Seafood & Chowder History Walk

Guided by Boston Pizza Tours, this seafood walk holds 4.8 stars from 237 reviews. Costs start at $169 per person and cancellation is free.

Overview

This walk starts in the North End, downstairs at Modern Pastry on Hanover Street, and works its way toward some of the most storied seafood in the city. The full route takes in North Square Park, the HarborWalk, Long Wharf, the Old State House and Quincy Market before settling in for a long stop at the Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant. Along the way the guide layers in colonial and revolutionary history between the bites.

The food side of the tour is substantial rather than a string of small tastes. There is clam chowder from a 2-time winner of Boston's ChowderFest, oyster and shrimp from a raw bar, and a full size lobster roll at the Union Oyster House rather than a sample portion. The tour loops back toward the North End and closes with a sweet treat from a well known local bakery.

It runs about 2 hours 45 minutes, caps the group at 12 travelers, and needs at least 4 bookings to go ahead. Reviewers who took it describe a relaxed pace, generous amounts of food, and guides who layer history into the walking stretches. The route is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and runs in all weather, so it is a genuine walk, not a tasting room crawl.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Modern PastryMeet the guide at Modern Pastry Underground, 263 Hanover Street in the North End. Do not wait in the pastry line; walk straight in and head downstairs. The Paul Revere House passes by en route.
2. North Square ParkA short stop at North Square Park, about 10 minutes, before heading toward the water.
3. HarborWalkRoughly 30 minutes along the HarborWalk, with views out over Boston Harbor.
4. Long WharfAnother 30 minutes at Long Wharf, the oldest commercial port in the city, with stops for fresh oyster and shrimp at a local raw bar along the way.
5. Old State HouseAbout 10 minutes at the Old State House, one of the Freedom Trail sites covered on the walk.
6. Quincy MarketAround 15 minutes at Quincy Market, with Faneuil Hall Marketplace passing by.
7. Union Oyster House lunchThe longest stop, about 45 minutes, with admission included. A full size lobster roll is served here at America's oldest restaurant.
8. Return and pastryModern Pastry passes by again as the tour finishes back at the meeting point with a treat from a famous North End bakery.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the day go more smoothly, based on the listing and on what travelers report afterward.

• Bring an appetite. Several reviewers said there was a lot of food, far beyond sampling size, including a full lobster roll at lunch. One reviewer advised saving your appetite in advance. Come hungry rather than planning a second dinner afterward.
• Wear walking shoes. This is a genuine walking tour across the North End, the waterfront and downtown. One traveler called it a bit of a walk but noted the stops give plenty of time to relax along the way. Comfortable shoes are the sensible choice.
• Dress for weather. The tour operates in rain, shine or snow, so dress appropriately for whatever the forecast holds. Layers and a rain shell are the safest bets for a walk that runs in all conditions.
• Group feel. The group is capped at 12 travelers, and reviewers mention a leisurely pace with time to talk and get to know others. One reviewer said the small group made for a very good experience.
• History with food. Expect history woven through the meal stops rather than a museum lecture. Reviewers frequently praised the guide's knowledge of the area and the way stories filled the walking stretches. It works for people who want sightseeing alongside the food.
• Getting there. The meeting point is near public transportation in the North End. Find Modern Pastry on Hanover Street and go directly downstairs rather than joining the pastry line, as the listing specifically warns against waiting in line.

Common issues. The tour requires a minimum of 4 travelers, and if that number is not met the operator offers an alternative date or a full refund. The full refund window also closes 24 hours before the start time, after which cancellations and changes are not accepted. One reviewer reported a booking time mix-up that led to a cancellation and partial refund. Weather is not a barrier, since the tour runs in all conditions, but that also means dressing for the day as it comes.

Questions People Ask Before Booking