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Boston Duck Tours

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Boston Duck Tours – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect

If you want to explore Boston, Boston Duck Tours is the best way to see the city from land and water, and that too in the same vehicle. 

These giant and pop-colored amphibian vehicles will take you on a thrilling historical tour via long, busy Boston streets and the pristine Charles River. 

The tours are led by knowledgeable and entertaining guides who provide interesting facts and stories about Boston’s history, architecture, and culture.

Boston Duck Tours is a fun and memorable way to experience the city, and it’s a great option for families, groups, and anyone who wants to see Boston from a unique perspective.

This article explains everything you need to know before buying your Boston Duck Tour Tickets.

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# Boston Duck Last-minute tickets

Table of contents

What to expect from boston duck tours, where to book the tickets, how online tickets work, last-minute tickets, ticket prices, duck tour timings, how long is the boston duck tour, best time for duck tours in boston, where do duck tours depart from, route of duck tour boston.

Once you step into the truck cum boat, the ConDUCKtors will greet you and narrate all the legendary stories associated with the landmarks the amphibious vehicle passes by. 

Some of the tour’s highlights are the Boston Public Garden, Old State House, Museum Of Science, Boylston Street, Old South Church, Arlington Street Chruch, etc.

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Boston Duck tours tickets

You can book your Boston Duck Tours tickets online and offline 30 days before your visit. 

Ticket booths are at the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. 

But when you buy the tickets online , you can avoid the hassle of standing in long queues.

When you book tickets for Duck Tours in Boston, you select your preferred time of visit and date.

Immediately after purchase, your tickets get emailed to you. You don’t need to take any printouts. 

Now all you must do is, reach one of the three departure points – Prudential Center, Museum of Science, or New England Aquarium – at least 15 minutes before the time on your ticket. 

Since you have a ticket and are on time, you can show it on your smartphone and board the vehicle. 

A limited number of Duck tour Boston tickets are sold online at 8.45 am five days prior. 

If these tickets are sold out online, they won’t be available at the ticket booths either. 

Visitors aged 12 to 64 years pay the full Boston Duck Tour ticket price of $50 per person.

Seniors 65 years and above and guests with a Military ID qualify for a Boston Duck tour discount of $8 and pay only $42 for entry. 

Kids aged three to 11 years get a $14 discount on the full ticket cost and pay only $36.

Unfortunately, infants younger than three don’t get free entry – but pay a reduced price of $11.

Adult ticket (12 to 64 years): $50 Children ticket (3 to 11 years): $36 Military ticket (with ID): $42 Senior ticket (65+ years): $42 Infant ticket (up to 2 years): $11

Duck boat tours in Boston depart every hour, starting at 9 am or 10 am until one hour before sunset.

The ticket booths at Prudential Center, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium open 30 minutes before the first tour and close after the last tour departs.

However, we suggest you purchase a Boston Duck Tour ticket in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment. 

Boston Duck Tours are around 80 minutes long – n hour on land and 20 minutes in the water. 

There are no stops and breaks along the route. 

However, the tour duration may vary depending on external and uncontrollable factors such as weather, traffic, and ongoing construction. 

Boston’s Duck boat tour is a fantastic experience that takes you through the past and present of the city. 

If you plan to go sightseeing and witness the beauty of the city’s historic neighborhoods like Charlestown, Beacon Hill, Downtown, and Back Bay on these ducks, then late spring through early fall is the perfect time to do so. 

This tourist-friendly season falls between March and November when the weather is pleasant.

The cool breeze emerging from the womb of the Charles River brushes your hair, and the skyline soothes your body, mind, and soul. 

The rest of the months aren’t bad either – drive by the Boston landmarks and dive into the Charles River by booking your Boston Duck T our tickets today!

Will you get drenched? You won’t get drenched in water as the World War II amphibian vehicles splash into the charming Charles River. However, you may get a light spray of water right on your face depending on the speed of the truck cum boat and the direction and strength of the wind. 

Duck tours Boston has three departure locations: the Museum of Science, Prudential Center, and New England Aquarium.

Each location is conveniently located near public transportation. 

Museum of Science

The Museum of Science is located near Boston’s West End, the Bulfinch Triangle, and Charlestown neighborhoods, and it borders the City of Cambridge on the Charles River. 

