Boston is a beautiful city and public transportation makes it easy to get around. If you only have time to do one thing in Boston walk the Freedom Trail.
History buffs will love this two and half mile walk.
What is the Boston Freedom Trail?
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What is the Boston Freedom Trail?
The Freedom Trail is a two and a half mile trail on Boston’s public sidewalks to 13 historical sites around the city . Just follow the red lines on the sidewalk.
How to see the Freedom Trail?
- Take a walking tour
- Take a DIY walking tour
- Take a trolley
You can take an organized Boston Freedom Walking tour or you can take a DIY tour. If you’re taking a DIY tour you can download the Freedom Trail app. Most tours start at Boston Common.
If you’re taking your own walking tour of the Freedom Trail, the city has a prominent red line on the sidewalks to help you stay on track. The trail includes 16 historic sites and crosses from Boston to Charleston, Massachusetts. You can learn more and book a tour at The Freedom Trail Foundation.
Stops on the Freedom Trail
If you want to take a DIY tour just follow the trail on the sidewalk that starts at the Boston Common.
- Boston Common
- Massachusetts State House
- Park Street Church
- Granary Burying Ground
- King’s Chapel
- Boston’s Latin School
- Old Corner Bookstore
- Old South Meeting House
- Old State House
- Site of Boston Massacre
- Faneuil Hall
- Old North Church
- Paul Revere’s House
- Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
- U.S.S. Constitution
- Bunker Hill Monument
First Stop on the Freedom Trail: Boston Common
Boston Common, is the first stop on the Freedom Trail and one of the most visited spots in Boston. This large public park is the oldest part in the United States. With over 50 acres to explore you could spend many hours just exploring the park.
The Freedom Trail starts at the Boston Common Visitor Center. If you’re walking you just start following the red line .
How to get to Boston Common:
Massachusetts State House
Your second stop on the Freedom Trail is the Massachusetts State House.
Park Street Church
In the early 1800’s the Park Street Church’s steeple was one of the first thing visitors to Boston saw. The Park Street Church was built atop the city’s granary.
Granary Burying Ground
A short walk from the Church is the Granary Burying Ground. Some famous people are buried here such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
King’s Chapel
Boston’s Latin School & Ben Franklin’s Statue
The oldest public school in the U.S. was at Old City Hall. Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams and John Hancock attended this school. Learn about this history of Old City Hall.
Old Corner Bookstore
Imagine living in your corner home in the mid 1600’s and waking up in 2022 to find it is now a Chipoltes. Check out this historical site where the old corner bookstore once called home. Some famous writer’s visited here back in the day.
Old South Meeting House
A meeting held at the Old South Meeting House on December 16, 1773 is how this building became a significant part of American history.
Old State House
Site of Boston Massacre
Amazing how something so significant happened in what is now such a small area in a large metropolitan city.
Faneuil Hall
In 1742 Fanueli Hall was the point of commerce in town. The Hall was a place for merchants and meetings. Many famous people spoke at this hall. It was where Samuel Adams protested about taxation without representation. So it was referenced as the “Cradle of Liberty.”
Old North Church
The Old North Church is Boston’s oldest church. It was built in 1723 and is where Paul Revere started his famous Midnight Ride. The
Paul Revere’s House
When Paul Revere purchased this house it was nearly a hundred years old. Most of the house is original and if you have a chance to take the tour I would recommend doing so. Interestingly this historic house was open to the public for tours in 1908.
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
On the north end of Boston near the Old North Church Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is Boston’s largest burial ground. It was built in the mid 1600’s. The builder of the U.S.S. Constitution, Edmond Hartt, final resting place is at this burial ground.
U.S.S. Constitution
Bunker Hill Monument
This monument marks the end of Boston’s 2.5 mile Freedom Trail. You can climb the 294 steps to see the city from the top of Bunker Hill Monument.
