Overview
Boston National Historical Park is famous for the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail that leads through historic downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Tourists should not try to drive into the city because parking is difficult and the public transportation system is so good. We recommend that you hire a guide or bring along your own information because almost nothing along the route has outdoor interpretive signs.
Highlights
Faneuil Hall, Charlestown Navy Yard, Bunker Hill Memorial, burying grounds, Boston Common
Must-Do Activity
One of our favorite misnomers in American history is that the Battle of Bunker Hill actually took place on Breed’s Hill north of Boston. This first major skirmish took place shortly after the Revolutionary War kicked off in Lexington, Massachusetts in 1775 and is well-known for the Patriot commander that told his men not to “fire ’til you see the whites of their eyes.” The 221-foot obelisk built to memorialize this fight (which the Patriots lost) was started in 1825 but not completed until 1843. The National Park Service does not charge to climb the 294 stairs to its peak for great views of the area.
Best Trail
The famous 2.5-mile long Freedom Trail through downtown Boston, Massachusetts is a walking path marked by a line painted on the sidewalk. Of the many historic places you will pass along the route, some of the free ones include the site of the 1770 Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall known as the “Cradle of Liberty” (and now a National Park Service visitor center), the site of the first public school in America established in 1635, several burying grounds, and the Old Corner Bookstore that has been turned into a restaurant. You can also pay to enter the Old State House and Paul Revere House, among other sites.
Instagram-worthy Photo
If you keep walking the Freedom Trail north you cross the Charlestown Bridge to the Charlestown Navy Yard where you can walk aboard the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, and learn about it from active-duty U.S. Navy servicemen and women.
Peak Season
Summer
Hours
https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Fees
None, except at specific buildings like the Old State House and Paul Revere House.
Road Conditions
Roads are paved, but traffic is bad and parking is expensive. It is best to use public transportation to get into the city and then walk.
Camping
There are camping opportunities (reservations required) in Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, which are accessible by ferry from the city.
Related Sites
Minute Man National Historical Park (Massachusetts)
Boston African American National Historic Site (Massachusetts)
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area (Massachusetts)
The Old State House charges admission to enter 
Upstairs inside the free Faneuil Hall 
Costumed re-enactor eating lunch outside Faneuil Hall 
Paul Revere statue 
The USS Constitution – the oldest ship in the US Navy 
Scott belowdecks aboard the USS Constitution 
Wondon (in his awesome tricorn hat) at the Bunker Hill Monument 
Overlooking Boston from the top of the Bunker Hill Monument 
Old burying ground in the middle of Boston 
Ben Franklin statue near the site of the school he attended 
The Old Corner Bookstore has been converted into a restaurant; burritos anyone? 
To exercise your freedom (and capitalism), you can even pay to throw fake loads of tea into Boston Harbor.
Explore More – The live oak wood used to build the USS Constitution came from what island, now managed by the National Park Service?
