Statue of Benjamin Franklin
Statue of Benjamin Franklin
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About
America's first portrait statue portrays a half-smiling, half-serious Franklin. Next to the statue is a marker for the site of the first public school in the United States, where Franklin -- among other luminaries -- was a student.
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The area
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
- State • 3 min walk
- Government Center • 3 min walk
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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
4.0
127 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
57
Average
37
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Lee L
Valhalla, NY1,920 contributions
Oct 2022
Outside the Boston Latin School along the Freedom Trail, they have statues of Josiah Quincy and Benjamin Franklin. Franklin attended the school when he was younger.
Written 4 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel R
Rochester, MN1,710 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Very cool statue next to the old city hall. Memorializing a very important historical figure in the United States and the Boston area.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL3,945 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
I was somewhat surprised to learn about Benjamin Franklin’s roots in Boston as he is more associated with Philadelphia. The statue stood out as I walked around. While not a must-see attraction, it is a nice tribute to Franklin.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeachStone2C
Helsinki, Finland2,775 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This is just another statue, more rewarding for those keen on history. It is along Freedom Trail making it a good short stop.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa W
Wichita Falls, TX958 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Technically, it's just a statue, but it's a good one of a good man who was an important part of American history. It's in a little courtyard with some other statues. Don't knock yourself out trying to see it, but if you are nearby, definitely stop to see it, especially if you are walking the Freedom Trail.
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retireeVancouver
Vancouver, Canada1,809 contributions
Sep 2019
This statue gained importance when it was erected in the 1860's in front of the Old City Hall not for the stature gained by a native Bostonian, but because it was the first statue in Boston of a public figure and one shown with the colonial clothes he may have worn. That historical fact aside, I enjoyed looking at the bronze reliefs sculpted on the tall pedestal of Franklin's 8 foot statue. These showed important events in Franklin's life beginning with his work at the printing press in Boston which he left at the age of 17 for a life in other cities as a politician and statesman. The other 3 bas-relief panels show him as an ambassador to France and as a signee to the 1783 Peace Treaty with Britain and the Declaration of Independence. Ben Franklin attended the Boston Latin School which once was located on the spot where his statue stood. We visited this statue in front of the Old City Hall on our Freedom Trail walking tour because of Franklin's connection to signing the Declaration of Independence and his strong belief in the freedom of speech. This is a free sight. The statue of Ben Franklin is located adjacent to another building on the Freedom Trail, Old South Meeting Hall (entry fee) where, BTW, Franklin was baptized. Both were short photo stops, but Franklin's statue had more meaning for me.
Written 30 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorry04
Cambridge, MA338 contributions
Oct 2019
I wouldn't come all the way to see this statue but come to the area and you'll see the Old City Hall and Omni Parker House.
Written 13 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson18,350 contributions
Sep 2019
Find the son of Boston here in front of Old City Hall and just about in the midst of the first Boston burial ground circa 1630. It is adjacent to the King's Chapel.
This was the very first statue of a person ever erected In Boston. That counts for a great deal in the tally of firsts. His head is bent, his tri-corner hat is tucked under his arm, and he is somewhere at the intersection between very exhausted and very humble.
This was the very first statue of a person ever erected In Boston. That counts for a great deal in the tally of firsts. His head is bent, his tri-corner hat is tucked under his arm, and he is somewhere at the intersection between very exhausted and very humble.
Written 7 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wander & Wonder
Singapore, Singapore1,645 contributions
Sep 2019 • Business
The statue is located in front of the First Public School site. A mosaic and a statue of former student Benjamin Franklin currently marks the location of the original schoolhouse.
Written 15 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth S
South Lake Tahoe, CA477 contributions
Sep 2019
We rested here and took lots of pictures. There is a democratic donkey across the courtyard with a republican footprint standing in the way of the donkey moving. Great picture opportunities.
Written 13 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingStatue of Benjamin Franklin - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Statue of Benjamin Franklin
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Statue of Benjamin Franklin:
- The Revolutionary Story In Depth Narrative Walking Tour of Boston (From HK$428.85)
- Freedom Trail: Small Group Tour of Revolutionary Boston (From HK$304.09)
- Guided Freedom Trail Walking Tour (From HK$202.73)
- Walking tour of Boston's Freedom Trail and more! (From HK$3,079.90)
- Weekend Freedom Trail Tour (From HK$311.89)
- Hotels near Statue of Benjamin Franklin:
- (0.12 km) Hotel AKA Boston Common
- (0.08 km) Omni Parker House
- (0.19 km) Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston
- (0.23 km) XV Beacon Hotel
- (0.21 km) Club Quarters Hotel Faneuil Hall, Boston
- Restaurants near Statue of Benjamin Franklin:
- (0.02 km) Clover
- (0.02 km) Cafe Artigiano
- (0.02 km) haley.henry
- (0.03 km) Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge
- (0.04 km) Bahn Mi Ok