I went on this tour on the perfect spring day in Boston. We were a small group. There were only about 5 of us. The tour meanders throughout downtown Boston and the North End and follows the people, places, and events that led up to the American Revolution. Mike, the tour guide, has a scholarly approach to his tour and certainly knows his stuff. His multiple degrees in history and philosophy add a unique flavor to his storytelling abilities. It was impressive. I tried stumping him with a few curve ball history questions. I failed. I think what I found most interesting is how Mike described the tensions and conflicting philosophies between the Puritans and the Church of England – and the creative response early America took to bypass various injunctions placed by the British. He painted a vivid picture of early American culture and it in many ways felt eerily similar to our political discourse today.
Be advised: This is a walking tour where you’ll hit your 10,000 steps for the day… so get ready to walk. I don’t recommend this for small children or the physically unfit. Also, bring water and snacks. Halfway through the tour I was super hungry and had to sneak off to grab a bite. Luckily, the tour includes wireless headphones so you can hear the tour guide even when you wander off a bit – so I didn’t miss too much.
In summary, this is a tour for adults who are specifically interested in the revolutionary war buildup in Boston. This doesn’t talk about the first Dunkin Donuts to open downtown or about who won the World Series in 2004. It’s more like a field trip from a university level history professor. Most people visiting Boston will want to go on a Duck Tour. But for those want it heavy on the revolution, this is the jackpot.