BOSTON
Tour Boston's Rock and Roll Past, Present, and Future
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At a glance
- Location
- Boston
- Languages
- en
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation available
- Operated by
- Tour Boston's Rock & Roll Past & Present by Soundscape Tours
- Booking
- Instant confirmation, mobile e-ticket
Overview
Guided by a local musician, explore Boston’s rock and roll past, present (and future), on a walking tour through Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Visit the sites of legendary venues like the Rat, Storyville, and the Boston Tea Party- The Velvet Underground’s favorite place to play in the whole country! Learn how pioneering DJs, producers, and educators sparked a revolution in how music was transmitted, recorded and taught. And trace Boston’s impact on the careers of iconic artists like B.B King, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, New Edition, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Pixies, Radiohead, Peter Wolf, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Jonathan Richman and more. Scroll below to learn more….
What's included
- Hear tales from the Rat, the cavernous club where many Punk and New Wave bands got their start
- Walk through America's oldest Victory Gardens still in use
- Examine Boston's impact on the Folk Revival in the 60s
- In the shadow of Fenway Park, stroll down lively Lansdowne street home to numerous venues
What's not included
- Food & Drinks not included
- Gratuities
Itinerary
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Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Fens is a treasured greenspace in Boston and features Americas oldest WW II, Victory Gardens. On the Modern Lovers EP, Jonathan Richman sings, “I walk through the 'Fenway with my heart in my hand". We will stroll through the gardens before heading into Kenmore Square.
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For decades, Kenmore Square was at the center of Boston's music scene thanks to the numerous record stores, and venues like Storyville and the legendary rock club, The Rathskeller. Here, we will learn about the numerous garage, punk, and new wave bands that crawled out of "the Rat" in the 70s and 80s. The Police played here 4 times on their first US tour in 1979. This is also the venue where Pixies first shared the same bill as the Throwing Muses. Also, we will stop by "Nuggets" one of the last records stores left in the neighborhood before winding our around Fenway Park
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Walk down Landsdowne Street in the shadow of Fenway Park and hear tales of venues past and present including the Boston Tea Party, Venus De Milo, Avalon/Axis, Spit, and more! At present, local and national bands load in on Landsdowne street to play at the House of Blues or the new MGM Music Hall.
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation available — see Viator booking page for exact deadlines and refund terms.
About the operator
Tour Boston's Rock & Roll Past & Present by Soundscape Tours operates this experience in Boston. All bookings are managed and confirmed directly through Viator, the world’s leading marketplace for tours and experiences, ensuring secure payment, instant confirmation, and 24/7 customer support.
Tour information last updated October 5, 2026