architect tour boston

Architecture Cruises

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Boston’s first-ever architecture boat tours chronicle the evolution of Boston’s built environment, telling the story through an architecture and neighborhood lens.

Image courtesy of Charles Riverboat Company

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This two-hour tour, co-sponsored by the BSA, hosted by Charles Riverboat Company , and led by Boston By Foot guides, offers spectacular views of historic and contemporary Boston architecture while providing fascinating information about many renowned architectural landmarks, including the Hancock Tower, Marriott’s Custom House, and Rowes Wharf, as well as cutting-edge contemporary buildings by today’s top architects. These are simply the best waterfront views of Boston and Cambridge. The boat has a cash bar where guests can purchase drinks and snacks.

Professional continuing education credits are available for architects upon request. 2 LUs are available. Please email [email protected] to receive credit upon completion of the tour.

Architecture Cruises depart from Lechmere Canal Park at Cambridgeside. The ticket booth and boat departure are located outside the doors by the food court. The boat has a cash bar where guests can purchase drinks and snacks.

Tickets are available online two weeks before a scheduled cruise date. Because of the cruise’s popularity, reservations are highly recommended.

May 26–September 3 Tours runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10:00 AM

September 9–October 22 Tours runs every Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM

Ticket Rates

$40 for adults $35 for Boston Society of Architects/AIA and Boston By Foot members, and seniors/students $30 for children under 12 $6 for children under 3 years

Tickets for BSA Member pricing can be bought over the phone or onsite at the ticket booth.

Private Architecture Cruises, ideal for corporate parties, can also be arranged. Call 617-621-3001 for pricing and availability.

Click here to view the Architecture Tour featured on News Channel 5.

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Architecture Tours

Opening day for our 2024 season is may 24th.

Embark on a guided tour with spectacular views of Boston's historical and contemporary architecture.

• Full Bar Available
• Handicap Accessible
• $4.00 Parking

2024 Architecture Tours Schedule

May 24 – Sept 1 Fri-Sun 10:00 am 

Sep 7 – Oct 20 Sat-Sun 10:00 am

Ticket Rates

• Adult $43.00
• Senior / Student $38.00
• Child Under 12 Years $33.00
• Child Under 3 Years $6.00

*Excludes 5% MA Convention & Facilities Surcharge  

Discover Boston's Iconic Buildings

This 2-hour tour, hosted by Charles River Boat Company, offers spectacular views of historic and contemporary architecture along Boston Harbor, the Charles River Locks, and the Charles River basin. The tour— narrated by a guide from Boston By Foot and co-sponsored by Boston Society for Architecture, a center for architecture and design—includes landmarks such as Marriott’s Custom House, the Prudential Building, and the Hancock Tower, as well as cutting-edge contemporary design by today’s top architects. These are simply the best waterfront views of Boston and Cambridge.

Architecture tours depart from Lechmere Canal, The ticket booth and boat departure is located outside the doors at the canal side of the CambridgeSide Mall.

Click here to view our tour featured on “Chronicle”

Cambridgeside

CambridgeSide Mall 100 CambridgeSide Place Cambridge, MA 02141

Our boats board at the Lechmere Canal, which is directly outside the doors at the canal side of the CambridgeSide Mall. Park in the CambridgeSide Mall Parking Garage then proceed to the first floor and the ticket booth and boat can be found outside on the canal side of the mall.

From North of Boston

Take Interstate 93 exit 26 for Storrow Drive / North Station Keep right at the fork, follow signs for 28 North / Leverett Circle / North Station Slight right at Nashua St Turn left onto Nashua St Take the 1st right onto MA-28 North / Monsignor O’Brien Highway At the next light turn left onto Edwin H Land Boulevard At the next light turn right onto CambridgeSide Place Park in the CambridgeSide Mall Parking Garage. Our boats board at the Lechmere Canal, which is directly outside the doors at the canal side of the CambridgeSide Mall

From South of Boston

Take Interstate 93 exit 26 toward Storrow Drive / North Station Keep left at the fork, follow signs for MA-28 North / Leverett Circle / North Station Slight right at Nashua St Turn left onto Nashua St Take the 1st right onto MA-28 North / Monsignor O’Brien Highway At the next light turn left onto Edwin H Land Boulevard At the next light turn right onto CambridgeSide Place Park in the CambridgeSide Mall Parking Garage. Our boats board at the Lechmere Canal, which is directly outside the doors at the canal side of the CambridgeSide Mall

From West of Boston:

Take Route 90 – Mass Pike Exit Left at Cambridge/Allston Tolls – follow signs to Cambridge Proceed through lights and over River Street Bridge (Charles River) Immediately turn right at other end of bridge and travel East on Memorial Drive Stay on Memorial Drive – The CambridgeSide mall is approximately 3 miles on the left across from the Sonesta Hotel

Park in the CambridgeSide Mall Parking Garage. Our boats board at the Lechmere Canal, which is directly outside the doors at the canal side of the CambridgeSide Mall

From The MBTA (Public Transit)

Take the Green Line “E” train to Lechmere Station Exit the train, cross Mcgrath highway and Cambridge St. After crossing Cambridge St., walk down First Street St. Take a left at Canal Park and this will take you into the Lechmere Canal  Follow the footpath to the right, the docks are located outside the canal side doors at the CambridgeSide Mall.

