Boston Duck Tours

Boston Duck Tour - Discount Admission, Tips for Visiting & More

Quack this way for a sightseeing adventure

A Duck Tour on the Charles River is the smart way to soak up the sights of Boston.

Visitors to Boston can get an amazing tour both by land and by water with the Boston Duck Boat Tours - among the city's most popular attractions for visitors and locals alike. Learn the history and many fascinating tales of popular and historic sites in Boston, all while riding in a World War II-era replica duck boat.

Our helpful guide for taking a famous Boston Duck Tour is packed full of ways to save on admission, tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more. Quack quack!

Tips for taking a Duck Tour of Boston

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While always an enjoyable experience, there are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your tour.

  • Take the tour first on your vacation. With more than 30 sights to be seen during the tour, chances are you will discover a new historical landmark or interesting sight you didn't know about before. This will help you plan out what you want to see more of later.
     
  • Bring your camera. Boston is a beautiful and historic city, and on every street you will find something worth capturing on film.
     
  • Get the photo. If you forget your camera, Boston Duck Boat Tours sells prints of group photos with the duck boat and conDUCKtor for an extra charge at the end of the trip.
     
  • Tell the conDUCKtor if it is your birthday. Those celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special event may be invited up to pilot the ship as you cruise the waters of the famed Charles River.
Child driving the Boston Duck Boat
  • Buy a T-shirt. Your tour doesn't have to end just because you pulled back up on dry land and the conDUCKtor let you off. There is a full range of merchandise available, including sweatshirts, tote bags, onesies for the little ones, and, of course, rubber duckies.
     
  • The duck boats are wheelchair accessible, but given that three seats need to be removed for a wheelchair to fit, guests needing that accommodation must call 617-267-3825 in advance. The wheelchair lift can also be used to assist passengers who have trouble climbing stairs.
     
  • Tip the driver. While the discount ticket for the duck tour is included with the Go Boston Card, we still suggest you show your appreciation for the conDUCKtor by leaving him a tip.

What is there to see and do on the Boston Duck Tour?

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Tours are roughly 80 minutes long, with 20 of those minutes spent on the Charles River. Duck boats depart from and return to the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science, or the New England Aquarium.

As the conDUCKtor regales guests with the history of the Old State House, Cheers, the Big Dig, and more, the Duck Boat heads towards the Charles River and splashes down into it. While cruising on the normally placid waters of the river, guests get to see the Boston skyline and Cambridge on the opposite bank.

Each Duck Boat is named in honor of a local landmark, and each conDUCKtor has a persona or gimmick. You may find yourself, for example, on Faneuil Holly, the duck boat named for Faneuil Hall, otherwise known as the Cradle of Liberty. You might also end up on North End Norma, named for the Italian neighborhood at the tip of the Shawmut peninsula. At the helm of the duck boat may be Captain WeirdBeard, the nephew of the famed pirate Blackbeard, or Worcester T. Filibuster, a lifelong politician who has yet to win an election.

What sights will I see on the Boston Duck Tour?

You will see dozens of famous Boston sights on your tour. They include the following:

  • Prudential Tower
  • Christian Science Church
  • Copley Place/ Arts Square
  • New Old South Church
  • Arlington Street Church
  • Boston Common/ Public Gardens
  • Swan Boats
  • Beacon Hill
  • State House
  • Robert Gould Shaw Memorial
  • Mary Dyer
  • Old Scollay Square/ Government Center
  • Old West Church
  • West End
  • TD Garden
  • Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge
Museum of Science as seen from the Charles River
Museum of Science as seen from the Charles River
  • Museum of Science
  • Charles River
  • Esplanade
  • Longfellow Bridge
  • Hatch Shell
  • Bunker Hill
  • Main Street, Charlestown
  • Old North Church/North End
  • Rose Kennedy Greenway/North End Parks
  • Holocaust Memorial
  • Faneuil Hall/ Quincy Market
  • Old State House
  • King’s Chapel
  • Granary Burying Ground
  • Make Way for Ducklings
  • Cheers
  • Newbury Street
  • Trinity Church
  • Hancock Tower
  • Boston Public Library

What attractions are near the Boston Duck Tour?