The ducks boarding area is in front of the Museum of Science, next to the giant Tyrannosaurus rex! 

Address: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114. Get Directions

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is a popular aquatic wonder in Boston. It is located on Boston’s historic Waterfront and is near Faneuil Hall.

Boston Duck Tours departs from the New England Aquarium’s driveway in front of the Whale Watch Booth.

Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110. Get Directions

Prudential Center

Prudential Center is a huge shopping complex hosting nearly 75 stores, and the Boston Ducks depart from here.

Address: 53 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. Get Directions

Multi-language tours Now you can experience Duck Tours in Boston in your language. All you need to do is wear the GPS headsets and quack; there you go! These language tours depart from the Museum of Science and are available in Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese & Korean.

The best way to explore the heritage and history of Boston is through Duck Tours Boston. 

The fun and entertainment begin when you hop on your “DUCK,” a World War II-styled amphibian vehicle that takes you on a land and water excursion.  

You’ll cruise by all the significant places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts. 

Some of the highlights are – 

• The golden-domed State House, which is the state Capitol and the seat of the government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• The historical Bunker Hill echoes the stories of the American Revolution
• The multi-purpose Fleet Center, which hosts different sports activities
• Boston Common, which is a perfect picnic site
• Newbury Street, which contains tonnes of restaurants and shopping centers

The DUCK transports you to different neighborhoods where you experience nature and man-made architecture a little closer.

Your ConDUCKtor will give you many little-known facts and interesting insights about Boston city. 

Their witty commentary will make your journey a lot more fun!

To know the path you will take, check out the tour’s route map .

What to wear during the trip For Duck boat tours in Boston, you need not wear a swimsuit. But proper clothing is a must because as the amphibian vehicle travel from land to water, there are chances of getting a little wet despite the ducks being heated and enclosed. Dress according to the weather on the day of your voyage. It is often breezy on Charles River.

Sources # Bostonducktours.com # Prudentialcenter.com # Tripadvisor.com # Wikipedia.org The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

Popular attractions in Boston

# Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum # Boston Trolley Tours # New England Aquarium # Boston Ghost Tours # Zoo New England # Codzilla Boston # Fenway Park tours # Boston Harbor Cruises # Whale Watching in Boston # Harvard Tours # Boston Duck Tours

Check out all the things to do in Boston

This article was researched & written by

Nishtha Nogia

Nishtha Nogia loves to explore new places with family and friends. She travels to weave stories packed with fun, surprises, and laughter. For her, traveling is all about hogging local cuisines, interacting with people, and creating lifelong memories. She has a travel bucket list ready and is waiting to start ticking them one by one. Favourite Cities: Seoul, Paris, New York, and Istanbul.

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Travel Tips for Boston Duck Tours

When to go, how to save on Boston's must-do sightseeing tour

TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova

More often than not, when family or out-of-town guests visit Boston , they all have the same to-do item on their list: a Duck Tour. And the request ranges across all ages – Baby Boomer relatives, friends who are busy executives, artsy friends, friends who are parents to kids of all ages. While this is an activity that many locals don't even experience until they have a friend or relative visiting from out of town, it's one you won't want to miss as a tourist.

Duck Tours are a unique experience that combines sightseeing and history while also getting to go out on the Charles River in the vehicle you just drove around the city in. If you want to see Boston via a Duck Boat , late-spring through early-fall is the perfect time to do so. They run from late March through late November, though peak season for all things related to tourism in the city is certainly during the summer months when the weather is nice and warm. Before you book your spot, follow these tips for making the most of your Boston Duck Tour.

Where to Pick Up

You've no doubt seen the Duck Boats' ubiquitous amphibious vehicles all around Boston, but there are only three places where you can pick them up for a tour: the Museum of Science , the New England Aquarium , and the Prudential Center . Choose the one that's most convenient for your own home base and/or sightseeing itinerary; all are near major tourist attractions, MBTA stations and dining.

How to Save

Are your fellow Duck Boat riders a bunch of early risers? If so, make an online reservation for the 9 or 9:30 a.m. tours from either the Museum of Science or Prudential stops and get an Early Duck discount. (Remember that online-only stipulation: If you show up in person to buy tickets for the early tours, you won't get the discount.) It's also worth noting that only a portion of tickets are released online, so it's still worth checking one of the ticket booths if tickets for the date you want to go are sold out online.

