The Freedom Trail

Summary: A well-marked, three-mile walking tour of Boston that links 16 sites of historical interest. Marked by a red line painted on the sidewalk. Begins at the Boston Common, at the Park Street MBTA stop (Green and Red lines).

Acting as an ever-present guide through the heart of Boston, the Freedom Trail offers visitors a well-organized way to explore the city and learn about its rich history. The trail begins at the Boston Common and finishes at the Bunker Hill Monument on the opposite side of the river separating Boston and Charlestown.

Overview of the Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail was the brainchild of William Schofield, an editorial writer for the Boston Herald-Traveler, who originated the concept in a 1951 newspaper column. While Schofield's primary goal was to preserve the historical sites located throughout the city, the Trail was established seven years later in part to enhance Boston's profitable tourist industry. The Freedom Trail has been successful by both measures: the 16 sites provide a well-told tale of Boston's history to four million visitors annually.

Many of the Freedom Trail's 16 sites are known worldwide for the important role they played in the American Revolution. For example, Paul Revere made history with his famous ride warning of the Redcoat arrival. On the Freedom Trail, visitors can tour this patriot's home, which is now maintained by a private, nonprofit museum association. Bear in mind that a Freedom Trail walk does not have to be a completely educational experience. We recommend that you take advantage of the fact that the Trail runs through some of Boston's larger shopping and dining areas and stop for some shopping in Faneuil Hall or for a cappuccino in one of the many North End cafes.

One of the most common misperceptions of the Freedom Trail is that all of its sites are free. While some of the stops are part of the Boston National Historical Park and do not charge admission, a few sites are independently owned by historical organizations and do charge a fee.

The 16 Freedom Trail Sites
In order of appearance on the Trail, the 16 sites are:

• Boston Common
  This 40-acre area is the nation's oldest public park. The land was set aside for public use in 1634 (originally as a cow pasture and training ground). Today, the park tends to be full of sun worshippers relaxing and picnicking on the grassy hills during nice weather. The Commons also has a longstanding tradition as a place where demonstrators can exercise their right to freedom of speech without the hassle of getting a permit. Free.

• New State House
  The New State House's golden dome, which is one of the city's most well- known landmarks, marks the political center of Boston. Completed in 1795, the "new" State House was designed by architect Charles Bulfinch, who later planned the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The free tour (which lasts about an hour) is a good way to see the building's rich, luxurious interior. Phone (617) 727-3676 for more information.

• Park Street Church
  This church is best known for its location at "Brimstone Corner" (so named for its use as a gunpowder storage area during the War of 1812) and as the setting of William Lloyd Garrison's first anti-slavery speech. Free, seasonal tours. Call (617) 523-3383 to learn more.

• Granary Burying Ground
  The first of the three burying grounds on the trail, Granary is notable as the final resting place of John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Free.

• King's Chapel and Burying Ground
  Famous for its architectural beauty, King's Chapel became the first Unitarian Church in the U.S. after the American Revolution. Donations accepted. For more information, call (617) 227-2155.

• Site of First Public School/Ben Franklin Statue
  This Freedom Trail stop features a statue of Ben Franklin and the site of Franklin's alma mater: the Boston Latin School (built in 1635). Free.

• Old Corner Bookstore
  This brick building, where legends like Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne and Thoreau gathered, was once the literary center of Boston.

• Old South Meeting House
  Much of the discussion and debate that led to the Boston Tea Party and other events connected to the American Revolution took place in the old South Meeting House. Call (617) 482-6439 to learn about the lectures and programs on American history and culture offered by the Old South staff.

• Boston Massacre Site
  A simple circle of cobblestones marks the site where five colonists were killed by British soldiers in 1770. The brutality of this incident helped spark the anti-British rage that ultimately led to the American Revolution. Free.

• Old State House
  The original State House, Boston's oldest public building, now operates as a museum of Boston history. Run by The Bostonian Society, it offers half-hour staff presentations along with numerous exhibits. Visitors choosing only one Freedom Trail site to explore should consider the Old State House because it offers a wide range of information on Boston history and culture. See our related article or phone (617) 720-3290 for more information.

• Faneuil Hall
  The term "Faneuil Hall" is commonly used to refer to the multitude of shops and restaurants in the buildings flanking the central Quincy Market. The lower floor of Faneuil Hall proper is a marketplace, while the second is a meeting hall, and the third holds the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum. Faneuil Hall is often crowded and busy, but it is one of Boston's most famous tourist sports and should not be missed by first-time visitors to Boston. Free. See the related article for a full description of what Faneuil Hall offers.

• Paul Revere House
  Paul Revere owned this house from 1770-1800. He left from it for his famous ride across the colonial countryside in April 1775. The tour of the house (which is currently preserved by the Paul Revere Memorial Association) offers a more "personal" perspective on Revolutionary history. Partially wheelchair accessible. For details, see our full write-up of the Paul Revere House or phone (617) 523-2338.

• Old North Church
  "Old North," Boston's oldest church building, is located in the city's Italian North End. The church played an important part in the American Revolution by acting as a signal (via two lanterns hung in its steeple) of British troop movement. Donations accepted. For more information, go to our article or call (617) 523-6676.

• Copp's Hill Burying Ground
  The last Freedom trail site on the south side of the Charles River, Copp's Burying Ground is the resting place of thousands of merchants, artisans and free blacks. Be sure to check out the chips in the headstones (believed to be the result of redcoat target practice during Colonial times). Free. Not wheelchair accessible.

