taitai

We are bringing our sons to Boston next week as part of a larger New England trip. We want to take them on the Freedom Trail. Is this something we can do on our own or should we do an organized tour? Is there a best route or sites to see?

Thank you
Kathleen

morninglory8

You can definitely do that on your own. Just need to find the starting point, or really any stop along the route. It is fun to do on your own, as you can stay as long or short at each stop that suits your family. We even went off course a couple of times. It is clearly marked from what I remember.

sf7307

This should get you through it!

http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/default.asp

jayne1973

We did it on our own, with the staring point at Boston Commons, which is a park downtown. Free maps were available there. You just follow the red line painted on the ground past the different points of interest, stopping wherever you like. Do as little or as much as you like. We made it as far as the Old Ironsides ship, where we took a short tour. We also took the tour at Paul Revere's house. You can stop and eat or shop along the way. It is really a fun way to walk and immerse yourself in Boston.

jent103

How old are your sons? I took the tour starting at the visitors center in Boston Common (just the first half of the trail), and was really glad I did - I learned more that way than I would have on my own. But with younger kids, it would probably be better to do on your own.

Either way, have a great time!

SambaChula

You might also like the Black Heritage Trail, an interesting way to explore the charming Beacon Hill neighborhood.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Heritage_Trail

Ozarksbill

Yes, Freedom Trail a trip back in American history. A pretty good walk but just do it leisurely with stops at Revere House and Faneuil Hall. Get to the Harbor and Aquarium too. Might take a Charles River cruise which we did recently.

Ackislander

You can take a [cheap] water taxi back to Long Wharf (and elsewhere) so you don't have to walk both ways.

Depending on their ages, the boys might like the Tea Party ship after the main walk. Let out some steam! Also the museum in the Old State House has a lot of interesting stuff for boys as did -- I haven't been in a long time -- the museum upstairs in Faneuil Hall. Only for girls who are into weapons, IIRC.

taitai

Thank you so much for all the advice. I also found that there is an app, of course, for the Freedom Trail which I have downloaded. I like the idea of doing it ourselves and being able to set our own pace.

The Black Heritage Trail also sounds interesting and maybe we will try that as well.

taitai

We just got back and I wanted to report that we did use the app from the Freedom Trail Foundation. There are probably others but this was the "official" app. It was great. Lots of information, maps, etc. Having the app allowed us to go at our own pace and worked well.

Thanks

longhorn55

I'm glad you found the Freedom Trail Foundation app, Taitai. Had I not been on vacation when you first posted, that's what I would have recommended for you. We did this audiotour last summer and it was great!

For those who may not have a smartphone, you can also download the "tour" to an MP3 player (which is what we did). As I recall, the purchase price includes several downloads, so everyone in your group can have the tour on his/her own player.