Location: The Freedom Trail traditionally starts at the Boston Common. Or you can work backwards from the USS Constitution.
Time: You could spend all day exploring sites along the Trail; The Walk Into History Tour is 90 min.
Cost: Most stops along the Trail are free or suggest donations. The following charge a fee:
The Old South Meeting House & Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum - $31/adult; $16/child (4-12)
The Old State House - $10/adult; children under 18 (free)
The Paul Revere House - $3.50/adult; $3.00/seniors & college students; $1.00/children (5-17)
The Walk Into History Tour - $12/adult; $10/seniors or students; $6.50/child (6-12)
Description: The Freedom Trail is overseen by the City of Boston's Freedom Trail Commission. The Trail goes by 17 official sites:
The Boston Common is the U.S.'s oldest public park. Originally used for grazing of local livestock, it later became a central site for public gatherings, including hangings of pirates and witches. Over 1000 redcoats camped here during the British occupation of Boston, and 3 brigades left from the Common to make their fateful march to Lexington and Concord. The Common continues to be a public gathering place for rallies, celebrations, and speeches.
The Massachusetts State House, completed in 1798, is easily identified by its golden dome. It is used by senators, state representatives and the governor to conduct state business.
The Park Street Church, founded in 1809, is associated with the abolitionist movement in the 1800's. "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was sung on the steps of this church for the first time on July 4, 1831.
The Granary Burying Ground contains 2,300 markers, including several famous patriots: John Hancock, Paul Revere, James Otis, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, victims of the Boston Massacre and Benjamin Franklin's parents. The Infant's Tomb contains hundreds of babies that died during colonial times.
King's Chapel, completed in 1754, was built on the site of the first non-Puritan church in Boston to serve a growing Anglican population.
King's Chapel Burying Ground hosts the tombs of some of Boston's most famous residents including: John Winthrop, Massachusetts' first governor, and Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower.
The Benjamin Franklin Statue marks the original site of the Boston Latin School (founded in 1635), the oldest public school in America. Ironically, Franklin is the school's most famous dropout.
The Old Corner Bookstore, built in 1718, is Boston's oldest commercial building. It was the center of America's book publishing industry in the 1800's, publishing the works of many noted authors including: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott. The land once belonged to the famous religious leader/heretic Anne Hutchinson.
The Old South Meeting House was the biggest building in colonial Boston, and hosted several famous events leading up to the American Revolution. The most famous may be Samuel Adams' address regarding the tea tax, during which he signaled the Sons of Liberty to begin the Boston Tea Party.
The Old State House, which housed the colony's government offices, was the site of James Otis's fiery speech that ignited Boston's fervor for independence. It was also the site of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence to the citizens of Boston. Today it hosts a variety of tours, performances, and interactive exhibits in its Revolutionary Museum.
The Site of the Boston Massacre is marked by a ring of stones. The Bostonian Society does reenactments of the event every year on the anniversary (March 5).
Faneuil Hall, sometimes referred to as the "home of free speech," hosted America's first Town Meeting. It was used by the Sons of Liberty as an open forum meeting hall, and continues to serve this purpose. During the War of 1812, the question "What is on top of Faneuil Hall?" was used by Americans to help ferret out British spies. The answer can be found below.
The Paul Revere House, built around 1680, is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston. The Paul Revere Memorial Association bought and restored the home, including a small museum. They give tours for a small fee to help cover operating expenses.
The Old North Church, opened in 1723, is the oldest standing church structure in Boston. Its 191 foot steeple is the tallest in Boston. Two lamps hung in its tower were used to signal Paul Revere that the British would travel by sea rather than by land.
The Copp's Hill Burying Ground was Boston's largest colonial cemetery. Notables buried here include: Cotton and Increase Mather, Robert Newman, Edmund Hartt, Prince Hall and Captain Daniel Malcolm.
The Bunker Hill Monument marks the spot of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. Although technically a British victory, it proved to the colonists that they could fight effectively against the infamous redcoats. The Bunker Hill Museum houses dioramas, murals and artifacts from the battle. There is also a memorial to Dr. Joseph Warren, the first patriot leader to die for the cause of liberty.
The USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides during the War of 1812, was launched in Boston in 1797, and is the oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship retains its commission with a crew of naval officers. It has a perfect 33-0 record in combat.
Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
Things You Should Know: -We took the Walk Into History Tour, which was very informative and took us to 11 of the 17 sites. There are other tours available that focus on different places or aspects of the Trail.
- Although the tour is supposed to be 90 minutes, you may end up with a talkative docent who extends the tour to two or more hours. Although I found it fascinating, our kids were bored.
- Keep your eyes open for the statue of Paul Revere on his midnight ride. It isn't an official stop on the Trail. Also, if you have kids, there is a splash pad along the Trail.
- The National Park Service operates a visitor's center on the first floor of Faneuil Hall. They offer tours and hand out free maps of the Trail for those who want to explore it on their own.
- Boy Scouts who hike the Trail may be eligible for the Historic Trails Award.
- The historic churches still host active congregations, and should be treated at houses of worship.
- For a delicious treat, you may want to try Mike's Pastries (near the Paul Revere home).
- The golden grasshopper weather vane atop Faneuil Hall is the most famous weather vane in the state. Behind the Hall is the bustling Quincy Marketplace. There are lots of great souvenir shops here and several options for lunch or dinner.
- The USS Constitution is open for tours Tuesday - Sunday. Summer hours are: Tues.-Fri. (2:00-6:00), Sat.-Sun. (10:00-6:00). The museum is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. No fee is required, but a donation is requested ($20 per family) for the museum. A valid photo ID is required for each adult wishing to board the boat.
- The cheapest place for parking in the Boston area is at the Nautica Parking Garage near the USS Constitution ($18/day).
Nearby: Fenway Park, Lexington & Concord, Plimouth Plantation, Salem
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