Live Like A Local guided tours gets people out of the Back Bay
and into JP, Roxbury & Dorchester
If you’ve ever visited Boston only to ask a local their advice on where to go, what to see, and what to do, Roxbury native Collin Knight has the answer for you.
The former New York City tour guide and actor brings his perspective and expertise to tourists through the lens of what it’s like to “Live Like A Local,” during his unique guided tour experiences. Knight created Live Like A Local tours two years ago, with the goal to get people off the beaten path downtown, and instead have them experience the art and culture of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and Dorchester.
Tours include, Walk With A Local, A Bite And Drink With A Local, Snack Like A Local and Grub Like A Local and range in price from $35 to $125, and 1.5 to 4.5 hours. The tours focus on the neighborhood’s history while also supporting the local businesses that make up the vibrant community he calls home. Knight wants to bring tourism to these neighborhoods and help the business owners right in his backyard.
“I can take you to get the best cocktail, Jamaican beef patty, empanada and IPA around. Forget the lobster roll, come taste authentic food from different cultures -- West Indian Roti, Ethiopian and Latin American cuisine,” says Knight. “These tours are for out of towners, new to towners, suburbanites and city dwellers who want to get a flavor for what Boston is really like -- there’s a lot that might surprise you.”
While current social distancing protocols have temporarily sidelined his business, Knight is encouraged that bookings will pick up again soon. The businesses and cultural institutions featured on his tours including breweries, museums, restaurants and distilleries, will need the support more than ever.
The self-proclaimed craft beer geek also hopes to bring more people of color into local breweries, an industry known to be predominately white. Knight hopes to serve as a bridge to break down barriers, open the breweries up to their communities, and expose people of color to the craft beer scene.
“I don’t think that black people know that they are welcome. I want to help change that,” says Knight. Knight recently joined the Mass Brewers Guild’s diversity and inclusion committee and is a member of the trade association. The Mass Brewers Guild is the state’s trade association that exists to protect and promote the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth.
“I love craft beer, food and history – and being able to bring all these things together is my passion. People may not know about the really rich brewing history that these neighborhoods have,” says Knight. “I love telling these stories and showing people another side of these communities.”
Tours are limited to groups of five to adhere to health and safety guidelines, and are completed on foot. This helps tour goers work up an appetite while also following social distance recommendations. Masks will also be required while not eating or drinking. Chartered tours will resume once the state allows groups of 10 or more to congregate.
“Supporting local has never meant so much. We all need to do our part to ensure that our favorite small and family-owned businesses come out strong on the other side of this health crisis,” says Knight. “If I can play a role in making that happen, all the better.”
To book a tour, or to learn more about Live Like A Local Tours, visit livelikealocaltoursboston.com or call, (617) 286-6577.