Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour: Historic Sites & Guide

Boston Revolutionary tour, walking history, landmarks, explore key sites of American independence

A walking tour of Boston's Freedom Trail led by a costumed guide, starting at Boston Common and ending at Paul Revere Mall in the North End. You'll visit the Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and other key sites while hearing the stories of Sam Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock and the events that sparked the American Revolution. The tour runs about two hours and operates in all weather. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Massachusetts State House10m
2. Granary Burying Ground25m
3. Old South Meeting House10m
4. Old State House15m
5. 13th Arrondissement5m

Explore Boston Freedom Trail highlights

• See Massachusetts State House
• Visit iconic historic site
• Tour Granary Cemetery
• View America's first public school
• Pass Boston's oldest commercial building
• Hear Boston Tea Party story
• Learn about Boston Massacre
• Discover Faneuil Hall history
• See Paul Revere House exterior
• End at Paul Revere Mall

The experience

The tour starts at one of two meeting points (120 Tremont Street or the Visitor Center), and follows the red-line Freedom Trail as it winds through downtown Boston. Your guide, dressed in period costume, walks you past the gold-domed Massachusetts State House built in 1798, then leads you to the Granary Burying Ground, where you'll spend up to 45 minutes among the graves of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, three signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. The stories of colonial Boston take shape as you stand at each stone.

Along the route, you'll stop at the Old South Meeting House to hear about the Boston Tea Party at the exact location where it happened, and at the Old State House to learn the story of the Boston Massacre. You'll see Boston's oldest commercial building, where Nathaniel Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter*, Thoreau's *Walden*, and Longfellow's *Midnight Ride of Paul Revere* were all published. The tour passes America's first public school and the Ben Franklin statue, then moves through Faneuil Hall before reaching the Paul Revere House and ending at the Paul Revere Mall in the North End.

The costumed guide narrates the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers' role in it as you walk the actual sites where these events unfolded. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and operates regardless of weather, so dress appropriately. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Costumed guide leading the entire walk.
• visits to the Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston's oldest commercial building, Faneuil Hall, and Paul Revere House.
• stories of the Founding Fathers, the American Revolution, and New England's Colonial history told at each site.
• the complete Freedom Trail route from Boston Common to Paul Revere Mall in the North End.

Options for this experience

2 options

Meeting at the Visitor CenterGuide in English · 10:30 and 11:30Meet at the Boston Common Visitor Center, 139 Tremont Street. The tour departs from and returns to the Boston Common Visitor Center (139 Tremont St.). Starting point: Boston Common Visitors Center, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111, USA

Meeting point at 120 Tremont StreetGuide in English · 10:00Check in on the sidewalk in front of the entrance to 120 Tremont St., where you'll find the guide in colonial dress. Starting point: 120 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108, USA

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 1h 45m, runs every day except Monday and Thursday at 11:30, 10:00 and 10:30, from US$ 26 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday: 11:30Wednesday and Sunday: 10:00 and 10:30Friday and Saturday: 10:00, 10:30 and 11:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 504 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Infant (under 7): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Salem Night Ghost Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the 120 Tremont Street departure if you're already downtown and want to start walking immediately. Pick the Visitor Center meeting point if you need parking or want to begin at a landmark with easy access. Either way, the costumed guide and fixed route mean you don't navigate the trail yourself or wonder which sites matter most.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years); Infant (under 7): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Granary Burying Ground and why do we spend so much time there?

The Granary Burying Ground is the burial place of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and three signers of the Declaration of Independence, among many others. The tour allows up to 45 minutes here because the graves and their stories form the backbone of colonial Boston's history.

Where does the Freedom Trail tour start and end?

The tour starts at either 120 Tremont Street or the Visitor Center, then follows the Freedom Trail from Boston Common and ends at Paul Revere Mall in the North End.

What happened at the Old South Meeting House that the guide will tell us about?

The Boston Tea Party was organized at the Old South Meeting House, and the tour stops just outside to tell that story at the location where it actually happened. You'll also hear about the Paul Revere Bell there.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour takes about two hours to walk the Freedom Trail and visit all the historic sites along the way.

Do I need special fitness or experience to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and the tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for the conditions.

Can I bring a stroller or service animal on the tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed on the tour.