There are plenty of other great attractions located nearby - and some are right on the doorstep of the Duck Tour boarding points. Here are a few we suggest adding to your itinerary.

Skywalk Observatory

view-prudential-skywalk-observatory-over-boston

If you leave from the Prudential Center, check out the Skywalk Observatory on the 52nd floor for a bird's eye view of all the attractions you just saw at duck's eye level. If you're hungry, check out the Top of the Hub restaurant for an unparalleled dining experience. They also offer tasty cocktails and apps if you want to avoid the commitment of a full dinner. 

Getting In: Skywalk Observatory tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Museum of Science

Tourgoers leaving from the Museum of Science point shouldn't miss the 700 exhibits and numerous live demonstrations inside. Kids will love the electricity show in the world's largest open-air Van de Graaff generator. The Mugar Omni Theater, located at the museum, is a domed IMAX theater that offers 180-degree domed viewing. Don't miss the enchanting Hall of Human Life, where you can explore the biology and science behind how the human body functions. 

Getting In: Museum of Science tickets are included on all Boston passes.

New England Aquarium

boston-aquarium-has-wide-variety-fish

Another departure point option for duck boat passengers, the New England Aquarium is also a can't-miss attraction in its own right. It's filled with an abundance of marine life from playful penguins to fearsome sharks and beyond. There's even a touch tank exhibit that kids love. Their signature exhibit is the four-story tall Caribbean Coral Reef, featuring sea turtles, tropical fish, eels, and much more. 

Getting In: New England Aquarium tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Shopping in Boston

If you're already going to be at the Prudential Center to pick up your Duck Boat tour, then it's worth your time to browse a few of the popular shops in this mall. It's filled with everything from high-end labels to the high street. Locals flock here for many of their shopping needs. Explore the mall itself, and the streets around it. Who knows – maybe you'll score an awesome deal!

Save on admission to top Boston attractions with Go City®  

Planning to visit lots of Boston attractions? With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do. So grab a Boston pass and get exploring!

☀️Compare Boston passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

Lindsay Eagan
Go City Travel Expert

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best museums in boston
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Best Museums in Boston

