The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk through downtown Boston that shows the city’s key Revolutionary War sites. Here’s all you need to know about the Freedom Trail stops, including which you can skip, FAQs, & a self-guided walking tour!
Known as the “birthplace of the American Revolution,” Boston, MA is a bucket list destination for many US history lovers. Boston’s pivotal role in the American Revolution cannot be overstated; the city was once the home of the colonial government and played a key role in the shipping and trade industries. As such, it only makes sense that many key events of the Revolutionary War took place in this beautiful port city.
If you’re curious to learn more about Boston’s role in the Revolutionary War, you simply must walk The Freedom Trail. It’s a 2.5-mile walk through Boston that’s dotted with important landmarks and sites from the Revolutionary War. You’ll see everything from Paul Revere’s house to historic marketplaces to battlegrounds.
To help you better plan your visit to Boston, I’ve shared everything you need to know about the 16 Freedom Trail stops below. I’ve also included a Google Map of all the stops so you have an overview of your route, plus answered some FAQs about The Freedom Trail.
Map of the Freedom Trail Stops
You can use the following map I created as a self-guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail. I’ve pinned the sites in the order you should visit them, and have also listed them in order in the post below. Happy walking!
Stop #1: Boston Common
Time needed: 20+ minutes (depending on if you plan on resting your feet or not)
The oldest park in America, the Boston Common was established in 1634. The land for the Common was purchased by Puritan colonists, and they used the space to graze livestock. During the Revolutionary War, over 1,000 Redcoats camped on the Common and trained there. Later, Martin Luther King Jr. held a Civil Rights rally on the Common. This historic site is worth visiting for many reasons!
As an aside, the Boston Public Garden is right next to the Common and is also worth visiting. In the public garden, you’ll see the iconic swan boats and the cute “Make Way for Ducklings” statue. Also, it’s an unspoken rule that any and all dogs in the Common are up for being petted, so that’s also a plus.
Opening hours & cost: 6am to 11:30pm, free
Stop #2: Massachusetts State House
Time needed: 45 minutes (if touring)
Situated at the far end of the Boston Common is the Massachusetts State House. It dates back to 1798 and was designed by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch. The cornerstone of the building was laid by Samuel Adams, and the dome was coppered by Paul Revere in 1802.
Note that you can actually visit the state house as a tourist. There are state artifacts and works of art on display, and you can even sign up for a guided tour! (Because of the current pandemic, guided yours are canceled. However, you can still click that link to take a virtual tour).
Opening hours & cost: 8am to 6pm (Mo – Fr), free
Stop #3: Park Street Church
Time needed: 10 minutes
So-called because it sits on the corner of Park and Tremont Streets, Park Street Church was founded in 1809. It sits on the former site of Boston’s granary and has an impressive 217-foot steeple. It’s actually not a Revolutionary War site, like many other Freedom Trail stops on this list.
A few of the key moments in history that occurred at the church include: the launch of the Handel and Haydn Society in 1815, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison’s fiery speech against slavery in 1829, and the debut of the song “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” in 1831.
Note that you can’t actually go into Park Street Church, but it’s still beautiful to look at!
Cost: Free
Stop #4: Granary Burying Ground
Time: 20 minutes
The Granary Burying Ground has almost 2,300 headstones in total but it’s thought that somewhere closer to 5,000 people are actually buried here. It’s the final resting place of revolutionaries like John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. The cemetery is dotted with helpful signs that explain the meaning of the carvings on the headstones and the history of its most well-known residents.
Opening hours & cost: 9am to 4pm, free
Stop #5: King’s Chapel
Time needed: 30 minutes
Founded in 1686, King’s Chapel is Boston’s oldest Anglican church. The current granite building only dates back to 1754, though. The simple interior of King’s Chapel gives you a glimpse of what religious life would have looked like back in the day.
The biggest difference from the churches you see today is that King’s Chapel is divided into pews. Families would rent pews and pass them down through generations. The pew you sat in reflected your societal status and the rental fees helped maintain the church.
Be sure to visit the historic King’s Chapel Burying Ground next to the church as well.
Opening hours & cost: Currently only open Th – Sa from 10am to 4pm. You must book a guided tour ($5) due to increased Covid measures.