There's also the Ride & Save program for those also planning to visit the Museum of Science and New England Aquarium: Show your Duck Boats ticket and get discounts off the museums' admission, café, gift shop, and theaters. You can also get a free tour of Harvard Square with your Duck Boats ticket, plus numerous discounts at the Prudential Center and other Boston restaurants and gift shops. So save that ticket stub and put it to work – you can save quite a lot!

How to Dress

Duck Boats tour in rain or shine, and they do drive in to the river (although, truth be told, the splash is pretty minimal). Wear layers – it can be breezy out on the water, and if it's rainy, a light raincoat is always a good idea. The Duck Boats are heated and have weather protection, but it's not quite like being enclosed within a typical car or truck, so plan accordingly.

What You'll See

Once on board, the tour is about 80 minutes and guests stay on board the entire duration. Approximately 20 minutes of that is spent on the water, with an hour on land taking in many of Boston's historic landmarks and neighborhoods. What you see will depend on where you pick up your Duck Boat, but popular sites include the Boston Public Garden , Boston Common , Boston Public Library, Newbury Street, Quincy Market and the TD Garden . It's destinations like these that make Boston the great city it is.

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Boston Duck Tours

Review Highlights

“ We learned a lot about Boston, and one of the highlights is being able to ride through the Charles River . ” in 151 reviews

“ Our conDUCKtor , Max Marshall Arch (MMA), was knowledgeable, witty, funny and entertaining! ” in 60 reviews

“ We departed from the Museum of Science and went on board with Ray Beez (aka Dennis Myles). ” in 11 reviews

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Location & Hours

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4 Copley Pl

Boston, MA 02116

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About the business.

Business owner information

Hop aboard Boston Duck Tours and enjoy a fully narrated, historic tour of Boston in a "DUCK", a W.W.II style amphibious landing craft that travels on land and water. You'll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts. Just when you think you've seen it all, your ConDUCKtor drives the DUCK right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. Groups - Our Group Sales Department can also help plan an event for your group of 20 or more whether it be a corporate group, family outing, wedding party, graduation celebration or birthday party. We can book lunches, dinners or other attractions to help make your planning a lot easier & cheaper. Please give our group sales department at 617-450-0068 to see what we can help plan for your next group outing! …

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Ask a question

Can we bring a stroller aboard/ a baby on board?

Hi- You can store your stroller with the dispatcher before you board. We will tag it and hold it for you.

Is there car parking available at all three locations or any nearby paid parking?

Boston Duck Tours does not have it's own parking garage. The parking at the Museum of Science is very convenient. BDT validates parking at the Prudential location as well. Check out the website for details. There is also paid parking near the New… more

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Overall rating

1062 reviews

If you're in Boston, you don't want to miss out on doing a Boston duck tour! I had no idea this was even a thing until I saw it in person. We were walking past the science museum (apparently one of the boarding stops) and kept seeing people get on what looked like a bus that was a boat. Needless to say, I was intrigued and Googled the day away. As a result, I was dying to get on the duck tour. We tried one of the days, but they were sold out. Fortunately we were able to book online for our last day there and what a blast it was. Mike was our driver and Ernie was our narrator. The time on tour, in the city and on the water alike, flew by. I learned so much about Boston, and more so, I really enjoyed how family friendly they are, even though I admittedly do not have kids. They let both kids and adults alike take photos driving the duck. It's kitschy but so cute. Worth doing certainly!

What a great way to get to know the city of Boston. Which is a city with so much history, so I honestly would recommend this if you are in Boston! They have multiple starting locations, but they all include both a land and water portion, and if you can get the latest ride (which is what we did) during winter, you might be able to get a sunset on water. Not to mention they let people get the chance to drive the boat, starting with kids first! Our tour guide was a marathon runner, native to Boston so we got plenty of stories along with the normal tour guide info. So much fun!

When in Boston, why not check this out... I really enjoyed visiting Boston and taking a part of this tour. It's both land and water and you got to enjoy both. I really recommend this if you have the time to try it out while you're visiting the city.

