Boston's Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is more than a collection of historic sites related to the American Revolution or a suggested itinerary connecting Boston’s unique neighborhoods. It’s a chance to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers—literally, by following a crimson path on public sidewalks—and pay tribute to the figures all school kids know, like Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Ben Franklin. In history-proud Boston, past and present intersect before your eyes not as a re-creation but as living history accessible to all.
Boston played a key role in the dramatic events leading up to the American Revolution. Many of the founding fathers called the city home, and many of the initial meetings and actions that sparked the fight against the British took place here. In one day, you can visit Faneuil Hall—the "Cradle of Liberty"—where outraged colonial radicals met to oppose British authority; the site of the incendiary Boston Massacre; and the Old North Church, where lanterns hung to signal Paul Revere on his thrilling midnight ride. Colonists may have originally landed in Jamestown and Plymouth, but if you really want to see where America began, come to Boston.
PLANNING YOUR TRAIL TRIP
The Route
The 2½-mile Freedom Trail begins at Boston Common, winds through Downtown, Government Center, and the North End, and ends in Charlestown at the USS Constitution. The entire Freedom Trail is marked by a red line on the sidewalk; it’s made of paint or brick at various points on the Trail.
Getting Here and Back: The route starts near the Park Street T stop. When you’ve completed the Freedom Trail, head for the nearby Charlestown water shuttle, which goes directly to the Downtown area. For schedules and maps, visit www.mbta.com.
Timing
If you’re stopping at a few (or all) of the 16 sites, it takes a full day to complete the route comfortably. If you have children in tow, you may want to split the trail into two or more days.
Visitor Centers
There are Freedom Trail information centers in Boston Common (Tremont Street), at Faneuil Hall, and at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center (in Building 5).
Tours
The National Park Service offers free 60-minute themed Freedom Trail walking tours from its Faneuil Hall Visitor Center as well as talks on important historical events. The "Meetings, Mobs & Martyrs" tour visits the Hall, Old State House, and Old South Meeting House. The shorter "Cradle of Liberty" chat, a 20-minute talk, takes place at Faneuil Hall every half hour from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The "Decisive Day" 15-minute talk at the Bunker Hill Monument discusses the experiences of soldiers on both sides of the first real battle of the Revolutionary War. Check online (www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm) for times and other options; it’s a good idea to show up at least 30 minutes early, as the popular tours are limited to 30 people. Another 30-minute chat is "Muskets, Men & Liberty" at the Bunker Hill Monument, which includes a musket-firing demonstration. Another option is the The Freedom Trail Foundation's formal tours, which includes the introductory 90-minute "Walk Into History" tour that highlights 11 of the 16 sites ($14). Half-hour tours of the USS Constitution are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Note that visitors to the ship must go through security screening.
Fuel Up
The trail winds through the heart of Downtown Boston, so finding a quick bite or a nice sit-down meal isn’t difficult. Quincy Market, near Faneuil Hall, is packed with cafés and eateries. Another good lunch choice is one of the North End’s wonderful Italian restaurants.
What’s Nearby
For a short break from Revolutionary history, be sure to check out the major attractions nearby, including the Boston Public Garden, New England Aquarium, and Union Oyster House.
TOP SIGHTS
Boston Common
Faneuil Hall
Old North Church
Bunker Hill Monument
Benjamin Franklin Statue
The Granary Burial Ground
Park Street Church
WALKING TOURS
From Boston Common to Faneuil Hall
The Route
Begin at Boston Common, then head for the State House, Boston’s finest example of Federal architecture and whose dome was covered with copper in 1802 by Paul Revere. Several blocks away is the Park Street Church, whose 217-foot steeple is considered to be the most beautiful in New England. The church was actually founded in 1809, and it played a key role in the movement to abolish slavery.
Reposing in the church’s shadows is the Granary Burying Ground, final resting place of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. A short stroll to Downtown brings you to King’s Chapel, founded in 1686 by King James II for the Church of England.
Follow the trail past the Benjamin Franklin statue to the Old Corner Bookstore site, where Hawthorne, Emerson, and Longfellow were published. Nearby is the Old South Meeting House, where arguments in 1773 led to the Boston Tea Party. Overlooking the site of the Boston Massacre is the city’s oldest public building, the Old State House, a Georgian beauty. In 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred directly in front of here—look for the commemorative stone circle.
Cross the plaza to Faneuil Hall and explore where Samuel Adams railed against "taxation without representation." A good midtrail break is the shops and eateries of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which includes Quincy Market.
Distance: Many of the Freedom Trail sites between Boston Common and the North End are close together. Walking this 1-mile segment of the trail makes for a pleasant morning.
The North End to Charlestown
The Route
When you depart Faneuil Hall, follow the red stripe to the North End, Boston’s take on Little Italy. The Paul Revere House bring you back 200 years—here are the heroic patriot's own saddlebags, a toddy warmer, and a pine cradle made from a molasses cask. It’s also air-conditioned in the summer, so try to stop here in midafternoon to escape the heat. Next to the Paul Revere House is one of the city’s oldest brick buildings, the Pierce-Hichborn House. Next, peek inside a place guaranteed to trigger a wave of patriotism: the Old North Church of "One if by land, two if by sea" fame.
Then head toward Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, where you can view graves from the late 17th century through the early 19th century. Afterward, cross the bridge over the Charles and check out that revered icon, the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides." After a two-year restoration, which had the ship in dry dock for repairs, it was returned to the water in the summer of 2017 and reopened to the public. Call ahead for hours.
The perfect ending to the trail? A walk to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument for the incomparable vistas. The hill was the site of one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Though the colonial rebels actually lost, they inflicted large casualties on the better-trained British, proving themselves against the empire.
Distance: Freedom Trail sites between Faneuil Hall and Charlestown are more spread out along 1½ miles. The sites here, though more difficult to reach, are certainly worth the walk.