Ticketed Tours & Cruises

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Boston Architecture Tours: walking guides, city walks

Boston Walking Tours, Massachusetts Building Guides, New England Architectural Walks, Architects

Boston Architecture Tours

New England Architecture Guides – Exclusive Massachusetts City Walks tailor made for groups visiting USA

post updated March 29, 2024

Book your city guide on isabelle(at)e-architect.com

Boston Architecture Tour: Exclusive Guided Walks

e-architect have architectural tour guides in most of the key cities across the USA.

Boston Walking Tours

Our Boston guided tours are all tailored to suit each booking we do not allow for bookings to be joined. Our guided tours in Boston are all exclusive to each client.

Should you be planning an office trip, a conference, or university trip in Boston please contact us and we would be happy to take your booking.

Boston Architecture Introduction

Boston is a key city in the northeast of the United states of America. It is the capital of Massachusetts and with around 630,000 people the largest city in New England. Well known 20th century Boston buildings include the Baker Dormitory, John Hancock Tower and the MIT Chapel.

Celebrated recent Boston buildings include the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Building, The Clarendon Boston, MIT Media Lab Building, Simmons Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. In fact there is a huge range of exceptional quality education buildings clustered around Harvard and MIT, many by world-famous architecture offices. All these contemporary buildings are possible to visit on our Boston Architecture Tours .

Significant architects with buildings in Boston include Steven Holl Architects, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Fumihiko Maki and associates and Foster + Partners.

Famous 20th Century architects to have built in Boston include Eero Saarinen, Alvar Aalto, Venturi Scott Brown and Associates and TAC led by Walter Gropius. Other key architects with projects in Boston , Massachusetts, include Rafael Viñoly Architects, Perkins + Will Architects and Charles Rose Architects.

Boston Architecture Walking Tours

Boston Architectural Tours typically focus on contemporary buildings but we can base it around your group’s interests. Visitors can be met from their accommodation, the airport, or at the starting point of their Boston walking tour.

Contact e-architect to arrange your New England architectural tour on mob. +44 (0)7952 149814 or isabelle(at)e-architect.com

Architecture Tours

Apart from the city of Boston, e-architect offer architectural walking tours in other US cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

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Novartis Laboratory and Office Complex , Cambridge Design: Cannon Design Novartis Research Complex Cambridge

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Boston

The Clarendon Design: Robert A.M. Stern Architects The Clarendon Boston

MIT Media Arts & Sciences Building Design: Fumihiko Maki and associates MIT Media Lab Building

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Take a Tour

There are several different ways to experience the beauty of the Athenaeum’s iconic building, including docent-led tours and guided explorations of our special collections.

Art & Architecture Tours

A one-hour docent-led tour focused on the history of the Athenaeum, our iconic building, and collections. Dates, ticket prices, and reservation for individuals and small groups are found in our events section . Tours are free for members and up to three guests.

Group Tour Fees

Request an academic group visit

Academic visits are available to K-12, homeschool, higher education, and lifelong learning groups. If your institution is not able to support our standard fees, please contact us.

These visits may include a tour of the Athenaeum’s historic landmark building, presentation of materials from our special collections, and/or a tour of our current gallery exhibition. We are happy to work with you to meet your group’s learning goals.

Our special collections support learning across all fields of study, with particular strengths in Boston history, New England history, English and American literature, art, and art history.

Academic tours are limited to 30 students. Visits requiring the use of our study center have a limit of 20 students. We require at least three weeks’ notice to book.

Private Group Tours

Private tours are available for groups of up to 30 people, booked at least 3 weeks in advance. Request a private group tour .

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Five Activities for Boston Architecture Buffs

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1. Boston Architecture Cruises

Did you know the Longfellow Bridge was named after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow because he often crossed it to court his future wife, Fanny? That’s just one of many historical tidbits you’ll learn on a Boston Architecture Cruise, offered daily through September 3, and on weekends through October 28. Co-sponsored by the BSA Foundation and Boston By Foot, the 90-minute cruises offer panoramic views of both historic and contemporary architecture from the Charles River Basin, the Charles River Locks, and Boston Harbor. Tickets are available up to two weeks in advance of a cruise, and reservations are recommended.

$29.50 for adults, $22.50 for children under 12, seniors, and students. Tickets and schedules available at  charlesriverboat.com/tickets .

2. An Instagrammable Beacon Hill Tour

How does one capture the historical beauty of Beacon Hill’s architecture in a single snapshot? Instagrammer  Matthew Dickey can show you the ropes during Historic New England’s Instagram walking tour. He’ll point out the best architectural photo ops, plus divulge a few tips and tricks.

Saturday, August 4, 3-4 p.m., Otis House, 141 Cambridge St., historicnewengland.org .

Photo by Eric Clark

3. Boston by Foot Tours

You can’t call yourself an architecture buff if you don’t have a fierce love for walking tours. Boston by Foot tours are excellent for learning about off-the-beaten path buildings, but it’s the organization’s “special topic” tours that we love the most. Every year, Boston by Foot offers an “Art Deco in the Back Bay” tour, “The Ladder Blocks” tour, and more. Peep the roster of regularly offered tours and special topic tours at bostonbyfoot.org .

Boston by Foot, bostonbyfoot.org .

4. Architecture Trivia Nights

The BSA Foundation launched architecture trivia nights this spring, inviting industry folks to flaunt their architecture knowledge  while noshing on pizza and beer. Keep an eye on the BSA’s event calendar for the next installment.

Architecture trivia nights,  architects.org .

Photo by Margaret Burdge

5. A Summer Architecture Tour of the ICA

Love it or hate it, Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s Institute of Contemporary Art is a fixture of the Seaport. These upcoming architecture tours point out the building’s most unique features—and describe how they relate to the museum’s mission.

