cdrin/ShutterstockYour Ultimate Guide to Getting Around in Historical Boston Ainsley Robertson April 23, 2015 Family Travel, Family Travel, Travel Tips, Trending Stories So, the Boston Marathon was earlier this week. Didn’t feel up to running 26.2 miles all around the city? No worries – the majority of the population felt the same way! Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to see the city without having to run yourself ragged. Whether you’re a Massachusetts native or you’re just planning a trip to Boston, here are some alternative, awesome ways to explore Beantown without getting shin splints: 1) If you’re up for some physical activity, try walking! Jorge Salcedo/Shutterstock Did you know that one of Boston’s nicknames is actually the Walking City? With so many sights to see in this lovely city, you might want to take it in at your own pace. Grab a map and be on your way for a free tour of the city led by yourself! Try walking down Newbury Street for some great shopping and food. Or, if you’d like a more guided experience, there are plenty of historic walking tours you can take throughout the city. You’ll really feel connected to the city’s history, visiting The Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, and much more! There are even ghost tours! Talk about feeling connected. The choice is yours! 2) More of a peddler? Rent a bike! Kryvenok Anastasiia/Shutterstock Bike rentals are popping up in cities all around the world, making bikes easily accessible for everyone – commuters, visitors, and residents alike! Hubway, Boston’s bike rental program, is a great way to get around Boston if you want to be more fast-paced, but still be able to stop and go as you please. You can rent multiple bikes as a group with family and friends, or you can ride solo! Coast along the Charles River, or breeze down the busy city streets (with caution!). 3) Looking for some good ol’ family fun? Go on a Duck Tour! e2dan/Shutterstock No legs required here. Sit back and (kind of) relax on one of Boston’s infamous Duck Tour vehicles. Amphibious and motorized, Duck Tour vehicles will drive you around the city’s historic streets—and then drive into the river to give you a single-vehicle boat tour. That’s right, it’s just like a duck — land and water, people. Ever done anything like that? Chances are you haven’t. It’s like Transformers in real life (minus the violence)! You’ll get to see the city from all different angles and have fun while doing it. Plus, they’ll even hook you up with some free duck whistles. SCORE. 4) If you have a headache or are prone to getting seasick, take a trolley tour! holbox/Shutterstock Not super pumped about having duck whistles ringing in your ears, or randomly finding yourself in the Charles River? Never fear. You can see Beantown via trolley. A more tame way of seeing and learning about Boston, trolley tours are equipped with expert guides and feature plenty of stops for you to hop on and off, exploring the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can park yourself down and take the full loop around Boston. Awesomeness. 5) Looking to just relax? Float around in one of Boston’s swan boats! col/Shutterstock On a nice spring day, sometimes all you want to do is enjoy the weather. If that sounds like it’s up your alley, sit back and really relax on one of the swan boats in Boston’s Public Garden. These adorable boats have been gracing Boston’s waters since 1877. Now those are some historical swans! Follow your boating adventure with a picnic in the park along the river. Now, that sounds like a nice Saturday plan! 6) Want more of a city vibe? Ride the T! Matt Paschke/Shutterstock Although Boston is a relatively small city, it still has a great public transportation system. Try riding the T next time you’re there. Similar to New York City’s subway system, you’ll be able to get around the whole city at a fair price. Travel from one end of Boston to the other without having to pay for a cab or tiring yourself out along the way. It’s easy to navigate and quick to get from place to place. If you’re only in town for a quick visit and are strapped for time, this is definitely the way to get around. Feelin’ ready to get out and explore Boston? Tell us your favorite way to get around Beantown in the comments!