Boston Duck Tours Prudential Center Departure Location — Attraction in Boston

Our adventure with Boston Duck Tours was one of those days that just made me feel like a kid again, especially seeing the excitement in the boys’ faces and how much fun they were having with their cousins. The day started with a bit of chaos, as you’d expect, with six boys trying to decide where they wanted to sit on the “Duck,” the iconic WWII-style amphibious vehicle that we were about to take through the streets and waters of Boston.

The moment we climbed aboard, you could sense their curiosity. The boys, always full of questions, immediately noticed how the vehicle was both a bus and a boat. “When does it turn into a boat, Dad?” Roman asked, eyes wide with anticipation. The guide, dressed in vintage army gear, greeted us with high energy, immediately cracking jokes and telling us to get ready for an unforgettable experience.

As we rolled out onto the streets of Boston, the boys were glued to the windows, absorbing every bit of history the guide threw at us. I couldn’t help but laugh because while I was interested in learning about the history, the boys were much more focused on spotting anything that looked cool – statues, old buildings, and even some wild squirrels darting across the sidewalks.

The streets were alive with people, and the guide shared fun facts about everything from the Boston Common to the State House. It was a perfect blend of history and humor – he made us all laugh, but also threw in enough fascinating tidbits to keep the adults engaged. I looked over at August, who was furiously pointing at the top of the State House. “Is that gold?” he asked, and the guide quickly answered, explaining the dome’s history and how it’s been a shining symbol of Boston for centuries.

But the real excitement kicked in when we approached the Charles River. The boys had been asking about it the entire time, and I think Roman’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when the Duck splashed down into the water. It was one of those magical moments where you could see pure wonder on all their faces. “We’re in a boat now!” Enzo shouted, as if none of us had noticed the giant splash that happened when the Duck hit the river.

Cruising on the Charles was an entirely different vibe. Boston’s skyline looked incredible from the water, and I loved hearing the boys and their cousins try to outdo each other with their observations about the buildings and boats we passed. The guide handed the kids a chance to “drive” the Duck – this was the highlight for them. August took the wheel first, looking both nervous and thrilled, while Enzo, Roman, and their cousins cheered him on. Each of them got their turn, and I couldn’t help but think that this moment would stick with them for a long time.

The tour wrapped up as we headed back onto the streets, the boys still buzzing with excitement and full of questions. They had learned so much without even realizing it – from Paul Revere’s famous ride to the history of the Boston Marathon, all while cracking jokes and driving through the city on a Duck boat.

After we disembarked, we grabbed some ice cream at a nearby shop to cool down and reflect on the experience. The boys couldn’t stop talking about it – from the splash into the river to driving the Duck. I could see that this would be one of those adventures that sticks with them for years, and I knew we’d be back for another tour someday, maybe with a new batch of cousins in tow.

The Boston Duck Tour wasn’t just a ride through the city; it was a chance for all of us to connect with history, the city, and each other in a way that was both educational and incredibly fun. Seeing Boston through their eyes made me appreciate the adventure that much more, and it reminded me why we love exploring new...

Very disappointed! We arrived this morning to board the duck tour. We were a party of 10 with a my 94 year old Mom. Mom was riding in a wheelchair we brought to avoid too much walking for her. The website says they would provide a ramp and did not have a requirement to arrive early in order to use the ramp. They do require notice to stay seated in a wheelchair during the tour. We had no intention to have her seated in the wheelchair during the tour. We only wanted help to get her up the stairs.

When we arrived Richard refused to set up the ramp and immediately blamed us for arriving late. He said my Mom would have to walk up the stairs. We checked the stairs and were immediately concerned she might fall on the wobbly stairs. We pointed out that we needed the ramp and after quite a bit of argument Richard finally went to get the ramp.

We were disconcerted, however, when Michelle arrived to blame us for not coming earlier and to deny us a ramp for my Mother. She continued to insist that we were at fault for asking for one. When we told her we would cancel all 10 tickets she angrily moved to set up the ramp but by that time after being treated so badly and having to fight for what we consider a right (Americans with Disabilities Act) we asked for a refund. We should not be made to feel guilty and my Mother should not be made to feel so uncomfortable for the sin of being old.

The worst part was the impolite speech and blame towards us. The ticket said arrive a few minutes before. We did. But because they did not want to lower the ramp they said we had to arrive a half hour before. We checked the website carefully and no such requirement was mentioned for use of the ramp. We were not asking for the ability to stay in the wheelchair. We were only asking for the ramp.

Needless to say all could have been prevented with polite speech and courtesy. We are still waiting for confirmation of our canceled tickets.

Please be aware if you have a disability that this business does not welcome you or want to...

The tour itself was quite enjoyable, but we had a challenging experience with the conductor, Charlie. My parents, who are visiting from abroad and don’t speak English, needed me to translate for them. We were seated in the first row, very close to the conductor. My father spoke to me in a controlled tone, needing translation. Despite this, the conductor instructed us to lower our voices. This was the first time we had spoken, and the immediate request to be quieter struck me as potentially motivated by more than just concern for noise—especially given our subdued conversation. It was hard not to feel a sense of racism from his immediate caution against our very first interaction. But I didn't take it seriously at first.

He has mentioned 3 times throughout the tour. By the second time Charlie mentioned it, I started feeling uneasy, and by the third, it was really uncomfortable. I explained that I was translating for my dad, and given that Charlie was using a microphone, I didn’t think we were bothering anyone. I even checked with people at the back, and they said they could hear him just fine. When I told Charlie, he just said we were distracting him. Honestly, it felt really unnecessary. How can a bit of talking in the front row be such a distraction for a professional conductor? If he can be distracted so easily, I really advise him to go find another job. I understand my dad might have gotten a bit loud once or twice, but it felt like we were being singled out for just trying to enjoy the tour like everyone else. The conductor accused me of being rude, but honestly, his initial reactions led me to feel he was being racially insensitive. While I may have misjudged his intentions initially, the circumstances surrounding his first comment made it difficult not to perceive it as racially motivated.

It was frustrating that our attempt to enjoy the tour was met with repeated interruptions. I wished for more understanding and professionalism from someone in...