Various dates in August and September 2018, Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., ica.org .

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• Architecture City Guide

Architecture City Guide: Boston

• Written by Kelly Minner
• Published on February 23, 2011

For this week the Architecture City Guide series headed to the city of Boston including neighboring Cambridge just across the Charles River Basin. This area has an overwhelmingly large amount of modern architecture in a small radius, and our list reflects just that. What buildings do you want to see added to our Boston list, share them with us in the comment section below.

The Architecture City Guide : Boston list and corresponding map after the break!

• Art of Americas Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston / Foster + Partners
• Community Rowing Boathouse / Anmahian Winton Architects
• BanQ / Office dA
• Boston City Hall / Kallman, McKinnell and Knowles
• Hancock Place / Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
• Institute of Contemporary Art / Diller Scofidio + Renfro
• MIT Chapel / Eero Saarinen
• Simmons Hall / Steven Holl Architects
• Baker House Dormitory / Alvar Aalto
• Media Lab / Maki and Associates
• Stata Center / Frank Gehry
• Carpenter Center for Visual Arts / Le Corbusier
• Design Research Building / Benjamin Thompson
• Sert House / Josep Lluis Sert
• Holyoke Center, Harvard Science Center / Josep Lluis Sert
• Harkness Commons / Walter Gropius

If you are up for a trip outside the city , just under an hour train ride on the MBTA Commuter Rail (Fitchburg Line) you will arrive in Lincoln, Massachusetts and the Gropius House / Walter Gropius . The house is not open every day, so check before going.

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Boston's most iconic modern buildings, mapped

These gems include works from Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Josep Sert, I.M. Pei, and Frank Gehry

The Boston area is undoubtedly best-known architecturally for its federal-style buildings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries (think the Massachusetts State House or any number of townhouses in Back Bay and Beacon Hill).

But the region has more than a fair smattering of modern architectural gems from the late 20th century, including those born of and inspired by the Bauhaus movement that turns 100 in 2019 .

These 16 buildings are the best of the best modern architecture in Boston and Cambridge. The forces behind their design read like a who's who of architects from the past 75 years: Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Josep Sert, I.M. Pei, Frank Gehry, and more.

If you think we've left out any particularly striking examples, let us know in the comments section below.

Community Rowing Boathouse

Anmahian Winton Architects designed this structure, which opened in 2008 and is exactly what its name implies: a boathouse beside the Charles.

In 2009, the design won the Boston Society of Architects' Harleston Parker Medal, which honors what its backers call "the single most beautiful building or other structure" built in the Boston area during the previous 10 years.

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Harkness Commons

Bauhaus giant Walter Gropius' Architects Collaborative designed this graduate-student complex in the late 1940s.

The factory-like, brutally functional buildings were a milestone in modern architecture in the United States, including the distinction of being the first modern buildings on Harvard's campus.

"Harvard Decides to 'Build Modern'"—that was the headline in the October 25, 1948 New York Times , complete with the quotation marks around "Build Modern."

Harvard Science Center

One of Le Corbusier's top proteges was Josep Sert, who ran Harvard's architecture and design faculty for much of the mid-1900s.

Sert’s Science Center design was a deliberately modernist departure from all the more classical, Georgian architecture at the surrounding university.

It went up in the early 1970s.

Peabody Terrace

Josep Sert designed the three-spire Harvard complex of graduate-student housing, which went up in the early 1960s and opened in 1964.

The towers were an attempt to, as the Catalan Sert described it , "bring the color and life of the Mediterranean" to the banks of the Charles.

Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts

Harvard's visual arts center is the only completed project in North America from French architect Le Corbusier (he collaborated with Chilean architect Guillermo Jullian de la Fuente).

The curved building opened in 1963.

M.I.T. Simmons Hall (Building W79)

Steven Holl Architects designed this 350-bed, 196,000-square-foot dormitory at the turn of the century with the idea of fostering interaction in mind.

Hence its porous, sponge-like appearance and setup, including some 6,000 open-able windows.

Baker House

Finnish architect Alvar Aalto described this six-story M.I.T. dorm that he designed  as a mix between a ski lodge and a ship .

It went up in the late 1940s.

M.I.T. Kresge Auditorium (Building W16)

Eero Saarinen designed this auditorium in the early 1950s and the university dedicated it in 1955, the same year it dedicated the Saarinen-designed chapel nearby.

The auditorium is one of the more famous midcentury modern buildings in America and its acoustics are quite sublime.

M.I.T. Chapel (Building W15)

Eero Saarinen designed this non-denominational chapel, which the university dedicated in 1955.

It is 30 feet high and 50 feet in diameter, and features a striking skylight over a white marble altar.

Art of the Americas @ MFA

This 121,037-square-foot wing of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts opened in late 2010. Norman Foster's London firm designed it in collaboration with CBT Architects of Boston.

Critic Ada Louise Huxtable described it as a "discreet addition" to Guy Lowell's original Beaux Arts building, which went up almost exactly a century before.

M.I.T. Stata Center (Building 32)

This 720,000-square-foot academic hub is one of the region's most famous buildings, period.

The Frank Gehry-designed structure was completed in 2004 to pretty much universal acclaim.

Here was the Globe 's Robert Campbell at the time: "Everything looks improvised, as if thrown up at the last moment. That's the point. The Stata's appearance is a metaphor for the freedom, daring, and creativity of the research that's supposed to occur inside it."

