Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay
Boston, United States

Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay

Outty Ranking 79 5.0 · 64 traveler reviews2.5 hoursFrom $35
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Outty Ranking

79/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 64 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay worth booking?

Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay is a 2.5-hour experience in Boston, United States, from $35 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 64 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
79 / 100
Rating
5/5 (64)
Duration
2.5 hours
From
$35 per person

Boston’s leading role in the American fight for women’s suffrage is found on the tree-lined streets of its elegant Back Bay neighborhood. This masterpiece of Victorian-era architecture is best experienced on foot, in a small group, with a local guide! Your 2.5-hour tour travels from Boston Common into historic Back Bay, visiting must-see landmarks such as the Public Garden, Newbury Street, and iconic Copley Square. Our walking tour delves deeply into the years 1870 to 1920, tumultuous decades culminating in women earning the right to vote in the United States. Walk in the footsteps of prolific activists and financiers, visiting the political battleground for pro- and anti-suffrage groups. With a captivating storytelling approach, Hub Town Tours provides the perfect introduction to Boston's role in the advancement of women’s rights. As we travel past key landmarks and historic homes, your guide shares captivating stories of the Bostonians who assembled the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

What you get

    About this experience

    Boston’s leading role in the American fight for women’s suffrage is found on the tree-lined streets of its elegant Back Bay neighborhood. This masterpiece of Victorian-era architecture is best experienced on foot, in a small group, with a local guide! Your 2.5-hour tour travels from Boston Common into historic Back Bay, visiting must-see landmarks such as the Public Garden, Newbury Street, and iconic Copley Square. Our walking tour delves deeply into the years 1870 to 1920, tumultuous decades culminating in women earning the right to vote in the United States. Walk in the footsteps of prolific activists and financiers, visiting the political battleground for pro- and anti-suffrage groups. With a captivating storytelling approach, Hub Town Tours provides the perfect introduction to Boston's role in the advancement of women’s rights. As we travel past key landmarks and historic homes, your guide shares captivating stories of the Bostonians who assembled the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

    What's included

    Included

    • Small Groups (15 guests max)
    • Women's Rights Landmarks
    • Back Bay Neighborhood

    Not included

    • Gratuity for Guide (optional)
    • Admission inside Museums
    • Guides in Period Costume

    What you'll see and do

    1. Make Way for Ducklings Statues

      Meet your guide inside the Boston Public Garden, in the northwest corner of the park opposite 67 Beacon Street (02108). Bronze sculptures by Nancy Schön, based on Robert McCloskey's classic children's book (1941), depict a mama duck proudly leading her band of ducklings.

      10 minutes here

    2. George Washington Statue

      Iconic equestrian statue of George Washington (1859).

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Boston Public Garden

      First public botanical garden in the United States (1837).

      15 minutes here

    4. Site of school founded in 1887 by Pauline A. Shaw, financier of the women's suffrage movement in Boston and founder of Boston Equal Suffrage Association for Good Government.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Originally established in 1630, this church later became a center of the Transcendentalist movement.

      5 minutes here

    6. Home of Elizabeth Putnam, anti-suffragist and first woman to preside over a state electoral college.

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Home of Julia Ward Howe, who authored "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (1861) and co-founded the American Woman Suffrage Association (1869).

      5 minutes here

    8. Home of Blanche Ames, pro-suffrage cartoonist and early advocate for birth control.

      Pass by without stopping

    9. Ames-Webster Mansion (1872) was centerpiece of the Ames family fortune and political involvement, including anti-suffragist Mary Shreve Ames and suffragist Blanche Ames.

      Pass by without stopping

    10. Commonwealth Avenue Mall

      Wide central boulevard with greenspace and statuary at the heart of Back Bay development plan.

      15 minutes here

    11. Home of Mary Shreve Ames, president of the Massachusetts Anti-Suffrage Association.

      Pass by without stopping

    12. First women's college club in the United States (1890).

      Pass by without stopping

    13. Former site of Museum of Natural History (1864-1951).

      10 minutes here

    14. Former MIT chemistry lab, where Katherine McCormick protested against popular fashion as part of the suffrage movement.

      Pass by without stopping

    15. Copley Square

      Central public square designed to be the new cultural center of Boston (1883).

      15 minutes here

    16. Trinity Church In The City Of Boston

      Iconic church (1877) recognized by American Association of Architects as one of the top 10 buildings in the United States.

      Pass by without stopping

    17. Boston Public Library

      Third-largest public library in the United States (1848).

      10 minutes here

    18. Formerly Chauncy Hall, office site of multiple pro-suffrage organizations including Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association and The Women's Journal.

      Pass by without stopping

    19. Finish line of the iconic Boston Marathon.

      5 minutes here

    20. Hotel Kensington (1884-1967) housed offices of the Massachusetts Association Opposed to Further Extension of Suffrage to Women.

      Pass by without stopping

    21. Newbury Street

      Popular Boston outdoor attraction lined with shopping, dining, and numerous luxury brands.

      10 minutes here

    22. Former Spiritualist Temple (1885), where women were allowed to lead public meetings.

      Pass by without stopping

    23. Memorial honoring three famous Bostonians: Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Lucy Stone.

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Boston

    The tour gathers inside the Boston Public Garden—opposite 67 Beacon Street (02108)—beside the Make Way for Ducklings statues, which are located in the northeast corner of the park.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour ends on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall beside the Boston Women's Memorial, approximately 0.8 miles from the tour start. The statues are in the center of Boston's Back Bay, a short walk from the Fenway neighborhood (west) and Downtown Boston (east).

