I know there are tons of posts on this board about Boston, but hopefully yall will bear with me. How long will it take to walk the Freedom Trail if you stop at all the sites? All day? Half day? Also, what is the best way back to the start after you have finished? I assume I will be somewhat tired from the walk. Finally, once you have reached the end, are there any suggestions for things to do in that area?

There are many sites along the Freedom Trail (cemetaries, churches, buildings of historical significance) - depending on how long you spend at each will determine how much time the tour takes, but it can take all day.

There isn't a specific start & stop point. The trail is marked by a red stripe painted along the brick sidewalks. There is plenty to do throoughout, and along the whole trail.

Working your way "back" is easy as there IS so much along the way, you will find other things that interest you and that will determine how you choose to return. It is great fun. Wear comfortable shoes/sneakers get a good map and have fun!

For more information try:
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

There certainly IS a beginning and end of the Freedom Trail -- it starts on Bosotn Common, at hte corner of Tremont and Park Streets, not far from the tourist info booth where you can get the official Freedom Trail booklet and map.

The path itself is about 2.5 miles, so it would take less than an hour if you never stoppped, but of course there are so many things to do, both parts of the trail itself and other activities along the way, you might as well make a day of it.

Sorry Suzy- What I really meant is that you don't HAVE to start at a specific point, you can jump in anywhere along the way.

Yes, sandy, that's quite true. In fact, I've often wondered how many of the people who start out at the Common actually make it all the way through!

If you make it as far as the U.S.S. Constitution and the accompanying museum (and I highly recommend that you do!), you can take a water taxi from the Charlestown Navy Yard (where the ship is berthed) to Long Wharf on Boston's waterfront. The ride takes about 10 minutes, costs $1.25, and gives a nice view of the Boston skyline from the harbor. It runs 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM weekdays, and 10:00 AM to 6:00PM weekends, with a boat every 30 minutes (every 15 minutes during rush hour).

And from Long Wharf it's a short walk to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace area for dinner!

Visitor - I second Sara's suggestion of the water taxi - friends did that last year and loved the convience of it. I'd suggest going to the North End for dinner - lots of great Italian restaurants to choose from and it's near where the water taxi lands. Stop at Christopher Columbus Park near the Marriott - a nice little waterside park at the edge of the North End.

If you get as far as the Constitution, I would continue a little farther to the Bunker Hill monument. I don't know if it's actually considered part of the Freedom Trail, but if not, it's certainly a logical extension. Then, as suggested above, walk back to the Constitution and catch the water taxi.

You can easily spend the entire day. We got a fairly early start and got to the Bunker Hill monument barely in time to make the climb (you have to be there by 4:30). If you're considering making the climb, be aware that it isn't air conditioned and that the windows at the top are extremely small so you really don't get much of a view. After you leave there, make sure you back-track the way you came. We tried to wing it to get back to the Navy Yard to take the water taxi and found ourselves in a neighborhood that made us somewhat uncomfortable. We eventually found the water taxi, which the kids really enjoyed. It's a fun way to get back.