BOSTON'S 16 FREEDOM Trail® SITES

We recommend having your own Boston Adventures tour guide to entertain and delight you while fulfilling your need for accurate, rich, and historical information during your first visit to Boston. School groups and teachers love our tour. No traffic worries! No Big Dig delays! Save time and money. See Boston like no other tour! Ask about our Boston Scavenger Hunts, Whale Watches, Harbor Cruises, and other Boston Adventures Tours. School teachers click here to book your Boston Freedom Trail® Scavenger Hunt.

1. Boston Common

The Boston Common is America's first public park. Originally purchased in 1634 as a "trayning field" for militia and for the feeding of "cattell," it is bounded by Beacon, Charles, Boylston, Tremont and Park Streets. This is the starting point of the Freedom Trail® walk.
 

2. State House

The new State House, located on Beacon Hill, was designed by Charles Bulfinch. Built in 1795 on the land originally owned by John Hancock, the majestic gold dome is 23 1/2 carat gold leaf covering the original copper placed there by Paul Revere. The State House is open daily for tours to the public. Beacon and Park Streets.
 

3. Park Street Church

Built in 1809, this church is where the hymn "America" was first sung on July 4, 1831 and where William Lloyd Garrison gave the first anti-slavery speech from its balcony. Park and Tremont Streets.
 

4. Granary Burying Ground

Many notable Patriots are buried here including Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Robert Treat Paine as well as the five men killed in the Boston Massacre. Your Boston Adventure tour includes admission. At this site we will also see the graves of Mother Goose, Ben Franklin's parents and many other famous Bostonians. Tremont Street. Near Park Street.
 

5. King's Chapel

This was America's first Anglican Congregation in Boston, founded in 1688. The present structure was built in 1754 during colonial times. The church became the first Unitarian church in America after the American Revolution. Next door is the burying ground where you will find the resting places of the first Governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop, and Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off of the Mayflower ship, as well as William Dawes, Jr. who finished Paul Revere's "midnight ride." Tremont and School Streets.

6. First Public School Site

Located on School Street and marked by a sidewalk plaque, the Boston Latin School is an extension of the First Public School in America. It was attended by Sam Adams ∓ Ben Franklin, who was born in Boston. It is also located in front of Old City Hall. Tremont and School Streets.
 

7. Old Corner Bookstore

Originally built in 1712 for Thomas Crease, it is now a contemporary book store housing books, maps and globes from around the world. The Old Corner Bookstore was also a meeting place for famous writers such as Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Washington and School Streets.
 

8. Old South Meeting House

Built in 1729 as a Congregational Church, it served as Boston's Town Meeting Hall, famous for the fiery meeting that led to the Boston Tea Party incident which caused the port of Boston to be closed and brought the country a step closer to rebellion. Washington and Milk Streets.
 

9. Old State House

Built in 1713, this site is where you will find the landmark for the Boston Massacre, which took place March 5, 1770 and where five Patriots were killed. A circle of cobblestone depicts the original site. This was the seat of the British Parliment and later the Colonial Government. Washington and State Streets.
 

10. Boston Massacre Site

The Boston Massacre site can be seen from the Old State House balcony where the first reading of the Declaration of Independence was given in July of 1776 by John Hancock. Congress and State Streets.
 

11. Faneuil Hall

Peter Faneuil dedicated this building to the City of Boston in 1742. Nicknamed the Cradle of Liberty, this building is where many town meetings took place, presidential candidates debated and is where immigrants are sworn in as American citizens. Located on the third level is the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum. Located out front on Congress Street is the famous statue of Samuel Adams. Congress Street.
 

12. Paul Revere House

Originally built around 1680, this is the oldest home in Boston, and it is where Paul Revere lived from 1770 until 1800 with his two wives and 16 children. Its restoration was completed by the Paul Revere Memorial Association in 1908. Visit Paul Revere's House on Tour 1. 19 North Square. Click here for Tour One
 

13. Old North (Christ) Church

Originally built in 1723 as a house of prayer for all Bostonians, the Old North is nicknamed "Christ Church". From here in its steeple, Robert Newman hung two lanterns signalling Paul Revere on his famous "midnight ride." A reenactment takes place every year on April 19. Open daily. 193 Salem Street.
 

14. Copp's Hill Burial Ground

This cemetery was begun in the 1660's and overlooks Boston Harbor and the Charles River. It was used by the British for target practice before the revolution. From this vantage point, one can see Bunker Hill, Logan Airport and the Ship U.S.S. Constitution. Open daily. Snowhill St., between Charter and Hull Streets.
 

15. Bunker Hill Monument

This obelisk commemorates the first battle of the American Revolution, which was fought here on June 17, 1775 by 2,000 British soldiers and 1,000 colonials. Take the stairs to the top, ascending 294 feet. Open daily. Monument Ave. and High Streets, Charlestown.
 

16. U.S.S. Constitution

The U.S.S. Constitution is the oldest commissioned Navy war ship in America's fleet. Each year on July 4, she is towed into Boston Harbor for the ceremonial turning of the ship. Built in 1797, she is open to the public. Located next door is the U.S.S. Constitution Museum containing audio-visual programs, model ships, souvenirs and many items of memorabilia from that era. Having never lost a battle in her long career, in 1997 she celebrated her bicentennial. Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown. Click here for Tour Three