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Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future

39 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 39 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Boston, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Guided by a local musician, explore Boston’s rock and roll past, present (and future), on a walking tour through Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Visit the sites of legendary venues like the Rat, Storyville, and the Boston Tea Party- The Velvet Underground’s favorite place to play in the whole country! Learn how pioneering DJs, producers, and educators sparked a revolution in how music was transmitted, recorded and taught. And trace Boston’s impact on the careers of iconic artists like B.B King, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, New Edition, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Pixies, Radiohead, Peter Wolf, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Jonathan Richman and more. Scroll below to learn more….

What's Included

  • Hear tales from the Rat, the cavernous club where many Punk and New Wave bands got their start
  • Walk through America's oldest Victory Gardens still in use
  • Examine Boston's impact on the Folk Revival in the 60s
  • Food & Drinks not included
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

1271 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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The Fens

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Fens is a treasured greenspace in Boston and features Americas oldest WW II, Victory Gardens. On the Modern Lovers EP, Jonathan Richman sings, “I walk through the 'Fenway with my heart in my hand". We will stroll through the gardens before heading into Kenmore Square.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Kenmore Square

For decades, Kenmore Square was at the center of Boston's music scene thanks to the numerous record stores, and venues like Storyville and the legendary rock club, The Rathskeller. Here, we will learn about the numerous garage, punk, and new wave bands that crawled out of "the Rat" in the 70s and 80s. The Police played here 4 times on their first US tour in 1979. This is also the venue where Pixies first shared the same bill as the Throwing Muses. Also, we will stop by "Nuggets" one of the last records stores left in the neighborhood before winding our around Fenway Park
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Fenway Park

Walk down Landsdowne Street in the shadow of Fenway Park and hear tales of venues past and present including the Boston Tea Party, Venus De Milo, Avalon/Axis, Spit, and more! At present, local and national bands load in on Landsdowne street to play at the House of Blues or the new MGM Music Hall.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tour Boston’s Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-442285P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
39 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 39 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
39
4 stars
0
3 stars
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2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Hear tales from the Rat, the cavernous club where many Punk and New Wave bands got their start
  • Walk through America's oldest Victory Gardens still in use
  • Examine Boston's impact on the Folk Revival in the 60s
  • In the shadow of Fenway Park, stroll down lively Lansdowne street home to numerous venues
  • Food & Drinks not included
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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