Charlestown

Timing and Safety

Give yourself two to three hours for a Charlestown walk; the lengthy Charlestown Bridge calls for endurance in cold weather. You may want to save Charlestown's stretch of the Freedom Trail, which adds considerably to its length, for a second-day outing. You can always save time backtracking from the route by taking the MBTA water shuttle, which ferries back and forth between Charlestown's Navy Yard and downtown Boston's Long Wharf.

The Charlestown Navy Yard is generally a safe area, but as always use common sense, as Boston is a big city. Stick to well-lighted streets at night and avoid walking alone.