in the area are a great place to relax while enjoying the entertainment and street art.
The Tea Party Ships and Museum
The last stop on this tour of Boston is the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, a floating museum where actors explain the episode that lit the fuse for the revolution against England - a fun experience! Finally, after several hours in Boston, it's time to wrap up the tour and hop in the minivan to head back to New York.
Lunch stop and free time during the organised tour
The Freedom Trail in Boston is a long route, so there's a lunch break at midday to recover your energy. Want to know what you can see during your free time in the city?
- Harvard Yard: This is the oldest part of the Harvard campus and is filled with historic red brick buildings, large groves of trees and ivy-covered walkways that exude that academic and intellectual spirit that characterises this place. Note that you have the option of booking a tour of the Harvard campus in Boston.
- Widener Library: Harvard's main library was donated by the Widener family to honour the memory of Harry Widener, a Harvard graduate who died in the Titanic tragedy. Its staggering collection includes 6.5 million books and one of the few complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible still in existence.
- Copley Square: It is a square located in the Back Bay neighbourhood where important buildings such as the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church are located.
- Trinity Church: It is the best example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Boston. Its exterior stands out for its large portico and lateral cloister, while the interior is full of murals and stained glass windows, almost all of which are the work of the artist John LaFarge.
Other interesting tours
If you're going to be in New York for 15 days and you're ready to leave the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple but still don't know what your destination of choice is, I recommend you take a look at this practical guide I've written about the best excursions you can do from New York. You'll find all the options here, but my favourites are the Washington getaway, the Philadelphia excursion and the visit to Niagara Falls.
That's why I've chronicled my experiences, analysing the best organised tours to these destinations in the following articles: