May 17, 1642
1.78 Million
Welcome to your unforgettable adventure with A-Z Travels, a leading educational travel company. As your trusted educational travel agency, we’re here to make learning come alive.
Day 1: Walk the Trail, Toss the Tea, Touch the Sky: Freedom Trail, Boston Tea Party, and Prudential Skywalk
Morning:
Welcome to Boston! You’ll meet your expert A-Z Travels tour guide upon your arrival at Boston Common who will set the stage for an unforgettable journey along the Freedom Trail. As you follow this iconic route, you’ll delve into the rich tapestry of Boston’s history, encountering a series of landmark sites that shaped the nation’s past. Your adventure begins with a visit to the Massachusetts State House, where you’ll marvel at its golden dome and learn about its pivotal role in American history. Next, you’ll step into Park Street Church, a historic site known for its significant role in the early abolitionist movement. As the tour continues, you’ll stroll through the Granary Burial Ground, resting place of notable figures such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. Further along, you’ll encounter the Benjamin Franklin Statue, a tribute to one of America’s most illustrious Founding Fathers. Finally, your journey will take you to the Old South Meeting House, a key site in the lead-up to the American Revolution.
Each stop along the Freedom Trail offers a unique glimpse into Boston’s storied past, making this tour a captivating exploration of the events and people that shaped the nation.
Afternoon:
After lunch, visit the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum which will include a fascinating tour. Here, you’ll step back in time and experience interactive exhibits and engaging reenactments that bring the historic protest to life. You’ll see authentically restored ships that played a central role in the event and learn about the brave colonists who defied British rule by dumping tea into Boston Harbor. You’ll gain an understanding of the significance of the Boston Tea Party and its impact on American history.
Evening:
For your first evening in Boston, you’ll gather for a delightful welcome dinner.
After dinner, prepare to cap off your evening with a visit to the renowned Prudential Skywalk Observation Deck. Located high above the city in the Prudential Center, this observation deck offers breathtaking, panoramic views of Boston and beyond. As you ascend to the 50th floor, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas that stretch from the historic skyline to the serene waters of the harbor, as the city lights twinkle and the sunset casts a warm glow over the landscape.
After, make your way to your hotel for check-in and a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Latitude, Liberty & Lights: Visit Mapparium, the USS Constitution and Blue Man Group
Morning:
Following breakfast at your hotel, make your way to The Mapparium, a three-story, glass-enclosed, spherical map made up of 608 glass panels, each intricately etched with outlines of countries as they appeared in the year 1935. Because you enter through a tunnel, your view of the world is offered through an almost 360-degree experience. The primary aim of the Mapparium was to inspire global understanding and awareness. It was meant to help visitors appreciate the complexity and interconnectedness of the world. The historical context, though rooted in 1935, encourages reflection on how the world has changed since then. This is truly a unique experience not to be missed!
Afternoon:
After lunch, visit the USS Constitution, affectionately known as Old Ironsides. It is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world and a symbol of American naval strength and resilience and earned its nickname during the War of 1812, after its hull withstood heavy fire from British cannons without being significantly damaged. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there on a day when they fire the ship’s cannons!
When your tour of the battleship is complete, enjoy some free time exploring the Charlestown waterfront. This lively area hosts many shops and restaurants and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston. When you’ve reconnected with your tour guide, walk to the Bunker Hill Monument to learn about the importance of the place in the American Revolution.
Evening:
After Dinner, enjoy a Blue Man Group performance – an electrifying, high-energy experience like no other. The performance offers a wild, visual, and auditory adventure that engages all your senses and leaves you grinning from ear to ear! Imagine a stage transformed into a riot of color, sound, and laughter, where three blue-painted men communicate without words, using everything from wild percussion to wacky props. It’s an immersive, unpredictable show that blends comedy, music, technology, and art in a way that’ll have you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Following the performance, return to the hotel.
Day 3: Salem’s Haunted History: Witch House, House of the 7 Gables, and Ghost Tour
Morning:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then head to Salem, a town where the past and present swirl together in a spellbinding mix. Famous for its 17th-century witch trials, Salem wears its rich, eerie history proudly, with cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings with their haunted heritage. Visit the chilling Witch House, the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the key figures in the Salem Witch Trials. Some say it’s haunted by the spirits of the accused.
Afternoon:
Lunch will be on your own on the waterfront in Salem where the streets are lined with charming boutiques, art galleries, and cafes, many offering stunning views of the harbor.
After lunch, tour of the House of the Seven Gables, an immersive experience that allows you to step into the past—both the literal history of Salem and the fictional world created by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It will enchant you with its rich architecture, literary significance, and eerie charm.
Explore Essex Street for some shopping.
Evening:
Enjoy dinner along Essex Street and get ready for your spook-tacular Ghost Tour! This unforgettable experience blends history, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural and is perfect for those who love a good spine-tingling story or who want to learn more about the witch trials and haunted history. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, the eerie tales and haunting atmosphere of Salem will leave you with a lingering sense of wonder (and perhaps a few goosebumps).
Travel back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 4: City Streets, Ocean Beats & Sunset Eats: Duck Boat Tour, New England Aquarium, and Dinner Cruise
Morning:
After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to set sail aboard one of Boston’s most beloved experiences: the Boston Duck Tours. This popular and unique tour will take you on a fun-filled journey through the city, both on land and on water. Climb aboard one of these iconic amphibious vehicles and enjoy a narrated tour of Boston’s historic landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods, and picturesque waterfront. As you splash into the Charles River, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city skyline and learn more about Boston’s rich history from your entertaining and informative guide.
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch and your afternoon adventure continues with a visit to the New England Aquarium, a renowned attraction that offers a captivating glimpse into marine life. Explore the aquarium’s impressive exhibits, including the towering Giant Ocean Tank, which houses a diverse array of sea creatures, from graceful rays to majestic sea turtles. Don’t miss the chance to experience the engaging touch tanks and the lively Penguin Colony!
Following your aquarium visit, settle in for an exhilarating IMAX movie experience. The theater’s state-of-the-art visuals and immersive sound will transport you to stunning locations around the globe, making for a thrilling and educational cinematic experience.
Evening:
Enjoy dinner and dancing aboard a Boston Signature Dinner Cruise! Enjoy freshly prepared entrees, DJ entertainment, and the best views of the Boston skyline and waterfront landmarks, including Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, Boston’s Seaport District, and the USS Constitution warship. At the conclusion of the cruise, make your way back to the hotel for your final evening in Boston.
Day 5: Humpbacks and Homeruns: Whale Watching Cruise and Fenway Park Tour
Morning:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out of the hotel and load luggage onto the bus. Then get your sea legs on – set sail with the New England Aquarium Whale Watch Cruise. Your destination: Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds, and other marine life. Stellwagen is home to many species of large whales, including humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes. New England Aquarium naturalists will share knowledge, answer your questions, and explain the fascinating behaviors of these truly magnificent mammals on the sea life cruise experience.
Afternoon:
After lunch at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the group will visit Fenway Park for a tour that offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic and historic stadiums. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Fenway Park has been home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912, making it the oldest MLB stadium still in use. Knowledgeable guides will share unique insights into the park’s history and architecture. Guests explore areas that are typically off-limits to the public, such as the press box, dugouts, the Red Sox Hall of Fame, and occasionally the warning track, depending on field activity.
At the conclusion of the tour, return to your bus to begin your safe journey home.
Thank you for considering A-Z Travels, your go-to school travel company. We hope this experience will inspire lasting memories and learning.
