Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome; however, the tour involves walking for 90 minutes, so consider the child’s stamina.

Are there restroom facilities along the tour?

Restrooms are not available during the walk, but there are public facilities near the meeting point.

Can the tour accommodate wheelchairs or strollers?

The tour follows paved sidewalks and is generally accessible, but please contact Boston By Foot in advance to discuss specific needs.

What is the maximum group size for the private tour?

Private tours typically accommodate up to 15 guests to ensure an intimate experience.

Are pets allowed on the tour?

Pets are not permitted to maintain the tour’s focus and comfort for all guests.

What happens if it rains on the day of the tour?

The tour operates rain or shine, so dress appropriately; in severe weather, the tour may be rescheduled.

Private Tour: Becoming Back Bay in Boston, MA | Private | Walking Tour

Experience Boston's Back Bay neighborhood like never before on this exclusive 90-minute private walking tour led by Boston By Foot. Explore the fascinating story behind one of America’s most ambitious urban planning projects: the transformation of a shallow bay into a flourishing neighborhood. Learn about the groundbreaking civil engineering techniques used to fill the bay and witness how Victorian architecture shapes the area's distinctive charm. This intimate tour offers a unique perspective on the lives of 19th-century residents and the visionary minds that designed Back Bay’s iconic grid layout. Whether you're a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply curious about Boston’s growth, this private tour provides a rich, immersive adventure through one of the city’s most remarkable districts. Walking at a relaxed pace, guests have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and soak in the stories that bring Back Bay to life.

About Boston By Foot

Boston By Foot presents guided walking tours across Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods and hidden corners. The organization offers a diverse calendar of small-group, interpretive walks that interpret local architecture, social history, and urban change. Tours range from neighborhood explorations—Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fort Point and Seaport, East Boston—to thematic programs on Art Deco design, the Gilded Age, and literary and revolutionary-era stories.

Many tours run about 1.5 hours and focus on primary sources, built environment, and human stories. Highlights include an in-depth look at the Back Bay land reclamation and Victorian townhouses; a Fort Point and Seaport walk tracing industrial waterfront change; a Beacon Hill series that covers dramatic social history and seasonal Boo! tours; and specialized walks such as Johnny Tremain’s Colonial route and a Black Voices program centering nineteenth‑century writers.

Guides prioritize historical accuracy, site-based interpretation, and respectful treatment of difficult subjects. Public programs accommodate adults, families, and students and are suitable for visitors seeking cultural context and local insight. The organization’s tours serve as an accessible introduction to Boston’s layered past, from Indigenous Shawmut Peninsula history through immigration, reform movements, and urban redevelopment. For travelers and residents alike, these guided walks offer structured storytelling, architectural observation, and connections between past and present.

Tours are updated regularly to reflect new research and changing city landscapes. Interpretive materials and route notes emphasize primary sources, archival research, and on-site evidence to give visitors a grounded, evidence-based experience. Many guides are local historians and long-term residents who know the neighborhoods intimately.