Boston Back Bay Tourist Scavenger Hunt

Overview

It takes 2-3 hours to complete, do it whenever you wish - you select your own date and start time, no scheduling or reservation needed. 20+ challenges, games and enigmas to solve as you walk through this historic neighborhood.

City: Boston

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $33.75

Make a reservation

Sun 23 Feb

Starting at $33.75

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Available in English and French

20+ challenges on this scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunt on your smartphone

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Outdoor activity done in small groups, up to 6 persons. No need to touch anything or enter anywhere.

What To Expect

Boston Common

This is Boston’s main public park. Its history dates back to 1634, it is the oldest park in the United States, consisting of 50 acres, or 20 hectares. There is a tourist information kiosk near you. This park was used by the British during the American Revolutionary War. From here they left for the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Boston Public Garden

Boston Public Garden is 24 acres and was opened in 1837. There are many monuments, artistic structures, and statues here. In the center is a large pond. Here you will encounter your 1st challenge See: - Edward Everett Hale statue - Thomas Cass statue - Wendell Phillips statue - Tadeusz Kosciuszko statue - Charles Sumner statue - Garden of Rememberance 9/11 memorial

Newbury Street

Here you will find several high fashion boutiques such as Cartier, Burberry, and Chanel. It’s a high-end shopping district. On your right will be the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston. See many high-end boutiques: - Tiffany & Co - Burberry - Chanel Boston - Giorgio Armani Boston - Cartier - Valentino - Brooks Brothers - and more

Church of the Covenant

Completed in 1867, it is a Presbyterian church of the United Church. It evokes a Gothic style and was the first church to be established in Back Bay. Your challenge here is to locate a particular symbol among the many on the facade. Nearby, see: - New England Life Insurance building. Inside this entrance are 4 models (2 on each side) presenting the history of Boston and Back Bay. They were created by the Boston Society of Natural History in 1863. Months of research have led to an incredible level of detail. Come in to see if it's open.

Trinity Church

Trinity Church is the episcopal seat of the Massachusetts diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, founded in 1733. The Church itself was completed in 1877 in the Romanesque style There are many gravings on this church and your challenge will be to count a particular item on a specific engraving. Close to: - Old South Church - Copley Plaza Hotel - John Hancock Tower - Boston Public Library - Huntington Street - Copley Square

Copley Square

It took this name in 1883 to honor John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) who was a portrait painter, active in England and here. There is a statue of him near the church. See: - Old South Church - Trinity Church - Copley Plaza Hotel - John Hancock Tower - Boston Public Library - Huntington Street

John Hancock Tower

At 200 Clarendon is the building that used to be called the John Hancock Tower. Now it's just "The Hancock". Completed in 1976, it is the tallest building in all of New England (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut). See: - Old South Church - Trinity Church - Copley Plaza Hotel - Boston Public Library - Huntington Street - Copley Square

Boston Public Library

Completed in 1892 in the Fine Arts style, the Boston Public Library was intended to be a palace for the people. At the time, there were 600,000 books, making it the largest public library in the world. Today, there are more than 23.7 million items. Boston public libraries were established in 1852. See: - Old South Church - Trinity Church - Copley Plaza Hotel - John Hancock Tower - Huntington Street - Copley Square

Old South Church in Boston

Completed in 1873 in the Venetian Gothic style, the Old South Church is a Protestant church (United Church) whose congregation dates from 1669. The congregation met at the Cedar Meeting House between 1670-1730, then at the Old South Meeting House between 1730 and 1873, and finally here. Your challenge here is a math one. See: - Boston Public Library - Trinity Church - Copley Plaza Hotel - John Hancock Tower - Huntington Street - Copley Square

Vendome Hotel Fire Memorial

In 1972, the large Vendome hotel burned down and towards the end, 9 firefighters lost their lives. The hotel was located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Commonwealth and Dartmouth. This luxury hotel opened in 1871. It was so popular that an extension was carried out in 1882. This monument, honoring the 9 deceased firefighters, was installed here 25 years after the sad event. Your challenge here is to decode a cipher. Close to: - Patrick Collins Monument - General John Glover Statue

First Church Boston

Founded in 1630, it was originally Congregational but is now Unitarian universal. Actually, it’s the congregation that dates to 1630. This church is only from 1868. Also, it was originally on the other side of the Charles River in Charlestown. This is its 5th location. You'll need to locate a statue around the side of the church for this challenge.

The Gibson House Museum

This museum at 137 Beacon is a Victorian townhouse in the Italian Renaissance style of 1860. It was occupied by a few generations of the Gibson family. It was the first home to be built in Back Bay. We can see the brownstone which is typical in this district. You'll need to find the historical plaque to solve the challenge here.

Charles River

The Charles River is 80 miles long (129km). On the other side is Cambridge, home to MIT and Harvard University. This section of the river is called Back Bay because it is wider here. Close to: - Hatch memorial shell - Charles River - General George Patton statue - Arthur Fielder memorial

Ether Monument

Located in the Boston Public Garden, the Ether Monument is also called the Good Samaritan monument. It commemorates the use of ether in medical anesthesia. It is the oldest monument in the park. The good Samaritan on the monument is a medieval Spanish-Moorish doctor. This choice of origin avoided attributing the first use of ether by any particular individual. At the time, several claimed to be the first to have thought of it. Find the right inscription to solve this challenge. Close to: - Beacon Street

Make Way for Ducklings Statues

This monument of a duck and its ducklings pays homage to the book "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey (1914-2003) published in 1941. This children's story takes place here in Boston. This is the story of two ducks who fly over the city of Boston inspecting its parks to start their family there. Here at Boston Public Garden, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard raised their young. Your final challenge is about these statues. Close to: - Boston Commons

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Traveler Photos

Reviews (1)

Susan Q

Jun 2022

Great way to get a little history of Back Bay. Alot of information and very cool venues. The challenge questions were cool. Didn't get to finish unfortunately