Heading to Boston on vacation, or a resident looking for some sweet, unadulterated culture? You've come to the right place. We're all about culture here, and we've plucked the finest of the city's museums out of the ether. So sit back, tune your eyes to reading mode, and prepare for an information overload. These are our picks for the best museums in Boston! Including: Museum of Science USS Constitution Museum Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Harvard Museum of Natural History Salem Witch Museum and more! Museum of Science Science. The ongoing answer to life's many questions. For millennia, it's helped us uncover more and more about our world and the many worlds around us. So, why not get hands-on with over 700 fascinating interactive exhibits at Boston's Museum of Science? Have your brain tickled by humankind's many mind-blowing discoveries, and ponder the things we're still only glimpsing. Walk among the many awesome exhibitions, like the Hall of Human Life, where you'll journey into the human body itself, find out how we work from the inside out, and learn more about how our choices make us who we are. Or, spark your imagination at the Theater of Electricity, a shrine to the wondrous energy found in nature and how we've learned to harness it. Learn all about electricity, magnetism, and the mechanisms we use it for, such as conductors and insulators. All of that, and the world's largest Van de Graaff generator await you! USS Constitution Museum Want to learn more about the country's seafaring history? Do yourself a favor and immediately head to the USS Constitution Museum. This famous ship, completed in 1797, even served in the War of 1812 against those evil Brits. We showed them, didn't we! Inside, you'll find two historic American vessels to explore, interactive exhibits that give you a hands-on with history, and learn about how these vessels worked. How exactly do you unfurl a 200-year-old sail? How did they fire their cannons? What everyday issues did sailors face back then? Find out the answers to all these questions and much more at the USS Constitution Museum, easily one of the best museums in Boston for the nautically curious! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston We all appreciate the finer things in life, whether it's extravagant furniture, meticulously-designed clothing, or a cheeseburger adorned with lashings of bacon. So, why not go look at some fine things at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston? One of the world's most impressive and comprehensive art museums, a whopping 500,000 works are held within. Good luck seeing half a million artworks in one visit! This mammoth collection is housed within more than 100 galleries that include paintings, sculptures, and myriad artifacts from throughout human history, as far back as ancient civilizations and all the way through to 19th-century painters like van Gogh. And, when you've explored as much art as you can physically manage in one day, rest your weary legs at the New American Cafe, where you can pick up small bites, a drink, or a fully-fledged meal. Nice. Harvard Museum of Natural History Boston is known for many things; baseball, basketball, its unique accent. But one of the jewels in the state's crown is undoubtedly Harvard University. One of the world's most renowned centers of higher education, it's no wonder they expanded into the museum business. At the Harvard Museum of Natural History, you'll find more than 12,000 natural artifacts, from dinosaur fossils to huge geodes. Given Harvard's renown as an education facility, it's no surprise you'll find so many amazing fossils and artifacts within. Explore the museum's many halls and exhibitions to learn all about Earth's natural history, from primordial ooze all the way to modern man. For inquisitive minds, this is easily one of the best museums in Boston! Salem Witch Museum Salem has become notorious in fiction for being a paranormal place where myths and monsters lurk around every corner. Really, all of this absolute make-believe stemmed from the sadly very real Salem Witch Trials. For those who don't know, here's a quick history lesson. Back in 1692, some bright sparks decided to accuse women of witchcraft, generally out of spite or petty disagreements. This idiocy soon snowballed into the trials themselves, where over 150 women were accused of being witches, resulting in 20 being put to death. It was a dark time in the nation's history, but an interesting one nonetheless. How did it happen? How could it happen? You'll find the answer to those questions and more at the Salem Witch Museum. Explore 13 life-sized sets that recreate the trials, learn about how the hysteria spread, and how perfectly normal people could be driven to such violent ends. Then, discover the fallout of the trials, the communities torn apart by them, and how colonists were left to pick up the pieces. One of the most fascinating and unique museums in Boston; it's best to see it yourself. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum How about seeing some inspiring art in an inspiring building? Look no further than the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Step inside this striking 19th-century building, and you'll immediately notice its Venetian influence. Within these historic galleries, you'll find works from world-renowned artists like Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. The museum contains over 2,500 such works, so you'll be plenty occupied seeing them all! Then, when you're all art-ed out, make sure you wander the fantastic grounds around the museum. Maybe you'll find some inspiration to dig out the watercolors. Boston Children's Museum It's often said that the children are our future. And that was as true in the past as it is today, because the Boston Children's Museum has been delighting and teaching kids for over one hundred years. Inside, kids will get the chance to wall-climb, escape a giant maze, and create their own artistic 'masterpieces,' all while being stealth taught. The perfect way to get them educated is when they don't even realize they're learning. With a focus on science, the environment, art, and health, it's a great platform for your kids to ensure they're the best they can be. And, best of all, it's good fun too. They even have special events going on throughout the year, so be sure to check ahead before you travel and see what's available. For those of you with little ones, it's one of the best museums in Boston. And that's our list of the best museums in Boston!
Dom Bewley
Boston in spring
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10+ Things to Do in Boston in Spring

