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

5.0 (39 reviews) Boston, USA
Duration1h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers

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
  • In the shadow of Fenway Park, stroll down lively Lansdowne street home to numerous venues
  • Food & Drinks not included
  • Gratuities

What to expect

  1. The Fens
    15m
    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.
  2. Kenmore Square
    20m
    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
  3. Fenway Park
    20m
    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.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

We will meet in the lobby of the Verb Hotel, home to an exclusive collection of Rock and Roll artifacts from the David Beiber Archives including vintage concert posters, album art and tickets to historic shows.

End point

We will meet in the lobby of the Verb Hotel, home to an exclusive collection of Rock and Roll artifacts from the David Beiber Archives including vintage concert posters, album art and tickets to historic shows.

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.0 (39)
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