Black Heritage Trail: Boston's Abolitionist Path

Discover the rich history of Boston’s role in the fight against slavery on a small-group walking tour of Beacon Hill. Explore Underground Railroad sites, elite homes, and abolitionist landmarks with a knowledgeable local guide.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Soldiers and Sailors Monument - Begin the tour at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument located in the heart of Boston Common, just a short walk from the Boston Common Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Street (02108). Identify it by the white granite column crowned with a female figure holding a flag, surrounded by four bronze statues at the base.
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What's Included
  • Small Groups (16 guests max)
  • Black Heritage Trail (All 10 landmarks)
  • Beacon Hill Neighborhood
What's Not Included
  • Gratuity for Guide (optional)
  • Admission inside Museums
  • Guides in Period Costume
Additional Information

The Black Heritage Trail in the historic region of Beacon Hill lends insight into Boston’s engagement in the agitation against institutionalized servitude. This walking route is ideally explored by foot, within a small group, guided by an informed resident! On a circular tour of 2.5 hours, you will start from Boston Common, venturing through the…

Location
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Tremont Street
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(83 Ratings)
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Lori_m
Jun 8, 2025
Our tour guide was... - Our tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate about this history. The detail in his storytelling was captivating.
Review provided by Viator
Kelley_d
Jun 3, 2025
WILL!! His tour is second to none!! - WILL!! His knowledge and enthusiasm and very apparent love of history made this a wonderful experience. The fact that it was a moving tour made it even more interesting. I live and work in Boston and never knew any of this! Every school should experience this to truly appreciate the struggles, the local and civil war and the history of what’s in our backyard. And I can’t say enough good about Will! I know I mentioned him earlier but his knowledge of these events and the enthusiasm brings you in to the story and able to visualize and even get a very brief glimpse of the emotions felt by the people he spoke about.
Review provided by Viator
Benjaminc131
Jun 2, 2025
Sign up for this tour NOW. - Okay, please take this tour. I have taken many all over the world, and this one is definitely in the top 3. Our guide Will absolutely slayed. He has passion, enthusiasm, and an amazing grasp on the material. My only regret is that Will is t teaching 14 year old me American History. He brings it to life. So please clear a half day and take this tour. You need to be reasonably fit, as it does include lots of walking. Bring water and prepare to be blown away.
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Philip_l
May 31, 2025
Engaging and fascinating historical tour of Beacon Hill - My kids (13 and 10 years old) were groaning about having to do this tour before it started, but by the end, even they had to acknowledge it was pretty interesting. They were able to retell, in their own words, the history of the Boston Brahmins and their long lasting impact on American society and economy; the importance of brave and influential Bostonian African-Americans like W.E. Dubois’s great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Freeman who sued for her freedom, effectively ending slavery in Massachusetts; the wild stories of abolitionists like John Brown, who tried to lay seige to the Federal armory to form an army of enslaved people, and Charles Sumner, who was nearly beaten to death on the Senate floor. Incredible how all this tied back to one small area of Boston - Beacon Hill. A lot of credit goes to our guide, Dana, for infusing the tour with his genuine love and enthusiasm for the subject, and his engaging personality, especially with kids. It was definitely on the long side - expect 2.5+ hours with lots of standing and walking - so you need to be in at least ok shape and have at least a passing interest in American history between 1770 and 1865 for this to be up your alley, but if that describes you, I highly recommend. I learned a lot, and I consider myself at least fairly educated on early American history, so there’s something new in this tour for everyone.
Review provided by Viator
Brieliseharrington
May 26, 2025
Best Tour in Boston - Highly Recommend - Dana was a professional, energetic, kind, and passionate tour guide. His knowledge and sincere enthusiasm made this experience memorable. We learned so much! Highly recommend. Thank you, Dana!
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Benjaminv138
May 18, 2025
Enthusiastic Guide Makes the Experience - Our guide, Dana, infused extensive historical knowledge and passion to bring to life an under discussed period of Boston history during the abolitionist movement and events leading up to the Civil War. We got lucky with the weather and ended up having a very pleasant slightly overcast day, with the spring time blossoms recently peaked and mild weather made for an overall enjoyable experience. The walking tour has several steep hilly ascents and descents, so something to note. If you enjoy a good walk and engaging storytelling, you’ll enjoy this tour.
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Keshi0
May 13, 2025
Boston tour - Excellent history lesson from Will. Knowledgeable and interesting facts with a nice walk through neighborhoods. Would do again.
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Sdugs
May 3, 2025
Underground railroad tour - Great tour and guide. Very interesting facts and interesting stories. The walk through the Beacon Hill Community has great architecture and history
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Lavon
May 3, 2025
This Boston Walking Tour is Amazing! - David S. Was our Tour Guide and he was great! He did an excellent job answering our questions and giving is local history of the Boston families and their heritage . We walked through Beacon Hill Neighborhood. My family and I travel from Maryland to tour Boston’s Neighborhoods. We had an amazing time, David is a great storyteller and I recommend this Underground Railroad Walking Tour to everyone.
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U9030ndhenryk
Apr 29, 2025
More interesting than Freedom Trail, by a company who really knows the history - If you want to have a no-gimmick tour (i.e. no dressing up) of the history related to abolition of slavery in Boston/MA, how the process was influenced by the different factors within and outside the State, and getting close to feeling how people were feeling back then (as much as practical) - this is the tour for you. I was fortunate enough to have Will guiding my group. He is an actual historian who clearly showed his passion on the topic during the tour. I am not an American and so had plenty of gaps in my knowledge of historic details and Will was happy to answer my questions along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Freedom Trail is "bread and butter" for many walking tour groups in Boston, but I personally found this tour to be more interesting than the Freedom Trail tour. I would highly recommend everyone to join this tour - if you actually want to hear about the history. The tour really is full 2.5 hours, and because you are walking up and down the hill sometimes on cobblestone/brick streets - make sure you are ready for that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $35
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).