Boston really comes alive in the spring. As Bostonians shake off the chill of winter, the city is more than ready to offer fresh air, beautiful flowers, and amazing special events to visitors and locals alike. If you’re coming to Beantown this spring but aren’t set on what to see, check out our list of things to do in Boston in spring for some inspiration, including... New England Aquarium Whale Watch Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour Museum of Science Fenway Park Tours Swan Boat Ride Patriots Day / Marathon Monday Events and more! Visit the New England Aquarium A fun option for the kids is the perennially popular New England Aquarium, beloved by all. It’s one of the area’s most beloved attractions and it has a ton to offer new and returning visitors alike. From sharks to stingrays and everything in between, there are so many animals for you to marvel at in this modern aquarium. Spring also marks the return of the Atlantic whale-watching season, so consider hopping aboard the New England Aquarium’s whale watch. Tour the city in style Now that the weather has warmed up, it's a great opportunity to explore this lovely city. Take a charming Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour that will escort you around while highlighting major landmarks and neighborhoods with maximum flexibility. Plus, with this weather, we're sure you'll be tempted to jump off and explore on your own at least once or twice! Some of the major highlights you'll see along this tour include the New England Aquarium, Old North Church, Boston's North End, Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, and many more. Explore the Museum of Fine Arts Visitors flock to the wonderful Museum of Fine Arts year-round, but their fine collection of special exhibits in the spring months makes it especially worth a visit. Take a look at the current exhibitions on display at the MFA. This exceptional museum has one of the most comprehensive collections in the world, featuring over 500,000 objects and works of art. Explore the wonders of the Museum of Science Another iconic Boston attraction, the Museum of Science is somewhere the whole family can enjoy. Explore the astonishing and inspiring world of STEM as you wander through dozens of interactive exhibits. Some top attractions at this museum include the Hall of Human Life, which is an in-depth look at the complexities of the human body, and the Theater of Electricity, which contains the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator. Little ones will love its "Hands-on Laboratory - where you become the scientist" and everyone will be fascinated by "Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature," which showcases elaborate numerical patterns that exist in nature. You can also visit the Butterfly Exhibit and the Planetarium for small upgrade fees. Root for the home team Spring often means one thing for Boston sports fans – the start of Red Sox season! If you’re a fan of the great game, why not snag a ticket and sit back to enjoy America's favorite pastime? Don’t forget to grab a few Fenway Franks! For additional baseball fun, take a tour of iconic Fenway Park. Picnic on the Boston Common Although Boston isn’t quite the warmest spring destination on the books, it is a charming place. With spring comes the return of the many flowers and trees in the Boston Common and in the Boston Public Garden, both of which make for some excellent warm weather strolling. If the ground is dry enough, grab some supplies and make a picnic day out of it (otherwise, grab one of the tables by the fountain on the Common to avoid the rain). While you’re in the park, why not take a ride on the historic Swan Boats? Irish Film Festival, Boston Given Boston’s proud Irish heritage, it’s no surprise that Irish filmography is a big deal in this city. The Irish Film Festival, Boston features an exciting lineup of Irish films straight from the motherland, many of which are new to the U.S. This is the biggest Irish film festival outside of Ireland, so you know it’s filled with authentic films that are must-sees for any cinephile. You’ll also get to enjoy behind-the-scenes commentary, Q&As, and other special events. Boston Flower & Garden Show Each year of this eagerly anticipated takes on a new theme. You’ll get to enjoy everything from stunning plant life displays to planting demonstrations, take in professional lectures, and learn how to develop your growing skills. Learn about adopting sustainable gardening practices and air-cleansing indoor plants. What's more, there will also be outside spaces dedicated to relaxing with pets! Patriots Day / Marathon Monday This is one of the city's favorite holidays – Patriots Day, aka Marathon Monday. Officially designated to honor the start of the American Revolution, it's also always the date of the inimitable Boston Marathon. One of the world's best races, the Boston Marathon is a tradition in the city. Come here to enjoy the festive atmosphere, get caught up in the surge of adrenaline that the whole crowd is feeling, and cheer on the runners. Just keep in mind that restaurants will be busier and the T more crowded than usual. Of course, there will also be plenty of events celebrating Patriots Day, too, including reenactments, talks, and exhibits. Check out historical attractions like the Old State House, the Paul Revere House, and many more. Or, you could take a quick detour to Lexington and Concord to check out events there Boston International Film Festival Film buffs will find much to love in Boston in April. Enjoy a wide selection of experimental and innovative films – both foreign and local – right in the heart of Boston. This five-day festival features a diversity of genres: you'll likely find a little bit of everything at this event! Tickets for individual showings start at around $12, and multi-day and full event passes are available as well.   Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®  With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do - winning! ☀️Compare Boston passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️  
Katie Sagal

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