Boston – Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts creates a living link to Boston’s revolutionary and colonial-era sites, it’s a 2.5 miles (4 km) walk through Boston. You can find many historic sites among the skyscrapers. The Freedom Trail is marked by a line of red paint or red brick in the sidewalk and links 16 historic sites.
1. The Massachusetts State House
The Massachusetts State House, also called Massachusetts Statehouse or the “New” State House, is the state capitol and seat of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is located at Boston in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.
2. The Park Street Church
The Park Street Church is an active Conservative Congregational Church at the corner of Tremont Street and Park Street. The church became known as “Brimstone Corner”, because of the missionary character of its preaching,and because of the storage of gunpowder during the War of 1812.
3. Granary Burying Ground
Granary Burying Ground is the city’s third-oldest cemetery. It serves as the final resting place for many notable Revolutionary War-era patriots, including three signers of the Declaration of Independence (one of its most venerable residents is revolutionary Samuel Adams) and the five victims of the Boston Massacre.
4. King’s Chapel
This stone church was built around a wooden church. When the stone church was complete, the wooden church was disassembled and removed through the windows of the new church. It was situated on the public burying ground because no resident would sell land for a non-Puritan church.
5. Old Corner Bookstore
The Old Corner Bookstore is located at the corner of Washington and School Streets. The site was formerly home of Anne Hutchinson, who was expelled from Massachusetts in 1638 for heresy.
Other highlights along the trail are:
- Boston Common
- Benjamin Franklin statue
- Old South Meeting House
- Old State House
- Boston Massacre
- Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
- Paul Revere House
- Old North Church
- Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
- USS Constitution
- Bunker Hill Monument
Map of the Freedom Trail
Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center
Free 90 minute walking tour led by National Park Service Rangers along the heart of Boston’s Freedom Trail. Discover Boston’s role in the American Revolution. For more information call (617) 242-5642. Tours are offered weather permitting. Each tour is limited to 30 people: first come, first served. On day of tour, rangers will distribute free stickers 30 minutes before tour time. Reservations are not accepted. Tours fill up quickly in summer months. Tours start at the Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center, 15 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. – www.nps.gov
Freedom Trail Tour Schedule
April 19 – June 20; Sept. 1 – Nov. 30: Weekdays at 2 p.m. only, Weekends at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Last day for Freedom Trail tours is Sunday, November 30.
June 21 – August 31: Daily at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Freedom Trail Foundation
Walk Into History along the famous red line with an 18th Century Costumed Guide. Hear the tales of the brave Bostonians and Colonialists who dared to challenge Britain and helped establish the greatest democracy in the world. These 90 minute tours are designed for individuals, groups, corporate team building and schools. www.thefreedomtrail.org