See all photos from Amethyst W. for Boston Duck Tours

Yes, yes, yes! I do recommend this business! Boston Duck Tours has been around for a looonnnnnng time and they have mastered the city tour! We had Mr. Ben Everywhere for our guide and he was terrific. He was so funny and engaging and his tour was perfectly choreographed with our driver's stops and drive-bys. Thank you Ben. Your tour was the highlight of our trip to Boston. Boston is very dense and has horrible roads and once we saw the historical landmarks we were ready to get the heck out of there. I recommend walking the freedom trail and taking the duck tour and being done in one day. Boston is a Tough City for tourists.

Captain Ben was fantastic.

I went on a Duck Tour 12 years ago and it was great HOWEVER...We went on another one yesterday at 2:30 and it was terrible!!! I guess it all depends on who your tour guide is. Too bad. Magdalena Brito April 28, 2024

Business Manager

Apr 28, 2024

I am sorry you were disappointed in your Boston Duck Tour. While sometimes difficult to hear, we truly value constructive, critical feedback from our guests. It is through your comments that we are able to continually improve the guest experience at BDT. Ensuring tour quality and a positive guest experience is paramount . I’d appreciate it if you would contact me at [email protected] to obtain added information. I look forward to hearing from you. Again, my apologies for missing the mark on your expectations.

This tour was on my to do list and each time I visited Boston, I wasn't able to schedule. Finally, I did, it is an absolute must do. The tour guide was a lot of fun, he gave us the rich history of a few important places in Boston, we drove around the city and the truck turns into a boat as we went inside a river, this truck was used in WW II. One of the most fun part was that while on the boat, we are invited to Drive the boat!!! That was absolutely fun. My mother loved it too.

See all photos from Aura B. for Boston Duck Tours

Apr 1, 2024

Thanks Aura, We are glad you finally made it! And, thanks for the recommendation. We must be doing something right as this is our 30th year driving guests around the city. I hope we see you again.

Entertaining tour which provided a lot of Boston history and trivia. The family enjoyed sightseeing on the road as well as the novelty of going into the river. Would recommend at least once for every Boston visitor.

This was such a fun experience! Rolling through the streets of Boston & then sailing down the Charles River! The guide did a good job of pointing out points of interest & buildings. Went with my family including 2 boys who also seemed to have a good time.

The duck tour is such an iconic tourist activity, even as someone who lives in Boston. It's a fun family activity and great to take visitors to see the city. The tour guides are funny and so knowledgeable, and really interact with everyone on the tour. It was great for kids, who get to take turns steering the boat in the Charles River. Really great views of the city in the water too. The only thing keeping this from five stars is the cost. It's a little high (expected when geared to tourists) but still fun!

I was in Boston for work and we had a duck tour as a team event. I'm glad we did as our guide was really friendly and had a ton of cool knowledge. It is always cool going from land to water in the same vehicle. I'll definitely do it again when I'm in town.

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BOSTON DUCK TOURS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Boston Duck Tours

4 Copley Pl, Boston , Massachusetts 02116 USA

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Learn more about this business on Yelp .

“20 years of smiles”

Get the best views of Boston from the Duck Boat. This tour takes has no boundaries, land and water are traversed as you take in the best of Boston. 

Reviewed by Marilu F.

If you're in Boston, you don't want to miss out on doing a Boston duck tour! I had no idea this was even a thing until I saw it in person. We were walking past the science museum (apparently one... Read more

Reviewed by Jenna O.

What a great way to get to know the city of Boston. Which is a city with so much history, so I honestly would recommend this if you are in Boston! They have multiple starting locations, but they... Read more

Reviewed by Carole C.

Yes, yes, yes! I do recommend this business! Boston Duck Tours has been around for a looonnnnnng time and they have mastered the city tour! We had Mr. Ben Everywhere for our guide and he was... Read more

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Guest Post — Shipping up to Boston? Plan Some Workers’ Playtime during the SSP Annual Meeting

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Editor’s Note: Today’s post is by Anne Stone and Erin Foley. Anne is owner of Stone Strategic Marketing Services serving the associations, publishers and organizations in the research ecosystem. Erin is Director, Rightsholder Relations at Copyright Clearance Center (CCC).

