Boston Freedom Trail

Boston’s Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile path that weaves throughout Boston passing 16 of our country’s significant landmarks. Most of these sites helped form this nation in the early rebellious years. The entire path is notable marked by red bricks. The unofficial starting point is the Boston Commons and the Visitor Center there will provide trail information, maps and other gifts. The walk is easy, free, and you control the pace. The visitor center does offer guided tours that are dependent on weather and it should be noted are only 90 mins with admission to ONE site that charges a fee. The guide will provide information not known otherwise, but we recommend going on your own.

Start off at the country’s oldest public park, Boston Common. The Boston Common was used by the public for just about everything: concerts, duels, public celebrations and even hangings. The Visitor Center neighbors the Common.

Follow the red brick road through the park to the current State House. John Hancock originally owned the land on Beacon Hill, but in 1798 the State House was completed. Head inside to view the decorative designs and the gold dome.

After the construction in 1809, the Park Street Church was the first thing travelers saw coming into Boston for many years. William Llyod Garrison gave his first public anti-slavery address here. Also in 1832, My Country ‘Tis of Thee was first recited here.

Granary Burying Ground is the 3^rd oldest cemetery in Boston and has many of the country’s founding fathers claiming this as their final resting place. Some of these famous Bostonians are John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Peter Faneuil, all five men who were killed in the Boston Massacre, and many others.

The King’s Chapel became America’s first Unitarian Church. Condemned prisoners heard their last sermon here before being marched to Boston Common to be hung. President George Washington made a visit in 1789 while in Boston.

In front of Old City Hall lays a reminiscence of the site of America’s first public school, Boston Latin School. Erected in 1635, the school taught some of America’s greats, including John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Ralph Waldo Emmerson, and Ben Franklin who has a commemorating statue in front of the Old City Hall.

At the end of the street is the Old Corner Bookstore. The original building was home to Anne Hutchinson, who was banished for unorthodox religious views. However, the Bookstore went on to publish works by Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emmerson, Longfellow, and many more.

The Old South Meeting House was built in 1729 and is the second oldest church in Boston. As the largest building in colonial Boston, it was used for public meetings, the most famous being when over 5,000 angry Bostonians showed up to protest a tax on tea on December 16, 1773. This site does have an entry fee.

Where the Boston Massacre Took Place

The British used the Old State House as their governing office during colonial times. This was the center of political and commercial life for Boston. Pay the entrance fee to tour the museum and learn more about the Boston Massacre because just below the balcony is where this famous incident occurred. The Declaration of Independence was recited from this balcony.

Right around the corner is Faneuil Hall. Faneuil gave this building as a gift in 1742. This building served as a meeting place and open market. Even today it sticks to its roots and has vendors set up inside selling a variety of things.

Make your way through the North End to Paul Revere’s House. There is a $5 entrance fee to view this house built around 1680. It might be hard to imagine that up to 8 of Revere’s 16 children lived in this house with him.

The story “one if by land, two if by sea” began at the Old North Church. On Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, it was Sexton Robert Newman that hung 2 lanterns to warn Charleston (across the river) of British troops invading.

Inside Daily Catch

Break here for some good eating. We highly recommend Daily Catch for some Sicilian style seafood. If you are looking for desserts, go to Mike's Pastry or Maria's Pastry if you want to pick something on the way to Charleston.

We ended our freedom trail here for day 1, but came back the next day to finish it up.

The Bunker Hill Monument commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution on June 17, 1775. Climb the 295 steps to the top of the monument to get great 360 degree views of Boston.

The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Built in 1797, her nickname Ironsides was earned during the War of 1812, as British cannon balls bounced off her hull. Hop aboard and listen to a U.S. Navy sailor give a tour of the warship.

View of Boston from the water

After touring the USS Constitution, walk over to the water shuttle to take back to the Long Wharf ($3.25 one way).