They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that holds true for my husband. A few years ago, I gifted him a tavern and pizza tour, and it was a huge hit. This past December, I decided to do it again. This time we are doing the North End Neighborhood Food Tour. We are going on Memorial Day weekend, and we can’t wait. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to research the Best in Boston Food Tours. Boston is full of history and great food. Here are the 8 Boston Food Tours that made the list.
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Boston’s Historic North End
Let’s start with Boston’s Historic North End. Before diving into the tours offered here, I would like to provide a bit of history. The North End is Boston’s oldest neighborhood, where people have lived since the 1630s. It is rich with history, some good and some not so good. The North End is known for its Italian population and restaurants. Not only do people come for the food, but see to Paul Revere’s house, the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and the old North Church. Remember, “one if by land and two if by the sea’? That all happened in the North End.
The Prince Macaroni Company and incredible organizations such as The Home for Little Wanderers were started here. There also have been some dark times. The Great Molasses Flood, whereby a 25 ft wave of molasses flowed down Commercial Street towards the waterfront, sweeping away everything in its path. One hundred fifty people were injured, 21 people were killed, and it caused damage of 100 million dollars in today’s money.
Today the North End is one of Boston’s most prominent tourist destinations and one of the best places to grab a meal, a coffee, and a cannoli.
Best in Boston Food Tours- North End Neighborhood Food Tour
This is the tour that Bill and I will be doing in May. The tour takes you to award-winning restaurants, stop by the Best of Boston winners to taste pizza, sandwiches, bread, and cannoli. You will visit an old-world salumeria shown on the Food Network. The tour includes a visit to the Old North Church (exterior only) and a walk through the North End, where history lovers will hear plenty about this part of Boston’s history. We end the tour with a pasta dinner at one of the North End’s famous award-winning restaurants and take a cannoli for the road.
How much is the tour? – $150.00 per person.
What’s included? – Price of all food, taxes, and server’s gratuities
What’s excluded? – Tour cost does not include drinks or tour guide’s gratuity should guests wish to consider.
Best in Boston Food Tours – Boston’s North End Group Walking Tour
If $150.00 a person is a bit steep, why not try Boston’s North End Group Walking Tour. Like the North End Neighborhood Food Tour, the guide will take you through the history of the North End as you sample authentic Italian cuisine. The tour includes a visit to a hidden bakery, samples of meats, cheeses, pizza, and pastries. Unlike the tour above, included is a visit inside the Old North Church, which is truly a thing of beauty.
How much is the tour? – $72.00 a person.
What is included?- samples of food, pastries, a drink, and entrance into the church.
What is excluded? -Tour cost does not include drinks or tour guide’s gratuity should guests wish to consider.
Best in Boston Food Tours – Boston’s Politically Incorrect Lunch and Dinner Tours
According to the description, these two tours take place in the North End, but this one will show you the REAL North End. Like the others, it is a walking tour where you will learn the North End history and visit hidden gems. There is both a lunch and a dinner tour.
Lunch Tour
The lunch tour is 3 hours long. It includes visits to historical sites, local hangouts, and samples of authentic Italian food. There is a visit to a Salumeria (Italian Deli), and you will learn to make Italian Panni. Take a stroll down Hanover Street and visit some of the best bakeries and coffee shops the city has to offer. Then, head over to the tour guide’s mother’s house for an authentic Italian lunch consisting of a homemade plate of pasta Bolognese, pizza or a Caprese salad, and a homemade dessert. Visit an 80-year-old spice and coffee shop and a 112-year old wine shop. Another highlight, see the headquarters of the alleged Boston Mob.
The wake for the infamous Sacco and Vanzetti was held out of a home in the North End. Fun fact, my great grandfather served on the jury of their criminal trial. Haven’t heard of the Sacco and Vanzetti case? Read about it here.
Dinner Tour
Rather the dinner tour? The dinner tour includes all of the above, except instead of lunch, you eat dinner with Mama. Enjoy a traditional Italian Sunday dinner, which includes pasta with meatballs, sausages, and braciola. An antipasti course and dessert are also served.
What is the cost? – $69.00 for lunch $90 for dinner.
What is included? – Food, drink, and admission into historical sites.
What is excluded? Gratuity for tour guide.
