Duck Tours in Boston
Quite Simply the Best Tour in Boston
If your a first time visitor to Boston, one way to get a quick history of the city is to take one of the famous Duck Boat tours. They are a great way to get some high level understand of what makes the city special and for tourist its a good way to understand the layout of the city.
The Duck Boats are a great way to get pictures of the city skyline from the Charles River.
Old Description from their Website
You've never toured Boston in anything that comes close to Boston Duck Tours. The fun begins as soon as you board your "DUCK", an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle, at the Prudential Center in Boston's historic Back Bay. First, you'll be greeted by one of our legendary tour ConDUCKtors, who'll be narrating your tour. Then you're off on a journey like you've never had before. You'll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden domed State House to the Boston Common, the Old North Church to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. And, as the best of Boston unfolds before your eyes, your ConDUCKtor will be giving you lots of little known facts and interesting insights on our unique and wonderful city.
Twelve Fun Facts
- The first Boston Duck Tour was founded on October 5, 1994.
- Each year 600,000 passengers take the tour - making it the most popular tour in Boston.
- All the duck boats run on bio diesel.
- The Boston Duck Tours depart from the Prudential Center, New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science.
- The tours that depart from the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science have the same route.
- You see the same sites on both tours. (The Prudential/Museum of Science tours shows more Copley Square, where as the Museum of Science take you through the Rose Kennedy Greenway and the Financial District.)
- In 2001, it cost $22 to take a tour, in 2019 it cost $42.99.
- Tour tickets do sell out early - usually by noon. To avoid disappointment and running around - buy your tickets in advance.
- You can purchase a Discounted Family pack from tours leaving the Museum of Science.
- If you take the Duck Tour from the Museum of Science you can get discounts on Museum attractions such as $10 off the Exhibit Hall and 10% at the Museum Store.
- You can buy tickets at the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, Boston Commons and the Prudential Center.
- Tours last 80 minutes.
Tour Tips
- Make sure to talk to the driver about your interest in Boston - Colonial History, Sports etc. The tour guide will be sure to mention the topic during the tour.
- Arrive at the Duck Tour waiting area early for the best seating.
- Before you board the Duck Boat, you'll be given an opportunity for a group picture. (A better picture opportunity is on the boat or in Front of the vehicle where you can get the name.)
- When your on the water, the driver may ask kids if they want to drive the Duck Boat for a bit. (Great Photo opportunity!)
- The Boats were used in the 2018 Red Sox Parade and the 2019 New England Patriots parade.
- Be sure to look at the inside roof for player autographs!
Which Tour is Better?
So... Which tour is better? The Prudential Center and the Museum of Science route or the New England Aquarium route?
I would recommend taking the Tour from the Museum of Science, as you'll see more Back Bay History and you get better discounts at the Museum - especially if you plan on visiting the Museum.
Is the Tour Worth it?
I believe anyone visiting Boston for the first time should go on the Duck Tour. It's a great way to see the city and get an understand of the lay of the land.