All of the Historic Boston Freedom Trail Stops
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you buy through my site. I appreciate your support of my site.
Walk through hundreds of years of history along the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts. The 16 official Boston Freedom Trail stops cover different landmarks, people, and events leading up to, during, and after the American Revolution. Learn about why the colonists fought for their independence, the actions of the key players, and the role of many historic sites in influencing the outcomes.
This guide to the Boston Freedom Trail stops includes a short description of each stop along the trail. It focuses primarily on visiting tips and information as you can discover all the history on your own during your visit. Start with the Freedom Trail FAQs to help plan your visit or skip right to all the stops.
Historic Boston Freedom Trail Stops
Boston Freedom Trail FAQs
Is there a physical Boston Freedom Trail?
The Freedom Trail is a physical brick trail throughout the city. You can follow it to all the stops along the path without needing a map. Each stop is marked with a plaque on the ground. If you’re someone who doesn’t look at the ground when you walk, keep an eye on it so you don’t get off track! Be aware that sometimes the trail doesn’t take the most direct route.
Where does the Boston Freedom Trail start and end?
The Boston Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common and ends at Bunker Hill Monument.
Do I need to visit all of the stops on the Freedom Trail in order?
No, you can visit sites in any order. They don’t go in chronological order. Each place covers slightly different history all related to the same overarching theme and time period.
How long does it take to walk the Boston Freedom Trail?
Walking the 2.5 mile trail takes about an hour. This doesn’t include any time to read information at each stop or go inside any of the sights. As someone who likes to read everything, I spent the majority of three days visiting all the spots and taking two walking tours.
Where should I park for the Boston Freedom Trail?
Parking is available at the start of the trail in the Boston Common parking garage. Ideally stay downtown Boston and walk to the Freedom Trail. Boston also has fairly reliable public transportation. I stayed at the Residence Inn in Chelsea and took public transportation every day.
If it’s too much to walk the entire trail, use the hop on hop off trolley to get between stops.
Is the Boston Freedom Trail free to walk?
You can walk the entire trail for free and see all of the sites from outside for free. To go inside many of the Boston Freedom Trail stops you need to pay admission (noted below under each stop).
What are the Boston Freedom Trail hours?
The trail itself can be walked 24/7. Entrance to historic sites along the way each have their own hours. In general most are open daily from 10am – 5pm. Some sites are closed on Mondays. Check the individual hours for each place before visiting as hours do vary and change seasonally.
What is the Boston Historical Park?
Some of the sites along the Freedom Trail are managed by the National Park Service (NPS). These are within the Boston National Historical Park, a national park service unit. All the NPS sites have free admission! They also have a few visitor centers with helpful rangers, information, gift shops, water bottle refill stations, and restrooms. If you have a NPS passport book don’t forget to bring it as several sites have stamps! If you visit a lot of NPS sites (including national parks) buy a passport book. I love getting stamps everywhere I visit.
What is the best way to tour the Boston Freedom Trail?
You don’t need a tour to walk the trail or visit any of the sights, but it can add to your experience. I recommend starting your visit with a walking tour as most tours will give you an overview of all the history. Tours provide a good base to learn more about specific people, places, and events at each stop along the trail as you visit them on your own later.
The official Boston Freedom Trail walking tour includes 11 stops with a costumed docent. For a more intimate experience, take a small group tour. Perhaps someone in your group isn’t a big history lover? There are a variety of other themed Freedom Trail tours like this pub crawl that mixes history with beer.
I highly recommend the free NPS service tour “The Freedom Trail: Enemies to this Country“. You won’t have a costumed docent like on the paid tour, but a ranger uniform is almost as nice! Plus the guides are just as knowledgeable and engaging. The tour begins at the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center.
NPS rangers lead a variety of other tours throughout the year. I joined one about African American history during and after the American Revolution. It wasn’t directly on the Freedom Trail and didn’t give an overview of the Revolution like most tours. I definitely think it was worth doing both tours as African American history is just as important and not as well known.
Boston Freedom Trail Stops
Stop #1: Boston Common
America’s oldest park is home to the first Boston Freedom Trail stop. Livestock grazed, people were hanged from “The Great Elm”, the British camped out during the revolution, anti-Vietnam and Civil Rights rallies were held, and so much more has happened in the park since it was created in 1632. Informational signs near the Park Street station tell the story of Boston Common. Numerous statues throughout the park provide more history.
While I’m sure you’re excited to get to all the Freedom Trail sights, spend some time in the historical park as well as the adjacent Public Garden. The Victorian area garden features winding paths full of a variety of trees, flowers, and other plants. Fountains and statues can be found around every corner. The most recognizable is The Make Way for Ducklings statues. Take a ride on the swan boats or admire the real life swans.