Stop #6: Benjamin Franklin Statue
Time needed: 5 minutes
On the site of the Boston Latin School’s original schoolhouse, you’ll now find a statue of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was a student at the Latin School, along with four other signers of the Declaration of Independence. The Latin School still exists today, but it has buildings in other parts of the city.
Cost: Free
Stop #7: Old Corner Book Store
Time needed: 5 minutes
Today, the building that once housed the Old Corner Bookstore is now home to Ye Olde Chipotle. Perhaps you’ve tried their Mexican food before?
Jokes aside, this really is a pretty building. It was built in 1718 and is Boston’s oldest commercial building. The Ticknor and Field publishing company once operated within the building, and they were responsible for publishing titles like Walden and The Scarlet Letter.
There’s really nothing to see at this stop, so snap a few quick photos and move on.
Cost: Free
Stop #8: Old South Meeting House
Time needed: 45 minutes
The Old South Meeting House is definitely worth a visit. You have to pay to enter, but the meeting house is set up as it would have been during the war. It was the largest building in colonial Boston and the site of the infamous meeting that decided the fate of the 30 tons of tea that sat in Boston Harbor. The inside of the meeting house also has quite a few displays that explain its significance after the Revolutionary War as well.
Opening hours & cost: 10am to 5pm (only open until 4pm in the winter), $15 for both the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House
Stop #9: Old State House
Time needed: 25 minutes
The Old State House is the oldest surviving public building in the city. For years, the governing bodies of Boston, as well as the surrounding county and colony, met here. One of the best-known events that occurred in the square in front of the state house was the Boston Massacre (more on that in a minute). The Declaration of Independence was also first read to Bostonians from the balcony of the Old State House in July 1776.
Although beautiful to look out, I was extremely disappointed with the Old State House. There are very few displays inside and they give almost the exact same generic information about the Revolutionary War that you can read for free at other spots along the Freedom Trail. Even worse, they charge you $15 to enter when it’ll take you less than 20 minutes to see everything on display. Major pass.
Opening hours & cost: 10am to 5pm (only open until 4pm in the winter), $15 for both the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House
Stop #10: Site of the Boston Massacre
Time needed: 5 minutes
The Boston Massacre took place in the square just before the Old State House. On March 5, 1770, a fight in front of the state house escalated into a full-blown riot between British Redcoats and and local Bostonians. Five people were killed in the fighting, and The Sons of Liberty labeled their deaths as a “bloody massacre.” The Boston Massacre became well known partially thanks to Paul Revere’s popular print of the event.
Cost: Free
Stop #11: Faneuil Hall
Time needed: 30+ minutes (depending on how much you like window shopping)
Built in 1741, Faneuil Hall was the site where Bostonians first protested the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act. Does “no taxation without representation” ring any bells? Today, Faneuil Hall is a bustling marketplace filled with shops and restaurants. Faneuil Hall is flocked by Quincy Market and the North and South Markets, all of which are filled to the brim with tourists and the stores are almost exclusively ones you can find in any state in the US.
Tip: If big crowds aren’t your thing, walk another 5 minutes to the Public Market. Practically no one is in there and the food is local and delicious!
Opening hours & cost: Mo – Thu 10am to 7pm, Fri & Sat 10am to 8pm, Sun 11am to 6pm, Free
Stop #12: Paul Revere’s House
Time needed: 30 minutes
Best known for his midnight ride to warn locals of the approach of British troops in April 1775, Paul Revere was immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” He was a goldsmith and engraver by trade and lived a relatively normal life, but he played a vital role in the Revolutionary War.
Though quite small, Paul Revere’s house is worth a visit. You have to pay to enter, but the rush of being in his house is too good to pass up! The house only has four rooms, which is insane because Paul Revere had 16 kids (though I think there used to be a third floor back in the day). Each room is decorated as it would have been during Revere’s life, and there are guides in each room who can answer any and all questions you might have about his family life.
Opening hours & cost: 10am to 5pm, $6
Stop #13: Old North Church
Time needed: 20 minutes
“One if by land, two if by sea.” Stepping into one of the most well-known revolutionary sites in Boston is amazing. It was here that Paul Revere had two lanterns hung to warn the local militia that British troops were approaching the city. To be honest, the interior of the Old North Church is a touch underwhelming after the refinery of King’s Chapel, but its history more than makes up for its plain appearance.
