Beacon Hill Underground Railroad: Self-Guided Audio Tour
4.5
22 Ratings
Boston
Embark on a self-guided audio tour of Beacon Hill's Underground Railroad, exploring the hidden alleys and safe havens where brave souls risked their lives to protect runaway slaves. Experience history on your own terms with the WalknTours app.
Duration:
55 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- John J Smith House - You’ll learn how the underground operated and stop by the John J Smith House and you’ll learn about his station on the underground railroad and the people he helped.
- 83 Phillips St - After hearing more about Harriet Tubman’s life the tour takes you to 83 Phillips Street, the former home of John Sweat Rock and his many firsts in history.
- 66 Phillips St - You’ll stop by the station master Lewis Hayden’s home and hear the stories of how he bravely saved countless runaways at this home here in Beacon Hill.
- 28 Grove St - Once home to Leonard Grime, a conductor on the underground railroad.
- 40 Phillips St - The Old Temperance Boarding House, a stop on the underground railroad.
- 41 Phillips St - The old Phillips School was once here, this was the first integrated school in Boston and also had the first African American teacher to teach at an integrated school.
- The Vilna Shul - The tour takes you past the historic Vilna Shul, the oldest immigrant synagogue in Boston, and tells the story of the Jewish Community that helped on the underground railroad.
- 2 Phillips St - This was once the house of John Coburn and his gaming house. And as you guessed it, John was a station master.
- Irving Street - The tour stops by the abolitionist Charles Sumner’s Birthplace.
What's Included
- Smartphone-guided solo walking tour
- Exploration of Beacon Hill’s Underground Railroad history
- Engaging narrative on historic freedom trails
Additional Information
Explore the clandestine history of Beacon Hill’s Underground Railroad whilst traversing its quaint cobblestoned roads. During this historical journey, you’ll visit the shadowy lanes where slave hunters pursued slaves, and where these slaves sought sanctuary. You’ll pinpoint the locations within the Underground Railroad where escapees concealed themselves. Listen to the awe-inspirative accounts of audacious individuals who endangered their lives for the sake of these slaves’ safety. This is an epoch that must always be recalled but is frequently neglected in the annals of Boston.
This tour’s uniqueness lies in its individualistic, self-conductive nature that you can undertake at any moment. The WalknTours application guides you through Beacon Hill while narrating its history in your ear. It is akin to your digital tour-guide, accessible anytime, anywhere just on your phone. It’s technologically advanced and supremely handy. Embark on your adventure at your own rhythm and feel free to pause whenever you feel like it.
Location
70 Charles St
Charles Street
The tour starts at the front door of the Charles Street Meeting House on the corner of Charles Street and Mt. Vernon Street in Beacon Hill. Here you will hear the history of the Charles Street meeting house, Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas and other abolitionist who spoke here.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(22 Ratings)
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Nikoel_c
Nov 2, 2023
Worth a try - Very informative! Lots of helpful directions and details. Option to pause, go back, etc was very helpful. Enjoyed our time and was definitely worth the money!
Review provided by Viator
Marilynma4474tz
Sep 17, 2023
Great tour - Easy to use app with clear directions and loads of information. Took us to places we would not have thought of or found otherwise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_n
Sep 5, 2023
Brings history to life - Being able to see where the railroad operated was invaluable. Loved the feature to dive deeper into the people
Review provided by Viator
Shernice_m
Aug 24, 2023
Very informative - The tour was really great. Very informative. Make sure u wear comfortable shoes. I really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
Juliejarrett7
Jun 27, 2023
Enlightening experience - I thought this was phenomenal! As a resident of the neighborhood it gave me a new perspective on the homes and history around me. Well worth the time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ethan_t
Jun 1, 2023
Excellent - Well done! It was well narrated, well informed, a lot of walking, but an incredible job explaining how hard it must have been to get the slaves to safety.
Review provided by Viator
Kporter9876
Mar 12, 2023
Highly recommend - We were so glad that we took this tour. Very clear instructions and wonderfully dramatized. We ended up taking the tour at night because it fit our schedules but really added to the experience as well. We’ve already recommended to a few tourists we met and will continue to do so.
Review provided by Viator
Maggiekn8386zm
Oct 21, 2022
Fascinating - We loved that the tour was self guided. She does a great job describing where to go for each stop. I never would’ve known the history that was right in front of me had I not followed this tour. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dee_a
May 24, 2023
Lost our way - Lost our way and couldn't get back on the correct route. Tried several times to rewind the tour narration.
Review provided by Viator
Michael_m
Dec 11, 2023
Standing on a street corner.... - Never received emails telling me which apps to download, was sent several confirmation and experience codes to use, none of which activated the tour, tried to get this to work over the phone on a street corner in 30 degree weather and couldn't get it to work and still waiting on a refund. Take the NPS.gov free tour.
Review provided by Viator