• USS Constitution
  Nicknamed "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Its final port is in the Charlestown Navy Yard, which is about a one-mile walk from the North End. The Constitution staff offers free guided tours from 9:30 AM to 3:50 PM. and self-guided tours until sunset. Partially wheelchair accessible. See our related article or call (617) 242-5670 for more information.

• Bunker Hill Monument
  A tall granite obelisk commemorating the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill (which actually took place on Breed's Hill). You can climb this monument's 294 steps for a terrific view of Boston. Note that there is no elevator, so make sure you have enough energy to climb all the way up and down before you start off. During the summer, visitors also can observe free musket firing demonstrations and "battle talks." Free. Call (617) 242-5641 for more information.

Tips for Touring the Freedom Trail
The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) recommends a self-guided walk of the Freedom Trail. If you like to go at your own pace and don't mind the exercise, we agree that walking the Trail truly is your best bet. With the help of a Freedom Trail map (available at the GBCVB Visitors Center behind Park Street), the Trail is easily navigable without a tour guide. But before spending your hard-earned dollars on the for-sale map, check for other free brochures at the Visitors Center and most hotel lobbies -- many general pamphlets on Boston include a simple outline of the trail. Each site on the trail provides historical information on building plaques or printed brochures. Many of the attractions also offer tours or presentations.

For an overview of some of the Trail's central attractions, the Boston National Historical Park Service (BNHP) provides free, 90-minute tours beginning at the BNHP Visitors Center at 15 State Street. These tours are led by well-trained park rangers who provide a summary of the Revolutionary War events related to each site. The tours cover the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church. Rangers do not take tour groups inside each site, although participants wishing to leave the group at a particular site can do so. Since the walking length of the tour is only about 15 minutes total, however, we advise you to follow the tour through to the end and backtrack later to sites of particular interest.

Between June 15 and September 1, BNHP tours leave 15 State Street every hour between 10 AM and 3 PM. daily. Contact the BNHP at (617) 242-5642 for off-season schedules or at (617) 242-5689 for group reservations. Tour groups vary in size but can grow as large as 100 people. To avoid the crowds, BNHP recommends aiming for the 10 AM tour and avoiding weekends when possible. The BNHP Visitor Center itself is also an excellent resource for sightseers and offers free brochures along with a sizeable selection of adult and children's books on Boston history.

If you are interested in a guided tour that does not involve walking, there are numerous trolley companies that offer tours covering many of the major sites. Although the trolley tours don't lead visitors inside the sites, many allow riders to disembark and reboard the trolleys at various points throughout the city.

How Much Time Should I Allow?
While it is possible to finish the Freedom Trail in a few hours, if your stay in Boston is short, we recommend that you choose five or six sites to focus on instead of attempting the entire Trail. If you have a strong interest in early American history, consider devoting a full day or two to the Trail so that you can take the time to explore each site in detail. Also, because the Freedom Trail includes popular Boston areas such as Faneuil Hall and the North End, you may find yourself deviating from the Trail itself and taking time to shop or dine.

For the average sightseer, a possible itinerary for the Freedom Trail (either by foot or trolley) is to begin in the morning at the Boston Common, cover all sites up to Faneuil Hall, and stop for lunch around 1 PM. After lunch, head toward the North End and over to Charlestown for the rest of the Trail, which should take up the remainder of the afternoon. Consider heading back to the North End for dinner at one of the area's numerous Italian eateries. (Dress and dining style is casual at many.) Visitors interested in touring the USS Constitution should be sure to make it to Charlestown by 3:30 p.m., for the last tour of the ship. Note that during the summer, the wait to see the Constitution can be as long as an hour, so visitors intent on seeing "Old Ironsides" may want to consider reversing the order in which they see the Freedom Trail to cover the Charlestown end first.

The Best Time to Go
Like most attractions in Boston, sites along the Freedom Trail are busiest on weekends from June to August. Weekdays, especially during the morning hours, are best for touring the individual attractions without crowds. Visitors planning to walk the Trail but not tour the interior of each site are probably better off on the weekends, however, when the streets are free of 9-to-5ers running to and from work. Note that the heart of the Freedom Trail runs through the Financial District, which tends to be busy Monday through Friday, so don't expect empty sidewalks during the week. Most of the sites are open daily. While the new State House offers the most limited hours (Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM), we recommend that you check each site individually for specific tour and seasonal schedules.

Since the Freedom Trail is outdoors, comfortable weather will be a critical factor in your enjoyment of this attraction. If you are coming to Boston during the winter months, you may want to select one or two sites to visit rather than trying to brush aside the snow that may be covering the red line that marks the trail. Also, the canyons formed by the tall buildings of the Financial District can make for brutal winds, so be sure to dress appropriately if you are braving the Trail between December and February.

How Do I Get to the Freedom Trail?
The Freedom Trail is most easily accessible by taking the red or green line subway to Park Street. Even if you live or are staying outside the city, we suggest you avoid high parking costs and heavy traffic by driving to the nearest MBTA station and riding the subway (or "T") in. (For more information about the T, including fare, schedule and parking information, click here.)

More Information
If you want more information on the Freedom Trail and its history, contact The Freedom Trail Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting the trail, at (617) 242-5695. The Boston National Historical Park Service (BNHP) also provides Freedom Trail and National Park information at (617) 242-5642.

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