    Options you can book

    • Back Bay + Trinity & Gibson

      Tour (2.5hr) + Church & Museum: Guided tour of Gibson House (Thu - Sun, 1PM-3PM, 45min) and self guided/audio tour of Trinity Church (Wed - Sat, 10AM-4:30PM)

    • Back Bay + Gibson House

      Tour (2.5 Hours) + 1 Museum: Guided tour of Gibson House Museum, open Thursday - Sunday, 1PM - 3PM (~45min, valid for 7 days after tour date)

    • Back Bay – Small Group

    • Back Bay + Trinity Church

      Tour (2.5hr) + Historic Church: Guided/Audio tour of Trinity Church, open Wednesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 4:30pm (valid for 7 days after tour date)

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Hub Town Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Not recommended for travelers that have trouble standing for extended periods of time.

    Photos

    Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay, photo 2Listen along as an expert, local historian transports you to the fight to win votes for women (1870–1920), Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of...Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay, photo 4Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay, photo 5Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay, photo 6Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 64 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    64 verified traveler reviews for Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    64
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    internationalsocietp · October 2026

    Great Tour for Groups

    I am a corporate event planner and booked this tour for our members. Our members had so many positive things to say about how the guide, Maura, lead the tour! They made our group’s experience wonderful! I would recommend booking with Hub Town Tours.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for this wonderful review of Maura's tour! We absolutely love to share Boston's incredible suffragist history, and our Back Bay tour is a great way for corporate groups to try something a little different. Our journey through iconic Copley Square, down Commonwealth Avenue, and into the Public Garden is a great addition to an events itinerary, and our guides really know how to weave a fascinating account of historic events along the way. Thanks again for joining us!

    via Tripadvisor

    Meander38352784662 · September 2026

    Important history and excellent guide

    Our guide, Maura, made this an outstanding experience. The tour included many Back Bay sites and told an important story about the struggle for women's sufferage. She is clearly a scholar of this era and movement. Thanks for a great experience.

    Response from the operator: Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful review, and for five stars for Maura-- we are delighted to see the word "outstanding" for your experience! Maura is a busy graduate student as well as an experienced guide-- a scholar indeed on the struggle for votes for women, women's history, and the history of the beautiful Back Bay area. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour!

    via Tripadvisor

    JEyre1847 · August 2026

    Great tour, great guide -- highly recommend

    Fantastic tour! A great overview of the women's suffrage movement and Boston's role in it. I'm familiar with Back Bay, but this tour made me look at it through a different lens. Maura was an incredible guide -- extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic about the subject, and just a pleasant companion for the walk. Kudos to Hub Town Tour for putting this together -- the Boston Women's Heritage Trail doesn't get the attention it deserves. Take this tour now!

    Response from the operator: Wow, thank you for this fantastic review and five stars for Maura! We're thrilled to know not only that you enjoyed the history of Boston's fight for votes for women, but also that you got that new lens on the beautiful Back Bay neighborhood. Maura is a superb local historian--and history graduate student--and also wonderful company. We appreciate the kudos, as Hub Town Tours is proud to share this important part of our city's history!

    via Tripadvisor

    Katherine_C · August 2026

    This was a wonderful...

    This was a wonderful tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. We learned so much about women’s rights in Boston while enjoying a beautiful walk through the city.

    Response from the operator: Well, thank you for this wonderful review and five stars! Boston's efforts towards votes for women is a fascinating part of its history, and the Back Bay is a richly beautiful neighborhood to explore with a guide. We're thrilled you felt engaged with these stories and this part of the city!

    via Viator

    U7657FIgraceb · August 2026

    Highlight of our trip to Boston!

    Kaitlin did an excellent job! Made the tour fun and was able to answer our questions! We did their Freedom Trail tour the day prior with Ted and immediately signed up for the Women’s Suffrage tour the next day. I would definitely book with Hub Town again, definitely a must do if you’re in Boston!

    Response from the operator: Wow, thank you so much for five stars for Kaitlin, and for sharing your whole Hub Town Tours experience! We love being your "must do" and hope you will join us again: we cover three Revolutions in Boston, the other being Abolition and the Underground Railroad on historic Beacon Hill! Kaitlin is an excellent historian, passionate about sharing Boston's Suffrage effort to gain votes for women, and about sharing the beautiful, historic Back Bay. She brings a performer's talents to her stories and loves to answer questions. We're very happy you had two great experiences on our tours.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Sat, Sun
    Price range
    $35 to $56
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    22
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Hub Town Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 82.2 and 1 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Hub Town Tours runs

    Why this scores 79

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)94
    Review evidence (18% weight)51
    Booking momentum (14% weight)44
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)85
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Boston.

    How much does Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay cost?

    +

    Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Boston usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay take?

    +

    Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Boston is not rushed.

    Is Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 64 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Boston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    Around 22 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Boston can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Boston and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Boston within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Boston?

    +

    Boston is compact enough that a good walking guide beats any bus. Freedom Trail walks, harbour cruises, Fenway tours and whale-watch runs out to Stellwagen Bank are the core, plus Salem and Cape Cod as day trips. Outty Ranking weights guide storytelling and group size heavily, because on the Freedom Trail the narration is the entire product. On Outty we rank every Boston experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small-Group Boston Walking Tour, Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour, Boston's Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Boston?

    +

    May to October. Whale watching runs roughly April through October only. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Boston?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    Included: Small Groups (15 guests max); Women's Rights Landmarks; and Back Bay Neighborhood. Not included: Gratuity for Guide (optional); Admission inside Museums; and Guides in Period Costume. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    The tour gathers inside the Boston Public Garden—opposite 67 Beacon Street (02108)—beside the Make Way for Ducklings statues, which are located in the northeast corner of the park. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    Across 64 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    What booking options are available for Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay?

    +

    There are 4 options to choose from, including Back Bay + Trinity & Gibson, Back Bay + Gibson House, Back Bay – Small Group, Back Bay + Trinity Church. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay.

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