The Freedom Trail
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Snaking through 2.5 miles (4 km) of city streets, the Freedom Trail creates a living link to Boston’s key revolutionary and colonial-era sites. Stroll from highlight to highlight and you’ll see history adopt a vibrancy, palpability, and relevance unparalleled among US cities. Some of Boston’s most unique shops, restaurants, and attractions are also located along the trail.
For more information on these areas see the sections on Beacon Hill and Downtown & the Financial District (see Beacon Hill and; Beacon Hill by Day also see Downtown & the Financial District From Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the Freedom Trail continues across Charlestown Bridge to Charlestown Navy Yard (see Charlestown Navy Yard)
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1. Massachusetts State House
Arguably Charles Bulfinch’s pièce de résistance , the “new” State House (completed in 1798;) is one of the city’s most distinctive buildings (see Top 10 State House Features and; Massachusetts State House).
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2. Park Street Church
2. Park Street ChurchFounded by a small group of Christians disenchanted with their Unitarian-leaning congregation, Park Street Church was constructed in 1809.
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3. Old Granary Burying Ground
A veritable who’s-who of revolutionary history fertilizes this plot next to Park Street Church. One of its most venerable residents is revolutionary Samuel Adams (see Samuel Adams (1722–1803)).
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4. King’s Chapel
The current granite building was erected in 1749, although the chapel was originally founded in 1686 by King James II as an outpost of the Anglican Church. Don’t miss the atmospheric burying ground next door, which shelters colonial Governor John Winthrop (see King’s Chapel).
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5. Old South Meeting House
What Berkeley’s University of California was to the 1960s, Boston’s Old South Meeting House was to the colonial era: a crucible for free-speech debates and taxation protests (see Old South Meeting House).
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6. Old State House
Built in 1713, this exquisite example of colonial architecture served as the HQ of the colonial legislature and the royal governor (see Old State House).
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7. Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
Known as the “Cradle of Liberty”, Faneuil Hall has hosted many revolutionary meetings in its time. Neighboring Quincy Market, built in the early 1800s, once housed Boston’s wholesale food distribution (see Faneuil Hall Marketplace).
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8. Paul Revere House
Nestled in North Square, the Paul Revere House is Boston’s oldest private residence. Its principal owner was well regarded locally as a metalsmith prior to his fateful ride (see Paul Revere House).
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9. Old North Church
This church occupies a pivotal place in revolutionary history. Prior to his midnight ride, Revere (see Paul Revere (1735–1818)) ordered sexton Robert Newman to hang lanterns in the belfry, to indicate that the British were approaching via the Charles River rather than by land (see Old North Church).
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10. Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
With headstones dating from the 17th century Copp’s Hill is a must for history buffs. It was named after William Copp, a farmer who sold the land to the church (see Copp’s Hill Burying Ground).
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I visited Boston on Business twice in 2009 with different groups of work colleagues from the UK. On both occassions we followed the Freedom Trail as a way of seeing some of the best parts of Boston. The Trail is easy to walk and easy to follow (there is a line painted on the sidewalk) and passes by many of Bostons historical buildings and monuments but also takes you though the Market where there are a wide range of places to eat and watch the street entertainers. If you have a limited time in Boston then following the Freedom Trail is a great way to see the City and for those who want to read about the places you are looking at, which is highly recommended, then there are a number of Freedom Trail Guides available.
about 2 months ago
I lived in Boston for 10 years and never took the time to walk this trail. Reading more about the history now makes me wish I had.
about 2 years ago
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