Things to do / Travel Guide
There are many ways to see the many attractions of coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island, ranging from organized bus and ferry tours to driving and walking tours you can do on your own.
Tours around Boston, Massachusetts
Following the path of the Freedom Trail is the best way to see Boston's most important historical sites. If you enjoy walking and want to do the tour at your own pace, just follow the Trail's clearly marked 2.5 mile route that begins in Boston Common. If you want to join a tour, they start always within the immediate area, last one to three hours, and cost around $10.
Bus tours, which operate daily from mid-March to early November and cover the main historic neighborhoods in less than four hours, also pass by important sites on the Freedom Trail. For the bus tours it is important to reserve your seats at least one day in advance. Narrated trolley tours allow you to get on and off when you please, but last if uninterrupted for about 2.5 hours. They also run daily in-season, but don't require reservations. For time schedules, see the ticket booths located at Boston Common. If you plan to hop on a trolley in the winter, dress warmly since the open vehicles can be chilly. The bus tours and the trolley tours cost about $25
To see other neighborhoods and learn more about Boston's rich cultural history, take one of the many popular guided walking tours. You will need to reserve in advance, since the guides usually like to limit each group to 20 people. These tours last one to two hours, and cost about $20. Additionally, for stunning views of the Boston skyline from the water, take a narrated, sightseeing water-tour.
Tours on the Cape and the Islands
There are also a wide variety of organized tours of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. If you want just a taste of the region's many attractions, many tour operators offer a four- or five-day bus and ferry tour that will give you a quick view of the most popular sites on each island
If you're staying on the Cape, you can explore it by joining one of the tours provided by the local bus tour companies. Then hop on a Hy-Line “Around the Sound” cruise for a day of sailing, shopping, and eating on the other islands. The price for adults is about $70. Children who are under 5 ride for free, while the price for kids who are 5-12 is about $45.
During the summer season, each island offers an abundance of private sailing charters, as well as theme-based boat rides for the kids. Guided walking tours and van tours are also plentiful. Some offer fascinating insights into Martha's Vineyard's and Nantucket's history, while others will take you to a nature reserve or a visit to the favorite haunts of the local ghosts.
Tours in Rhode Island
Newport has more than a dozen yacht companies that will give you a scenic two-hour tour of Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor. During the spring, summer, and fall, you can tour the city's many historical sights by bus. Also during these seasons, you can join a walking tour sponsored by the Newport Historical Society, which take place on Saturdays.
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