The Boston Common is the first stop on Boston’s Freedom Trail. This is where the iconic red brick line begins. Next up are a few historical sites: the Boston State House, the Park Street Church, and the Granary Burying Ground. The Park Street Church was amusingly nicknamed the Brimstone Church because it was used to store gunpowder during 1812 when the British attempted to retake the fledgling US.
Two cemeteries in a row might seem bleak, but the following sites after the Statehouse are the Granary Burying Ground and King’s Chapel Burying Ground. Both contain gravestones with famous names you’re sure to recognize!
And if you’re a Benjamin Franklin fan, the next stop at the Boston Latin School will be your favorite. A statue of the bespectacled inventor/revolutionary stands on the school’s grounds.
The next stop is the Old South Meeting House, a site brimming with thrilling Revolutionary history, working your way onward along the red brick path. The historic Old Corner Bookstore is past the Old South Meeting House, where you can stock up on some Revolutionary history books!
This stop is quickly followed by the site of the Boston Massacre, where the young whaler, Crispus Attucks, became the first casualty of the American Revolution. This is also the site of the quaint Old State House, featuring iconic British symbols and a famous balcony from which the Declaration of Independence was read.
Next up: amid skyscrapers and modern buildings stands Faneuil Hall. Pause here for a refreshing snack break (and perhaps some souvenirs too).
As you continue along the Freedom Trail, you’ll find Paul Revere’s house. This three-story home is Boston’s oldest house and has been converted into a museum that’s open to the public. You can step inside Paul Revere’s house if you’d like to see where the revolutionary silversmith spent his years.
The Old North Church is the following Freedom Trail site, located in the heart of Boston’s Little Italy. Grab a slice of authentic pizza or delectable cannoli as you pass by the next stop at Copp’s Hill Cemetery.
Then you’ll cross the bridge over the Charles River to the impressive USS Constitution. Lastly, you can check out the towering Bunker Hill Monument — and if you’re not tired of walking yet, get a killer thigh workout by climbing to the top. The view of Boston from the top of the tower is a treat well earned after this long and beautiful walk!
What is the oldest site on Boston’s Freedom Trail?
The oldest historical site included in the Freedom Trail is the home of Paul Revere. The humble two-story house was built in 1680, nearly a century before the signing of the Declaration of Independence!
What is Boston best known for?
When most people think about Boston, they think about three things: the Red Sox Stadium at Fenway Park, Ivy League universities, The Revolutionary War, and the Freedom Trail! These associations are well-founded — nearly 40,000 people visit Fenway Park each year, and the city played an incredibly influential role in our country’s fight for independence back in 1776. From the Battle of Bunker Hill to the infamous Boston “tea party,” this New England city is genuinely steeped in the history of the Revolutionary War.
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