Boston Innovation Trail History Walking Tour

Boston already has plenty of tours that focus on the American Revolution. So we created one that focuses on inventions, entrepreneurship, and social change — ways Boston changed the world, both before and after the Revolution. We’ll talk about the importance of the schools and colleges created here in the 1600s; one of the first “clinical trials” conducted in North America, which saved countless Bostonians from smallpox; one of the country’s most impressive Black inventors; the connection between an MIT startup and “The Wizard of Oz”; and women who protested and went to jail to gain voting rights. We’ll also talk about one of America’s first millionaires, whose fortune was built on ice cream and cocktails.
If you want to understand what makes Boston unique, and you’re interested in STEM, entrepreneurship, or social change movements, this tour is especially for you!

This is an official Innovation Trail walking tour.

Next tours on: July 27, 28, 29, 31, Aug 1, 2, 8, 12, 19, 20, 22.

Meeting Point

Boston Irish Famine Memorial

Boston, MA 02108, USA

This memorial is at 24 School Street, in between a large Walgreens, a Chipotle, Luke's Lobster and Sweetgreen (with restrooms), and the Old South Meeting House. Look for a large Innovation Trail sign.

What's included:

• Live guided tour

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour and 1 hour, 15 minutes

The Innovation Trail

30 School St, Boston, 02108-5101, Massachusetts

This walk focuses on several key sites on the Boston side of The Innovation Trail, in and around the Park Street T station, Boston Common, and City Hall Plaza.

50 minutes

Old State House

310 Washington Street, , Boston, 02108-1702, Massachusetts

We'll talk about a famous inventor who worked — and experimented near here.

Pass by without stopping

Tremont Temple Baptist Church

88 Tremont St, Boston, 02108-4101, Massachusetts

Movies wouldn't be the same without this pioneering startup — which showed their first film here.

Pass by without stopping

Massachusetts State House

24 Beacon St, Boston, 02133-1099, Massachusetts

We'll talk about the women's suffrage movement, and women who were arrested for protesting here.

Pass by without stopping

Boston Common

139 Tremont St, , Boston, 02111-1318, Massachusetts

What role did America's first public park play in the creation of football?

Pass by without stopping

Old City Hall

45 School St, , Boston, 02108-3206, Massachusetts

We'll talk about one of Boston's most famous school dropouts.

Pass by without stopping

King's Chapel Burying Ground

Tremont Street, Between School And Park Streets, Boston, 02108-3201, Massachusetts

One of America's first millionaires lies here. Cocktails and ice cream wouldn't be the same without him!

Pass by without stopping