M.I.T. Media Lab — Building E14

This six-story, 163,000-square-foot building opened in 2010 next to the existing home of M.I.T.’s Media Lab, the Wiesner Building, which I.M. Pei designed.

Fumihiko Maki and Associates, in association with Leers Weinzapfel Associates, designed the addition.

200 Clarendon

The tower formerly known as the John Hancock is New England’s tallest building at 790 feet, a distinction it has held since construction of the Henry Cobb-designed spire wrapped in 1976.

Boston City Hall

Boston's City Hall has been an architectural punching bag since its completion in 1968 ( it often makes lists of "ugliest buildings" ).

Kallmann, McKinnell & Knowles, then professors at Columbia, won an international competition to design the civic hub and pivoted from more traditional fare as well as from sleek, glassiness to a brutalist design that still perplexes the masses some 50 years on .

Institute of Contemporary Art

The museum itself dates from 1936, but this striking iteration opened in 2006. Diller Scofidio + Renfro designed it.

It, too, took home the Harleston Parker Medal from the Boston Society of Architects.

Also featured in:

Boston waterfront attractions: 10 must-visit spots

12 unique Boston wedding venues, mapped

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

I.M. Pei designed this repository for all things related to the nation's 35th president, whose life was bound up with his native region .

A nine-story concrete tower joins with a glass-and-steel pavilion to give the building its striking appearance.

The library and museum opened in 1979 .

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Must See Boston Architecture For Your Next Vacation

BOSTON ARCHITECTURE

One of America’s most beautiful cities, Boston is well known for its many architectural wonders. 18th and 19th-century Federal style buildings and properties that have survived centuries stand side by side with many contemporary buildings – creating a remarkable fusion of old and new. Use this guide to help you plan your Boston vacation , including a visit to the most notable buildings and structures in the city and the most convenient trolley stops to each one.

Faneuil Hall

Originally constructed in 1724, Faneuil Hall is one of Boston’s most well-known landmarks. A gift to the city from local merchant Peter Faneuil, the building was designed in the style of an English country market, with an open square on the ground floor and an assembly room above. In 1826, it was expanded to include Quincy Market , which was designed in the Greek Revival style. During its earliest years, Faneuil Hall was home to meat and fish vendors and was the spot where local leaders spoke to the masses. It was the site of the Sugar Act of 1764 protest and where “no taxation without representation” was established. Today, Faneuil Hall Marketplace includes Quincy Market , South, and North Market, and the historic Faneuil Hall set around a cobblestone promenade.

Old North Church

Although its first stone was laid in 1724, it took 22 years for the construction to be completed of the Old North Church . The oldest church building in Boston, the Old North played an important role in the American Revolution – because it was in its steeple on April 18, 1775, that sexton Robert Newman climbed it and briefly hung the two lanterns that signaled the start of the Revolutionary War. When you visit, you’ll notice many of the church’s original features, including high brick pews, wooden statues of cherubim and more.

Paul Revere House

Downtown Boston’s oldest building , the Paul Revere House , was built in 1680 and was occupied by Paul Revere and his family from 1770 to 1800. Although the National Historic Landmark has been restored, 90% of the structure is original – including the flooring, foundation, windows, doors, and rafters. A tour of the property allows you to see period furnishings, an 18th-century kitchen and several items that belonged to the Revere family.

Harrison Gray Otis House

A National Historic Landmark, the Harrison Gray Otis House is one of the first of the Federal style of architecture that became popular in the 18th century. Built in 1795-1796, it was designed by Charles Bulfinch for Harrison Gray Otis, a Massachusetts politician. The three-story brick house served as a family home and then later as a clinic and a boarding house. Take a tour to get an up-close look at the architecture and the beautiful interior which features brilliant colored wallpapers, high-style furnishings and more. You’ll learn about what life was like during this time period.

Old South Meeting House

Designed by architect Robert Twelves, the Old South Meeting House was built in 1792 in the the red brick Georgian style with a steeple in the front and was originally a church. At the time it was built, it was the largest building in Boston and was the host to many gatherings that were too large for Faneuil Hall to accommodate. It holds a special place in the history of America, as it was in this building that Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty rallied for support and organized the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. Opened to the public in 1877 as a museum and meeting house, the Old South Meeting House is one of the country’s first museums of American history.

Old State House

The seat of the government and the oldest surviving public building in Boston, the Old State House is a must on your Boston vacation. Although not officially confirmed, it is said to have been designed by architect Robert Twelves. The building, made of red brick in the Georgian style, is one of the city’s most visited landmarks, as it was on its balcony that the Declaration of Independence was first read to the public. A tall, multi-part steeple with elaborate clear glass windows and lion and unicorn statues (symbols of royal authority) positioned on the gables are some of the most notable architectural features.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.)

On the campus of M.I.T. there are numerous examples of extraordinary architecture that are worthy of seeing including Maclaurin Buildings (Neoclassical), Baker House (Modern, International), M.I.T. Chapel (Cylindrical, Modern), Kresge Auditorium (Modern), Green Building (Modern), Hermann Building (Brutalism), Stratton Student Center (Brutalism), Ray and Maria Stata Center (Deconstructivism), Simmons Hall (Postmodern) and the Media Lab Complex (Modern). While in Boston, be sure to check out the remarkable architecture.

Gibson House Museum

A 19th-century row house located in Boston’s Back Bay , the Gibson House is a local architectural treasure. Designed in the Italian Renaissance style with its brownstone and red brick, this lovely residence maintains its charm and unspoiled beauty, complete with original furnishings of the well-to-do Gibson family. Inside, you’ll be awed by its elegant wallpaper, paintings, sculpture, photographs, silver, porcelain and more. A National Historic Landmark, the Gibson House is a must-visit while in the city.