Best in Boston Food Tours- Boston Chocolate Tours
A tour made just for me! LOL! If you have been reading long enough, you will know by now I love all things chocolate. This is a walking tour of the city that starts in the North End and ends in Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill is a neighborhood in Boston and at the top of the hill is the Massachusetts State House. Federal-style row houses, narrow gaslit streets, and brick sidewalks adorn the area, a desirable and expensive part of Boston.
This tour will bring you to six locations for chocolate tastings. Learn about this great city’s history, plus visit historical sites such a Patriot’s Corner and the Old North Church, pass by Boston Public Library and the famous Newbury Street. This is a private tour.
What is the cost? – $206.00 per person.
What is included? – All the chocolate and the pasteries, plus water.
What is excluded? – Gratuities for your guide.
Best in Boston Food Tours – Cocktails and Cannolis
Ahhh.. another tour made just for me. The tour is also located in the North End. Do you see a trend here? The best food is in the North End! The tour is approximately 2 hours and takes you through the North End, where you will have four desserts, including cannoli and gelato. It also includes three cocktails. Walkthrough the North End over to Paul Revere’s house, where you learn the importance of alcohol in Revolutionary Boston. Also, see where Paul hung the famous lanterns. There is a blind cannoli test, and the tour gains you access to two of the top cannoli shops in the city. The lines at these shops are usually down the street, so this is a real treat. I have waited in the queue for Mike’s Pastry and it is worth it!
What is the cost?- I could not find this information, but there is a number to call to request a quote.
What is included? – All of the above, plus a water bottle to carry with you.
What is excluded? – Gratuities for your guide.
Best in Boston Food Tours – Boston Brew Tours
Boston Brew Tours takes you behind the scenes of a craft brewery. Taste up to 16 different craft beers as you are driven around by a guide. You have access to 3-4 of Boston’s best local breweries, cideries, or distilleries, all of which include lunch and some snacks.
What is the cost? -Approximately $136.00 a person.
What does it include? – All the alcohol and food.
What is excluded?- Gratuity for your guide.
Best in Boston Food Tours- Beacon Hill and Back Bay Food Tour
This tour includes a three-course meal of a light lunch. It usually involves lobster. After lunch:
- Explore the historic Charles Street and enjoy tastings at multiple chocolatiers.
- Walk Beacon Hill’s Louisburg Square and visit Acorn Street, the most photographed street in Boston.
- Stroll past the Boston Public Library and visit an off the beaten path wine and cheese shop and bakery ranked 3rd in the country.
The tour ends with dessert at one of Boston’s top restaurants.
What is the cost? – $100 per person.
What is included? – All of the above.
What is excluded? – Gratuity for guides.
Best in Boston Food Tours – Bites of Boston
Bites of Boston has a few tours. One is the Sweet and Savory South End Tour. The South End of Boston is a neighborhood in the city. The South End has the largest intact Victorian row house district in the country and s made up of over 300 acres of parks. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
During the tour, you will visit 5-6 local eateries and hear the history of how the South End came to be.
What is the cost?- $71.50.
What is included?- Food and drink.
What is excluded? – Gratuities for the guide.
Are you hungry yet? Boston is a fabulous place to visit and eat! If you are ever in town, make sure to check out one of these terrific tours.
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the different colors across the trees, the smell of apples, and pumpkin spice. I mean, what is there not to like? Growing up in New England, I have been blessed with some beautiful Falls. New England has a LOT to offer this time of year, and I would like to share some of these with you.
Apple Picking
One of our family traditions is apple picking. With over 80 pick your own orchards in Massachusetts, each a bit different, it is hard to decide where to go. We have a family favorite, Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stowe, MA.
We like Honey Pot for several reasons. First, the orchard has several varieties of apples. The orchard is quite large, and we never feel it is too crowded. Second, it is one of the few places that have ladders to climb the trees. I love that! For some reason, it makes a bit more fun and authentic. Third, APPLE CIDER DONUTS! Hello?!? These donuts melt in your mouth. Now I know many places sell them, but nothing compares to the ones we get at Honey Pot Hill Orchards. The orchard has farm animals, hayrides, three different mazes, pumpkins, a great farm store, and some food stands. New this year, a Cider Garden. They will be a Hard Cider Tent set up on the weekends. We are looking forward to trying that out.
cider donuts -photo courtesy of Honey Pot 
cute little pig – courtesy of Honey Pot
Go Leaf Peeping
The foliage in New England is GORGEOUS! Whether you want to make this a day trip or a weekend-long event, there is plenty of foliage to see among the New England states. Check out the best foliage drives here.
