Guide to Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston
Between the cool history, positive vibes, and beauty all around, Boston makes for an incredible place. It’s a city I always love to visit and one I could never get tired of exploring. Of all the places to go, sites to see, and experiences to be had, I think my all-time favorite thing to do in Boston is to walk along the Freedom Trail. It’s a brick line embedded in the sidewalk that directs you on a 2.5 mile walk through the city and hits all (or at least a good chunk) of the historical sites to see in Boston. It’s literally a walk through history and something I recommend to everyone who visits this city! But until the time you’re able to experience it [again] here’s a guide to walking the Freedom Trail in Boston.
Boston Common
The trail starts at Boston Common, the oldest public park in America. Over the years it’s served as a grazing field for livestock, the site of public hangings, a campsite for the Redcoats when they occupied Boston, and a home for rallies and protests. Unsurprisingly, Boston Common has been declared a National Historical Landmark.
Massachusetts State House
The Massachusetts State House was completed in 1798 and has served as the seat of government in Massachusetts since then.
Park Street Church
It was built in 1809 and got the nickname “brimstone corner” for the gun powder it stored during the War of 1812 and the heated messages that were taught from the pulpit. This is also where William Lloyd Garrison gave the first major public speech against slavery, and the song “My country tis of thee” was performed for the first time. So much history for one little place!
The Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of notable figures such as John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, victims of the Boston Massacre, and Benjamin Franklin’s parents.
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel and Burying Ground
King’s Chapel is an Angelican Church which was completed in 1754. Mary Chilton, who came to America on the Mayflower and participated in the first Thanksgiving, is among the well known figures buried here.
Some interesting facts for you:
Benjamin Franklin Statue and Former Site of Boston Latin School
It was at this location that Benjamin Franklin attended Boston Latin School and dropped out at the age of 10. This was the first public school in America and although the location has moved, it’s still an active school today.
Old Corner Bookstore
Today it’s a Chipotle (which totally breaks my heart A LOT) but this used to be the Old Corner Bookstore which was the location of the publisher Ticknor and Fields. It’s also where writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Louisa May Alcott were published and made frequent appearances!
Old South Meeting House
Of all the stops on the Freedom Trail this one is without a doubt my favorite. It was at this meetinghouse where 6,000 angry colonists gathered to discuss what to do about the three ships in the harbor that contained tea from Britain; tea that would be taxed without colonists’ representation. Later that night about 100-150 Sons of Liberty executed the Boston Tea Party. How cool is that?!
*Bonus* From one of the windows at the Old South Meeting House you can see this historical marker sculpted on the side of a building next door.
Old State House
I would say this is my second favorite stop on the Freedom Trail. It’s where James Otis spoke against the British Writs of Assistance. After that speech John Adams famously wrote, “Then and there… the child of independence was born.” The balcony at the front of the Old State House is where the Declaration of Independence was publicly read for the first time.
Site of the Boston Massacre
Right in front of the Old State House is a marker that indicates exactly where the Boston Massacre took place. Did you know there were 5 people killed in that incident? Paul Revere created a depiction of the event which was printed in newspapers in all 13 colonies. It was also used at the trial of the British soldiers. I think my favorite historical fact about this whole event is that John Adams represented the British soldiers to be sure they had a fair trial. How cool is that?
Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall was where the very first town meeting took place in the United States. It also served as home to the protests which would eventually lead to the aspects of colonial history known as “no taxation without representation.” It’s continued to serve as a home for meetings on issues of today and is often referred to as “the home of free speech” or “Cradle of Liberty.”
Paul Revere House
This was Paul Revere’s home and it’s the oldest structure in downtown Boston. It was from here that Revere left for his famous midnight ride to Lexington.
Old North Church
The Old North Church was built in 1723 and that makes it the oldest church in Boston. The steeple of the church made it the tallest building in Boston until 1810. It was in this steeple that Robert Newman was instructed to hang one lantern if the British came by land and two if the British came by sea. “One if by land two if by sea.” In case you’re rusty on American History… The British came by sea. Robert Newman hung two lanterns in the steeple on the night of Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
This was the largest colonial burial ground in Boston. A few notable figures buried here are Robert Newman, as well as Cotton and Increase Mather who were heavily involved in the Salem Witch Trials.
USS Constitution
The USS Constitution was named by George Washington and earned it’s nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812. Today it’s the oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
Bunker Hill Monument
Although it was an American defeat, the Battle of Bunker Hill showed the world that the American colonists were capable of putting up a strong fight against the British Army. Fun fact: The Bunker Hill Monument is actually on Breeds Hill which is where the majority of the battle actually took place.
And that’s the end of my guide to walking the Freedom Trail in Boston! Pretty cool little stroll through history, am I right? Most of the sites on the trail are free to enter. The few that do cost an admission are totally worth it, promise. Put this at the top of your list of things to do in Boston. It’s one of the coolest things this city has to offer!
Safe travels friends.
CE