Symphony Hall

Built in 1900 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall is a National Historic Landmark and is considered to be one of the top three concert halls in the world when it comes to acoustics. Of particular importance when it comes to architecture is that every detail of the hall was designed with acoustics in mind. Its long, narrow and high shape, along with its shallow side balconies, coffered ceiling and statue-filled niches (16 Greek and Roman replicas) along three sides help ensure exceptional acoustics to every seat. Whether there’s a concert or not, Symphony Hall is one sight you can’t miss while in Boston.

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

The fifth largest art museum in the United States, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is an excellent example of the Neoclassical style of architecture. Although you’ll want to spend a few hours perusing the hundreds of thousands of works of art (the collection is said to be 450,000 pieces from Ancient Egypt to present day), the building itself is a marvel to enjoy. It has undergone expansion throughout the years and now encompasses several different styles of architecture throughout, including its Japanese garden.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Drawing inspiration from the 15th century Venetian Palazzo Barbaro, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is simply breathtaking. An architectural masterpiece, the museum, although rumored to have been brought to America and reconstructed, was actually built from the ground up right where it stands in Boston. A Venetian palace with architectural fragments from European Gothic and Renaissance structures as well as many antique elements, the museum has an indoor garden courtyard that features a glass roof and is blooming with gorgeous plant life and flowers all year long. Roam through the galleries and spend some time admiring the many take-your-breath-away architectural features of this beautiful museum.

Christian Science Plaza

Christian Science Plaza is home to six buildings and a reflecting pool and encompasses 14.5 acres in the Fenway neighborhood. Among the buildings is the Mother Church, the First Church Of Christ , Scientist which was erected in 1894 in the Romanesque Revival Style. Notable features are its hand-laid marble floor, stained glass windows, and murals that weave around the ceiling. The second church building was built in 1906 in the domed Byzantine style to accommodate the church’s growing needs. This opulent structure can seat up to 3,000 people in its theater-style auditorium. Be sure to take note of the themes in the stained-glass window, contrary to traditional church windows, these focus on healing, resurrection and women’s role as leaders in the church.

Boston Public Library

A spectacular sight to behold, the Boston Public Library , in its Renaissance Revival style, is an architectural splendor built in 1895. The granite “palace for the people” features cathedral style reading halls and is home to a vast art collection, tapestries and of course, millions of rare books, manuscripts, and musical scores. The library is actually two buildings, the second, more modern one was built in 1972. Give yourself a few hours to take in the beauty of the architecture here as well as all that’s housed inside.

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Art & Architecture Tours

Take a free tour of the Boston Public Library and learn about its wonderful architecture and glorious art.

• Contact: Boston Public Library
• Price: FREE
• Neighborhood: Back Bay
• Event Type: Learning and lectures Preservation Month
• Posted: 04/26/2017 - 10:15am

Boston Public Library 's daily free tours highlight the architecture of Charles Follen McKim and Philip Johnson, and include art works by many famous artists, including Daniel Chester French and John Singer Sargent.  The daily tour schedule varies, just meet your trained volunteer guide in the vestibule (at Dartmouth Street entrance).

Architecture Tours

From the oldest wood-frame building in the United States built in 1636 to the newest local structures, we have buildings spanning 5 centuries to show you. We can take you for a tour of Gropius House, where Walter Gropius (founder of the Bauhaus School of Architecture) lived during the last 30 years of his life after fleeing Nazi Germany.

We also have buildings by Renzo Piano, Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, LeCorbusier, Frank Gehry, and more. Architectural Tours can also be done in the many coastal regions of New England from the Captain’s Houses of Maine to the Mansions in Newport.

You may also be interested in:

South Coast, Massachusetts – Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard

Foliage Tours

Civil War Boston

North Coast, Massachusettes – Gloucester, Rockport, and Lighthouses

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Architects tour dates 2024

Architects is currently touring across 9 countries and has 19 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at Olympiastadion München in Munich, after that they'll be at Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.

Currently touring across

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Upcoming concerts (19) See nearest concert

Olympiastadion München

Olympic Stadium

Full Force Festival

PGE Narodowy

Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano

Brutal Assault

Bloodstock Open Air

Alcatraz Festival

Summer Breeze

Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

Uptown Theater

Ogden Theatre

The Factory in Deep Ellum

House of Blues - Houston

Aztec Theatre

Marquee Theatre

The Theater at Virgin Hotels

Monster Energy Aftershock

Past concerts

Royal Oak Music Theatre

Riviera Theatre

Marathon Music Works

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Recent tour reviews

TERRIBLE! Strictly because of the security staff they are terrible I go there to mosh pit and have a sick time and mosh to my favorite bands and these guys at the front lines in front of the stage at telling me I can't concert because I crab serve four times in a row within 15 minutes so basically I'm just done Crown surfing in the start of the night if they're going to kick me out the stuff there are a goddamn joke basically almost ruin my night terrible I paid my money to go there and do my thing like lots of other guys do and telling me I can't concert that's half of fun when I go to my concerts just simply terrible to me it's not fair it's a bit of a joke they should do something else if they can't handle it in front of the stage

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Holy Hell! That concert was phenomenal, I've seen Architects for the second time now and I completely forgot just how good Sam Carter's voice is, his projection is unlike anything else, now while I did not come souly for the Architects, While She Sleeps & Thy Art Is Murder were f***ing bone shatteringly good, I've never seen a more hardcore set like Thy Art Is Murder. Lawrence Taylor & While She Sleeps hit every string right, after that concert last night my entire body aches from so much moshing, Metal for life!

