Boston's Emerald Necklace Guided Bicycle Tour

Boston, US
84% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (13 reviews)

Highlights

  • Explore Boston's famous green spaces
  • Experience the beauty of the Emerald Necklace
  • Ride along the Charles River Esplanade
  • Discover hidden gems in Boston's park system
  • See iconic landmarks like Trinity Church and Boston Public Library

What to expect

1

Urban AdvenTours

Arrive at our shop 30 minutes prior to your tour time. You'll be asked to sign a waiver and be fitted on your bike. You guide will provide an overview of the ride, what to expect, as well as our safety tips and rules of the road.

Duration 30 minutes
Admission Admission Included
2

North End

Our ride will start in the North End, Boston's Italian neighborhood. You will likely smell the garlic as we roll through. At the end of your tour, you guide will be happy to recommend a restaurant or pastry shop (mmm...cannolis!)

3

Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge

Curious to know the inspiration behind Boston's new(ish) bridge? Our guides will let you know a few fun facts behind the design...

4

TD Garden

Along our route, we'll ride past TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and many a concert!

5

Beacon Hill

Cycle through Beacon Hill, on of Boston's most famous - and photographed - neighborhoods.

6

Louisburg Square

Louisburg Square is famously known as a literary square, with previous residents including Louisa May Alcott and Robert Frost.

Duration 5 minutes
7

Charles River Esplanade

Our route will take us along the river on the Esplanade, where we'll ride by the Hatch Shell, the outdoor concert stage which was made famous by the Boston Pops Orchestra, which performs during the Fourth of July fireworks.

8

Back Bay

We'll ride through the Back Bay Fens, one of the parks in the Emerald Necklace park system, which was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The Fens are home to Victory Gardens dating back to WWII, as well as two of Boston's art museums - the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

9

Museum of Fine Arts

The MFA is a world class art museum. We'll stop to see one of their unique art installations outside of the museum. Banners outside will give you an idea of current exhibits, but the MFA is always worth a visit while you're in Boston.

10

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

We'll pass by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - we recommend planning a visit during your time in Boston!

11

Emerald Necklace

During this tour, we'll ride through the famed Emerald Necklace, which is a chain of green spaces and parks. You may not even feel as though you are right in the heart of a city!

Duration 60 minutes
12

Jamaica Pond Park

Ride around Jamaica Pond, a kettle pond within the Emerald Necklace.

Duration 5 minutes
13

Arnold Arboretum

We'll ride through Arnold Arboretum, the second "link" in the Emerald Necklace park system

Duration 5 minutes
14

South End

Ride through Boston's South End neighborhood.

15

Copley Square

Copley Plaza is the heart of the Back Bay neighborhood. The John Hancock building, Trinity Church, and the Boston Public Library surround the square. Copley Plaza also marks the finish line for the Boston Marathon.

Duration 10 minutes
16

Trinity Church Boston

You'll see Trinity Church when we stop in Copley Plaza.

Duration 5 minutes
17

John Hancock Tower

See the John Hancock Tower during our stop at Copley Plaza.

Duration 5 minutes
18

Boston Public Library

You'll see the Boston Public Library when we stop in Copley Square.

Duration 5 minutes
19

Commonwealth Avenue Mall

Ride in the bike path along Comm Ave

20

Boston Common

We'll visit America's oldest park!

Duration 5 minutes
21

Downtown Crossing

We'll ride through Downtown Crossing, the original shopping district in Boston.

22

Freedom Trail

Many people ask if we will ride the Freedom Trail on tour. While it's not possible to follow the entire route on bike, we'll cross over the Freedom Trail multiple times along our tour.

23

Old South Meeting House

As we ride through Downtown Crossing, you'll see the Old South Meeting House.

24

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway

One of the city's newest parks, created during "the Big Dig". Rose Kennedy Greenway is the home of many unique art installations, gardens, splash fountains, and farmer's markets.

25

Boston Harbor Cruises

From Long Wharf, you can see the Old State House - the site of the Boston Massacre - the Custom House Building, the Seaport District of South Boston, and the neighborhood of East Boston.

Duration 10 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Service animals allowed
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Specialized infant seats are available
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
  • Additional information
    Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Additional information
    Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Additional information
    Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Additional information
    This tour is up to 4 hours long and covers at least 15 miles, with several hills. Riders must be comfortable spending that much time on a bike and covering that distance.
  • Additional information
    There is street riding on this ride
  • Additional information
    Tours rebooked within 48 hours of your tour time are subject to a $20 rebooking fee (per person)
  • Additional information
    You MUST be at least 16 years old and at least 5 feet tall to ride an E-bike.
Provided by Urban AdvenTours

What our experts say

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    Dress in layers; it can be chilly.
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    Check for peak foliage in October.
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    Grab lunch at nearby Flour Bakery.
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    Visit the Boston Public Library after.
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    Bring water; hydration is key!

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