Boston's beloved duck boats are revving up for their 30th season, promising tourists and locals alike a quacking good time touring Beantown's historical sites and splashing into the Charles River. According to Boston.com, the amphibious fleet has grown from a modest quartet to a robust 28 vehicles over the past three decades, ferrying more than 12.5 million passengers.
The milestone season is set to start on Friday, with the Duck Tours launching from popular departure points like the Museum of Science, Prudential Center, and the New England Aquarium. "It has been a wild ride these past 30 years and a milestone like this deserves well earned recognition," Cindy Brown, CEO of Boston Duck Tours, said in a statement obtained by Boston.com. Each season, these eclectic vehicles chauffeur roughly half a million people through the city, sharing Boston's rich tapestry of history with zest and humor.
The tours boast an 80-minute journey that traverses both land and water, exposing passengers to sights such as Faneuil Hall and Boston Common, according to CBS News Boston. For sports enthusiasts, the phrase "Cue the duck boats" is synonymous with victory, as these vehicles have shouldered Boston's championship teams through a dozen parades since 2002. This experience does come with a price tag, however, with tickets for adults priced at $52.99, seniors and active military at $43.99, children ages 3 to 11 at $37.99, and toddlers under 3 at a mere $10.99.
In a testament to their cultural footprint, last year saw "Survivor" celebrity Boston Rob manning the helm of a duck boat for his local TV special "Boston Rob does Beantown & beyond.” The Duck Tours' impact is not just felt in entertainment, but in local industry too. Marking another 30-year milestone within the community, Boston Duck Tours collaborated with the Boston-based company Life is Good, wrapping one of its vehicles in a Life is Good design, and released themed merchandise, for fans to commemorate this shared anniversary.
