Tours
Many tours sell out in advance, so register early!
Tickets are available for purchase by conference registrants and registered family. The AAP may cancel any tour that does not meet minimum attendance requirements (with a full refund provided). All tours depart from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. To register for a tour, visit www.AAPexperieNCE.org/register.
Saturday, October 15
Walking Tour: Freedom Trail from Faneuil Hall to Copp’s Hill
7:00 am-8:30 am - Complimentary
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites, every one an authentic American treasure. Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1958, when the wrecking ball threatened, the Freedom Trail today is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond. You'll begin your tour in “the cradle of liberty” otherwise known as Faneuil Hall Marketplace then walk onward to encounter many of Boston’s historic landmarks ending at Copp’s Hill.
Note that walks will not be canceled due to weather.
Welcome to Beantown Presentation
10:00 am-11:00 am - Complimentary
Charm, colonial heritage, sports, academics, arts, sciences, performing arts, wonderful neighborhoods, and the expression of freedom. Boston has it all! In our overview of a long history, we take you through the highlights, the heritage, and the transportation systems with a few twists on Boston and the area’s best-kept secrets.
America’s walking city. Hike along the 3-mile Freedom Trail, or hop aboard America’s first subway transit system – the “T”. Trolleys, buses and a reputation for unquestionably bad drivers. Rich in culture and development, Boston is an ever-evolving center in the pursuit of the arts and sciences. A night at the Pops in Symphony Hall or at the Esplanade’s Hatch Shell. An afternoon walk along the Charles to the Museum of Science. Really, an infinite variety of fascinating things to do and see.
A neighborhood town full of intriguing diversity. Colonial forefathers bearing proud signatures of Hancock, Adams and Revere. Mid 19th century Irish settlers – the Kennedy and Fitzgerald families, African-American heritage, Italian influx, and most recently a center of the Pacific Rim. Our ethnicity influences our politics, our technological development, our neighborhoods and our families.
A passionate source of athletic spirit and energy and a city of colleges, hosting America’s first institution – Harvard, as well as, MIT, Boston College, Boston University and Northeastern.
North, South, East and West – picturesque towns seemingly unchanged by the passage of time. Discover an18th century shipper’s enclave. Art colonies. Rich river valleys. Rolling farmlands and equestrian landscapes. Cities forever changed by The Industrial Revolution. All in all, Boston and its environs feature incomparable charm, historical ambiance, unique architectural sense, and the vibrancy of an eclectic collaboration of cultures. The beginnings of America. A living history.
America’s History Lesson: Boston Revealed
8:30 am-12:00 pm - Adult(s) $32; Child(ren) $28
Referred to as the “Athens of America” and known universally for its role in the shaping of America, Boston represents a colonial cornucopia of sites, sounds and historical significance in its contributions to our nation. Travel through Copley Square and the Back Bay, home of the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church. Atop Beacon Hill, disembark for a stroll with an enchanting view of the Boston Common and Public Garden, offering a verdant and graceful respite from the pace of the city, as well as the State House and the 54th Regiment Memorial.
You will be guided past Kings Chapel and the Old Granary Burying Grounds, the final resting place for several original Patriots. View the Old South Meeting House, where planning for the Tea Party “coup” took place, and the Old State House where the Declaration of Independence was recited to Boston residents. Head through the back streets to Charlestown to visit the old navy shipyard and view “Old Ironsides”, better known as the USS Constitution.
Continue to roam the streets and head to the heartbeat of the Italian community, the North End. Forge on to Faneuil Hall, known as “the cradle of liberty” for over 240 years. This walking portion includes a unique experience in Boston’s famous Haymarket Square with live vendors.
Boston Brewery & Historic Pub Tour
1:00 pm-6:00 pm - Adult(s) $73
Recommended for adults ages 21 years and older
The City of Boston has a strong and interesting history of famous beers that are brewed right in the heart of the Hub. The Boston Brewery tour takes guests by motor coach to a brewery as well as two local pubs with a tour and tasting at each location.
Begin your afternoon at Samuel Adams Brewery to learn the history of beer in Boston, the beer making process, and Sam Adams' 18 distinctive and award-winning microbrews. A highlight for history buffs is the opportunity to discover Samuel Adams, the man, brewer, and patriot. In addition, learn the brewing process, touch, see and smell hops, and sample this fine beer at the end of your tour. All ages are welcome on the tour, however, you must be 21 in order to sample.
