Boston is one of the most historic cities in the United States and considered to be the birthplace of the American Revolution. There is no better way to explore Boston and its history than by walking The Boston Freedom Trail. The marked trail is a 2.5 mile walking route through downtown Boston that connects 16 historical sites related to the American Revolution.
You can choose a pre-booked guided tour or explore the trail yourself by downloading an audio guide. I thought the self tour was the best option as you can take in the history and facts about each site, while being able to navigate it at your own pace.
There’s so much to discover along the way, but here are a few little insights that I enjoyed learning about at each site.
The 16 sites of the Boston Freedom Trail
1. Boston Common
This beautiful 50-acre park was created in 1634, making it the oldest public park in the United States.
2. Massachusetts State House
Massachusetts State House is the state capitol and seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was built on land once owned by John Hancock and is one of the oldest state capitols still in use. The gold dome at the top of the building is gilded in 23 karat gold leaf and weighs over 5 tons.
3. Park Street Church
Founded in 1804, with a 217 foot steeple, it was the tallest building in the US from 1810-1824. It was the first landmark travelers saw when approaching Boston.
4. Granary Burial Ground
This is the burial location of some famous revolutionary war patriots such as Paul Revere, several signers of the Declaration of Independence including Samuel Adams John Hancock and Robert Treat Paine, as well as the family of Benjamin Franklin.
5. King's Chapel and Kings Burying Ground
King’s Chapel and Kings Burying Ground was founded in 1686, and was the first Anglican church in New England. The adjoining burial ground is the resting place for many early Bostonians. You can find tombstones that are decorated with skull and crossbones motifs, as the early colonials had a fascination with mortality.
6. Boston Latin School and Benjamin Franklin Statue
The Boston Latin School is the oldest school in America. Benjamin Franklin was a former student and outside the original schoolhouse is a statue of him, which is the first portrait-style statue crafted in the U.S.
7. Old Corner Bookstore
This site, which is now a site for the restaurant chain, Chipotle, was
America’s oldest commercial building. It once housed a publishing giant for authors with revolutionary ideas. This building housed the publisher of books like “Walden”, “The Scarlett Letter” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
8. Old South Meeting House
Built in 1729 as a Puritan meeting house, the Old South Meeting House was the largest building in colonial Boston, and was the location for some of the most dramatic events leading up to the American Revolution, such as the decision to protest the British Tea Tax that subsequently the Boston Tea Party.
9. Old State House
Built in 1713, the Old State House is the oldest surviving public building in Boston. It was here from the balcony that the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud to Bostonians.
10. Site of Boston Massacre
A large round plaque can be found on the ground here, commemorating the 1770 conflict between British redcoats and American colonists that took place killing 5 people. After the conflict, the British troops fled Boston, not to return until 1774.
11. Faneuil Hall
This building was given to the city by wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil. The
Hall has been described as “the home of free speech” and the “Cradle of Liberty”. It was also host to the first town meeting in America, as well as playing a very pivotal role in revolutionary politics.
12. Paul Revere House
This narrow 17th century house, is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston. It was home to Paul Revere for 30 years from 1770-1800. It is now a museum that you can pay to go inside, see how the Revere family lived and learn more about Paul Revere.
13. Old North Church
This is Boston’s oldest church and is the site where two lanterns were hung in the steeple to warn the towns people that the British were coming. Paul Revere saw this signal, and subsequently embarked on his famous midnight ride on 18 April 1775 to Lexington.
14. Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Dating from 1659, this was Boston’s largest colonial burying ground. You can find the graves of Old North Church sexton Robert Newman, who is notable as the man who hung the lanterns in the church steeple on the night of Paul Revere’s right, as well as the builder of the USS Constitution, Edmund Harrt.
15. USS Constitution
Found in Boston Naval shipyard, this ship is the not only the oldest ship in
the US navy, but the world’s oldest commission naval ship still afloat. The ship was given the nickname of “Old Ironsides”. This name derived during the war of 1812, when despite taking several cannonballs to her hull, she would not sink.
16. Bunker Hill Monument
This site is famous as it was the site of the first major battle in the American Revolution. Although the Americans were defeated at the battle they proved that they were not a force to be taken lightly and that they could hold their own. This also further indicated that any reconciliation between England the American colonists was not possible. You can now find a 221-foot granite obelisk atop this hill commemorating this
battle.
Bring some comfy shoes!
This incredible journey along all these American revolutionary sites does require some comfortable shoes, as well as the ability and perseverance to walk over 20,000 steps for 2.5 miles. But what a walk-through history it is and honestly I can’t recommend this trail enough!
No trip to Boston is complete without navigating this trail….and perhaps ending your day with a well-deserved refreshing
Sam Adams. 😉
Check out my instagram for more photos!