free_cancellationFree Cancellation up to 2 weeks before

shieldTrip Protection available for more flexibility

personGroup Size: 1 to 9 paidPrice: From $727 per group timerDuration: 7h hikingWalking Time: 3h 30m groupsTour Style: Private languageLanguages: English pin_dropStart: Hotel Pickup footprintTransport: Walking, Vehicle

star Tour Highlights

  • check_circle Stand on Lexington Battle Green and walk Old North Bridge - where the Revolution began
  • check_circle See the Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women
  • check_circle Visit Boston's Old North Church - "One if by land, two if by sea"
  • check_circle See Paul Revere's House, the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston
  • check_circle Explore the "pen vs musket" theme - from Revolutionary War to famous authors
  • check_circle Private experience with hotel pickup and flexible scheduling for your group

routeTour Itinerary (18 stops)

40 min

Pick Up and Transfer to Lexington

Your guide will pick you up in a comfortable minivan and drive you out to Lexington!

20 min

Lexington Battle Green

Explore Lexington Battle Green, the place where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired on April 19th, 1775.

10 min

Lexington Belfry

See the belfry building, used to sound the alarm when the British were marching on Lexington & Concord.

5 min

Buckman Tavern

Pass by Buckman Tavern, which served as a gathering spot for colonists while awaiting the arrival of the "Redcoats" on April 19, 1775.

20 min

Battle Road Trail

See the Old Bay Road, the actual path taken by the British on their way to and from Concord during the American Revolution. Take in the idyllic setting of times gone by.

Battle Road Trail in Concord, MA
20 min

Hartwell Tavern

Visit the historical Hartwell Tavern, located on the Battle Road Trail to see how colonists lived during the 18th century. This historical building stood there the day the British went to Concord - April 19, 1775.

5 min

The Wayside

Drive by the "House of the Three Authors" in Concord. Three famous writers lived here at different points in time: Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Alcott family, and Margaret Sydney. Home to Laurie from Little Women.

10 min

Alcott's Orchard House

Stop by the grounds of the Orchard House, home to Louisa May Alcott and her family.

Entry sign to the Orchard House, Concord, MA
25 min

Old North Bridge

Walk across the exact replica of the Old North Bridge in Concord, where the colonists overwhelmed the Red Coats. The gathered colonists crossed this bridge and proceeded to attack a small regiment of British soldiers stationed to guard it.

Old North Bridge in Concord, MA
10 min

The Old Manse

See the house Ralph Waldo Emerson grew up. Emerson later gave Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife the right to live at the famous residence as a wedding present.

20 min

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Visit the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and the famous author's ridge, where many of Concord's Literary Circle are buried, including Thoreau, Emerson, Alcott, and Hawthorne.

40 min

Return to Boston

Return back to Boston for lunch.

1 hour

Break

Free time for lunch at a local artisanal farm-to-table market in Boston.

20 min

USS Constitution

Visit the oldest working wooden ship in the world, put into service in 1797. Learn why the ship got the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the war of 1812.

USS Constitution floating in Boston Harbor
20 min

Bunker Hill Monument

See the Bunker Hill Monument and learn about the first official battle of the American Revolution. Hear the story behind the famous phrase "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes".

20 min

Old North Church

Visit the Old North Church, famous for Paul Revere's lanterns. Learn the story behind the phrase of "one if by land, two if by sea", while sitting inside Paul Revere's pew.

20 min

Paul Revere House

See one of the oldest wooden houses in Boston, where Paul Revere lived for 20 years with his wife and 16 children!

20 min

Drop Off

Your guide will drop you off directly at your hotel!

reviewsReviews

descriptionTour Description

Is the pen mightier than the musket? This full-day tour explores both questions by diving deep into the twin revolutions that shaped America - the political revolution that began in Lexington, Concord, and Boston, and the literary revolution that flourished in Concord's author community.

Start the day where the American Revolution began. Stand on Lexington Battle Green where the first shots were fired. Walk across Old North Bridge where "the shot heard around the world" echoed across history. Visit Buckman Tavern where the Minutemen gathered before dawn on April 19, 1775.

Then shift from muskets to pens as you explore Concord's rich literary heritage. Stop by the Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. Pay respects at Author's Ridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Thoreau, Emerson, Alcott, and Hawthorne rest side by side.

End the day in Boston's North End, visiting the sites where the Revolution was planned and launched - the Old North Church with its famous lanterns, Paul Revere's House, and views of the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument.

Note: Old North Church entrance included. Interior visits depend on availability.

Explore Related Tours:
Lexington & Concord Day Trip
A Revolution Begins Tour

checklist What's Included

Included

  • check_circle Professional local tour guide
  • check_circle Air-conditioned private vehicle
  • check_circle Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • check_circle Old North Church entrance
  • check_circle Bottled water
  • check_circle All transportation surcharges

Not Included

  • cancel Lunch (1 hour break provided)
  • cancel Gratuity (industry standard is $10-20/hr)

infoDetails & Pricing

  • Start Times: Your choice, anytime between 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Tour Duration: 7 hours (start time flexibility available)
  • If bringing luggage on the tour, the vehicle can generally only handle 4 passengers unless traveling light.
  • Massachusetts law requires proper car seats until children are 8 years old or 57 inches tall. We do not provide car seats, and refunds will not be available day of for lack of proper seating.
  • Prices vary seasonally. See dates.
  • Our booking platform adds a 6% service fee for online bookings. Call us to book with no service fees!
Low Season High Season
1-6 Guests $715 + $12/pp $790 + $12/pp
7-9 Guests $825 + $12/pp $900 + $12/pp

help Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the Lexington & Concord tour?

This 7-hour tour adds Boston's North End to the itinerary - including the Old North Church, Paul Revere's House, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument. If you want to see where the Revolution was both planned (Boston) and started (Lexington/Concord), this is the complete experience. Our regular Lexington & Concord tour focuses on those towns plus literary sites like Walden Pond.

Is this tour more focused on history or literature?

It is both! We call it "pen vs musket" because we explore the Revolutionary War history in the morning and the literary revolution in the afternoon. You will visit battle sites and taverns, then shift to the homes and graves of famous authors. Your guide weaves both themes together - showing how the fight for independence inspired generations of American writers.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes! Children of all ages are welcome. The mix of Revolutionary War battles and literary sites - plus comfortable vehicle transport between locations - keeps both kids and adults engaged throughout the day. Note that Massachusetts law requires proper car seats for children under 8 years old or under 57 inches tall, and we do not provide car seats.

Please note: We cannot guarantee wheelchair or stroller accessibility of any buildings, and we do not recommend this tour if such access is required.

Where do we eat lunch?

We include a 1 hour lunch break between your time in Lexington & Concord and your return to Boston. The break can be in Concord or Boston, as your preference dictates!

What if it rains?

Tours run rain or shine. Since this is primarily a driving tour with stops, you will have shelter in the vehicle between locations. We recommend bringing an umbrella and wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate walking shoes.