The Freedom Trail in Boston takes you through historic events that sparked the American Revolution. It celebrates America's journey to independence from British rule.
This red-brick trail meanders through the birthplace of liberty and is also historic in many other ways.
Along this trail, meet the patriots who rose to the challenge. These ordinary people achieved extraordinary feats to secure America's freedom today.
ALL ABOUT THE FREEDOM TRAIL
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Boston’s Freedom Trail covers several neighborhoods throughout the city. Established in 1951, this trail connects 16 historic sites tied to the American Revolution.
People created the walking trail to highlight Boston's rich history. It’s marked with red bricks or sometimes red-painted lines for guidance.
The Freedom Trail was instrumental in preserving Boston’s historic sites during mid-20th-century urban development and has continued to serve as a reminder of America’s fight for independence, drawing millions of visitors each year.
Starting Point
The Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. The trail passes landmarks like the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s home, and the Old North Church, where the famous "one if by land, two if by sea" signal appeared.
The trail also includes the site of the Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall, known as the “Cradle of Liberty.”
The culmination of the Freedom Trail is in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood, where you can visit the Bunker Hill Monument — which commemorates the site of the American Revolution’s first major battle — and the USS Constitution ship. A walk along the Freedom Trail is not complete without visiting these final two sites.
Exactly how long is the Freedom Trail?
Matt Caracciolo
Officially, it’s 2.5 miles from start to finish, from Boston Common to Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution. That said, if you’re walking the entire trail in one day, it may feel like you’re walking much further than that.
It’s a whole lot of steps, so pace yourself! The Freedom Trail can be completed in a day. However, if you have extra time, consider dividing it over two days for a more relaxed experience.
How much does it cost to walk the Freedom Trail?
Lizzie Gerecitano
You can walk the entire Freedom Trail for free, including the burying grounds. These cemeteries are open for exploration during designated hours.
Small donation fees are required to enter some of the historic buildings. If you choose, additional private tours are available inside some of the old churches to see their crypts and other features.
Overall, you can walk the entire trail and see all the sites free of charge. It's not necessary to step inside any of the buildings or museums unless you have the time and inclination.
Are reservations needed at any of the stops?
Matt Caracciolo
There are no advanced reservations for any site along the Freedom Trail, although the hours to enter inside some of the locations vary.
So if you hope to explore some of the buildings, churches, museums and cemeteries in more detail, check the hours first.
Most are open throughout the year during daytime hours, but they’re not all run by one single organization.
The National Park Service manages some sites, while others are run by the City of Boston, the State of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Navy manages the USS Constitution.
THE BEST FREEDOM TRAIL TOURS
There are several different ways to walk the Freedom Trail. It’s possible to just wing it and follow the red-brick path on your own, but that means missing the context and a lot of the meaning behind each location.
Another option is taking a live group tour — some even offer costumed guides — though that puts you at the mercy of someone else’s schedule.
Alternatively, parts of the Freedom Trail can also be explored via a trolley.
But for the full impact, it's best seen on foot. I recommend a self-guided walking tour you can download to your phone and listen to as you walk the trail.
Here are a few of the tours that I think are the best.
Shaka Guide’s Boston Freedom Trail Tour (Parts One and Two)
You can download this self-guided walking tour onto your phone, offering the best of both worlds.
You have your own personal tour guide right in your earbuds. It’ll guide you along the trail and share all the history and stories that bring the Freedom Trail to life.
You can spend as long as you like perusing each site since you're not at the mercy of a live tour group. There’s even a blue line on the app to guide you in spots where the red brick trail gets confusing.
Shaka Guide has also cleverly broken this tour into two parts, which gives you the option of pacing yourself.
If you're exhausted after the first part of the tour, you can take a break for dinner and relaxation. Then, you can pick up with the second part of the tour another day.
Conversely, if you only have one day in Boston, you can choose to download both parts of the tour. You can then walk the Freedom Trail in its entirety, all in one day (which is totally doable).
The other reason the Shaka Guide two-part tour is a brilliant idea is that many of the group tours simply stop before the end of the Freedom Trail! Yep. That’s right. They don’t actually cover all 16 stops.
They leave off somewhere in the vicinity of the 14th site along the Freedom Trail. Or, they start in the North End and skip the beginning sites along the trail.
Old Town Trolley Tours
If you’d rather hop on a trolley to see the Freedom Trail sites whiz by, this tour might be for you. It's a great option if you don’t have the ability or inclination to walk the path.