Pumpkin Festival
Did you know that Laconia, NH, has one of the best pumpkin festivals in the country? Neither did I until I started researching for this piece. Each year, New Hampshire residents attempt to amass the largest number of lit jack o lanterns in one place, trying to meet or beat the world record, which the festival held for many years. The festival held mid-October attracts approximately 40,000-50,000 people each year. This year it will be held October 18th and 19th. There will be amusement park rides, a beer garden, music on the streets, a zombie walk, pumpkin displays, yummy food, which of course includes pumpkin everything and a five and a 10k on the morning of the 19th. Also, there are children’s games like pedal tractor pulls, corn hole, and more. There is fun for the whole family. We will be in Maine that weekend visiting colleges, so I am sad we are unable to attend. However, I will be sure to add it to my list for the following year.
The North American Wife Carrying Championship
Yes, folks, you heard it right. Such a thing exists! Sunday River in Maine is the second largest ski resort in New England. It is also home to The North American Wife Carrying Championship. This annual event is held over Columbus Day Weekend. Ironically, it does not have to be your wife that gets carried across a 278-yard obstacle course. It can be any woman of your choosing. The woman is thrown over the man’s shoulder. She is hauled across the course with her legs wrapped around a man’s neck and her arms around his waist. The obstacle course is made up of mud, logs, dirt, deep grass, and water, where her head is bound to get wet. A Finnish couple has won the event since 2013. This event coincides with the ski resort’s annual festival with chairlifts rides, live bands, food & beer tents and craft fairs.
4th Annual Harvest Festival at the Newport Vineyards
Newport is a seaside town in Rhode Island known for its historic mansions and sailing history. It hosted America’s Cup for many years. Next to Newport is the town of Middleton, home to Newport Vineyards. In addition to being a winery, Newport Vineyard has a brewery that offers fresh craft beer and a farm to table focused menu. There are events such as
This two-day event is Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th from noon -5:00 pm. It is two days of grape stomping (yes you read that right), sipping delicious wine or beer and eating delectable food. Or perhaps you are a pie lover? There is a pie-eating contest too! The cost of the event is $25.00 per person and includes up to 7 samplings of wine or beer. Children under 15 are free.
Viewing Foliage from High Above the Trees
For the adventurous leaf peepers, Connecticut offers a unique way to see the beauty that a New England Fall has to offer. Tree climbing, ziplining, and adrenaline-pumping rock climbing is some of the ways to take in vibrant hues of the season. Empower Leadership
Hiking with the Family
Not to be missed is the beautiful state of Vermont. Vermont is known for its yummy maple syrup and over 100 19th century covered bridges. It is also a great place to take a hike and see the beauty of The Green Mountain State. We are not that family that can hike for hours. Yes, I can run a marathon, but hiking up mountains for hours is not in the cards. However, we do love the outdoors and seeing the beauty around us. Here are 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes for your family to enjoy.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a hot vacation spot in the summer, but did you know that the Fall is one of the best times to visit this New England gem. The crowds are low, but a fair amount of restaurants are still open. House rentals are often half the price, and the beaches are there for all to enjoy. My sister and her husband head down the last week of September each year. Last September we tagged along for a weekend. We enjoyed hanging at the house, walking to the beach and a tour to see the seals that gather each year in Chatham, MA. I highly recommend the Monomoy Island Excursion. It is quite the site to see.
Salem, Massachusetts
The best place to be around Halloween, is Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is North of Boston and is famous for its witch trials in the 1600s. There are over 500 different events during October to
- Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour Salem Witch Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Halloween Cruises
- Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours
- The People vs Bridget Bishop
- Gallows Hill
- Salem Witch Museum
- Salem Wax Museum
Oh, and before you leave, make sure to stop by Enchanted. It is a magical shop for “witches & muggles” It is home to Laurie Cabot, Salem’s official witch. You can read about Laurie here.
Last, but certainly not least, Sitting by the Fire
Probably one of my absolute favorite things to do in the Fall, sitting out on the patio, cuddled up by the fire enjoying the cool, but pleasant weather. As New Englanders, we need to enjoy this season much as we can because we all know what comes after Fall.