Boston Common’s has wider, tree lined paths. If you’re traveling with children, stop at the Tadpole Playground. There are plenty of benches and grassy spots for a picnic.
The Cheers Bar, the inspiration for the classic sitcom, is alongside the park on Beacon Street.
Where
The trail officially begins at the Boston Common Visitor Center: 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111
Restrooms
The park has public restrooms along the Boston Common Frog Pond. There are restrooms at the visitor center during opening hours.
Admission
No
Stop #2: Massachusetts State House
The Massachusetts capital or how they call it in New England, State House, is open for guided and self-guided tours. You need to call to reserve a guided tour. Tours begin on the second floor in Doric Hall.
I always prefer a guided tour. A young intern, who was quite knowledgeable, gave the tour. It was very scripted and rapid fire though. As the building is rather large we were rushing from one side to another. Many people in the tour group couldn’t keep up. This may have been because I toured during the busy summer season.
Despite the fast pace, there were a lot of interesting facts and stories provided and rooms visited. We went inside both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I loved the story about the sacred cod!
After the 45 minute tour you can explore more on your own. Pick up the interpretive brochure at the tour desk and head to the Women’s Memorial outside of Doric Hall. Read about six women who made significant contributions to Massachusetts. Visit the Great Hall to see the 351 flags representing all the cities and towns of the state.
Where
24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133
Enter from Bowdoin Street.
Restrooms
Inside the capital during opening hours.
Admission
No
Stop #3: Park Street Church
Park Street Church was established in 1809 to preserve Trinitarian theology. It has been an active church ever since with weekly worship on Sundays. It has also been deeply involved in human rights and social justice issues including women’s suffrage, prison reform, and education.
Tours are available during the summer.
Where
1 Park St, Boston, MA 02108
Restrooms
Yes, during open hours
Admission
No
Stop #4: Granary Burying Ground
The Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of many notable revolutionary figures and Boston citizens including John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin’s parents, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, James Otis, and all five of the Boston Massacre victims.
A man at the front gate often hands out free guides to use when in the cemetery. You can leave a monetary tip when you return it if you would like. The man’s guide was jammed packed with a lot of information. While I appreciated the guide, it can be an information overload when visiting all the Boston Freedom Trail stops. Plus there are some informational signs within the cemetery.
Where
95 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
Restrooms
No
Admission
No
Stop #5: King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground
Established in 1686, King’s Chapel was New England’s first Anglican church. The current stone chapel on the original location was completed in 1754. King’s Chapel continues to be an active house of worship today. Visit for free during Sunday worship.
Self-guided visits of the chapel’s main level and two guided tours are available. The 45 minute Bells and Bones guided tour covers the ground level, the crypt, and galleries. The shorter 20 minute, express crypt tour does not include the galleries.
The adjacent King’s Chapel Burying Ground was Boston’s first burying ground. Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower is buried here.
Where
58 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02108
Restrooms
N/A
Admission
Yes, for the chapel. No, for the burying ground.
Stop #6: Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue
Boston sure has a lot of “firsts” and “oldests”. Boston Latin School is another one as the first school to offer free instruction to all boys. Benjamin Franklin attended school here. While the school is still running, the original building was torn down and the school is now located in the Fenway neighborhood. Old City Hall, a historic building with offices, is currently on the site. The courtyard in front of Old City Hall is where you’ll find the statue of Benjamin Franklin.
Where
45 Freedom Trl, Boston, MA 02108
Restrooms
No
Admission
No
Stop #7: Old Corner Bookstore
The Old Corner Bookstore is Boston’s oldest commercial building. Since its construction in 1718 it has been home to a wide variety of businesses. It’s most known for housing the 19th century publishing company Ticknor and Fields. The Scarlet Letter, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, are among the famous titles they published.
It’s keeping true to history by having another business inside, Chipotle. My prediction is the building will outlast Chiptole’s run! Maybe someday it can return even closer to its roots with a bookstore. A historical fiction bookstore would be my dream!
Where
283 Washington Street; Boston, Massachusetts, U.S
Restrooms
For customers
Admission
No, the only cost is if you buy something at Chipotle
Boston Irish Famine Memorial
Not one of the official Boston Freedom Trail stops, but the memorial plaza is on the trail between stops 7 and 8. The two sculptures show the stark difference between a suffering Irish family in Ireland and a thriving one in America. Eight narrative plaques in the memorial give additional historical context to the Irish famine.
