Winter Freedom Trail Walking Tours with a Relative of Paul Revere

Book Your Private Tour For January-March 2025 Via Text: 617.953.7549

Looking for something to do during your stay in Boston that’s completely unique? This year we mark the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride. Explore the Freedom Trail with Ben Edwards — a private tour guide in Boston for 20 years and a relative of Paul Revere. Learn more about Ben and the Edwards/Revere family connection.

We are offering a 30% discount this winter for Omni Parker House guests on the 5.5-hour private tour – normally $650, now $450. The tour covers all the Freedom Trail sites in Boston and includes plenty of time to visit inside the sites and stay out of the cold. Admission fee required.

You can begin your tour over breakfast at Parker’s Restaurant or you may elect to stop there during the tour for Boston Cream Pie. Cost of food not included. During this stop Ben shares his wonderful collection of Parker House memorabilia including:

– Original 19th & 20th century menus

– Hotel receipts from the 1870s

– An autograph of one of the hotel’s most famous guests, Charles Dickens, and press coverage of his first reading in America

– The oldest surviving piece of correspondence from the Parker House written in December 1855, just two months after the hotel opened

There is also time for lunch at Union Oyster House, America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant established in 1826. If seafood is not a fit for your group, another option would be Italian food in the North End. Cost of food not included. More details below.

The $450 tour fee is for groups of 10 people or less.

Not Part of a Group or Family? This private tour is also available for individuals and couples at the same fixed fee.

We accept the following forms of payment: Cash, Check, Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo

What’s it like to work with Ben Edwards? Here are over 600 photos.

We Visit the Following Freedom Trail Sites:

The tour covers Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site, Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground.

We visit inside: King’s Chapel, 3 historic burying grounds, Faneuil Hall, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Paul Revere House, and Old North Church. Admission fees are required at the sites.

Tour Features and Benefits

At Walking Boston we focus on tour quality not tour quantity. Ben Edwards gives each tour personally and only one private tour is offered per day. We don’t sell our tours on any of the third party sites you’ll spot online. What does that mean to you? You’re guaranteed to get the lowest price right here on our website. Demand for our unique private tours is high. Compare the features and benefits (below) of a private guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail with Ben Edwards to ANY other private guided walking tour in the city and we’re confident you’ll find our tour to be the BEST VALUE in Boston.

The tour is ideal for all ages. Children LOVE it! Read the reviews from customers below. You won’t find a tour guide in Boston better at keeping children interested and engaged than Ben. A history trivia contest, prizes, stops for food, a haunted hotel… there’s No Other Private Tour in Boston Like It! The tour is customized to the needs of your group or family. We get to know you in advance. Whatever your specific requests, we’ve got you covered.

The headline at the top of this webpage mentions that Ben Edwards is a relative of Paul Revere… but how does that benefit YOU? The Revere family connection has intrigued Ben since childhood and led to an unequaled passion for Boston History and All Things Boston that he enthusiastically shares today with his tour groups. It’s captured in the pages of Ben’s one-of-a-kind children’s book, you’ll receive, that tells his ancestors’ story. Also, with over two decades serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, Ben has strong expertise on Paul Revere.

Free Products

The history you’ll learn along the tour route comes alive through the following free products:

• Ben’s children’s book One April in Boston revised in 2024 in print, eBook, and MP3 audio formats
• An MP3 audio of Longfellow’s famous poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” by award-winning narrator Phil Rosenthal

Hold History in Your Hands

Picture holding rare documents and historic newspapers from Ben’s extensive collection during the tour – excluding winter tours. These include documents signed by John Hancock and Boston Tea Party participants and newspapers with ads for Paul Revere’s many businesses. Primary sources bring the past to life in tangible and meaningful ways. This added value is available ONLY from Walking Boston.

Password-Protected Smartphone Content

You’ll receive access to substantial material including exclusive audio and video that supports the tour and extends your educational experience. There is a section on the most historically accurate artwork ever produced covering the events of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride that includes a FIRST LOOK at the art and supporting research. The paintings will appear in the book Paul Revere’s Ride: An Illustrated History by Cortney Skinner set for release in 2025. 

Time for Boston Cream Pie and a Lunch Break

What Our Customers Are Saying

“First Rate Private Tour of the Freedom Trail”
Five Stars

“We chose to take Ben Edwards’ extended walking tour of the Freedom Trail after reading all of the positive reviews, and after taking it, we couldn’t agree more with all of the glowing comments. Our family of five, including children ages 17, 14, and 12, all enjoyed the tour and learned a great deal about Boston’s role in our nation’s history. Our stop at the Parker House and lunch in JFK’s booth at the Union Oyster House were wonderful treats. Ben knows everyone at both of these establishments which results in very special service. Ben keeps the tour engaging for all ages through connections to his own family history, his backpack of maps, documents, and original newspapers, and his trivia contest. Ben helped us to commemorate the tour by taking and emailing us family photos and providing the kids with a special copy of the Declaration of Independence. He truly goes above and beyond before, during and after the tour!”

Betsy G
Tampa, Florida
Posted on Tripadvisor

“A Must in Boston!”
Five Stars

“I am a teacher, and I wanted to get a close look at Boston’s rich history. Who better to help me? Ben! I have two “Tweens” and a husband who were less than thrilled about a guided tour when I first booked it. However, ten minutes into the tour my husband and kids were saying “this is awesome!” Ben is knowledgeable, kind, works great with kids, and very patient. He has personal historical connections with the city, and knows so much about it! The only way to truly experience the city of Boston is with Ben. I have so much information to bring back to my classroom and my family has memories that will last a lifetime. This is the real deal! Thank you!!!!!!!!”

