My husband is having trouble with his legs and we need to have some tours lined up as he can't walk very far at this time. Any suggestions? He wants to go do the Cambridge, etc. trip. Also wants to go to Kennebunkport.
Thanks a lot.
Geezer lady

Depends what you mean by the "Cambridge etc. trip."

Were you thinking of hiring a car with a guide, or are you looking for pre-packaged group tours? There aren't many vehicle-based tours in Boston, mostly because the narrow streets don't encourage them. But everybody who takes the Duck Tour enjoys it!

Kennebunkport is 90 minutes away, in Maine, so for that you should just rent a car.

The best tour of Boston:

www.bostonducktours.com

Another vote for the duck tour!

took the duck tour in May unfortunately a nor'easter was blowing in that day. cold argh nasty argh,

but the tour company was efficient, i was traveling with 3 elderly folks (all 80+) one in a wheelchair and everyone was GREAT.

there was a good tour of boston, unfortunately you can't really see old ironsides on the tour unless it is docked a certain way. other than that we saw a lot of old boston.

well run operation which doesn't forget their customers comfort and care.

OK, I guess we all agree that the Duck Tour is great. BUT that just covers two hours of the OP's visit. I wish she'd come back and tell us more about what she wants!

There is a useful company website bostontours.us While this is a company's website, they offer a variety of tours - land, water, etc. I think this would be a good place to start to see what type of tours are available in general.

I would suggest a bus tour with sceduled stops rather than one of the hop-on-hop-off trolleys. The latter will stop at various points, but you may have a prolonged wait at a stop - sometimes standing is worse than walking.

Much of the touristy/older areas in Boston have decorative bricks or cobblestones. These are killers for walking, even if you get dropped off at a convenient stop. The Freedom Trail, in particular, is plagues by these. Even short distances in Boston can be exhausting - sidewalks can be crowded, there seem to be hills everywhere.

Boston area museums - Museum of Science, Gardner, Museum of Fine Arts, Aquarium are all nicely accessible.

Curious what the interest in Kennebunkport would be - it is a nice town, but I am not sure worth the trip if you can't walk around.

Aha! Gail, that's a very interesting and useful site. I do believe you've come across the explanation for the OP's mention of not only "the Cambridge trip" but also Kennebunkport (it's the last stop on their "New England Seacoast tour").

It even explains her reference in an earlier post, "Want to do a Cape Cod, Whale Watching & Paul Revere (Cambridge, etc) tour" since their tour that goes through Cambridge says that it's following the route of Revere's ride. Thanks so much, that Cambride/Revere comment had been haunting me! ;-)

So, my new haunting question is this: If these folks do so many tours, how come nobody else on Fodors had heard of them?

I think no one has heard of website since we, as a group, are mostly into more independent travel and often too proud to admit we have ever taken a bus tour of any kind. Also, some of the trips on this site I have heard of individually - like some of the harbor tours - but never knew they were actually all from one company. And maybe they have never tried to find or pay for a parking space in Boston.

Thanks to all for the replies and suggestions. Kennebunkport was after a suggestion made to my husband by his brother who said "that it is a must". My husband loves history and while he can walk his legs do ache something terrible. He does much better sitting. (And this is a man who did many marathons!) Was looking to see if there is anything special we could or should do. I may have to take off by myself on the Freedom trail. And to think we were walking 5 miles a day only 1 1/2 years ago. Enjoy while you can.

Hi Hannahsnana,

Sorry about your husband's sudden difficulties. It makes traveling a bit more complicated, but as you attest, not impossible!

I concur with the others that you will both enjoy the Duck Tour immensely. Perhaps he can go around town on the Trolley Tour while you do the Freedom Trail.

Are you driving up to Kennebunkport, or looking for an escorted tour? If you are driving independently, K-port also has a narrated Trolley Tour. And a short horse and buggy ride around the town center. I think you'd like the Nott House historic home, too. It is a walking tour inside the house, but individuals are guided privately, so you could go at your own pace, choose regarding going upstairs, etc.

Good Luck! Have a great trip!

Not sure what about Kennebunkport makes it a must see - but I assume your brother-in-law knows your husband better than I do! I would check out kennebunkport.com and .org - they seem to have a rather comprehensive list of activities, sites, etc. I checked it out to see if there was something I was missing about Kennebunkport.

My impression of it has always been that it is a small and pretty town with beautiful ocean views, rocky beaches with cold water, many art galleries and a few local museum-type places. A nice place for a day trip from Boston area or one night stay if you like browsing in gift shops, galleries, having a few seafood meals, relaxing views. Not sure if any of this would work out well for one with mobility issues.

Since I don't remember your previous post, I am not sure how long you are spending in the area or if you will have a car. If you have access to a car or want to rent one for the day, I would try to get handicapped placard from your home state and then take a drive up to Newburyport, Rockport or Gloucester to get a similar atmosphere. Any of these places have nice views from a car, but parking is sometimes a problem - with the placard you might be able to do some modest walking and see a little more.

Kennebunkport is charming, but you might want to ask your brother-in-law why he considered is a "must." Especially if you hve limited time in the Boston area, since this would be a whole-day tri and there are closer places to enjoy the seashore towns.

Appreciate all of your help. I have booked the Duck Tours on everyones recommendation. We also have booked a Gray Line tour that takes in Kennebunkport. We will spend 2 hours there so it is really good to know there is a buggy ride we can catch. My husband wanted to rent a car but not my idea of fun to watch a map instead of the scenery. We will be there for a week. Leaving this Friday. Have also booked a whale watching cruise. Love the water!
Again, thanks for all of the input.

Hi hannahshana,

As a resident of Kennebunkport, I hope you will enjoy your visit here.

If you really want to see this little town, I would recommend the Trolley tour. It will take you down Ocean Avenue where you can see the Bush summer home, Walker's Point, which visitors seem to love.

The horse/buggy tour is really confined to a very small route right around Dock Square...not worth the money, IMO.

If you have the time, go to the Clam Shack right across the bridge from Dock Square for wonderful fried clams, fresh lobster roll and great hand cut onion rings.

Enjoy your trip !

Marion

Everybody has been terrific. We live in a small town just north of Jacksonville, FL. Am looking forward to sampling the NE seafood. Love seafood.