Stop #8: Old South Meeting House
Mass meetings were held at the Old South Meeting House from its earliest days. Numerous meetings to protest the British took place here. The most famous was the December 16th, 1773 meeting that happened before the Boston Tea Party.
Thanks to a group of “twenty women of Boston” the building was saved from demolition and has been a public museum since 1877. The exhibits cover the history of protest and free speech that the meeting house has been known for for centuries.
Where
310 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108
Restrooms
Yes, with paid admission only
Admission
Yes, single site admission is available in person. Online tickets are valid for same day admission to The Old South Meeting House and the Old State House. A three site ticket that also includes the Old North Church can be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Center.
Stop #9: Old State House
The Old State House was one of my favorite Boston Freedom Trail stops. I spent about double the time here than at the Old South Meeting House. The British governed from the Old State House. It became the center for many of the significant American Revolution events and eventually the first capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Now it is a museum. While a lot of the stops along the Freedom Trail focus on one part of the history, the core exhibit, “Colony to Commonwealth” tells the full story of how the American Revolution began, what happened during the revolution, and the results. You’ll learn it’s much more than the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
“Impassioned Destruction” is a mind-provoking exhibit about how the Boston Tea Party is seen as the valiant beginning of our nation, when at the time many felt it was a destructive act of vandalism. The exhibit examines and compares other times of property destruction in the past and in more current times.
Note that you’ll be asked to check large bags and carry smaller bags in your hand.
Where
206 Washington St, Boston, MA 02109
Restrooms
Yes, with paid admission only
Admission
Yes, single site admission is available in person. Online tickets are valid for same day admission to The Old South Meeting House and the Old State House. A three site ticket that also includes the Old North Church can be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Center.
Stop #10: Boston Massacre Site
Right outside of the Old State House patriots and loyalists fought on March 5th, 1770. After five civilians died, the patriots labeled the event a “bloody massacre”. Paul Revere printed an illustration to encourage public opinion against the British.
A large medallion in the ground marks the spot of the massacre.
Where
Corner of State and Congress St, Boston, MA 02109
Restrooms
No
Admission
No
Stop #11: Faneuil Hall
Peter Faneuil built Faneuil Hall as a marketplace and meeting place in 1742. Faneuil Hall is most known for the Revolution era debates and protests on the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and the Redcoat occupation. Today the Great Hall is still used for public debates, talks, tours, and interactive programs. Historic town meetings are recreated and open to the public.
The NPS has a visitor center on the first and lower levels with a gift shop and exhibits. There is an exhibit on slavery in Boston. Throughout the Freedom Trail I noticed that Boston is doing a good job including this important, yet often forgotten narrative of African Americans. It’s a completely different story and struggle of freedom that is heavily intertwined with the more shared one.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace along with Quincy Market next door form one of the most historic retail districts in the world. There are over 60 food and shopping vendors. Local street performers add to the liveliness of the market.
Where
1 Faneuil Hall Sq. Boston, MA 02109
Restrooms
Yes – downstairs at Faneuil Hall and downstairs at Quincy Market
Admission
No, the only cost is any shopping or dining purchases.
Stop #12: Paul Revere’s House
“The British are coming, the British are coming!” When asked to name something about the American Revolution, many people might share about Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride. While Revere actually didn’t say that famous line that is frequently attributed to him, he was one of the midnight riders who quietly warned his fellow patriots of the British.
A visit to Paul Revere’s house includes the courtyard, the visitor center, and the inside of the home. His house from the late 1700s is open for self-guided tours. The small home doesn’t take long to visit even if you read everything. There are only a couple of pieces of information to read in each of the four rooms. Docents are on hand to answer questions and share more information. Ask them questions and you will learn a lot more!
A small visitor center has a little more information about Paul Revere’s life and his midnight ride. I would have liked some more details about him as he lived a fascinating life. As my NPS guide said when asked about his job, “he would be considered a modern day freelancer who did a wide variety of jobs”!
His home is located in the North End, an Italian neighborhood full of excellent restaurants. At busy times make a reservation or expect a long wait.
Where
19 N Square, Boston, MA 02113
Restrooms
Yes, with paid admission only
Admission
Yes
Stop #13: Old North Church
On the way to the Old North Church, the Freedom Trail takes you through Paul Revere Mall with the famous midnight rider’s statue. On the property before reaching the church, visit Clough House. The printing office of Edes & Gill with live printing demonstrations is within the historic brick residence. The local artisan gift shop, Heritage Goods + Gifts, is also in the building.
The Old North Church, Boston’s oldest surviving church building, is one of the most visited Freedom Trail stops. The American Revolution began when two men hung two lanterns from the top of the bell tower to alert Paul Revere that the British were coming across the Charles River.
