Freedom Trail Guide: A Walk Through Revolutionary Boston

The Freedom Trail is a line of red brick set into the pavement, running about two and a half miles (four kilometres) from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. It links sixteen sites connected with the American Revolution and early Boston. You can walk it in two hours without going inside anything, but half a day is more realistic, and the second half is best combined with lunch in the North End.

It's free to follow, and most of the outdoor sites cost nothing. A few buildings charge for entry. Park rangers and guides in period costume run walking tours, but the trail is easy to do alone.

Downtown: from the Common to Faneuil Hall

1. Boston Common. Start at the visitor centre on Tremont Street.
2. The Massachusetts State House. The gold dome at the top of the Common, designed by Charles Bulfinch. Free tours on weekdays.
3. Park Street Church and the Granary Burying Ground. Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and the victims of the Boston Massacre are buried here, among slate headstones carved with winged skulls.
4. King's Chapel. A granite church and the town's oldest burying ground next door.
5. The Boston Latin School site and the Old Corner Bookstore. Two quick outdoor stops on School Street: a statue of Benjamin Franklin marks the site of the country's first public school, and the brick building on the corner once published Hawthorne and Emerson. Look, then keep walking.
6. The Old South Meeting House. Where thousands met on the evening of 16 December 1773 before walking to the harbour to dump the tea. Of the paid buildings on the trail, this is the one to go inside.
7. The Old State House. The seat of the British colonial government, with the lion and unicorn on its roof. The Declaration of Independence was read from its balcony in July 1776, and a ring of cobbles below marks the site of the Boston Massacre.
8. Faneuil Hall. A market and meeting hall since 1742. The upstairs Great Hall is free when not in use for events.

The North End and Charlestown

9. The Paul Revere House. Built around 1680, the oldest house in downtown Boston, where Revere lived when he made his midnight ride.
10. Old North Church. Boston's oldest standing church, from 1723. Two lanterns hung in its steeple on 18 April 1775 signalled that the British were leaving by sea. Go inside for the box pews.
11. Copp's Hill Burying Ground. On the hill above the harbour, with views across to Charlestown.
12. USS Constitution. Cross the Charlestown Bridge to the Navy Yard. The ship is free to board, but it's an active naval vessel, so bring photo ID and expect airport-style security.
13. The Bunker Hill Monument. A granite obelisk marking the first major battle of the Revolution, in June 1775. Climb its 294 steps for the view, or save your legs.

Tips

Walk it north from the Common, so you finish at the harbour with the North End's bakeries on the way. Morning is quieter. If you're short of time, stop after Old North Church and leave Charlestown for another morning. If you do cross, the F4 ferry from the Navy Yard to Long Wharf saves the walk back. The trail fills the first day of our 3-day itinerary.