If you are familiar with the Dropkick Murphys version of “ Shipping up to Boston ”, you may think Boston has a bit of an Irish edge. That’s not a secret. Add The Departed or Mystic River to your movie watch list if you haven’t seen them. Whether you are planning a fresh playlist for your travels or a groove to play at home during breaks, discover a little bit of ‘90s alt rock music history from Boston. You may be surprised to know Billy Bragg, Natalie Merchant, Pixies, 10,000 Maniacs, Radiohead, Weezer, The Lemonheads, and many others recorded at Fort Apache Studios . If you have time, the music scene in Boston has all kinds and fresh sounds as we continually attract budding musicians and seasoned performers at the Berklee Performance Center, featured in the movie CODA.

Things have changed a lot in Fort Point and the Seaport district since its grittier days of vacant lots, nightclubs , and abandoned factory buildings – and even since 2020, when SSP was last planned for Boston. With SSP’s first return since 2017, we offer fresh ideas for eats and drinks, sights, and local ‘cultcha’ for our post-pandemic return to Boston. There are many meetings to be had and memories to be made. In person registration is nearly at capacity, so now is the time to register for in person or virtual attendance .  Below are highlights on a virtual tour and ideas for destinations if you are coming to Boston. Are there Boston landmarks you always think of or look forward to seeing? Do you have publishing, library, or museum landmarks that you would add? We welcome you to share in the comments.

Accessibility in Boston has its challenges. Public transportation, good(?) behavior of motorists, and remaining cobblestones don’t always make it easy. Boston has long been promoted as a “walkable” city (with good shoes), mainly because it’s small and so are the few hills. The Seaport is the latest area to be re-developed, over a century after the T (the MBTA bus and subway system which is the oldest in the country) began. There’s plenty to do both within and outside of the neighborhood. Get the official MBTA app or Google Maps to plan journeys, and you can buy tickets onsite through kiosks or through the MBTA app. Taxi stands are easily found at the airport and hotels, and Uber and Lyft are everywhere. If you do want to have a wander, Beacon Hill (specifically Acorn Street and the surrounds), Back Bay & Newbury Street (for shopping), the North End (for Italian vibes), Union and Davis Squares in Somerville, and Cambridge are all good options. Southie is not far from the Westin, where you can find the JFK Presidential Library and U Mass-Boston. Southie should not be confused with the South End, home to the  SoWa Art + Design District , also worth a visit. If you get confused, look for stunning water views and the L Street Beach — if you can see them, you’re in Southie, if not, enjoy the South End.

Good Eats in Good Spots

The Seaport is the hip, hot place to be and the main action is nearby the Westin, without crossing Fort Point Channel. Start the day or recharge with coffee and treats at Tatte (sounds like latte), a top bakery and coffee shop with an interesting origin story in Boston — Pier 4 is the closest location, and 125 Summer St is over the bridge. Other local coffee spots include The Well Coffee House , Bean & Leaf Café , and many more.

Free spots with water views are easy to find in little parks around the Seaport. You can grab Greek take-away at GRECO right by Tatte. Watch the sunset on the steps of the Institute of Contemporary Art – where RedBull has diving contests. You might see Boston’s biggest yachts as you walk along the piers. For finer dining and entertaining, Davio’s is top tier Italian without going to the North End. And of course, there is Legal Seafoods (Harborside, Aquarium, Copley) or check out Row 34 .  A tip for virtual attendees looking for local flavor – check out online delivery from Roger’s Fish Company – the founder of Legal’s new online business. Prefer Mexican or a lounge vibe? Lolita is tucked away along the channel. There’s also the classic Lucky’s Lounge on Congress St.

Just Beyond the Seaport

Cross the bridges over Fort Point Channel and enjoy the Rose Kennedy Greenway , an oasis with a daily food truck schedule and a beer garden tucked inside. It took the place of the “central artery” after the Big Dig. For engineering, politics, and urban planning enthusiasts, check out the podcast about reconnecting Boston to the waters’ edge, or “what does $15 billion buy?”.   James Hook & Co has managed to continue the family lobster business after a fire and as the city changed around it. If you see people, they are lining up for pricey, but delicious, fresh lobster rolls. There’s always the Union Oyster House , the oldest operating restaurant in America and still delicious.

