Brawlers, Smugglers, and Redcoats: A Boston Walking Tour
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Boston’s revolutionary spirit didn’t emerge overnight. It was forged through years of defiance, from merchants smuggling wine, to ropewalkers brawling with British soldiers.
On this walking tour, you’ll find out how everyday acts of resistance transformed colonial Boston into the birthplace of the American revolution. You’ll also uncover the gritty reality behind the propaganda and myths taught in textbooks.
The tour starts at Long Wharf, once the longest in the Western Hemisphere, where 4,000 British troops landed in 1768 to discipline a rebellious city. You’ll walk through the North End, past John Hancock’s counting house where nervous redcoats fumbled musket balls. Along the way, you’ll hear how Hancock beat smuggling charges, and discover why Puritans refused to name their horses.
You’ll explore the Old North Church where Robert Newman hung two lanterns before hiding in the basement, stroll past Rose Kennedy’s birthplace, and stand at Faneuil Hall where revolutionary speeches earned it the name “Cradle of Liberty.” The tour ends at the actual site of the Boston Massacre on State Street, where you’ll learn how a weekend brawl at a ropewalk factory escalated into the deadly confrontation that Paul Revere’s propaganda turned into revolutionary fuel.
On this 90-minute tour, you’ll also have a chance to:
- Learn how John Adams defended Hancock in his smuggling trial, after the Liberty ship was seized
- See the Paul Revere House, the city’s oldest standing structure, and hear about Revere’s fourteen careers, including five years as Boston’s coroner
- Find out why rowers needed a warm petticoat to silence their oars while ferrying Paul across the harbor
- Hear how eleven-year-old Christopher Seider’s murder foreshadowed the violence to come
- Stand where Sam Adams signaled the Boston Tea Party with the words “there is nothing more we can do”
- Visit the Old South Meeting House where 5,000 radicals drowned out 36 British officers in 1773
- Discover whose lives were saved by a 13th-century law called “Benefit of Clergy”
By the end of this tour, you’ll have walked the streets where colonial resistance ignited a revolution, and heard the human stories behind Boston’s transformation from a British stronghold to a rebel city.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Mitch Lapin
I work as a historical tour guide specializing in Boston, MIT, Harvard, and The Battle Road from Lexington to Concord. For the National Archives I transcribe historical documents online. Through the Find A Grave Foundation, I offer my services as a volunteer photographer to genealogists and family members. My genealogical research dates back to 1630, the start of the first Great Migration.
I broke new ground historically completing primary research into the five years Paul Revere was a coroner of Boston. Ongoing I am updating the original listing by Edward and Evelyn Stickney of the 429 church bells produced by Paul Revere and Sons. One-hundred and thirty four are confirmed in use or on display , including a bell in Singapore.
The Arlington Sanctum is my first novel available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and Books2Read. Our novel searches for MIAs in every American War of the 20th century, providing you with the historical record behind each discovery.
My educational degree from Temple University and paralegal certificates from Bentley University provided me with the tools to research and present Boston’s unique history.
May I guide you my latest of five Boston tours, The Old City of Boston, walking you back to the 17th century? You may prefer my Boston Civil War, Boston Massacre, Boston in Brass & Bronze, and Freedom Trail tour as sequential options.
We look forward to hearing from you or answering questions through our website or [email protected] or downloading our tour at Voicemap.me/Boston
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 8
The Paul Revere House Museum
Have a seat on the granite benches in front of the Revere Museum. It is time to unfold the revolutionary history of Paul Revere. We're going to spend a few moments here.
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Boston Irish Famine Memorial
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Old State House
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Faneuil Hall Marketplace
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Mike's Pastry
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Old North Church
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Paul Revere Park
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The Paul Revere House
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Long Wharf
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The North End- Italian Neighborhood
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start location66 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA
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Total distance3km
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Final locationBoston, MA 02109, USA
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Distance back to start location441.1m
Directions to Starting Point
Our tour begins and ends at 60 Long Wharf, in the heart of the visitors center.
The full length tour is 2.0 miles, or 3.2 kilometers, with plenty of rest stops along the path to enjoy entertainment in the Old City of our cuisine.
We finish the tour at Long Wharf, enabling you to jump on a whale watch, visit Quincy Market, our New England Aquarium, continue on the Harbor Walk to Charlestown or the Seaport district or sail to harbor islands with the National Park Service.
Boston's public transportation systems' Blue, Green and Red lines will connect to the Blue line and leave you at the foot of Long Wharf, on the Marriott Long Wharf side. Exit at the Aquarium stop.
If you are driving, interstate 90 East and 93, North or south, will drop you off on Atlantic Avenue and multiple parking garages within one street of Long Wharf.
If you are walking, GPS State Street. Walk to the end where it becomes Long Wharf Street.
Are you coming in by boat, ferry, or water taxi? Exit at the Aquarium/Long Wharf.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
If you are thirsty, stop at Sam Adams brewery tucked under a plateau on the opposite side of Faneuil Hall.
On the second floor of Faneuil Hall is one of the largest paintings in America, 40 x 10 feet of Daniel Webster speaking to John Calhoun. Prior to the covid pandemic, park rangers did a fantastic 15-minute talk on the Constitution.
Save Quincy Market for the end of the tour but enjoy a slice of Regina's Pizza and clam chowder at the Walrus and Carpenter Oyster bar. Local political color and fresh seafood with a flair can be purchased downstairs at the Salty Dog.
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Recommended restaurants in the Italian North End are Antico Forno, 93 Salem Street. closest to the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Lucia's across from the Paul Revere Park at 417 Hanover Street; the best spicy seafood and most unusual ceiling portraits.
Heralded Legal Seafood Restaurant is diagonally across from Long Wharf facing the harbor.
For an old-world taste and demeanor try to find Bricco Salumeria's sandwich shop 11 Broad Alley between Cross and Richmond Streets set back from Hanover Street on the south side.The North End has three famous Italian Bakeries all on your route; Mike's Pastries, Bova Bakery and Modern Bakery with gelato available at the bakeries and multiple places in the North End.
Visit the National Park Service on the second floor and the Massachusetts Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company museum, on the third floor of Faneuil Hall.
Best time of day
10:30 and 1:30 are the best times of the day. Some National Park Service sites are closed Monday and at 4:00. During November/December sunsets at 4:00 prox.
Precautions
Most stops comply with the American Disability Act. Wheelchairs or strollers should do well in all stops. The steps at the actual Boston Massacre site, can be circumnavigated by reversing course on State Street, turning right on Congress Street, and approaching the front of Faneuil Hall at ground level.
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