Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail
4.5
About
The red line on the sidewalk leads you on this 2.5-mile, self-guided tour of American Revolution sites. It starts at the Boston Common, America's oldest public park, and ends at the famed Bunker Hill Monument.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- Park St • 3 min walk
- Boylston • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,236 within 5 kms
Attractions
569 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
17,682 reviews
Excellent
12,360
Very good
4,464
Average
739
Poor
89
Terrible
34
Doug Albert
9 contributions
Jan 2023
Jeremiah Poope was the tour guide and the best guide I have ever heard. He was able to answer every question, and tell humorous tales on the subject. I highly recommend him.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TomM1951
South Windsor, CT587 contributions
Jan 2023
We follwed a self-guided tour that we donloaded. It was interesting, but not too detailed. A guide would probably add to the experience.
Two simple highlights for us were the Paul Revere House and the small meseum near the Bunker Hill monument
Stop for lunch at the Quincy Market
Two simple highlights for us were the Paul Revere House and the small meseum near the Bunker Hill monument
Stop for lunch at the Quincy Market
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
08lj
Charleston, SC185 contributions
Nov 2022
If you're interested in checking out the history of the city (and country) this is a great way to do it. We did a self tour. It was easy to follow and didn't have trouble finding the landmarks. When we got to the different points of interest, we read about them from the freedom trail website and went in some of them. I can definitely see how having a tour guide to be great, to add commentary, but I was content with what we did and felt like I was able to get a good bit out of it.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bea mather
Cambridge, UK18 contributions
Dec 2022
It was a nice trail, with lots of stops on the way. We explored different museums, architecture and we explored the lovely food at Quincey Hall. It was great walking along the bridge and we stopped off at a lovely Italian restaurant.
I reccomend it if it is your first time in Boston but I think do it with a map if thats your case, or a guidebook so you can keep track where you are.
As went into the Old State House, we came out with a lot of facts known about all that happened in the history. Take a map or a guidebook with you or you might not get the full experience if it is your first time..................
I reccomend it if it is your first time in Boston but I think do it with a map if thats your case, or a guidebook so you can keep track where you are.
As went into the Old State House, we came out with a lot of facts known about all that happened in the history. Take a map or a guidebook with you or you might not get the full experience if it is your first time..................
Written 31 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
beav16
Payson, Arizona126 contributions
Oct 2022
Walked all the way from Copley Plaza to the Paul Revere House in the North End. Walked the Freedom Trail along the way. Good signage. Interesting facts, and a neat way to be reminded of the history learned in school. Would be a neat way for homeschoolers to get their history education.
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Griff D
Houston, TX11 contributions
Dec 2022
The Freedom Trail has a little brick line that runs through the city that makes following along a breeze! We loved learning all about our country's important history, and had a great time on the trail.
Written 12 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
M M
3 contributions
May 2022
I love working through Boston on the freedom trail with on exception. When you take a tour of the freedom trail many tours don't take you to the Charleston side.
Written 10 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lee L
Valhalla, NY1,798 contributions
Nov 2022
The sight(s) to see in Boston. Depending on what you are interested in and if you are going to deviate from the trail you can probably do it in a day if you start early. I had allotted 2 days to do the trail the Visitor's Center to Copps Hill Burying Ground in 1 day and then Bunker Hill and the Constitution the other. I got to Old North Church around 3:30 on my first day and it was closed so luckily, I had allotted another day so I came to visit after doing the Constitution and Bunker Hill. Several of the sites like the Old State House and Constitution have museums with quite a few exhibits that you can easily spend an hour or two in while other are just a 15–30-minute walk thru.
Written 10 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shelly T
2 contributions
Nov 2022
Our guide, Dr. Biles (Ben Soloway) was absolutely terrific!!!! His stories got the whole (large) group completely involved and he was easy to talk with and more than willing to share extra information. As a home-schooling parent I was really grateful for that extra info. He is a very talented, knowledgeable man and I highly recommend him and the tour itself. It was fascinating! Then, on his recommendation, we walked down towards the North End and found some amazing restaurants (ate at the Bell In Hand) and took pictures in front of the Green Dragon Tavern where the Sons of Liberty met. The whole day was perfect and I was in homeschool mama heaven!!!!