First of all it was an awesome choice of supporting bands. Polaris is a band I love listening to for a year now and Beartooth always surprises with catchy refrains and great breakdowns.

In my opinion Architects is one of the greatest live bands i have ever seen. They truly show what they're able to do, play as if it was playback because of the pure sound they bring along quite directly from their albums and catch you in an emotional way not many would think is possible. It was an absolutely amazing evening.

The only thing i realized over the past few months/years is that the "Gasometer" in Vienna can't quite convince me with the sound in the arena. It's always very echo-y and fuzzy. Not quite my favourite place to go to concerts to.

At last i would like to thank Songkick for making it possible for me to always keep track of the concerts in my area.

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Visiting the BAC

The best way to get a feel for what life is like at the vibrant Boston Architectural College is to come and visit us—in person or online! We offer frequent open houses (both on-campus and virtually), as well as summertime tours and various special events throughout the year for groups like transfer students, Early College participants, and more.

Take a Campus Tour

Our student-led tours explore our Boston campus and provide a history of the school as well as information about our degree programs and student experience. Visitors will be able to speak with Admissions Staff and current students while they view the facilities. 

Spring Weekly Tours Fridays* at 2:30PM EST

Spring Saturday Tours February 24 at 11AM EST March 9 at 11AM EST April 27 at 11AM EST

*The first spring weekly tour will be on Friday, February 9.

Registration is required , as tours will also be limited in size as a COVID safety measure. Before your visit, please review BAC's COVID Safety Policies for updated protocol. 

All tours begin in the Admissions Department on the first floor of 320 Newbury Street. There is limited street parking on Newbury Street and a garage located on Dalton Street. By public transportation, the closest stop on the train is Hynes Convention Center on the MBTA green line.

Join Us for an Open House

Attend an in-person or virtual Open House and explore the design professions, hear from current students, and learn about undergraduate and graduate architecture and design degrees at the BAC.

Spring 2024 Virtual Open Houses Wednesday, Feb 14 at 12PM EDT Wednesday, Mar 13 at 12PM EST Wednesday, Apr 17 at 12PM EST

Upcoming Events

Check out the campus through our virtual tour.

Check out the Extended Virtual Campus Tour for an in-depth experience of the BAC Campus.

[email protected]

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Boston Public Library opened its first location in a former two-room schoolhouse in 1854 and relocated to its first purpose-built location in 1858 on the east end of Boylston Street. In subsequent decades, the library’s growing services and the city’s burgeoning population demanded an even larger central location. In response, the city granted a new parcel of land, created by Boston’s Back Bay infill project, for the construction of the third and current Central Library.

At the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in 1888, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes proclaimed before the gathered crowd that “This palace is the people’s own.” In designing the new building, architect Charles Follen McKim and library trustees sought to create a veritable “palace” to inspire and elevate its public. BPL’s McKim building, opened in 1895, is considered one of the finest examples of 19 th -century architecture in America; the adjoining Boylston Street Building, opened in 1972, is newly renovated to provide leading offerings in 21 st -century library services.

McKim and Boylston Street Building Points of Interest

Explore McKim Building Points of Interest

Explore boylston street building points of interest, art & architecture virtual booklet.

Explore the built heritage of the Central Library in Copley Square with our virtual Art & Architecture booklet , funded by Bank of America.

Take Flight at the Central Library

Take flight with this brand new footage, featuring sweeping shots of Copley Square and the Boston Public Library’s 1895 McKim Building, a National Historic Landmark in the heart of the city’s Back Bay neighborhood. This drone sequence was captured by the team at Above Summit , and offers a unique series of perspectives on the art and architecture of the beloved Central Library in Copley Square.

BPL and Above Summit are excited to offer this teaser for a larger project, which includes a 360-degree interactive virtual experience, as well as a narrative tour for patrons near and far to enjoy and learn more about the history and design of this incredible building.

This immersive filming has been made possible by the Boston Public Library Fund with the generous support of Bank of America .

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Boston Walking Tours: Daily & Weekly

Our mission, vision, and values.

Boston By Foot is a non-profit educational organization committed to inspiring locals and visitors to discover and appreciate the diverse stories of Boston by exploring the cityscape together.

We envision a city whose residents and visitors have a deep understanding and appreciation of the city’s complex and diverse history, geography, and communities.

• We work to create tours that help visitors and residents alike discover or deepen their appreciation for our multi-layered city.
• We are lifelong learners; committed to sharing thoughtful storytelling through the exploration of our city’s past and present.
• We are dedicated to rigorous and thorough research that creates meaningful, engaging, and entertaining experiences.
• We seek to uncover untold stories, encourage new perspectives about the city of Boston, and ignite continued exploration.

Become a member, Book a private tour, or make a donation

Membership comes with benefits including admission to most walking tours, admission to all virtual programming, exclusive member previews, & more.

Private tours are available upon request for groups of up to 15 people. We’re happy to work with you to find the date, time, and tour that works best for you.

Boston By Foot, Inc. is a non-profit organization, exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code.

Emerson Colonial Theatre Historical Tours

There are currently no historical tour dates scheduled.  additional dates will be announced soon for this fall .

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

Experience why we're the #1 rated boat cruise in Chicago, tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season!