The trolley stops at many landmarks, allowing you to get off and visit each one. Afterward, you can wait for another trolley to pick you up.
Boston has a lot of traffic, which could lead to frustration while waiting for the next trolley. You may also struggle to find seats next to your travel companions if it's crowded.
The Freedom Trail Foundation’s Lantern Tour
If you're interested in a group tour by lantern light with costumed guides, this one offers a ghost-themed experience. It’s a bit eerie, featuring stories of murders and assassins. However, it doesn’t cover the entire freedom trail. It’s also not offered all year round.
THINGS TO DO ALONG THE FREEDOM TRAIL
The Freedom Trail is made up of 16 sites. Here’s a summary of each spot.
1. Boston Common
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America’s oldest public park, was established in 1634. It also served as a camp for British troops during the Revolution. Today, it offers green space for recreation and historical reflection.
2. Massachusetts State House
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Built in 1798, this golden-domed building serves as the seat of Massachusetts’ government. It stands on Beacon Hill, offering tours that highlight its history and architecture.
3. Park Street Church
Lizzie Gerecitano
Established in 1809, this church was a hub for abolitionist speeches and social reform.
4. Granary Burying Ground
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Dating back to 1660, this cemetery is the final resting place of American Revolution icons like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
5. King’s Chapel and Burying Ground.
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The first Anglican church in Boston, circa 1686, was a symbol of British authority. Adjacent is the cemetery where early settlers were buried.
6. Boston Latin School Site/ Benjamin Franklin Statue
Matthew Caracciolo
Boston Latin is the oldest public school in America, established in 1635. The school has been moved to another neighborhood, but a statue of Benjamin Franklin now stands where the school once stood. He was a Boston Latin School student who later became a founding father.
7. Old Corner Bookstore
Matthew Caracciolo
Once a publishing hub for 19th-century authors like Emerson and Hawthorne, it now represents Boston’s literary heritage.
8. Old South Meeting House
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This old church and meetinghouse once hosted heated debates that led to the Boston Tea Party. It served as a gathering place for revolutionary activity.
9. Old State House
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The site of key debates on colonial governance, it was also the backdrop for the Boston Massacre. Today, it’s a museum of Revolution-era history.
10. Boston Massacre Site
Matthew Caracciolo
A marker near the Old State House commemorates the 1770 confrontation where British troops killed five colonists, fueling revolutionary fervor.
11. Faneuil Hall
Matthew Caracciolo
Known as the “Cradle of Liberty,” it hosted debates and speeches that rallied colonists against British rule. It remains a bustling marketplace today.
12. Paul Revere House
Matt Caracciolo
The home of Paul Revere, this preserved 1680 home explores the life of the famed midnight rider and silversmith.
13. Old North Church
Lizzie Gerecitano
The oldest standing church in Boston’s North End, built in 1723, it’s famed for the “one if by land, two if by sea” lantern signal. This was used during Paul Revere’s ride.
14. Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
Lizzie Gerecitano
Dating back to 1659, this cemetery was used by British troops as a vantage point during the Siege of Boston. It holds many notable colonial-era graves.
15. Bunker Hill Monument
Lizzie Gerecitano
This granite obelisk commemorates the first major battle of the American Revolution. The Battle of Bunker Hill took place here in 1775, a pivotal moment in the fight for independence.
16. USS Constitution
Matt Caracciolo
Nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” this historic ship launched in 1797 and played a critical role in early U.S. naval victories. It’s now a floating museum, yet continues to sail around Boston Harbor on important dates, including — of course — Independence Day.
WHAT TO KNOW WHEN PLANNING YOUR FREEDOM TRAIL WALK
Before you walk the Freedom Trail, here are some things to keep in mind. This is especially important if you’re downloading a self-guided walking tour like Shaka Guide’s Boston Freedom Trail and aren’t familiar with the city.
What to pack
The two things you’ll definitely need to pack are a backup portable charger for your phone. Since this is a long walking tour, don’t forget your earbuds as well.
Make sure to fully charge all of those items before the day begins. Also pack your phone’s charging wire and brick, in case you want to plug in along the tour route to recharge.
Between taking photos and utilizing an app or GPS directions, you’ll use up a lot of battery power.
But at least you’ll pass plenty of cafes, coffee shops and hotel lobbies along the tour route where you can find outlets to charge your phone if you need to.