Continue on to the Warren Tavern in Charlestown for a pint & some pub bites. The Warren Tavern is the oldest tavern in Massachusetts, operated since 1780. Last stop; the Union Oyster House. The Union Oyster House is the oldest continually operating restaurant in the U.S. Guests will soak up the ambiance over a pint and a tasting of some local seafood specialties.
On The Trail Through Cambridge
1:15 pm-5:30 pm - Adult(s) $52; Child(ren) $45
Take a ride to Cambridge and be escorted onto charming river boats for a fascinating one hour sightseeing tour. Your guide will point out various points of interest and historical markers along the riverside.
Departing the boat cruise, guests will enjoy a brief visit of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus. From here, head to Harvard Square, where your guide will accompany you through the historical back roads of Cambridge. Take a walk down Tory Row past George Washington's former home, the Old Blacksmith's Shop; and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's former home. Next up, your guide will take you on a stroll through the Harvard University campus, one of the greatest academic and research facilities in the world. In addition to architectural and historical perspectives, you will also be treated to a series of long-lived campus stories, popular since the Institution's founding in 1636.
Colonial Literary Legends and Revolutionary Battlegrounds (Lunch Included)
9:00 am-4:00 pm - Adult(s) $111; Child(ren) $99
Retrace the footsteps along the Freedom Trail through Boston proper and into the towns of Belmont, Lexington and Concord, where the Freedom Rider 
rode his horse to warn the Colonials that the “British Are Coming”. Relive the moments on the famous Lexington Green and Concord Foot Bridge as well as the 13-mile ride of Paul Revere from Charlestown to Lexington / Concord. Learn about the “true” story of that night and the days to follow.
In addition, in the century following America’s War for Independence, the Greater Boston area experienced a whole new kind of “revolution”. Referred to as the Athens of America, this area became a cultural center, intellectual hub, and literary Mecca. Lifting beloved authors off the pages of their works, today’s excursion intertwines them in the rich and fascinating context of their time whilst the vibrant literary and political reawakening comes to life.
Enjoy such sites as: homes to literati such as The Concord Museum, Orchard House, home to transcendentalist Amos Bronson Alcott, his wife Abigail and daughters Anna, Louisa, Elizabeth and May, and Walden Pond, where Thoreau built his simple house in 1845 to “live deliberately” and learn from nature.
Lunch will be enjoyed at the Concord Colonial Inn; listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sunday, October 16
Walking Tour: Victorian Back Bay
7:00 am-8:30 am - Complimentary
Boston's Back Bay embraces one of America's richest collections of art and architecture. Its treasures include grand rows of Back Bay mansions, Trinity Church, The Boston Public Library, and Old South Church. The group will enjoy a trip around the Back Bay for a discussion regarding architecture and the arts.
Note that walks will not be cancelled due to weather.
From Ming to Monet: Museum Hopping and Shopping
9:30 am-1:30 pm - Adult(s) $89
Recommended for adults and children ages 12 years and older
Visit two of Boston’s most popular museums: The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Guests will be professionally guided through the MFA, one of the greatest international art museums in the 
world. It exhibits the largest group of Monet paintings outside of Paris as well as renowned collections of European and American paintings. Enjoy a creative shopping experience in the amazing Museum of Fine Arts gift store. Stimulate your artistic side as you meander through the store viewing items from Aztec clothing to prints from famous artists.
After the MFA, we'll walk across the street to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a breathtaking palazzo created at the turn of the century by wealthy art lover Isabella Stewart Gardner. Isabella’s pioneering independence and eccentricity overcame resistance from the very conservative Boston Brahman Society in opening a female-owned gallery. Despite being the victim of the most costly art heist in the twentieth century, the museum displays over 3,000 works of art including objects by Rembrandt, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian and Matisse. Its beautiful interior flowering courtyard and outdoor gardens are host to some of the most elaborate parties in Boston.
Boston DUCK and Fenway (Pending Red Sox playoff schedule)
9:00 am-12:30 pm - Adult(s) $85; Child(ren) $78
The Duck and ConDUCKtor will cruise by the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts from the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill and the Boston Garden; Boston Common and Copley Square to the Big Dig; Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street; Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower; and more. And just when you think you’ve “quacked” it all . . . the Duck splashes into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skyline.
