The Origin Of Boston's Duck Boat Tours

Boston Duck Tours is a privately-owned company that operates historical tours of Boston, Massachusetts, using replica World War II amphibious DUKW vehicles. The company was founded by Andrew Wilson, who was inspired by the famous duck tours of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Boston Duck Tours first started running tours in Boston on October 5, 1994, and has since become a popular attraction, carrying approximately 600,000 passengers per year. The tour includes visits to notable sites such as Boston Common, Quincy Market, and the Charles River, offering a unique perspective of the city.

Boston Duck Tours is a privately-owned company

Boston Duck Tours was founded by Andrew Wilson, who drew inspiration from the famous duck tours of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The company started with just four Ducks and has since expanded to a fleet of 28. The first departure location was on Long Wharf, in front of the New England Aquarium, and over the years, two additional departure and ticketing locations were added: the Prudential Center in 1997 and the Museum of Science in 2002.

The tours have become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, carrying approximately 600,000 passengers per year. The company has also played a role in celebrating the city's sports victories, with their Ducks being used as parade vehicles for championship celebrations of Boston's professional sports teams.

Boston Duck Tours is well-known for its unique and entertaining approach to sightseeing, with informative and witty guides, known as ConDUCKtors, who narrate the tours. The company has received positive reviews for its fun and informative tours, knowledgeable staff, and the opportunity for children to drive the Duck on the water.

The tours use replica World War II amphibious vehicles

Boston Duck Tours is a privately owned company that operates historical tours of Boston, Massachusetts, using replica World War II amphibious vehicles. The company was inspired by the famous duck tours of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, and first started running tours in Boston on October 5, 1994.

The use of replica World War II amphibious vehicles, specifically the DUKW model, is a unique and integral part of the Boston Duck Tours experience. These vehicles, often referred to as "Ducks", are purpose-built amphibious vehicles that can travel on both land and water, providing a seamless transition between the two during the tour. This feature allows tourists to explore Boston from multiple perspectives, offering a more comprehensive and dynamic view of the city.

The DUKW vehicles used by Boston Duck Tours are replicas of those used during World War II. While the original DUKWs played a crucial role in military operations, the replica Ducks have been modified and upgraded to enhance their safety, comfort, and functionality for tourism purposes. The replica Ducks are larger than their World War II counterparts, making them more spacious for passengers and easier to maintain and repair. Additionally, these replica vehicles run on biodiesel, contributing to more environmentally friendly tour operations.

The Ducks' amphibious capability allows them to navigate through the historic streets of Boston and then make a splash into the Charles River for a unique water perspective of the city. This combination of land and water exploration offers tourists a one-of-a-kind tour experience. The Ducks' ability to traverse both terrains provides a seamless and continuous journey, enhancing the overall tour narrative and ensuring that passengers remain engaged and entertained throughout the entire duration of the tour.

In addition to their practical functionality, the replica Ducks also contribute to the overall ambiance and theme of the tour. Their World War II-style design adds a touch of historical authenticity to the experience, allowing passengers to imagine themselves travelling back in time as they explore the city. The Ducks' distinctive appearance, with their vibrant colours and quirky design, also adds to the fun and excitement of the tour, creating a memorable and unique experience for tourists of all ages.

The company was inspired by the famous duck tours of Wisconsin Dells

Boston Duck Tours is a privately-owned company that operates historical tours of Boston, Massachusetts, using replica World War II amphibious vehicles. The tours first began running in 1994, with four Ducks departing from Long Wharf in front of the New England Aquarium. Since then, the company has expanded to a fleet of 28 Ducks, with three departure locations across the city.

Wisconsin Duck Tours have been offering their unique experience for over 70 years, and their popularity and longevity inspired Boston Duck Tours founder Andrew Wilson. The Wisconsin Dells tour is one of the most popular attractions in the area, and the success of the Boston Duck Tours company is a testament to this inspiration. Both tours offer a fun and informative way to explore a new city or area, with the added thrill of a Duck boat entering the water for a truly memorable experience.

Boston Duck Tours has three departure locations

The first departure location was on Long Wharf in front of the New England Aquarium. In 1997, the operation moved to the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston at the Prudential Center. Five years later, in 2002, a second departure and ticketing location opened at the Museum of Science, followed by a third location at the New England Aquarium in 2009.

The 80-minute tour takes passengers on a journey through Boston's historic streets and into the Charles River. The World War II-style amphibious vehicles, known as "Ducks", offer a unique perspective of the city, showcasing landmarks such as Boston Common, Quincy Market, and the TD Garden, home to the Boston Celtics.

The tour is fully narrated by legendary ConDUCKtors, who provide a mix of historical facts and humour. It is available in multiple languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Korean.

The tours are narrated by a 'ConDUCKtor'

Boston Duck Tours is a privately owned company that started running tours in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 5, 1994. The tours are narrated by a legendary ConDUCKtor, who will tell you about Boston as the birthplace of freedom and a place of "firsts". The ConDUCKtor will give you lots of little-known facts and interesting insights into the heritage of the city.

The ConDUCKtor will welcome you on board one of the World War II amphibious DUKW vehicles, which can travel on land and water. You will be taken along historic streets and into the Charles River on an 80-minute tour of the city. The tour starts at one of three departure locations: the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science, or the New England Aquarium.

As you travel by the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill, Boston Common, and Copley Square, your ConDUCKtor will provide a fun and informative commentary. You will also get to see fashionable Newbury Street, historic Quincy Market, and more. Then, just when you think the tour is over, the ConDUCKtor will drive the DUCK right into the Charles River for breathtaking views of Boston and Cambridge.

The Duck Boats have also been used to celebrate sports championships by New England-based local pro sports teams. They have participated in 13 parades, including six for the New England Patriots, four for the Boston Red Sox, two for the Boston Celtics, and one for the Boston Bruins.

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