Boston Duck Tours
 

I am in Boston and Im seeing these Duck Tours all over the place and am wondering if they are any good. I am here with two children and am also a lot of trolleys and are wondering if they would like to ride them and if their worth the money.
Thanks,

"Worth their money" is something only you can decide. Duck Tours are almost universally reported by visitors to be great fun - they almost always let the kids steer the boat while in the Charles River. Includes narration that is somewhat informative but funny - and not raunchy so it is OK for the kids.

Trolleys - I am assuming you mean Beantown Trolley and the like - the hop on/hop off narrated circuit. Disclaimer - I have never taken one of these in Boston since I live here. My mother just entertained visitors from Virginia and they did take it though.

Some of this depends on how long you will be in Boston, age of kids, whether this is your kind of thing or not. They are certainly convenient. If you want, you can just ride around and listen - a plus if the kids are tired.

The parts of Boston you would be likely interested in visiting is rather compact, so walking is also an option (again, depends on ages of kids). MBTA is also fairly good in downtown area. So it is not necessary to buy a tour trolley ticket - you can certainly do it on your own.

We've done Duck Tours in Washington, DC and Seattle. Loved the one in DC, hated the one in Seattle. However, the children on both trips seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. It is unique to travel on both land and water, and if you get a good driver you will also enjoy good descriptions of what you're seeing. I think the children would have fun doing the tour in Boston.

My wife and I and our 11 & 9 year olds did the Duck tour this past April in Boston and we loved it. We saw interesting parts of the city and we learned a lot of Bostonian history. I would recommend the tour.

I've lived here for 7 years and have done the Duck Tours twice. I can't wait to do them again. But then again, I am in love with my little Beantown and live for its rich history.

I personally would do those over the Trolley Tours if I had to pick one over the other.

I'm a 3x Duck tour fan. It's definitely a must-do while in Boston.

We did one in Montreal a few weeks ago on the St. Lawrence River. It was fun & we really enjoyed the commentary.

We did the Boston Duck Tour last summer and our whole family (2 kids and 2 adults) really enjoyed it. You get a bit of history, lots of humor and a relaxing way to tour the city. As another poster mentioned, my kids got to steer the boat in the river which they really enjoyed. I'd highly recommend "the Duck".

How about a Boston Duck Tour without any kids? We'll be in Boston for a wedding over Labor Day (kids weren't invited & will be home w/grandparents) & dh realy wants to do a Duck Tour. We've been to Boston several times before & done many of the touristy & historical things, so I figure why not?!?

Hi--We had out of town company a few weeks ago and it was way too last minute to get a duck tour reservation. Instead, my husband took them on this harbor tour that is cheaper, when you book online, and they raved about it!! I am not, in any way, saying anything bad about the Duck Tour, just adding some, possibly, useful info....

http://www.bostontours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm/tid/4831

In other cities the duck tours aren't done as well--in Boston they are AMAZING. Do not miss them. They are offered through the Go San Diego Card if you want to get the tour in combination with other admission fees.

http://www.gosandiegocard.com

If you have kids def. go on this--they'll love being in the duck, the tour really caters to children and it ends with a leisurly tour of the Charles after a fantastic tour of the city that mixes humor, history and trivia.

I've done two Duck tours and don't kids.

Loved the one in Branson so much that I did the one in Boston, as well.

The Boston one was so-so. It was terrible, but if I had done it first, I probably wouldn't have gone on a Duck the second time.

Keith

Just remember, ducks can kill: http://www.rbbi.com/folders/acc/arktour/arktour.htm

I think a regular boat tour, or even just taking the commuter boat would be more fun (http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_boats.asp)

Joanne
http://www.vacationing-with-kids.com

The notion that the commuter boat could be more fun than the Duck tour made me laugh so hard, my tea shot out my nose.

And THIS has been bugging me for some time now...

Joanne-Travel-Mom, it's nice that you give your travel advice and opinions, but why the advertising? I'm surprised this hasn't been questioned before and even more surprised that Fodors has allowed it to continue.

No advertising.

hoops, take the Duck Tour, you'll love it!

Ignore the naysayers. The Duck Tour in Boston is great fun.

Duck Tours are fantastic--don't listen to anyone who says different. I think they're a heap load of fun and good--quick way to see the city before diving in. I think calimom meant to post the link for Go Boston Card http://www.gobostoncard and not San Diego btw!

Thanks yall. I decided to do it and had a grand time.
Thanks!