
Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 39 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future worth booking?
Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future is a 1.5-hour experience in Boston, United States, from $40 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 39 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (39)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $40 per person
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 you get
About this experience
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
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
Not included
- Food & Drinks not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
The Fens
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.
15 minutes here
Kenmore Square
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
20 minutes here
Fenway Park
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.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Boston
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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.
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
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tour Boston's Rock & Roll Past & Present by Soundscape Tours
Know before you go
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 38 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
38 verified traveler reviews for Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Rock n roll!
Great experience, History and Music combined, making you really wish you were around the music scene in Boston in the early 70's!.Felt like you were getting a back stage pass!
via Viator
I could have spent all day with Matt!
This tour was exactly what I was looking for! Matt's expertise and passion for the the Boston music scene and its history was out of this world. I went into this with less knowledge than I thought, and left with such an appreciation for the influence Boston has had on so many genres. My only regret was doing this tour at the end of our trip instead of starting with it. It left me wanting to explore everything we learned about, and dive even deeper on my own. Great tour, great experience!
via Tripadvisor
Matt's tour on Boston's...
Matt's tour on Boston's punk scene history; the bands, venues, Boston's politicians, neighborhoods was excellent. We are Boston born, raised and educated and appreciated the walk through the Fenway victory gardens, Kenmore square.
via Viator
How Boston Shaped the Music Careers of Many Musicians and Bands
Our guide for Walkin Bout a Rock N' Roll Revolution was great - very interesting and informative! Even though I've lived in Massachusetts most of my life, I learned a lot of new things about the music scene, past and present.
via Tripadvisor
Music tour worth checking out
My daughter and I ended with a personal tour, as no others were scheduled during our time. Matt met us promptly and was a knowledgable, enthusiastic and engaged tour guide. Enjoyed seeing the items in the Verb Hotel and the town as we walked around. He was very helpful when we needed directions to head to another area of town after the tour and with a suggestion for a place for lunch (and took us there). Highly recommend this tour with someone who clearly loves the subject and Boston.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Boston.
How much does Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future cost?
+
Prices start at $40 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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future take?
+
Plan for about 1.5 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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 39 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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?
+
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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?
+
Around 14 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 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future 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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?
+
Included: Hear tales from the Rat, the cavernous club where many Punk and New Wave bands got their s; Walk through America's oldest Victory Gardens still in use; Examine Boston's impact on the Folk Revival in the 60s; and In the shadow of Fenway Park, stroll down lively Lansdowne street home to numerous venues. Not included: Food & Drinks not included; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?
+
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. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future 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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?
+
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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future 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 Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future?
+
Across 39 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future.
Pick your date




