Boston on a cruise stop: a self-guided city game from the port

Yes, Boston is an easy cruise stop for a city game. Ships dock at Flynn Cruiseport Boston (Black Falcon Cruise Terminal) in the South Boston Seaport, about 2 miles (3 km) from Boston Common. A taxi takes about 15 minutes to the Public Garden, where the hunt starts; by Silver Line SL2 and the Red Line allow roughly 35-45 minutes. The hunt takes about 2 hours, covers only about 2 km and ends on the harbourfront, a short taxi ride from the ship.

From Flynn Cruiseport Boston to the Public Garden

1. Taxis and rideshares wait just outside the terminal. Ask for the Public Garden on the Charles Street or Arlington Street side; the ride takes about 15 minutes, more in traffic.
2. By public transport, walk a few minutes to the Drydock Avenue stop and take the MBTA Silver Line SL2 to South Station. Change to the Red Line for one stop to Park Street on Boston Common.
3. From Park Street, walk across Boston Common to the Public Garden, or change to the Green Line for Arlington station at the Public Garden's south-west corner. Allow roughly 35-45 minutes from the ship in total.
4. Walking all the way, about 2 miles via the Seaport and South Station, takes about 45 minutes and uses up time you could spend on the hunt.
5. In the Public Garden, open the World City Trail app, enter your booking reference and start the hunt; everyone in your group can follow on their own phone.

A Boston port day, hour by hour

1. 0:00Off the ship at Flynn Cruiseport and into a taxi or onto the Silver Line.
2. 0:40Start the hunt in the Public Garden and cross Boston Common to the Park Street Church.
3. 1:10Past the Granary Burying Ground and the Benjamin Franklin statue to the Old State House and the Boston Massacre Site.
4. 1:50On to the Bill Russell statue on City Hall Plaza and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
5. 2:40Finish at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park and take a taxi back to the Seaport.
6. 3:30Back on board, at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.

Tips for Boston when time is short

• Drydock Avenue is the nearest public transport stop to the terminal; the SL2 connects to South Station and the Red Line.
• Park Street station (Red and Green lines) sits on Boston Common, and Arlington station (Green Line) is at the Public Garden's south-west corner.
• The route follows downtown and Freedom Trail streets and is only about 2 km long, so it fits easily even with transit time.
• From the finish at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, a taxi back to the Seaport terminal is the quickest option; allow extra time in rush-hour traffic.

Why a self-guided game works on a port day

• You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
• Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
• You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
• Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.

Boston cruise stop: questions

Pick your Boston game

Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.