Boston's Emerald Necklace Guided Bicycle Tour: E-Bikes/City Bikes

4.8 (16 reviews) Boston, USA
Duration4h
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 10 travelers

Overview

The Emerald Necklace bike tour is an amazing way to see Boston’s most famous green spaces in a ‘green’ way - you may forget you are in the heart of the city! Discover Frederick Law Olmsted’s famous system of parks on this bicycle tour of the historic Emerald Necklace. From the shaded boulevard on Commonwealth Avenue to the popular shores of Jamaica Pond to the winding paths of the Arnold Arboretum, this route is a fabulous way to experience Boston's park system. The route is a favorite among locals! The parks are gorgeous any time of the year, but the foliage peaks in color between mid October and early November.

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. This ride covers many hidden gems in Boston.

What's included

  • Professional guide
  • Use of bicycle
  • Use of helmet
  • Gratuities

What to expect

  1. Urban AdvenTours - Boston Bike Tours
    30m · Admission ticket included
    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.
  2. North End
    Pass by
    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
    Pass by
    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
    Pass by
    Along our route, we'll ride past TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and many a concert!
  5. Beacon Hill
    Pass by
    Cycle through Beacon Hill, on of Boston's most famous - and photographed - neighborhoods.
  6. Louisburg Square
    5m
    Louisburg Square is famously known as a literary square, with previous residents including Louisa May Alcott and Robert Frost.
  7. Charles River Esplanade
    Pass by
    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
    Pass by
    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
    Pass by
    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
    Pass by
    We'll pass by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - we recommend planning a visit during your time in Boston!
  11. Emerald Necklace
    1h
    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!
  12. Jamaica Pond Park
    5m
    Ride around Jamaica Pond, a kettle pond within the Emerald Necklace.
  13. Arnold Arboretum
    5m
    We'll ride through Arnold Arboretum, the second "link" in the Emerald Necklace park system
  14. South End
    Pass by
    Ride through Boston's South End neighborhood.
  15. Copley Square
    10m
    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.
  16. Trinity Church In The City Of Boston
    5m
    You'll see Trinity Church when we stop in Copley Plaza.
  17. John Hancock Tower
    5m
    See the John Hancock Tower during our stop at Copley Plaza.
  18. Boston Public Library
    5m
    You'll see the Boston Public Library when we stop in Copley Square.
  19. Commonwealth Avenue Mall
    Pass by
    Ride in the bike path along Comm Ave
  20. Boston Common
    5m
    We'll visit America's oldest park!
  21. Downtown Crossing
    Pass by
    We'll ride through Downtown Crossing, the original shopping district in Boston.
  22. Freedom Trail
    Pass by
    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
    Pass by
    As we ride through Downtown Crossing, you'll see the Old South Meeting House.
  24. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
    Pass by
    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
    10m
    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.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
End point

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • 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.
  • There is street riding on this ride
  • Tours rebooked within 48 hours of your tour time are subject to a $20 rebooking fee (per person)
  • You MUST be at least 16 years old and at least 5 feet tall to ride an E-bike.

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.8 (16)
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