Emily S
Metairie, Louisiana
Posted on Tripadvisor

“Best Quality Professional Historic Tour in Boston!”
Five Stars

Mr. Ben Edwards delivers a top-quality professional walking tour of historic Boston. Ben enhances his tour with many original historical documents along with a well-presented discussion of each visited site. I’ve taken different groups of 10 to 17 OIF/OEF combat veterans on Ben’s tour three times this year so far and each time Ben amazes me with his fresh insights. Many group members commented to me that they were highly impressed with the quality and professionalism that Ben delivers. Comments included, “Fantastic experience! I’m so glad I participated.” Also, “What a great way to spend a day! I learned so much!” I most strongly recommend Ben’s Walking Boston Tour.

Mike B
Wounded Warrior Project
Jacksonville, Florida
Posted on Tripadvisor

“The Ultimate in Boston Tours”
Five Stars

“I cannot imagine a more wonderful tour and a more perfect guide! The walk really does take one to all the great sites. And Ben’s knowledge of people, places, events, and dates is absolutely incomparable. And he truly brings history to life with a seemingly inexhaustible archive of lively stories, some of them connected in fascinating ways to the lives of his own ancestors. He knows how to communicate on many different levels, capturing the attention and imagination of the teenager while also satisfying the curiosity and interests of the mature adult. He paces the walk beautifully, too, making every moment rich with significant historical details.

My nephew and I will never forget Ben and the tour he gave us! An experience the two of us will treasure! Don’t miss the opportunity to take one of his tours!”

David K
New York City, New York
Posted on Tripadvisor

“Best Tour in Boston!!!”
Five Stars 

I met Ben Edwards while I was on a walking tour with a group of veterans. I was so impressed that I booked a private tour with him for myself and friends who were visiting from out of the area. The private tour did not disappoint. Ben was an extremely knowledgeable and experienced guide. He has in-depth knowledge of the history, stories, and significance of each site along the Freedom Trail. He brought history to life with his rare documents and original colonial newspapers making it more enjoyable and memorable. Additionally, he is a relative of Paul Revere and has unique family stories.

He was completely open to accommodating my requests of including The Embrace Memorial, The Public Garden and the Swan Boats, and the Carousel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway to the tour. If that wasn’t enough, he is the best at taking photos and getting the “right” pictures along the tour. I would HIGHLY recommend Ben without hesitation!

Andrea G
Boston, Massachusetts
Posted on Tripadvisor

“Historical Boston Tour with a Paul Revere Relative!”
Five Stars

My family and I visited Boston over the July 4th holiday. We love American history and wanted an in-depth private tour that would really give us a feel of the city and its historical past. I did a lot of research to find the perfect tour guide and did I ever hit the jack pot with Ben Edwards! He was so engaging, thorough, knowledgeable, and full of energy. He kept the attention of my 10-year-old-son with games, questions, prizes and lots of cool historical facts. We were “on the go” from 9:30 am until he dropped us off at 5 pm at our hotel, with stops for breakfast and lunch at historical restaurants. He brought to life the colorful past of the city, its role in the American revolution, how the Revere family story is woven through Boston’s history, and many other amazing facts one would never know without the guidance of someone who had spent their life studying and researching its history. He had maps, books, coins, artifacts, and a backpack full of treasures to give picture to the story he told. It is evident that Ben does this job because he loves it. He has dedicated his life to preserving his family’s past, understanding Boston’s complex history and sharing his knowledge with others. He’s particularly good with kids – my son loved meeting Ben and spending the day with him and claims our day with him was his favorite day on our trip!

Do yourself a HUGE favor and hire Ben to share his knowledge about Boston. I HIGHLY recommend him and his tours. You will not be disappointed.

Stacey Q
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Posted on Tripadvisor

“Best Tour You’ll Ever Take!”
Five Stars

Wow! If you want a true historical perspective and a fun and entertaining way to see Boston, this is by far the best tour of Boston you can take! Ben was very professional and knowledgeable. The amount of information Ben shared and the way he shared it kept us entertained and engaged the whole day. He even managed to keep our six year old son engaged and excited the entire tour as well. Ben had everything planned out from the best picture spots and reservations at restaurants along the way, sparing no detail! I HIGHLY recommend taking this tour, you won’t be disappointed. This tour was by far the best experience we had in Boston!

Heidi G
Eaton, Colorado
Posted on Tripadvisor

“Excellent from Start to Finish!”
Five Stars

I can’t say enough about our experience with Ben Edwards on our walking tour of Boston. From start to finish, Ben was attentive, communicative, professional, and kind. The whole day was excellently planned and logically organized. We have two boys (ages 14 & 11), and Ben made sure to keep them engaged through trivia questions and special prizes. One of the things I appreciated most as a mom was that he took our picture at every site and then sent them to me with a caption of where we were with each photo! When you see so many things, it can be difficult to remember everything, so this was a special gift! Ben’s customer service is top notch, but at the same time, you forget it is a service because it ends up feeling like you’re touring around town with a dear family friend. I highly recommend Ben Edwards and his Walking Boston tour. His knowledge of history, the amazing realia he pulls out of his backpack to further enrich your learning, and his pure passion for the history of Boston are exceptional. Thank you, Ben!

Molly I
Austin, Texas
Posted on Tripadvisor