Boston Things to Do: Freedom Trail Historic Boston - 2

If your Boston sightseeing time of the Freedom Trail is limited to about a half a day, below are the key sites to make sure you visit.

Boston Common

You won’t see any cows on this former pasture, but you will see plenty of people roaming around the almost 50-acre green space. The country’s oldest park, dating back to 1634, was used for grazing livestock, then for hanging criminals, and now hosts the occasional outdoor concert, and offers great place to escape to from the city sidewalks. The Frog Pond (wading pool in summer/ice-skating rink in winter) is located here, a big draw for young and old alike. Admission: free. Boston Common is bordered by Tremont, Charles, Park, Boylston and Beacon streets. www.cityofboston.gov

Granary Burying Ground

The Granary Burying Ground, next to the church, holds the remains of Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and John Hancock, among many other famous revolutionaries. Elizabeth Vergoose—also known as “Mother Goose”—is also buried here. The burying ground is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (in winter, it closes at 3 p.m.). I confess I find the Granary Burying Ground of more interest than the church. It amazes me to think of the people buried here who helped shape our country. Park and Tremont streets, next to the Park Street Church; tel. 617-635-4505. www.cityofboston.gov

 

• The Granary Burying Grounds is the final resting place of many of Boston’s most notable residents.

David Paul Ohmer

King’s Chapel and Burying Ground

No colonists would sell land to the Royal Governor to build a Church of England chapel in 1688, so he ordered one be built on the already existing burying ground. The church was too small for the congregation by 1749, so a new one—the King’s Chapel—was designed by Peter Harrison, one of the first architects in the United States, in 1754. This was your last stop if you were to be hanged in Boston Common. The burying ground is the oldest in the city of Boston. 64 Beacon St., tel. 617-227-2155. Admission: Donation of $3 per person. www.kings-chapel.org

First Public School Site and Ben Franklin Statue

The eight-foot-tall statue of Ben Franklin was erected in 1856 and was Boston’s first public portrait statue. Supposedly, one side of Franklin’s face is serious, the other jovial. See if you can spot which is which. Near the statue is a sidewalk mosaic called the “City Carpet” marking where Boston Latin School—the first public school in the United States—opened in 1635. Look for Franklin’s name, as well as those of other famous people, such as John Hancock, spelled out in glass and ceramic pieces. One ironic note here is that Franklin, who attended Latin, never graduated! 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, tel. 617-357-8300.

Old South Meeting House

This is where it all began. At least, this is where the famous Boston Tea Party began. In 1773, 5,000 colonialists, angry over taxes and the Boston Massacre, raced out of the meeting hall down to the harbor and dumped three shiploads of tea into the water. Of course, it took a couple more years and acts of defiance before the British attempted to put these upstart colonialists in their place. The Meeting House was built in 1729 and was the largest building in Boston at the time. 310 Washington St., tel. 617-482-6439. Admission: $5 for adults, $1 for kids 6 to 18, free for children under 6. www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org

 

• In addition to being a great marketplace, Faneuil Hall is the site of where many of the country’s founding fathers spoke for independence.

Courtesy of the Greater Boston CVB

Faneuil Hall

Faneuil Hall (FAN-yul) was built in 1742 as a public meeting and marketplace. Quincy Market was built next door in the 1800s, as more space was needed. Boston picked up its “Cradle of Liberty” nickname from the goings-on here because of the many important speeches about freedom that occurred in the Colonial era. Today, the area is a major tourist draw, packed with stores and restaurants. Two stories of eateries and shops entice young and old alike into Quincy Market. You can easily spend an afternoon here shopping, eating and people-watching, and it’s a good idea to end your tour here. Congress St., tel. 617-523-1300. www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Paul Revere House

Paul Revere owned this house from 1770 through 1800, and this is where he departed on the night of his famous Midnight Ride. The house is the oldest remaining building in the downtown area. It was built around 1680 and much of the original building is intact. Occasionally actors portray Revere, his wife, his mother-in-law and many others, and they answer questions about these historical figures’ roles during the Revolutionary War. Check the Web site for current events. It’s neat to see where and how Revere lived, but this is a pretty static museum. You walk in, look at a room and then walk into the next room. If that’s not your thing, then I’d say make sure to visit when there’s a program on. 19 North Square, tel. 617-523-2338. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for kids 5 to 17. Open daily: April 15 to Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; Nov. 1 to April 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. www.paulreverehouse.org

USS Constitution

“Old Ironsides,” as the oldest commissioned warship afloat is affectionately called, makes its home at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Crewmembers give tours of the vessel, which was built in 1797, throughout the day. The USS Constitution is most renowned for fighting off five British ships in the War of 1812. The crew is extremely proud of their duty serving here, and it’s great fun to talk to them about the ship and its history. This is a don’t-miss attraction.

 

• The house of Paul Revere has been preserved to honor one of the city’s many colonial heroes.

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After the tour (or before), visit the nearby museum for exhibits, hands-on activities and artifacts detailing the long history of the warship and take a walk around the Navy Yard to see what remains. Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 5; tel. 617-242-5670. Admission: free, but donations are appreciated. www.ussconstitution.navy.mil

Next: Additional Freedom Trail Sites for a Full Day or More Sightseeing