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The Literary Trail of Greater Boston

Boston's literary roots not only run deep, they are intertwined with city landmarks. The Literary Trail of Greater Boston links these sites together in a 20-mile trail that can be explored in a group or on one's own.

The route highlights sites associated with such 19th-century authors and poets as Thoreau, Hawthorne, Alcott, Longfellow, Howe, and Emerson. The itinerary includes Thoreau's serene Walden Pond, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, Bates Hall at the Boston Public Library, Hawthorne's Wayside, the Longfellow National Historic Site in Cambridge, Emerson's study and the Thoreau gallery at the Concord Museum, and Harvard Square.

Reservations are required for a four-hour guided tour, which combines travel by foot and trolley, and features stops at certain attractions. Trail-takers also can opt to explore on their own, using a self-guided tour package or a 48-page guidebook available from the Boston History Collaborative.

Location
Guided tours begin and end at the Omni Parker House, located at 60 School Street, at the intersection of School, Beacon, and Tremont streets. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and friends would meet at the same site on Saturdays.

Hours of operation
A guided tour is available on the second Saturday of each month. The tour begins at 9 a.m., rain or shine.

Cost

• The guided tour costs $30 for adults and $26 for children under age 12. Call for reservations.
• Private group tours at $20 per person are available for groups of 20 or more.
• The self-guided tour package costs $21 per person. It comes with the Literary Trail of Greater Boston guidebook, and includes entrance to the Gibson House, the Orchard House, and the Concord Museum.

Contact information and reservations

• Call the Boston History Collaborative at (617) 350-0358 for tour reservations and information.
• E-mail info@bostonhistorycollaborative.org to purchase self-guided tour tickets or set up a group tour.
• Tickets may be ordered online through the Literary Trail of Greater Boston Web site.

Additional information
Visit the Literary Trail of Greater Boston Web site.

Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.