The town that started a revolution knows how to celebrate its independence. Harborfest extends the Fourth of July into a week-long festival of concerts, events and celebrations of Boston's patriotic and maritime heritage.

Boston By Foot joins the party and extends its regular schedule with the following special tours for Harborfest. No reservations required.

2011 Harborfest Tours
Ben Franklin: Son of Boston Saturday
July 2, 2011
3-4:30pm

Monday
July 4, 2011
4-5:30pm

Celebrate and learn the life of Benjamin Franklin by walking among the sites of his homes and haunts in Colonial Boston.

In his day, Benjamin Franklin was America's greatest scientist, inventor, diplomat, humorist, statesman, and entrepreneur. Ben was born in Boston, came of age in Philadelphia, and was the darling of Paris.

 
Boats, Bridges and Locks Sunday
July 3, 2011
10:30am-12 noon

Discover the things that move in, around, and over the Charles River Basin. From the Boston Garden along the Bulfinch Triangle, over the Charles, and to U.S.S. Constitution, you will experience the art, technology, and nature of this historic area.

Examine Boston's new cable-stayed landmark, the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, the locks of the Charles River Dam, and the revitalization of the lower basin.

 
Bostonians Behaving Badly: Riots in Boston Thursday
June 30, 2011
5:30-7pm

Find that rebel inside you as you walk through four centuries of riots and rebellions in Boston.

 
Captain Kidd's Treasure Hunt Thursday
June 30, 2011
12 noon-12:30pm

Friday
July 1, 2011
12 noon-12:30pm

Saturday
July 2, 2011
12 noon-12:30pm

Sunday
July 3, 2011
12 noon-12:30pm

Monday
July 4, 2011
12 noon-12:30pm

A short self-guided tour for buccaneers of all ages. Each participant receives clues on a pirate's treasure map leading to a trove of architectural and historical gems.

The tour is self-guided at your own pace. Simply purchase the map during one of the available times.

 
Charlestown: Where Boston Began Wednesday
June 29, 2011
5:30-7pm

Sunday
July 3, 2011
3-4:30pm

Charlestown was the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony before the Puritans crossed over to Boston in 1630. In 1775, Paul Revere crossed over to Charlestown to begin his famous Midnight Ride, the colonists stood up to the British army at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and Charlestown was burned to the ground.

Tour this urban village founded in 1628 that focuses on the early Puritan settlement, the Bunker Hill monument, and many of its distinguished citizens which have included John Harvard and Samuel Morse.

 
The Dark Side of Boston Friday
July 1, 2011
6-7:30pm

Saturday
July 2, 2011
6-7:30pm

Take a walk on Boston's Dark Side through its history of misery, malevolence, misfortunes, malfeasance, malice, misdeeds, and the macabre.

 
Footloose on the Freedom Trail Monday
July 4, 2011
9am-12 noon

Footloose on the Freedom Trail is a 3-hour walking tour of the entire Freedom Trail from the State House to the U.S.S. Constitution offered every Independence Day.

Walk the 2.5-mile route with us on this patriotic tour through 16 historic sites, as it winds its way through the various special events. There's no better time to do it than on the Fourth of July, no better way to start off the day, and no better way to celebrate America's birthday!

 
Johnny Tremain Saturday
July 2, 2011
1-2:30pm

Relive the adventures of Johnny Tremain in Colonial Boston based on Esther Forbes' prize-winning novel about a young boy who gets caught up in the whirlwind of events that lead up to the American Revolution.

 
Waterfront Sunday
July 3, 2011
5:30-7pm

The Boston Waterfront was the epicenter of the maritime economy in the New World. From Quincy Market to Rowes Wharf, this walk through Boston's mercantile history features tales of the colonial shoreline, the lore of clipper ships, and the vibrant revitalized waterfront of today's shops and restaurants.

Boston By Foot Brochure listing Boston tours in 2011 season Boston By Foot Guided Walking Tours For Boston By Foot Docents. Explore Boston on a Boston By Foot walking tour. The Dark Side of Boston.