Discover a history of resistance among Beacon Hill’s cobblestone streets with a self-guided smartphone tour of underground railroad sites. Vivid audio narration brings to life the stories behind landmarks from the Charles Street Meeting House to Boston’s first integrated school. You won’t be limited by a guided tour’s fixed schedule, so you can pause for photos, take breaks, and enjoy the experience at your own pace.
Use your phone to access a guided tour with narration
Hear stories about African-American history in Boston
Visit key underground railroad landmarks in Beacon Hill
Begin and end the tour whenever you want
What To Expect
John J Smith House
You’ll learn how the underground operated and stop by the John J Smith House and you’ll learn about his station on the underground railroad and the people he helped.
• Admission Ticket Free
83 Phillips St
After hearing more about Harriet Tubman’s life the tour takes you to 83 Phillips Street, the former home of John Sweat Rock and his many firsts in history.
• Admission Ticket Free
66 Phillips St
You’ll stop by the station master Lewis Hayden’s home and hear the stories of how he bravely saved countless runaways at this home here in Beacon Hill.
• Admission Ticket Free
28 Grove St
Once home to Leonard Grime, a conductor on the underground railroad.
• Admission Ticket Free
40 Phillips St
The Old Temperance Boarding House, a stop on the underground railroad.
• Admission Ticket Free
41 Phillips St
The old Phillips School was once here, this was the first integrated school in Boston and also had the first African American teacher to teach at an integrated school.
• Admission Ticket Free
The Vilna Shul
The tour takes you past the historic Vilna Shul, the oldest immigrant synagogue in Boston, and tells the story of the Jewish Community that helped on the underground railroad.
• Admission Ticket Free
2 Phillips St
This was once the house of John Coburn and his gaming house. And as you guessed it, John was a station master.
• Admission Ticket Free
Irving Street
The tour stops by the abolitionist Charles Sumner’s Birthplace.
• Admission Ticket Free
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Include
WalknTours Solo Smart Phone guided tour “The Underground Railroad ‘ Beacon Hill”