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
miniman2804
Berkshire207 contributions
Oct 2022
You don't need to pay for this, which is well signposted and well described by free publications. It charts historically important areas of the city and their significance in the struggle for independence, which was more than just the war. Finishes at Bunker Hill monument which affords lovely views over Charlestown and the city. A sine qua non of your trip to Boston.
Written 29 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Is this attraction open now if so what the hours
packerbeer
149 contributions
there are no hours as it is a walking tour which you can do on your own
solo traveler
Glasgow, UK79 contributions
I'm in Boston just now and I'm struggling to fit everything in I want to do, can anyone tell me are there specific times the tours go? Do I need to pre book? And what's the last time of the tour? TIA
Mike G
Juneau, AK30 contributions
You can go on the self guided tour of the freedom trail. There’s an app. Stop at the sites that are most meaningful to you.
What tour company did you use?
SueBusse
Bridgman, Michigan52 contributions
We did not use a tour company. Maps are everywhere and it's all just a nice walk. There are a couple of places that charge for admittance but you don't have to go in if you don't want to pay.
I am driving my class to the freedom trail next week in a 12 passenger van. Where should
I park?
rstojanka
Toronto, Canada44 contributions
Street parking , free for 2 hours
Vsun
Brooklyn, NY
Can you walk your dog along the trail?
Duquesadiner
Glasgow, UK1,403 contributions
No problem
Lindatlanta
atlanta55 contributions
I’ll be arriving at my hotel around 3:00. Would it be practical to start to walk the trail that late? In other words, what time do things close? I was thinking about grabbing an early dinner somewhere along the way . Any suggestions for good eats along the way? Nothing fancy. Thanks!
tkeslertk
Champaign, IL11 contributions
What's nice about the Freedom Trail is-it can be done in sections. You don't have to do the entire walk at one time. My husband and I walked different parts at different times.
Lindatlanta
atlanta55 contributions
Are there restaurants along the trail? And public restrooms?
sunhead
milwaukee323 contributions
There are public restrooms at Fanueil Hall (about 1/2 way) and Revere house (if you pay to get in site). Also plenty of coffee shops and chain restaurants available if you don't feel comfortable walking into a bar or sit nicer down restaurant just to use bathroom.
Lisa W
Wichita Falls, TX885 contributions
Would this be doable in December?
c_dimeg_b
Davis, CA23 contributions
It really depends on the weather because the entire Freedom Trail is outdoors. There are stops along the Freedom Trail where you can choose to go into a museum or something, but you will literally be walking through downtown Boston. I think the coldest months are January and February, so you might luck out in December!
If you stay outside the city where do people generally stay that you can use train, bus etc?
Sid8775
Ipswich, UK311 contributions
We stayed in Cambridge and walked into the city everyday. It was very hot when we were there so started early. Everything is walkable in Boston.
Freedom Trail (Boston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Freedom Trail
- We recommend booking Freedom Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 33 Freedom Trail tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Freedom Trail:
- Walking Tour of the Downtown Boston Freedom Trail - History & Architecture (From HK$234.88)
- Walking Tour: Downtown Freedom Trail plus Beacon Hill to Copley Square/Back Bay (From HK$352.32)
- Guided Walking Tour of Copley Square to Downtown Boston Freedom Trail (From HK$352.32)
- Boston walking tasting tour (From HK$774.96)
- Boston Private City Tour (From HK$4,529.96)
- Hotels near Freedom Trail:
- (0.21 km) The Godfrey Hotel Boston
- (0.14 km) Temple Place Suites
- (0.27 km) The Ritz-Carlton, Boston
- (0.29 km) Hyatt Regency Boston
- (0.36 km) XV Beacon Hotel
- Restaurants near Freedom Trail:
- (0.06 km) Wen's Yunnan Noodle and Ramen
- (0.16 km) Thinking Cup
- (0.19 km) Cafe Bonjour
- (0.15 km) Democracy Brewing
- (0.13 km) jm Curley
- Attractions near Freedom Trail:
- (0.01 km) Boston Town Crier
- (0.01 km) “The Embrace” (Hank Willis Thomas - 2022)
- (0.06 km) Kennedy Tour of Boston
- (0.12 km) Lessons on Liberty
- (0.13 km) Escape The Room Boston