How to dress
Boston can be windy in any season. It’s surrounded by the ocean and harbor, as well as the Charles River.
When walking across pedestrian bridges or between buildings, the wind can make it feel much colder than the actual temperature.
So dress in layers, and in any season except summer, bring a coat, scarf, hat and gloves.
In the summertime, there is very little shade along this trail, so sunscreen and a sun hat are important.
For your feet, bring your most supportive, comfy sneakers or walking shoes.
This trail requires a lot of steps, some of them on cobblestone, so you don’t want to be in heels, or even flip-flops.
Safety
The city of Boston is one of the cleanest and safest cities in America. Instead of feeling overwhelming, it’s welcoming and inviting. That said, crossing streets requires paying attention.
Always use the designated crosswalk signals. There are buttons to press at nearly every intersection to request a ‘walk’ signal.
That said, Boston is a pedestrian-friendly city, so cars are usually very good about stopping and yielding to walkers.
Restrooms
Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and the Boston Public Market offer public restrooms and food options. They’re great spots if you’re looking for a break and a bite halfway through the Freedom Trail.
While Faneuil Hall can get ridiculously crowded, the Boston Public Market, just a block away, offers a less touristy experience. It also offers tables in the back where you can sit and charge your phone.
That said, you’re in a city, so there are also numerous other coffee shops, cafes, and hotel lobbies where you stop for a restroom.
THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO WALK THE FREEDOM TRAIL
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The Freedom Trail is outside, so you'll face all the elements as you walk. It can be hot in the heart of the summer, and cold in late winter/early spring.
Autumn is an ideal time to walk the trail. Summertime weekends are the most crowded along the trail. But it’s a long trail, so there’s plenty of room for everyone.
The North End, on occasional summer weekends, holds street fairs that can make it extra crowded. But hey, that just makes it more festive!
Also, it's not recommended to walk the Freedom Trail when there's snow and ice on the ground.
Aside from risking a slip and fall in those conditions, it’s more challenging to orient yourself on the city streets if snow is covering the red brick path.
The Shaka Guide app offers a supplemental blue line for walking directions. This is especially helpful in areas where the red bricks of the Freedom Trail are hard to spot or split into multiple paths, leaving you unsure of which way to go.
TWO WAYS TO CONQUER THE FREEDOM TRAIL
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Here are two recommendations on how to complete the Freedom Trail:
Option One
Walk the entire Freedom Trail (all 16 sites) in one day. You can most easily achieve this by briefly stopping at each site instead of dwelling on any particular one, allowing you to visit all 16 sites.
This will help you decide what to explore further (museums, tombstones, etc.) if you have more days in Boston, but at least you'll have completed the entire Freedom Trail.
Option Two (if you have two days in Boston)
Walk the Freedom Trail up to Copp’s Hill (site 14 along the trail) on the first day. Then visit the final two sites of the Freedom Trail (Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution ship, both in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston) on your second day.
DINING OPTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
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If you’re aiming to walk the entire Freedom Trail in one day, Tatte and Bakey are two great spots for breakfast near Boston Common (the starting point of the Freedom Trail).
So have an energizing breakfast and then hit the Freedom Trail early in order to squeeze in as much as possible during daylight hours!
If you’re in need of a refreshment around the halfway point of the trail, the Boston Public Market — a block away Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market — has delicious options such as The Popover Lady, George Howell Coffee, other food and snack options, restrooms, wifi and — way in the back of the market (not in the center court) — charging stations for your phone.
For dinner, there are dozens of delicious Italian restaurants in the North End (Boston’s ‘Little Italy’), as well as restaurants and pubs in Charlestown like the historic Warren Tavern.
But one iconic spot to dine in Boston, if you can score a reservation, is the Union Oyster House, for its history alone.
Ask to sit in the Freedom Trail room, and try their chowdah and cornbread — it’s the best in Boston!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL
In Boston, history comes to life in vivid, life-sized 3-D. So it’s much easier to process all of the events that led up to the American Revolution when you can literally walk in the footsteps of its Founding Fathers.
Walking the Freedom Trail with a good tour like Shaka Guide really delves into the hearts and minds of the colonists and patriots of the time will give you the chance to get to know them a little more personally.
It’ll also help you realize that the political issues we face today are not all that much different than what the colonists went through back then.
However you choose to do it, I hope you enjoy walking Boston’s Freedom Trail!
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Boston Freedom Trail Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Boston Freedom Trail Itinerary.
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