#SELF GUIDED FREEDOM TRAIL MAP FREE#

While the state could have purchased the mansion in the 1860s, they opted to let the property fall into private hands. The Massachusetts State House actually stands on a tract of land that belonged to the most famous signature on the Declaration of Independence. At the time, Bostonians were concerned that many homes and buildings connected with the city’s influential early days were disappearing.įor example, if the commonwealth of Massachusetts had been more forward thinking during the 19th century, we’d be able to visit the Hancock Mansion that once dominated Beacon Hill. We can thank mid-20th century Boston city leaders for today’s Freedom Trail. It’s truly a unique urban experience perfect for anyone interested in early American history and a great way to get to know Boston. I really wish more cities would develop similar immersive experiences. It’s estimated that more than four million people enjoy the Freedom Trail each year. Along the way, you’ll pass 16 sites connected with events of the 1770s American Revolution. To do the Trail from start to finish, you’ll start on the east end of the Boston Common and wrap up about 2.5 miles away on the north side of the Charles River at Bunker Hill in Charlestown. You can hop on the Freedom Trail on wherever you first cross the bricks. Not only do the plaques make a great photo-op, they also remind you to look up and take in your surroundings. When you spot a line of red bricks running through the sidewalk’s center, you’ve found the Trail.Įvery so often, those bricks are punctuated by bronze plaques. The path is literally embedded in the city sidewalk.

#SELF GUIDED FREEDOM TRAIL MAP FREE#

The Freedom Trail is a free urban walking path that weaves through the heart of central Boston. Choosing a guided group tour will add even more time to the trip as many of them linger at stops addressing questions and providing plenty of information.The Freedom Trail’s brick path runs through downtown Boston connecting various sites from the American Revolution and other historic Boston sites, including both the oldest tavern and oldest restaurant in America. However, stops like Old Ironsides, the Paul Revere House, or any of the museums will add time to your trip if you’d like to enjoy an in-depth experience. Some of the sites, such as the Boston Common, are easy to enjoy in a short amount of time.

If you plan on stopping in to any of the historical sites, then you’ll want to expand your timing budget considerably. However, everyone walks at different paces, so that the route may take longer or shorter given these differences. If you have an average walking pace and don’t plan on lingering at any of the stops, simply walking the 2.5 miles of Freedom Trail should take around an hour. So you may be wondering, how much of a time commitment is the Freedom Trail anyway? The answer depends on many things. Action Tour Guide Self-Guided Walking App for Freedom Trail How long does it take to complete the Freedom Trail? The GPS prompted audio adjusts as you meet each stop, so if you choose to skip stops or finish the trail early, you have the freedom to do so.Īction Tour Guide’s self-guided Freedom Trail walking tour is rich with historical narratives that you might not learn, relying simply on the informational plaques and markers you’ll see walking the trail on your own. Action Tour Guide’s self-guided Freedom Trail walking tour offers a perfect choice between flexibility and an enriching experience. However, folks looking to enjoy a flexible option while also soaking up as much history on the Freedom Trail are in luck. Other people may avoid tours because they don’t allow for flexibility, skipping stops, forcing them to commit to walking the entire Freedom Trail. Guided tours can be crowded, difficult to schedule, and can make it challenging to follow COVID-19 regulations. Many people choose the flexibility of an unguided experience on the Boston Freedom Trail.

Self guided freedom trail map