I visited Old North Church on my first visit to Boston way back in high school so I left it out of my itinerary this time. All visitors have access to the timeline outdoors that goes into detail about the church’s history and that fateful night that changed the course of history forever.
Where
193 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
Restrooms
Yes, during open hours. No paid admission required.
Admission
Yes – Ticket options include a guided bell chamber tour, a self-guided crypt tour, a seasonal guided after hours crypt tour, or general admission (self-guided with or without an audio guide). The bell chamber tour and the self-guided crypt tour also include general admission.
A three site ticket that includes the Old North Church, the Old South Meeting House, and the Old State House can be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Center.
Stop #14 Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
There is one more cemetery along the Boston Freedom Trail. Many former North End residents are buried here including the two men who hung the lanterns in Old North Church’s bell tower to alert Paul Revere. Many enslaved and free African Americans are also buried here.
During the Battle of Bunker Hill, the British used the grounds to fire on Charleston. It’s also believed that British soldiers used the headstones for target practice during the Revolutionary War.
Signposts throughout the burying ground provide information.
Where
45 Hull St, Boston, MA 02113
Restrooms
No
Admission
No
Stop #15: USS Constitution
Who knew one of the first Navy Yards in the country was in Charleston, just across the Charles River from Boston? All of the Boston Freedom Trail stops are worth a visit, but plan to spend some extra time here. The Navy Yard includes several different sites. It’s the longest walk between stops. A ferry runs from Long Wharf in Boston.
The Charleston Navy Yard Visitor Center serves as a good starting point for exploring the entire Navy Yard. First, you need to enter security where you and your belongings will go through a metal detector. You may be asked to show an ID as well. Ask if any tours or programs are taking place. Rangers are always so knowledgeable so I would plan your time at the Navy yard accordingly to be able to join if possible. Also check the hours of each place as they typically close at different times.
The exhibits at the visitor center are a good mix of the technical, innovative side of the Navy Yard’s history as well as the social history of the people who worked there. There is an orientation film as well. To have more background knowledge, if time allows, visit the exhibits and watch the film before you walk around the grounds and tour the ships. Also don’t forget to get your NPS passport book stamps at the visitor center.
Nicknamed “Old Ironsides” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Docked outside of the visitor center, you can climb aboard the ship. Climbing two floors below to the sailor sleeping and eating areas is a fun experience, but I sure wouldn’t want to be living on that ship!
USS Cassin Young is another historic warship docked at the Navy Yard. Climb aboard to see how sailors lived on this destroyer during World War II and the 1950s.
The USS Constitution Museum is a separate museum from the visitor center. Whereas the visitor center is about the Navy Yard as a whole, this museum focuses specifically on the USS Constitution. It covers both the history and the current state as the ship is still an active duty US Navy ship. The museum has a suggested admission.
Finally leave some time to walk around the grounds and see the dry docks.
Where
1 Constitution Road Charlestown, MA 02129
Restrooms
In the NPS visitor center during opening hours.
Admission
No, except for the USS Constitution Museum which charges a suggested admission.
Stop #16: Bunker Hill Monument
Bunker Hill Monument and Bunker Hill Museum are the final stops on the Freedom Trail. It works well to visit Bunker Hill and Charleston Navy Yard on the same day. While technically after the Charleston Navy Yard on the list of Boston Freedom Trail stops, visit here first as the monument typically closes earlier. Then you will also have a slightly shorter walk back to the North End in the evening.
It doesn’t really matter, but if you want to know more about the monument before visiting it, spend some time in the museum first. This is where you’ll learn everything about the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Despite the Patriots defeat, they showed the British that they were a force to be reckoned with and a compromise was no longer possible.
Now do you have it in you to climb 294 steps? Climb to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument which was constructed 50 years after the battle. A never ending winding staircase leads to awesome views.
Ranger programs also take place here. Sometimes the details of wars and battles all blend together. The ranger talk I listened to really made this eventful day come alive.
Where
Monument Sq, Charlestown, MA 02129
Restrooms
Yes, in the visitor center. No restrooms at the monument.
Admission
No
There is so much to learn about the American Revolution and the Boston Freedom Trail stops are the best place to do it. If I helped you prepare for walking the Freedom Trail please consider supporting me by Buying Me a Coffee so I can continue writing free, detailed guides.
More About New England
- The Best Hikes in Acadia National Park (Maine)
- The Best Indoor and Outdoor Things to Do in Portland (Maine)
- The Only Maine Road Trip You Need (Maine)
Pin IT!!