Buy Tickets

Voted as one of the Top 10 Boat Tours in North America by USA Today readers for 3 years in a row and Chicago Reader's Best Tour for over 10 years ! Looking for the ultimate Chicago architecture experience? Buy a combo ticket for the river cruise AND visit the Chicago Architecture Center—you'll save $9!

For more than 25 years, the CAC's expertly trained docent volunteers have led the CAC River Cruise, sharing fascinating stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River. Hear how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world's largest cities in less than 100 years. In just 90 minutes, you'll get the best overview of Chicago’s architecture and its history.

The CAC River Cruise is available in 4 languages: Continental French, Latin American Spanish, Japanese and Korean. To access these languages, please download the "Listen Everywhere" app in advance. Once you are on board the boat, the app will connect and allow you to listen in your selected language as the boat makes its way down the river.

*Continue your exploration with a visit to the CAC! Combo tickets include admission to the Center for just $5 (regular price $14). Admission is valid up to 7 days before or after your cruise.

*Please note that infant tickets must be purchased with a Priority or General Boarding Adult ticket. 

Evening River Cruise

The city's most popular tour is now offered in the evening. Serene and bathed in softer light, the city's architecture takes on a whole new life in the setting sun. Wind-down from the work-week by enjoying a cocktail with friends and family and experience Chicago's skyline on our luxury boats.

All departures lATER THAN 5:00 PM

• CAC Members please call 312.922.8687 or come to the CAC Box Office at 111 E. Wacker Drive to redeem your BOGO benefit. 
• You can buy a CAC membership over the phone and redeem your BOGO annual benefit at the time of your membership purchase.
• Each person must have a ticket, including infants and children.
• All tours depart rain or shine.
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. Allow extra time for traffic and parking in summer.
• Cruise guests board 15 minutes before departure time.
• GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING
• A full-service bar and snack bar are available onboard.
• Tickets start at $54.00 for daytime cruises, $59.00 for evening cruises. Upgrade your ticket for $5 to include Chicago Architecture Center admission. Your visit must occur within 7 days before or after your tour.  View the CAC's hours .
• Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat. Allow extra time.
• Find more information, including available parking, in our FAQs

Interested in a tour for a group of 20 or more? Please contact our group sales team at [email protected] . Private rentals are available.

Directions to Chicago’s First Lady boat dock

See a map here  or enter 112 E. Wacker Drive into your GPS. Located at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, a black awning marks the boat dock entrance stairs that lead down to the river. If you have limited mobility, see these directions  for an alternative way to reach the dock.

About our Boat Partner

We’re proud to partner with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, operator of Chicago’s finest fleet of cruising vessels. Its boats hold up to 250 passengers and feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, climate-controlled lower cabins and upscale marble and granite restrooms. Being onboard is sure to be an experience you'll never forget. 

Photos From This Tour

Upcoming Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Tours

Friday may 24.

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Saturday May 25

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Sunday May 26

Monday may 27, tuesday may 28, wednesday may 29.

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Highlights of this Tour

Chicago Riverwalk

1 w. lower wacker drive.

Strolling along Chicago’s beautiful Riverwalk, it’s hard to imagine just how much things have changed…

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Architect/firm.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) was founded in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings. Partner…

trunnion bascule bridge

trunnion is a French word for "stump" or pivot point; bascule is a French word for "see-saw"; a trunnion…

Tribune Tower

435 n. michigan ave..

In 1922, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, the Chicago Tribune announced an international competition…

London Guarantee Building

360 n. michigan ave..

Located where Fort Dearborn once stood, the London Guarantee & Accident Building is one of four structures…

330 North Wabash / AMA Plaza (IBM Plaza)

330 n. wabash ave..

One of the last American projects designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this powerful Modernist structure…

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

It’s difficult to imagine what the skyline of Chicago might look like without architect Ludwig Mies van…

Arts and Crafts

The Arts and Crafts movement originated in England in the mid-19th century as an antidote to the dehumanizing…

150 North Riverside

150 n. riverside.

Gravity-defying 150 North Riverside has already taken its rightful place among Chicago’s architectural…

a large vertical, concrete pier, cast in place and used in a foundation where the soil is unstable

333 West Wacker

333 w. wacker dr..

When you’ve got it, you’ve got it—and 333 West Wacker has it.

Apple Michigan Avenue

401 n. michigan ave..

Foster + Partners’ Apple Michigan Avenue store is an impressive, airy glass box with a curved-edge…

Merchandise Mart

222 w. merchandise mart plaza.

Size has always mattered in the Midwest.

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7 things that might surprise you about the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

T here are plenty of ways to take in the sights, sounds (and smells) of Chicago, but you don't necessarily have to be on land to do that.

And you don't have to be a tourist, either.

In fact, one of the most beloved ways — among locals and visitors alike — to experience city is by journeying across the Chicago River and Lake Michigan while a tour guide talks about buildings and regales you on the untold story of Mrs. O'Leary's cow.

In other words: a Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

"As you're going up and down the Chicago River and on Lake Michigan, you're seeing the city’s evolving architecture, which is changing every year" said Andrew Sargis, director of sales and marketing for Wendella Tours and Cruises .

Wendella, billed as Chicago's "original" architecture tour, in 1935 gave its first architecture tour of the city from a wooden diesel yacht out on Navy Pier, Sargis said. Now, upwards of 20 architecture tours are offered daily, with more on the weekends. On average, Wendella tours see roughly 100,000 passengers each month over the summer, Sargis said.

And though the majority of guests on any given Wendella architecture tour are tourists, Sargis said, locals take them, too.

