Boston: Underground Railroad History Tour of Beacon Hill
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Boston's role in the fight to end legalized slavery is linked by the Black Heritage Trail in historic Beacon Hill. This pedestrian path is best experienced on foot, in a small group, with a knowledgeable local guide! Your 2.5-hour loop tour travels from Boston Common to visit Underground Railroad sites, elite homes of "Boston Brahmins," and abolitionist landmarks such as the African Meeting House.
Our small-group walking tour delves deeply into the years 1833 to 1863, the tumultuous years leading toward Civil War. We walk in the footsteps of 19th-century Bostonians, all of whom grappled with the "peculiar institution" of racial enslavement in the U.S.
With a captivating storytelling approach, Hub Town Tours provides the perfect introduction to Boston's role in America's "Second Revolution." As we travel past landmarks from Civil War Boston, your guide shares the gripping story of local Bostonians finding their voices and demanding an end to injustice across their young nation.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travelers who have difficulty standing for extended periods
What To Expect
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.
Boston Common
Oldest public land in the Americas and Boston's communal grazing pasture (1634)
Options
Beacon Hill – Small Group
What‘s Included
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
167 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Adding Depth to America 250
Y789DXrebeccah,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lin gave an excellent tour by providing the right amount of historical background information and combining storytelling with the history of the Underground Railroad on Beacon Hill. She changed our perception of the abolition movement in Boston and introduced us to new heroes like Elizabeth Freeman. The pace of the tour was perfect for our group.
Great tour for history buffs!
Coastal08035887733,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Meaghan was very knowledgeable and friendly. I like that she used her voice to direct the sound so that everyone could hear her especially when traffic was loud. It seemed as if she had some theatre training. The only thing that was off was that there was a BAA road race that blocked the entrance to Boston Common parking garage and we had to park further away and try to find an open entrance to the common by going around the blocked off area for the race. If we had known in advance we would have entered the city from the north end/haymarket exit and parked by government center on the other side of the common.
Beacon Hill and the History of the Underground Railroad
Tami G,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Dave was an exceptional tour guide. He was knowledgeable, appropriate and kind. The tour was fascinating and we learned so much.
Fascinating Underground RR
pammJ2461VV,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Joe was very knowledgeable and kind. He welcomed questions and answered them happily. He was considerate to keep us in the shade as much as possible.
Great historical tour on Boston’s Underground Railroad
M1168HBkristink,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I took the historic Underground Railroad tour with Lynn. She was an outstanding guide. She was very knowledgeable about the subject and shared many interesting facts We have lived not far from Boston for our whole lives and learned so much about this aspect of history. Highly recommend the tour and Lynn for a guide.
Review of Boston Underground Railroad-Black History
eula a,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great tour if you are interested in a better understanding of the role and relationships between Slaves, former slaves and white abolitionists in Boston and the rest of Massachusetts from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. We don’t talk about the this in the detail and specificity that Dave did on the tour. While we only went inside one building the visual aides and storytelling was most effective in giving a good picture of the past. I really appreciate Dave explaining the statue of Colonel Shaw and the black troops he commanded at the end of the tour. The statue will forever have a more significant meaning to me.
Black Beantown History
Journey781076,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Dave was great. He was knowledgeable, conversational on side, and told great stories. He kept my two teens engaged the entire time. It's easy to tell he's passionate about his role in educating the community. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Boston.
Second to None!
691tracik,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 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
Tangia D,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Dave 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
rachelgulick9,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our 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.
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Operated by Hub Town Tours