Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past and Present by Soundscape Tours
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Guided by a local musician, explore Boston’s rock and roll past, present (and future), on a walking tour through Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Visit the sites of legendary venues like the Rat, Storyville, and the Boston Tea Party- The Velvet Underground’s favorite place to play in the whole country! Learn how pioneering DJs, producers, and educators sparked a revolution in how music was transmitted, recorded and taught. And trace Boston’s impact on the careers of iconic artists like B.B King, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, New Edition, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Pixies, Radiohead, Peter Wolf, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Jonathan Richman and more. Scroll below to learn more….
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The Fens
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Fens is a treasured greenspace in Boston and features Americas oldest WW II, Victory Gardens. On the Modern Lovers EP, Jonathan Richman sings, “I walk through the 'Fenway with my heart in my hand". We will stroll through the gardens before heading into Kenmore Square.
Kenmore Square
For decades, Kenmore Square was at the center of Boston's music scene thanks to the numerous record stores, and venues like Storyville and the legendary rock club, The Rathskeller. Here, we will learn about the numerous garage, punk, and new wave bands that crawled out of "the Rat" in the 70s and 80s. The Police played here 4 times on their first US tour in 1979. This is also the venue where Pixies first shared the same bill as the Throwing Muses. Also, we will stop by "Nuggets" one of the last records stores left in the neighborhood before winding our around Fenway Park
What‘s Included
Walk through America's oldest Victory Gardens still in use
In the shadow of Fenway Park, stroll down lively Lansdowne street home to numerous venues
Examine Boston's impact on the Folk Revival in the 60s
Hear tales from the Rat, the cavernous club where many Punk and New Wave bands got their start
Food & Drinks not included
Gratuities
Options
Tour Boston's Rock & Roll Past and Present by Soundscape Tours
Reviews
26 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The tour was very fun and...
Tyrus L,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was very fun and full of great facts about influential bands that got their start in Boston. The tour guide put together a very well thought out experience with lots of fun sights around the city.
Who'da known? Boston! Wow!🎶🖤
kathleenturneroverdk,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Matt has an extensive knowledge & passion for the music scene. He is articulate and witty. The tour was a blast. We learned interesting things, not just about music but local iconic features. Totes recommend!🤘🎶
Great way to spend time in fun part of town
Vacation518652,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Matt’s knowledge and enthusiasm are great. Spot on for rock fans. Added bonus walking through the Fens to understand what that’s all about.
Matt was very great tour...
Caitlin W,Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Matt was very great tour guide. We learned lots of information on famous artists. There also was a Belfast connection with the Oh Ya studio.
Informative and fun tour of important Boston music landmarks
sharonhT7758AC,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was informative and fun! Matt was knowledgeable and friendly. His accessories (photos, music recordings) added to the experience. The places he took us to along the route were all important to the Boston music scene. His stories to match the locations were great to learn. The walk was manageable with a reasonable distance and pace.
Awesome tour
OnAir24306737627,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour guide was awesome - very knowledgeable and entertaining. I loved the stories - he must've mentioned at least 15 bands I really like. And starting and ending at the Verb Hotel was a real bonus - that place has some amazing rock memorabilia.
Rock and Roll Enthusiast!
marissasE4890DI,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Having the tour begin at the Verve hotel was so cool! There are so many interesting and notable rock and roll artifacts and memorabilia displayed there! To begin, the tour guide, Matt, takes you into a permanent “tour bus” that lives in the parking lot of the hotel. He uses a boom box as a prop connected to his phone to play clips of different rock and roll songs and groups. He also uses pictures to show and explain different key moments in rock and roll history. Throughout the two mile walk around Kenmore Square, Matt points out different musical landmarks of interest to the early Boston rock and roll scene. Without giving too much away this is an incredible rock and roll experience not too be missed! Matt is super knowledgeable, entertaining and super easy to interact with! Highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves early rock and roll!
Matt was awesome and made...
Jessica D,Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Matt was awesome and made sure to include bands that we were interested in. He even made accommodations for including my elderly father-in-law who moves at a slower pace. My only critique would be to schedule the tours around the Red Sox games since we got tangled up in the crowds coming out of the game at Fenway.
Music and More...
scottgS9205DW,Jun 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Long-time Massachusetts resident and music fan and was glad to learn this tour existed. Thought I had good knowledge of Boston's music history but learned so much more from Matt. His passion, enthusiasm and knowledge were on clear display. Enjoyed learning how the music connects with Boston's culture, history and even some of its architecture. Matt engages and makes a genuine connection with folks. Take the tour and you will appreciate you did.
Fun Boston rock and roll tour
nancyjF673JD,Jun 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have a pretty good knowledge of Boston rock history but I learned a lot of new things on this tour. Matt is a really fun and engaging tour guide and his enthusiasm for the city's musical history was infectious. It really hit home how underrated and maybe unappreciated the influence Boston has had on jazz, the blues and folk music, not just rock. A well worthwhile tour.
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