Start Planning!
You’re about to go on an epic adventure with the Beacon Hill Tour! Here’s what you need to know before you go.
- The tour takes 2–4 hours with 17 stops.
- The route moves in one direction through Beacon Hill.
- Toilets and food stops are available along the route.
- Some attractions require timed tickets or reservations.
- The best seasons to visit are spring, summer, and fall.
- Winter tours are possible, but can be cold and icy.
- Bring a smartphone, charger, walking shoes, and sun protection.
- Combine this tour with Boston Freedom Trail Parts 1 and 2.
Budgeting and Hours of Operation
Budget
How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here are some costs:
- The Museum of African American History requires a timed-entry ticket.
- Nichols House Museum: $8-$16
- Otis House Museum: $7-$15
- Metered parking in Boston: $2–$4 per hour
- Food and drinks: $15–$30 per meal
- Souvenirs and shopping: $10–$50, depending onthe item
- Public transit (if used): $2.40 per ride (CharlieCard)
Hours of Operation
The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.
- Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial: Boston Common open 6 am-11:30 pm
- Massachusetts State House:
- Tours are given weekdays, 10 am-3:30 pm daily.
- The building is open for self-guided tours weekdays 8:45 am-5 pm.
- Closed on weekends and holidays.
- Otis House Museum: Tours June-Oct Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11 am-4 pm
- Museum of African American History: 10 am-4 pm Tues-Sun
- Nichols House Museum:
- Tours offered Tues-Sat: 10 am, 11 am, and 12 pm.
- Sun: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm.
- Cheers:
- 11 am-9 pm Sun-Wed
- 11 am -1 pm Thurs-Sat
- Make Way for Ducklings Sculpture: Boston Public Garden open 6 am-11:30 pm
- Good Will Hunting Bench: Boston Public Garden open 6 am-11:30 pm
Get Packing!
Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day.
- Seasonally appropriate clothing or jacket
- A smartphone for taking the tour and taking pictures
- Phone charger with a wall plug
- Walking shoes
- Sun protection
- Money for food, drinks, and souvenirs
- Tickets for attractions, if pre-purchased online
Best Time to Visit
- Winter would be the least comfortable time to visit, but Beacon Hill is tourable year-round.
Safety Information
- Beacon Hill is a safe neighborhood in a relatively safe city, but it is in an urban area. Typical street smarts apply, especially in Boston Common.
Leave No Trace
While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders.
Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and create memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.
Take the Beacon Hill Tour with Shaka Guide and explore at your own pace with stories, directions, and must-see stops along the way.
Still planning? Check out our Beacon Hill Itinerary to prep for an epic day.
Need help? Email us anytime at aloha@shakaguide.com!
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