Tour Information

Historical Brownstone & Gourmet Chocolate Tour

Friday, September 20th – 1:00pm-4:00pm

Indulge your sweet tooth while exploring three of the most distinguished and historical districts of Boston and Cambridge. Participate in the chocoholic’s twelve step program, which is “a chocoholic is never more than twelve steps from chocolate.”

First, stroll through Boston’s South End, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as “the largest Victorian neighborhood in the United States”. This was the first district built outside the old city, with the main streets designed in Parisian Boulevard style.

You will see rows of bow-front brownstones lining parks and avenues, with grand staircases and ornate scrolled wrought iron railings. In the middle of all this, you will visit a baker of fine dark chocolates and truffles. The chef will greet you and offer an informative talk on the ingredients and preparation process, and explain how new and mouth-watering concoctions are conceived. Guests will then sample some of these!

The next stop is Beacon Hill, home of Boston’s blue-blood elite and most prestigious addresses, referred to by poet Oliver Wendell Holmes as “the sunny side of the street that holds the gifted few”. Many of these homes were designed by, or in the style of Charles Bulfinch, America’s preeminent architect in the first half of the 19th century. The highlight is a stop at a delightful shop, a purveyor of artisan chocolates from around the world. While enjoying samples, look through the display of what the sweets are sold in: handmade quaint keepsake boxes using decoupage; rare lithographs, old postcards and photographs adorn the covers. Guests are sure to enjoy this experience.

Fee: $75 per person

Includes: Roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, chocolates and refreshments, all taxes and gratuities.

Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

Friday, September 20th – 8:00pm-10:00pm

This wretched creature is doomed to travel the streets of Boston and relay the stories of the unfortunate souls he encountered and the macabre events he had been witness to during his purgatory. Join other apprentice grave diggers on an adventure through the darker side of Boston. A scary, fun, and informative fright seeing experience that is truly one of a kind.

Hear about Boston’s most sinister characters, from the Angel of Death to the king of all killers, the Boston Strangler. Learn about all the haunts that call the “Hub” their home. But that’s not all! Step inside two of the oldest burying grounds in Boston proper for a walking tour you will never forget. Learn the significance of much of the imagery found in these 17th century burial grounds and the famous and not so famous (but even more interesting) occupants therein.

Visit the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground in the North End, nestled atop the tallest point in one of Boston’s oldest historic districts. Here you will visit the final resting place of Cotton Mather, a man famous for his “intimate” involvement with the Salem Witch Trials. Then to the Granary Burying Ground where you will visit the final resting places of many of the most famous heroes of the American Revolution including John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams.

Fee: $85 per person

Includes: Roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, all taxes and gratuities.

Antiquing in Boston & Cambridge

Saturday, September 21st – 9:30am-2:30pm

Whether you’re sick of cookie cutter goods that look just like what everyone else has or if you’ve just always had a love of vintage items and the history surrounding them, antiquing is a fun way to spend the day and find unique items. Here are Boston’s best places for antiquing.

Small Pleasures, Boston
It’s easy to miss this hidden gem in the hustle and bustle of Newbury Street, but once you shop at Small Pleasures it will quickly become one of your favorite Boston shops. The shop is small, but is filled with amazing pieces of vintage and antique jewelry. You’ll find everything here, from luxurious antique diamond wedding bands to fun flirty costume jewelry of a by-gone era. The prices are just as nice as the selection and the staff couldn’t be more friendly or knowledgeable about the unique pieces of jewelry they offer for sale.

Restoration Resources, Boston
Even if you’ve never been in this Washington Street shop you’ve probably already seen it and not even realized Restoration Resources is right in your own neighborhood. This store has been featured on “This Old House,” the HGTV network, in Better Homes and Gardens and in New England Home magazine, among many others. At Restoration Resources, you’ll find plenty of furniture, outdoor statuary and lighting, though their collection is more discerning than most. You’ll also find all those little touches that make an antique home authentic. Things like hundred year old door knobs, iron floor grates, stained glass windows and even old doors can be found at Restoration Resources. It is the ultimate antique shop for anyone restoring and old house to it’s former glory.

Cobwebs, Jamaica Plain
At Cobwebs you can find anything from a gorgeous 1920s crystal cocktail set to an antique diamond engagement ring to everything in-between. But what customers really rave about is the fine selection of antique furniture and home goods. A cobweb carries the best quality antique furniture in the finest condition imaginable. Best of all, the word around Boston is that Cobweb’s proprietor Patrick Byrnes is willing to negotiate on prices from time to time.

City Lights, Cambridge
If you are a hardcore antique lover and you’re in the market for period lighting, there is no better place in Boston for antique light fixtures than City Lights. The quality and selection is unsurpassed in the hub. Compared to modern lightning, you will, however, pay a premium price for your period lights. But if you are an antique aficionado, you won’t be shocked at the price tags. The shop owner knows his stuff and is full of information about the antique lamps that fill his store. From lamps to hanging pictures to reproduction antique light bulbs, City Lights has everything vintage light lovers want.

Cambridge Anti que Market, Cambridge
While parking here can be tough, the five floors of unique vintage and antique goods are up for sale at the Cambridge Antique Market make it completely worth the trip. Even better than the selection are the prices. The Cambridge Antique Market is easily one of the most affordable places to buy antique goods in the greater Boston Area. It is easy to spend an entire day in just this one store. The selection is a little hodge-podge, so come ready to look through a lot of stuff to find that one perfect product. And dog lovers rejoice- your friendly leashed pal is welcome here, too.

Fee: $65 per person

Includes: Roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, all taxes and gratuities.