At the conclusion of the Duck Tour, we'll disembark at Fenway Park, home of the 2004 and 2007 World Series Champions the Boston Red Sox. Though generations have come and gone, Fenway Park remains much like it 
was opening day on April 20, 1912. The park resounds with the echoes of baseball history’s greats, for here is where the Babe pitched, The Kid hit, Yaz dazzled, and Pedroia and Ortiz still thrill young fans today.
Soak up the rich history and hear the echoes of the past. When available, fans may also have the opportunity to walk along the warning track and come face-to-face with the fabled Green Monster.
At the end of the tour the group will return to the BCEC on a coach.
Bewitching Seaports: Salem and Marblehead (Lunch Included)
9:00 am-5:00 pm - Adult(s) $114; Child(ren) $104
“Witch” way to Salem? Salem and Witches are two words synonymous with New England, where witchcraft hysteria defined this seaside mecca’s place in history and even today. Heading north to Salem reveals that much more went into the formation of this picturesque enclave.
Upon arrival, visit the Peabody Essex Museum and connect the maritime trade in Salem to the birth of the nation. Included in the Peabody Essex Museum is a self-guided tour as well as admission to the Yin Yu Tang; the Huang family ancestral home.
Lunch will be taken at a nearby restaurant. Following lunch, the group will head to “The House of Seven Gables,” the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s great classic. Winding past the Hawthorne Hotel and Pickering Wharf, the macabre of the “witchery” draws the group into a fascinating glimpse of 17th century mob hysteria.
Travel on to Marblehead with breathtaking views of one of the nation’s most protected and picturesque coves in the world. Home to a sleek fleet of prestigious yacht clubs, Marblehead is a charming town still dependent on its own fishing industry. Embark down the streets of Old Town up to Abbot Hall where town meetings are still regularly held. Pending time, in Abbot Hall you might view the famous painting “Spirit of 76,” a true period masterpiece.
Monday, October 17
America’s History Lesson: Boston Revealed
8:30 am-12:00 pm - Adult(s) $32; Child(ren) $28
See Saturday's tour for description
Beacon Hill Homes and Walking Tour
9:00 am-12:30 pm - Adult(s) $88
Recommended for adults and children 12 years and older
The tour begins at the top of Beacon Hill. Enjoy an overview of the State House, the 54th Regiment Memorial and views of the Back Bay, The 
Boston Public Common and Public Garden. Strolling down the Hill to the corner of Charles and Beacon Street, the group will be met by a host for the tours of two to three private homes in the heart of Beacon Hill.
As you amble the cobblestone streets, enjoy a behind-the-scene’s look at the Yankee region’s most favored neighborhood. The Hill will portray a picturesque history through the various brownstones, famous residential addresses and time-owned anecdotes about the lives of the residents both past and present.
Inside each home, your host will outline the original detail as well as the current design, including the complexities of owning a private historic home and bringing it to modern day standards within the parameters of the historical society.
A traditional Brahmin tea and light fare will be offered at one of the houses. After tea, the group may return to the hotel or continue on their own for a leisurely stroll through the Boston Public Garden.
“La Dolce Vita” North End Market Tour
1:00 pm-4:30 pm - Adult(s) $84
Recommended for adults and children 12 years and older
A behind-the-scenes tour will provide guests with insight on the infamous “Little Italy” of Boston, the North End. This borough attracts visitors and Bostonians alike with its intimate and familial setting. One of the oldest neighborhoods in America, the North End is made up of quaint and narrow cobblestone streets. Participants will stroll while listening to a brief history of the area. As the group ambles along, stops are made at various shops which may include: a pastry shop, a confection store, a coffee/spice store, a greengrocer, a salumeria (deli) and a 
liquor store.
The guide will divulge secrets on how to spot authentic ingredients, where to buy them and how to prepare them. Participants will be encouraged to get involved by sampling and asking questions throughout the tour. As an added benefit, insights on different restaurants in the area will be shared. Handouts describing the different stores stopped at along the way will also be distributed to participants.
On The Trail Through Cambridge
1:15 pm-5:30 pm - Adult(s) $52; Child(ren) $45
See Saturday's tour for description
Oh, The Elegance and Charm of Newport (Lunch Included)
8:00 am-5:00 pm - Adult(s) $119; Child(ren) $99
Rising early to head south, travel along the coast to the beguiling town of Newport, Rhode Island. Discover this legendary seaside resort and summer playground for this country’s first millionaires and home of America’s first castles. Travel along the shoreline via the spectacular “10 mile drive”, admiring regal mansions against the backdrop of the magnificent Atlantic. Guests may revel in the luxury of the Vanderbilt’s “summer cottage” - the Breakers as well as visiting another mansion.
