Boston Common
Embark on this adventure into America's Revolutionary past at the heart of old Boston: the Boston Common. This spacious green has been a part of the city since it's early colonial beginnings. We'll begin the tour by the Visitor Center and find the red-brick path. As we follow the path, we'll dive back in time to the 1700s and set the scene....
Massachusetts State House
The first stop along our red-bricked Freedom Trail tour is right at the corner of Boston Common: the Massachusetts State House! This building is both historic and architecturally beautiful.... and of course, we can't forget about it's eye-catching golden dome! We'll pause in front of the State House to catch up on a couple of key Revolutionary War characters (and soon-to-be American heroes) and a little colonial history. We'll also take a look at the Robert G Shaw and 54th Memorial, which stands opposite the State House. Who was Shaw and what made the 54th Regiment so significant? We'll get into all of those details right here.
Park Street Church
From the State House and Shaw Memorial, we'll continue following the Freedom Trail. That brings us through Boston Common and out to the Park Street Church. As we walk, we'll dive into the most important question of all: what prompted the Revolutionary War? As we peel back the layers, we discover that the battle for American Independence was one falling domino in a long chain of dominos stretching across multiple continents and older wars...
Granary Burying Ground
This brings us to the truly ancient Granary Burying Ground! Established in 1660, this is only Boston's third-oldest burying ground. Can you imagine what's changed in the last 400 years? Well for one thing, this ground is so old it actually holds the grave of Mother Goose. We still hear her stories today! We'll also visit the graves of American legends like Paul Revere, Robert Paine, and James Otis. And we can't miss John Hancock and Sam Adams' graves either! Lastly, we'll visit the graves of those killed in the Boston Massacre, one of the stepping stones to the full-blown revolution. We'll be heading to the site of this Massacre later.
Boston Latin School
From the Granary, we'll continue following the Freedom Trail's red bricks. We'll check out the King's Chapel along the way and pause in front of the Latin School. This historic site contains a number of fun statues to pose with (including a donkey!) and quite a lot of rich history to dive into.
Boston Irish Famine Memorial
A few steps down from the Latin School, we'll find the Irish Famine Memorial. Here we'll jump a bit later into Boston history and talk about the new wave of immigrants after the revolution. We'll learn about the hardships they faced and overcame... and where these communities are today.
Old South Meeting House
Just across the street from the Irish Famine Memorial, we'll find the historic Old South Meeting House. This small, tucked-away building is easy to miss but we'll pause in front of it. Here, we'll be transported back in time to one of the most fateful events leading up the Revolutionary War... the Boston Tea Party. We'll learn all about the organizers, their motivations, and of course the consequences of their "tea party".
Old State House
Our red-brick road finally brings us to the one of the most popular stops along the Freedom Trail: the Old State House. We'll pause here to identify key architectural features and learn about it's significance (and long history!). Then, we'll walk around to the other side....
Admission Not Included
Boston Massacre Site
To see the site of the infamous Boston Massacre! But was it a massacre? Or just a rowdy riot, as the British said? We'll dive into the thrilling tale while standing at the very spot where history unfolded. We'll also learn about Crispus Attacuks, an honored American hero.
Admission Not Included
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
We'll follow the Freedom Trail to another popular resting spot: Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market! First we'll explore the site's fascinating history and then explore it's huge range of food options!
Haymarket
As we continue our journey along the red-bricked path of the Freedom Trail, we'll also dive into the story of the historic Haymarket, the new and striking Holocaust Memorial out in front, and the stunning view of the Custom House Tower a little beyond. We'll learn a bit about each of these sites as we make our way to another popular stop.
The Paul Revere House
Our path brings us to another popular stop along the Freedom Trail: Paul Revere's House! Here we'll learn about Paul Revere's famous "Midnight Ride", it's immortalization in a poem by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, and the truths and myths behind this historic moment.
Admission Not Included
Old North Church & Historic Site
From Paul Revere's House, we'll make our way to the Old North Church. This is the iconic site where the "one if by land, two if by sea" lanterns were lit, silently signalling the British troops' movements to colonial revolutionaries.
Admission Not Included
Copp's Hill Burying Ground
From the Old North Church, we'll follow the Freedom Trail farther up to the historic Copp's Hill Burying Ground. This historic cemetery in Boston's North End is older than the Granary... but only by a year!
USS Constitution Museum
Our last few stops are a little farther along, over the bridge and into the Charlestown Navy Yard. There we'll see the historic and impressive USS Constitution -- and learn all about her epic battle against the Guerriere. We'll explore the naval battles of the War for Independence in more detail while at this historic site.
Admission Not Included
Bunker Hill Monument
Finally we'll follow the Freedom Trail up to the Bunker Hill Monument, built to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill. We'll walk around this hill, exploring the site of this epic battle and getting an understanding of the brutality and intensity of the battle for freedom. This site is the last along our comprehensive tour along Boston's historic Freedom Trail.
Old Burying Point Cemetery
Up next is the graveyard where most of the witch trial victims are buried. Ironically, this is also the final resting place of the chief investigator during those trials, who directly caused many deaths
Admission Not Included
John Ward House
At the Joshua Ward House, up next, you'll get a glimpse of what remains of the residence once belonging to Sheriff George Corwin, who signed the arrest and execution warrants of those accused of witchcraft
St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church
After that, you'll arrive at St Peter's Episcopal Church, which sits on land the town confiscated after the owners, accused of witchcraft, skipped town
The Burying Point
The Salem Witch Trials are typically associated with women and girls. Corey was buried in an unmarked grave in what is now the Howard Street Cemetery, ... on his ghost's bad side, consider joining us on our journey through historic Salem.
Roger Conant Statue
Then you'll pass by an impressive statue of Roger Conant, Salem's founder and first governor, as well as the Witch Museum, filled with all sorts of deep-dive info about the trials and the surrounding mass hysteria
Broad Street Cemetery
Another detour brings you to the Broad Street Cemetery, where Sheriff Corwin ended up after suffering a mysterious heart attack
Admission Not Included
Hamilton Hall
Then you'll see Hamilton Hall, a venue which has hosted esteemed figures like Alexander Hamilton, FDR, and the Marquis de Lafayette
Nathanial Hawthorne Statue
Literature fans won't want to miss the Nathaniel Hawthorne statue, dedicated to one of America's greatest authors
Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace
You can also visit the birthplace of famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne, which has been preserved in its original condition
