Boston Freedom Trail
Faneuil Hall in Boston is one of the stops along Boston's Freedom Trail. Photo/C. Danko © 2001-2009
Near Boston Common is the Granary Burying Ground, where the graves of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and the victims of the Boston Massacre lay buried. Several blocks away, the Old South Meeting House still stands, where spirited community meetings were once held to discuss the British "Tea Act," which led to a night of dumping tea into Boston Harbor. A few miles away, the Bunker Hill Monument towers above Charlestown neighborhoods--a reminder of the battle in which colonists waited before firing upon British soldiers until they "saw the whites of their eyes." These sites are all part of Boston's Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile trail marked by a red line on sidewalks that connects many of the city's historical spots.
Boston was where riots occurred to protest the Stamp Act. It was where colonists dressed up as Mohawk Indians headed to Boston Harbor and boarded the ship Dartmouth to throw over 90,000 pounds of tea into the harbor in protest of England's Tea Act. It was where Paul Revere monitored British movements and started his journey to Lexington to warn of the army's approach. And it was where the Battle of Bunker Hill (in Charlestown, now part of Boston) was fought. The British won, but were badly battered.
City leaders have nicknamed Boston a "walking city," and walking is recommended for seeing the Freedom Trail. However, wearing a pair of good shoes is also recommended, because it is a long hike and with all the things to see, may be too much for one day. The sites on the Boston side of the Charles River are close together and are easier to see on foot. The sites on the Charlestown side, which include the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument, could be seen on a different day if the trail proves too much. Free guided tours by national park rangers are available April through October. Bus and trolley tours can also be arranged.
The USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." Photo/C. Danko © 2001-2009
The trail starts at Boston Common, which was the site where Quakers were once hanged. It ends at Bunker Hill, and the trail is not a loop. One highlight along the trail is the Christ Church in Boston, also known as the "Old North Church." It was there that Paul Revere hung lanterns to warn patriots in Charlestown of the British troops approach in case he was captured.
The USS Constitution, also must-visit site, saw her best days during the War of 1812 when she defeated four British ships. Another big attraction is Faneuil Hall and Faneuil Marketplace. The hall is a community meeting place and the marketplace is a popular Boston dining and shopping center.
Tour guides can be picked up or purchased at the Visitor's Center in Boston Common. To really appreciate the tour, buying a detailed guide in advance and reading it shortly before the tour is recommended. There's a lot of history to take in on one day, and a lot of details might be missed.
More Information
Freedom Trail - An introduction to the trail from the City of Boston.
Public Transportation - The Freedom Trail starts on the MBTA's Park Street on the Green and Red lines. Other stops on the trail are Government Center, Haymarket, North Station, and Community College (in Charlestown).