Lunch will be held at La Forge Casino, a charming restaurant overlooking the tennis courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. If time allows, the group will have the opportunity to shop at many of the boutiques and niche shop fronts located in the area.
The Adventures of Pilgrims: Journey to the New World (Lunch Included)
9:00 am-4:00 pm - Adult(s) $99; Child(ren) $89
Experience life in the 17th century at Plimoth Plantation. Here guests can learn about and participate in work from the old days, such as preparing loaves of bread for baking. There are also interactive role players and interpretive staff of the Wampanoag Homesite and the 1627 English Village. 
Additionally, you will share in a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet, where they will learn about the table manners of the 17th century and eat the food of the Pilgrims.
Next it’s onto the Mayflower. Aboard the Mayflower II you will find an extraordinary experience. The details of this ship, from the solid oak timbers and tarred hemp rigging to the wood and horn lanterns and hand-colored maps, have all been carefully recreated to give you a sense of what the original 17th century vessel was like. More role-playing interpreters and modern guides are featured on board this reproduction of the ship that brought the colonists to the new world. Envision the reality of the cross-Atlantic journey as they explore the cramped quarters and the lower level "hold" of the ship.
Salem and Haunted Happenings
5:00 pm-10:00 pm - Adult(s) $36; Child(ren) $30
This evening guests will board a shuttle to be whisked North of Boston to Salem, MA. The month of October allows visitors to experience the drama of Halloween in Salem, fondly known as Haunted Happenings. From haunted houses to a variety of museums, including the Witch Museum and the Wax Museum, guests will have the evening to experience all that is Salem. Each guest will be provided with a schedule of the Haunted Happenings events enroute to Salem. Access to the sites and activities are at the expense of the individual.
Tuesday, October 18th
Walking Tour: Harbor Walk & Rose Kennedy Greenway
7:00 am-8:30 am - Complimentary
Boston's Harbor Walk is an inviting public walkway along the waterfront. It has a wide range of amenities including but not limited to parks, public art, seating areas, cafes, exhibit areas, interpretive signage and water transportation facilities. Guests will walk from the BCEC along the Harbor Walk to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. The 15 acres stretch encompasses gardens, plazas, and tree-lined promenades. The Greenway is a key feature of the modern reinvention of Boston, Boston Harbor, the South Boston Waterfront, and the Harbor Islands, offering beautiful places for relaxation within the rhythm of the urban environment. The Greenway is a series of four parks within a curvilinear corridor of land extending approximately one mile through downtown Boston. Intersecting streets and parallel tree-lined boulevards with wide sidewalks frame the surrounding parks and plazas.
Note that walks will not be canceled due to weather.
Boston By Design CANCELLED
9:00 am-1:00 pm - Adult(s) $63
Recommended for adults and children 12 years and older
This tour offers 
participants concepts in fashion as well as design. Arriving at a local designer studio, guests will tour the studio with the designer and discuss the design process. Highlights include walking the guests through actual elements of what makes the process work including fabric patterns, cutting tables and sewing machines. Lastly, head to the show floor to enjoy the designer’s collection, and if inspired, you may opt to make a purchase.
Next, it’s off to the dynamically changing industrial waterfront where New England’s preeminent resource for the design industry, the Boston Design Center, is located. This everyday workplace of interior designers, decorators, architects, and commercial specifiers holds a treasure trove of possibilities to reinventing your world. The Center focuses on modern-day design principles and offers 75 independent wholesale showrooms featuring more than 1,200 premier lines of furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, lighting fixtures, antiques, accessories, kitchen, bath and building products for every area of the home and office. The tour will begin with a brief discussion on the history of the Design Center and contemporary design trends, guided by a colorful and animated presenter. Lead in small groups by a professional designer, you will get an insider’s look at several showrooms as well as the opportunity to purchase directly from the showroom retailer at discounted prices. This tour is a special experience as this group has been awarded exclusive access normally limited to trade professionals only.
Boston DUCK and Fenway (Pending Red Sox playoff schedule)
9:00 am-12:30 pm - Adult(s) $85; Child(ren) $78
See Sunday's tour for description