MORE: Even Chicagoans can't get enough of this tourist attraction: ‘It's about the only touristy thing I do'

"I was surprised when I first started, we get a lot of repeat locals," Bobby Scheffle, a Wendella tour guide told NBC Chicago. "And always there's a lot of local people that come on when they have guests visiting them in town. They like to show off the city this way."

But there's something else about the experience that makes it so very Chicago.

"I think it is really unique to experience the city from a boat on a river, because we think about other big cities in the United States -- there aren't many that have a river that go right through downtown," Scheffle said. "You feel like you're in the city, you hear the noise, and you see the buildings and all that."

Whether you're taking the ride for the first time or the 50th, bringing out-of-town guests out for a memorable activity or just itching to be a tourist in your own city, here are seven things to know about the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

Will weather stop a tour from running?

Wendella's architecture tours run year-round, Sargis said, although "weather is a factor."

Weather events like ice on the river or significant snowfall can impact operations, Sargis said, but they typically don't, since the Chicago River -- a federal waterway -- must remain navigable year-round.

While Wendella's boats do have climate-controlled indoor lounges, tours during the winter may run at limited times. But rain, snow, extreme heat or wind, unflappable Chicagoans still show up.

"We went on drizzly day a few years ago," Kathy Rambo wrote on NBC Chicago's Facebook page. "There were only about 10 of us on the boat!

And most often, the tour will run — rain or shine — so don't hesitate to bring a raincoat.

"I have certainly [given tours] under thunderstorms and downpours, and I've gotten drenched sometimes," Scheffle said. "I've never had a tour get canceled because no one bought a ticket. There's always someone wanting to come out here in the rain or the cold."

What's the best time of year (or day) to go?

It depends on when exactly your favorite time of the year is, and what you're hoping to see.

For Sargis, it's late summer. "There's this point of time in September when the weather is beautiful, but there's not that summer rush."

There are other times that Chicagoans may want to consider, too.

"St. Patrick's Day Celebration when they dye the river, and any Wednesday or Saturday night [over the summer], watching the fireworks over Lake Michigan , especially if you're local" Sargis said.

During the summer months, Wendella's tours run start as early as 9 a.m., with the day's final tour not ending until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., Scheffle said, "so if you want to come for a ride to see the city lights, you can come late, and it's also beautiful, just a little more difficult to see the colors on the buildings if that's what you want to see."

Laura Pubins, who lives in a suburb outside of Chicago, agrees.

"My favorite one was when we were on a boat at sunset," Pubins wrote to NBC Chicago on Facebook. "It was an awesome new view of the city."

What's the most photogenic spot on the tour?

For Sargis, it's "anything out on Lake Michigan," with the skyline in the background.

On the river though, there's one moment that captures the city best, Scheffle said, no matter what time of day you're taking the trip.

"The best place to take a photo on the 90-minute river tour is when we come up the south branch from Chinatown," Scheffle said. "That's the best place because you get the whole skyline from the south. It's really beautiful."

For locals though, it may not be what you're looking at, so much as how you're looking at it.

"You're looking at [the city] from underneath," said Chicago resident Nick Pappas, 55, who recently found himself on a 90-minute river tour. "It's just a different perspective on the river that you don't get on the street level. As amazing as that sounds, you're only, like, 20 feet down, but it gives you a whole different perspective."

What does the training for a tour guide look like?

According to Sargis, all Wendella tour guides are trained in-house -- and the spots are competitive.

"There's high demand," Sargis said, of the position. "There are more people that want to be tour guides than space available. It's certainly a popular job, and people want to do it." While the tour guide of any given architecture tour isn't made public, many people do request certain ones for private events, Sargis said.

For the tours, there's a general script, with highlights that must be mentioned, Sargis said. But improvisation, along with sharing personal history is encouraged, too.

"All of the tour guides have their own experience in the city, and will add parts of their history in it," Sargis said. "We have a tour guide that is a retired police officer, and he will interject anecdotes form his career. We have a tour guide that's a Vietnam War Veteran, and when we go by the Vietnam War Memorial, he will always discuss the importance of it to him."

For Scheffle, the training included joining multiple tours a week for two weeks and flashcards.

"For a while, I, just drove Uber and Lyft," Scheffle said. "And then, I remembered that I really liked Chicago. I like learning fun facts about it. And there are people in the city that have that as a job -- to tell people fun facts about Chicago and I started looking into tourism jobs in the city."

What's the most common question tour guides get?

Believe it or not, it's not always about The Great Chicago Fire , or Mrs. O'Leary and her cow, at least on Scheffle's tours.

"My favorite thing on the tour that happens is probably when little kids ask questions," Scheffle said. "The common question that a kid will ask, because I talk about the tallest building, second tallest building, third tallest building, a lot of times a kid will ask what's the shortest building in Chicago? Which I don't have a good answer for."

Are you supposed to tip your guide?

"It's up to the discretion of the client," Sargis said. "I would say a lot of our passengers do tip our tour guides."

What's the absolute best part of the tour?

Sure the tour is photogenic, and the city's history is fascinating. And though some may go on the tour to find out what buildings are new, others prefer to think about the old.

"My favorite building to talk about is probably the Board of Trade building," Scheffle said. "Just because I remember walking by it much younger and always, I remember, really being impressed by it, thinking was such a cool big city building."

For a local on the tour, the memories are nice. But a day out on the water in Chicago is just hard to beat.

"It's great. I don't have to work," said Pappas, who has lived in the city for 55 years. "Every time, it's a little treat to go down the river."

Video editors Ivonne Ramirez and DS Shin produced and created the video for this story.