Freedom Trail

A red-brick line on the ground links 16 sites from the American Revolution, running from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument. It is a classic walking route for learning about the nation’s founding.

The Freedom Trail is a city walking route about 4 km long. A red brick or red-painted line on the ground marks the way past 16 sites connected to the American Revolution. It starts at the visitor center on Boston Common and passes the Massachusetts State House (with its gold dome), Park Street Church, the Granary Burying Ground (where Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock and others are buried), King’s Chapel, the Old South Meeting House (where the Boston Tea Party was planned, about $15 admission), the Old State House (the Boston Massacre took place in front of it in 1770, and the Declaration of Independence was first read from its balcony in 1776), Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House (at the north end, the oldest surviving house in Boston, $6 admission), the Old North Church (the 1775 lantern signal site: “one if by land, two if by sea”), and then, across the bridge in Charlestown, the USS Constitution warship and the Bunker Hill Monument (294 steps to the top, free). The full walk takes about 2–3 hours. If you go inside the buildings, plan for half a day to a full day. The Freedom Trail Foundation offers guided tours led by guides in 18th-century costume (about 90 minutes, from $17 for adults). You can also buy a map at the visitor center and walk on your own. The National Park Service runs a free visitor center at Faneuil Hall, and it offers free guided tours in summer. Suggested itinerary: start from Boston Common in the morning, have lunch at Quincy Market, then in the afternoon walk to the north end and Charlestown. From Charlestown, take the F4 ferry (about 10 minutes) back to Long Wharf, where you can enjoy the skyline from the water. Wear comfortable shoes, and while in the North End’s Italian district, stop at Mike’s Pastry for its cannoli.

Freedom Trail

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