Head west and make things easy for your crowd. Time Out Market is perfect casual, community dining. Not sure what you and your people are in the mood for? Think food trucks but indoors with places to sit. Go north to arrive at “the North End.” On your way to the original Italian community, you will pass Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, the first planned green space by the water in Boston, and you’ll find the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s house (lights, horses, action) around there as well. The Italian community manages to hold its own against perpetual change. Haymarket T station marks the long-time trading space of produce market and vendors (now called Boston Public Market ) – who long opposed the Big Dig due to disruption in trade and loss of business. Neptune Oyster is a great seafood option in the North End. We recommend Vinoteca Di Monica right off Hanover, a relation to Monica’s which provides a lot of the freshly made pasta in the neighborhood daily and has great Negronis, and don’t forget to enter the age-old debate about whether Mike’s or Modern has better cannoli by having one of each right on Hanover (bring cash). Keep going North and you’ll get to “Eastie” where Santarpio’s has destination pizza, or find it at Logan Terminal C. Eastie is also the home of the new and cool Next Door speakeasy and Taqueria Jalisco , in the top 11 for Mexican on Eater’s Boston list.

For the foodies who like stories about food, urban Chinatowns are at risk throughout the US. What makes Boston’s special? Its heritage of local grocers, featured in a story by a local daughter in a Moth radio hour story . Check out the best dining options and take a break from crowds in the Seaport. Just a bit further south, if you listen to Christopher Kimball’s podcast, pay homage at Milk Street Café . For foodies who make travel a dining event, Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn, Vietnamese and French inspired menu from a James Beard Award nominee. There are plenty of options to book private group dining throughout the city. Check out Yvonne’s spaces – including the library.

In just a few hours you can see the city and have a laugh. Take a Duck Boat Tour around the city, not to be confused with the Swan Boats which go slow and not very far. You’ll also see Boston Trolley Tours which go everywhere except in the Charles River. Any way you explore, you will appreciate Olmstead’s Green Necklace, Boston’s original landscape architect.

History is everywhere, just step outside

It doesn’t take long to find notable places. A first stop from the Westin for revolutionary history is the Boston Tea Party Museum (a 15 minute walk). In a short reenactment experience, you’ll be complicit and discover some difficult truths about the colonialists/revolutionaries.

Check out the Freedom Trail by starting at the Boston Common and the Public Garden, where Matt Damon and Robin Williams sat in Good Will Hunting . Look for the red line of brick through the city first laid down in 1976 for the bicentennial. There are accessibility accommodations and several 90-minute tours of less than a mile. The Black Heritage Trail is another 1.6 mile signposted walk with a National Park Service audio guide which includes the African Meeting House, the oldest surviving Black church structure in the country. All the trails are available virtually. The Massachusetts Historical Society offers rich archives of Boston’s Abolitionists . In January 2023, Boston unveiled The Embrace and the 1965 Freedom Plaza, a place of joy within Boston Common, commemorating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King who met while studying at Boston University. More than a sculpture, the organization works toward a more equitable Boston in many ways.

Head toward “The Town.” If you saw the movie with Ben Affleck, you’ll see the bridge to Charlestown, and discover Old Ironsides, the U.S.S. Constitution and Navy Yard where it was built, the oldest commissioned ship in the world and free to veterans in May. Climb Bunker Hill and look south to spot the Seaport. If you find yourself hungry in Charlestown, the Warren Tavern is a classic.

Boston is a sports town. Love it, hate it, or don’t care, it will come up – and we have The Sports Museum at TD North stadium (aka The Garden). B’s = Bruins = Hockey; C’s = Celtics = Basketball. The Patriots are not the P’s = American Football Dynasty. Sox = Red Sox = Baseball and Fenway. Fenway is both one of the oldest parks in the US and a neighborhood where you can find our Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum , her stunning home and unique collection.