Five Historic Churches of Boston

Saturday, September 21st – 1:00pm-4:00pm

Old North Church is the one you hear about in the tale of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, of April 18, 1775, which was made famous by the phrase, “One if by land, and two if by sea.” They were to hang one or two lanterns in the top of the church bell tower. After Paul Revere’s ride came the Battles of Lexington and Concord as the American Revolution began.

Old South Church was built in 1874. Samuel Adams, William Dawes, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Sewall, and Phillis Wheatley were members of this church. This church was a recruiting center for the Union Army during the American Civil War, and was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Old West Church was built and located in the historic West End of Boston. Here the phrase was first said, “No taxation without representation.” It is thought that the church’s second Congregational pastor, Jonathan Mayhew believed anti-Trinitarian views and converted 9 of 13 orthodox Congregational churches.

Park Street Church is across from the Boston Commons on the corner of Tremont and Park Street, is nicknamed the “Fire and Brimstone Church” not because the fire and brimstone in the pulpit but because of the gun powder stored in the basement. The song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” was first sung at this church.

The King ’s Chapel was founded by Andros back in 1686. During the reign of King James II this was the first Anglican Church built in the New England area. The King’s Chapel Bell cracked in 1814 and it was fixed by Paul Revere. This was the last bell know to be cast by Paul Revere himself.

Fee: $70 per person

Includes: Roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, all taxes and gratuities.

Explore the Magic of Newport & Its Mansions

Sunday, September 22nd – 9:30am-6:00pm

Newport, Rhode Island, is rich in both history and culture, with an abundance of activities, quaint B&B’s, museums, shops, beaches, and outstanding restaurants. This town, established in the colonial era, made a name for itself during America’s Gilded Age, and since has become the yachting capital of the world. Located seventy miles south of Boston, guests will be whisked to Newport for an opportunity to explore the town and experience the lifestyles of the rich and famous while touring the infamous mansions. Visit the spectacular “Breakers” mansion, the summer “cottage” of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system. In 1893, architect Richard Morris Hunt was commissioned to design and create a 70 room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. After a morning spent touring these homes, explore Newport Harbor, enjoy a luncheon at one of the town’s most charming restaurants, and have free time to walk around quaint wharves and cobblestone streets lined with unique shops, historic homes, churches, and synagogues. Then tour the famed 10 mile Ocean Drive for a view of the estates and gardens that dot this beautiful shoreline. *Tours of the Marble House and Breakers are based on availability. Should they be closed to the public, alternate mansion tours will be secured.

Fee: $150 per person

Includes: Roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, admissions, tours, and taxes.

USS Constitution and Navy Yard

Sunday, September 22nd – 1:00pm-4:00pm

USS Constitution, first launched in 1797, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Constitution is one of six ships ordered for construction by George Washington to protect America’s growing maritime interests. The ship’s greatest glory came during the war of 1812 when she defeated four British frigates which earned her the nickname “Old Ironsides,” because cannon balls glanced off her thick hull. The ship was restored in 1927 with contributions from the nation’s school children. The Charlestown Navy Yard was built on what was once Mouton’s or Morton’s Point, the landing place of the British army prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was one of the first shipyards built in the United States. During its 174 year history, hundreds of ships were built, repaired, and modernized, including the World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young. Today, thirty acres of the Navy Yard are preserved by the National Park Service as part of Boston National Historical Park.

Fee: $70 per person

Includes: Guided tour of the USS Constitution and the Navy Yard, roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, all taxes and gratuities.

Stained Glass Workshop at Diablo Glass School

Monday, September 23rd – 9:15am-12:15pm

Diablo Glass School opened in 2001, creating a public access glass arts studio in Boston. Diablo is a place where beginning and experienced glass artists are welcome to grow and develop their creative skills in an inviting atmosphere. Diablo offers different level classes and facilities in various disciplines, exposing a broad spectrum of people to exciting glass techniques in glassblowing, flame working, fused glass, and stained glass. Get a taste of the ancient art of glassblowing. This class is the best way to enjoy the excitement of playing with the melted glass while making your very own souvenir. Experience gathering glass from the furnace, controlling, and shaping it.

What to wear: Guests must wear closed-toed sneakers or shoes. Please do not wear sandals, flip flops, heels, or short clothing. Only cotton clothing is allowed. Make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes.

Fee: $155 per person

Includes: Private stained glass workshop at Diablo Glass School, all materials, bottled water, roundtrip transportation via executive coach, all taxes and gratuities.

Harvard University & JFK Library Tour

Monday, September 23rd – 12:15pm-4:15pm

Explore the world famous Harvard University area where the young JFK lived and studied. Stroll through Harvard Yard, the original campus of the oldest university in the country. Walk among the many historic buildings and rub the bronze shoe of John Harvard for good luck at the “Statue of Three Lies.” Browse in Harvard Square, with its shops, boutiques, and more than 25 bookstores. The tour continues as you travel from Cambridge to the shoreline of Dorchester Bay, where you will visit the spectacular John F. Kennedy Library, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei. Watch a short film about President Kennedy, and then walk the campaign trail, view the famous Kennedy/Nixon debates, see the often humorous press conferences, and continue on through the highlights of his presidency. For a short time, you will re-live the thousand days of “Camelot”.

Fee: $75 per person

Includes: Roundtrip transportation via executive coach, professional guide service, all admissions, taxes and gratuities.

*Agenda subject to change*

Questions

If you have any questions, contact Saundra Cunningham, PACB VP-Education Services, at (717) 231-7447 or by email at saundra@pacb.org.