Opening hours & cost: Tu – Sat 10am to 5pm, $5 (includes self-guided tour)
Stop #14: Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
Time needed: 15 minutes
Yet another lovely cemetery, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground was Boston’s largest colonial burial ground. Though no super well known revolutionary figures are buried here, it’s interesting to read about some of the “regular people” buried here and learn about what the lives of Bostonians looked like during the 1700s.
Opening hours & cost: 9am to 4pm, free
Stop #15: USS Constitution
Time needed: 2 hours (for both museum and ship)
Known as “Old Ironsides” because of a famous battle during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution is a piece of US history that can’t be missed. It’s free to board the ship and it’s incredibly well maintained. It’s still a commissioned war ship and has a crew of enlisted naval officers and personnel that takes care of her. She even sails in the harbor for the 4th of July!
Note that you can board the actual ship (which is free) as well as tour the USS Constitution Museum (which charges an admission fee). The suggested time I’ve mentioned above takes into account visiting both the ship and the museum.
Opening hours & cost: Ship is open Tu – Sun 10am to 6pm, Museum is open daily 10am to 5pm. The ship is free to board, the museum charges a suggested admission of $10 to $15.
Stop #16: Bunker Hill Monument
Time needed: 30 minutes (if not visiting museum)
The Battle of Bunker Hill occurred in June 1775 and was the first major battle between New Englanders and British Redcoats. It’s estimated that roughly 1,000 British soldiers were wounded or killed during this battle — a staggering number considering the Colonial forces weren’t as well trained.
Today, the Bunker Hill Monument soars 221 feet into the air. You can visit the monument as well as the Bunker Hill Museum across the road.
Opening hours & cost: Open daily 10am to 5pm, free
Freedom Trail Highlights
Like most tourist attractions, there were some definite hits and misses among the Freedom Trail sites. If you don’t have time to do the full self-guided your of the Freedom Trail, here are the stops you absolutely can’t miss!
- Boston Common
- Granary Burying Ground
- King’s Chapel
- Old South Meeting House
- Faneuil Hall
- Paul Revere’s House
- Old North Church
You can easily see the highlights of the Freedom Trail in a single day, or even in one afternoon if you’re hoofing it.
FAQs About the Freedom Trail
What is the Freedom Trail? It’s a walking trail that was established in 1951 as a means of highlighting 16 of Boston’s most important historic sites, statues, burial grounds, and museums. It comprises of 16 stops and is meant to be explored on foot.
Where is the Freedom Trail? It’s located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts.
Can you walk the Freedom Trail for free? Yes, it’s completely free to walk the Freedom Trail! However, certain stops along the Freedom Trail (like Paul Revere’s House) do have a small admission fee. I’ve noted any fees in the post above.
How long is the Freedom Trail? It runs 2.5 miles (4km) and can be completed on foot.
How much time is needed to walk the Freedom Trail? I popped into every museum
Where does the Freedom Trail start? You’ll want to start at the Boston Commons. To get there, take the blue or orange lines to State Street Station. The Commons are right by the subway station.
Where does the Freedom Trail end? At the Bunker Hill Monument.
Ready to Walk the Freedom Trail?
Overall, I highly recommend walking the Freedom Trail when you’re in Boston. It highlights so many important parts of America’s history and many of the sites are free to visit. Though a few Freedom Trail sites are a bit of a letdown, the entire experience is a fun, informative way to spend an afternoon.
Best of all, you can grab a cannoli in the North End once you’ve finished exploring! Win-win.
Once you’ve finished self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail, make sure to visit the other historical sites in Boston. There are lots more!
Tell me: Which Freedom Trail site are you most interested in visiting? Let me know in the comments below!
Other Favorite East Coast Cities:
- 15 Unique Things to Do in New York City
- The Best Free Things to Do in NYC
- What to Do in Fredericksburg, VA
- The Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
- Your Guide to Alexandria, VA (Near Washington DC)
This post was originally published May 2017 and was updated September 2021.
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