Can’t-Miss Cambridge and off-beat Somerville

Going north on Mass Ave, you can find your way to the land of little squares…Harvard (Harvard Square) and MIT (Central Square). Harvard museums have a lot to offer and are all free to the public. The MIT Museum offers very different collections – a virtual visit is free. Food and spirits abound as you go beyond the ‘college tour.’ On Mass Ave needing Italian? See what Giulia offers. Rum and rangoons is the theme for amazing American Chinese, Wusong Road on Mt. Auburn St. in Cambridge with plenty of veggie/vegan options. The Friendly Toast is a simply delightful ‘retro’ diner right in Harvard Square if you don’t have a big budget. Oleana is a destination for Mediterranean classics, but be aware that reservations are likely gone, so the brave can check out the first come, first serve beautiful patio seating. In Union Square Somerville, you’ll find Backbar for legitimately great and usually nerdy-themed cocktails, it’s tiny, though, so don’t bring a crowd. There’s also Vera’s in Union Square and Puritan & Co in Inman Square Cambridge for old-school New England.

Getting out and about

If you have more time before or after the meeting, here are a few ideas for enjoying the outdoors. Take a ferry to visit Boston Harbor Island National and State Park – the urban oasis surrounding the Seaport. For a unique experience, the aquarium offers 3-4 hour whale watches at Stellwagon Bank – also where The Perfect Storm took place. Find the Fells for a long view from Wright’s Tower. Take a short rideshare or taxi for a great little hike and views of the harbor at the top. Wright’s Tower may be best reached from trailheads in parking lots on South Border Road in Medford, such as the Bellevue Pond “pull-off.” For an easier walk, go birding with the dead at Mount Auburn Cemetery . It is a destination for birders because it serves as an arboretum since the 1830s with beautiful walking paths or visit Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.

If you haven’t registered for in person or virtual now is the time. Plan some fun with colleagues at SSP

We could crowd-source a tour of Boston publishing houses past and present. Share locations and memories of Boston publishing houses in the comments.

Anne Stone is owner of Stone Strategic Marketing Services serving the associations, publishers and organizations in the research ecosystem. She has worked in marketing and publishing for over 20 years at organizations including TBI Communications, Wiley, Blackwell, Pearson, and Constant Contact.

Erin Foley is Director, Rightsholder Relations at Copyright Clearance Center (CCC).

7 Thoughts on "Guest Post — Shipping up to Boston? Plan Some Workers’ Playtime during the SSP Annual Meeting"

Great Boston travel wiki, Anne and Erin. I would just suggest skipping the lines at Mike’s and Modern and get your cannoli at Bova Bakery a block over on Salem St. Buon viaggio!

• By Mike Groth
• May 17, 2024, 9:41 AM
• Reply to Comment

sounds like really good advice, Mike. There is a Mike’s (or is it Modern?) at one of the terminals at Logan if pressed for returning home with a souvenieur.

• By Anne Stone
• May 17, 2024, 10:47 AM

Personally, I suggest a cannoli crawl — try them all! 🙂 (Modern gets my vote…)

• By Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe
• May 17, 2024, 2:10 PM

Technically, USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned *floating* ship in the world, since HMS Victory is still a commissioned vessel and a few decades older. That said, HMS Victory is in permanent drydock and the only water that touches Victory is rainwater.

Also, USS Constitution is the only active American warship to have won a naval engagement. Remember that for your next trivia night.

Finally, if you’re in Boston *right now*, Constitution is headed out on a turnaround cruise *as I type*, with a 21-gun salute being fired in about one hour (11:30am Boston time). Alas, I’m a 6-hour drive from there, but if you’re not, you should check it out.

Don’t forget to visit the excellent and privately run USS Constitution Museum, next to the ship, which tells its story.

Peter McCracken, Librarian and Maritime History nerd

• By Peter McCracken
• May 17, 2024, 10:33 AM

Peter, apologies for my lack of precision regarding drydock status of HMS Victory. I admit I am not as up to snuff on all British Maritime history. Lived in Massachusetts most of my life and still have not made it out on a turnaround cruise or gotten into the city in time for the 21 gun salute… Will you be able to make it to SSP this year? I have a book I’ll bring along…

• May 17, 2024, 10:53 AM

• By Bill O’Brien
• May 17, 2024, 1:40 PM

I think you mean “wicked pissah!” https://www.timeout.com/boston/news/50-boston-slang-words-and-sayings-you-should-know-083022

• By David Crotty
• May 17, 2024, 1:45 PM

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