Walking Boston: The Freedom Trail, Part 1

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A Business Trip That Allowed Me Freedom to walk boston and learn American History on the Freedom trail.


A map or walking Boston and the Freedom Trail.

I visited Boston years ago during my early days of work travel, but I wasn’t able to make time to explore. Therefore, when I heard that a museum expo I planned to attend would be in Boston, I was excited to return to see my museum clients and have my chance to explore American history.

I hadn’t walked The Freedom Trail on my previous visits to Boston, so I knew I wanted to walk it on this trip. After a morning breakfast networking event, I headed out.

Walking boston and the Freedom Trail

Boston has done such an incredible job with this trail. It’s hard to get lost. You follow the red brick line on the sidewalk.

During part 1 of my Freedom Trail experience, I cover the first half of the trail, starting at the beginning and finishing at the Boston Massacre Site although I walked the entire trail in one day and added up to about 10 miles on my Fitbit. I enjoyed the walk and seeing the historical sites so much that I didn’t even realize I had walked that far until I sat down to rest at Bunker Hill and felt the fatigue. Despite that, I kept going, only stopping for a beer before reaching the USS Constitution.

This is my perspective on visiting Boston and The Freedom Trail in which I explored some spots on the trail more than others, but I’ve included them all.

The Start of the Freedom Trail

My hotel was close to the beginning of the trail, across from Granary Burial Ground, therefore it was easy to start walking Boston and The Freedom Trail from the beginning.

BOSTON COMMON

This park was located diagonally across from my hotel. I walked through it to take a shortcut to a couple of restaurants. In the 1600s, the people of Boston used this park as common ground for grazing. I didn’t spend much time here, just walked through it to reach my destination.

The Central Burying Ground, established in 1756 to alleviate overcrowding at nearby cemeteries, is also part of the area.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE

Built in 1798, this is the NEW state house. Yes, there is an OLD state house; I got to see eventually on in the trail. In 1798, Paul Revere covered the dome with copper, and later, in 1874, it was covered with 23-karat gold. HOLY COW! It’s truly breathtaking and certainly stands out. Interestingly, John Hancock’s cow pasture used to be located here.

Massachusetts State House

PARK STREET CHURCH

I have walked past this church many times as I ventured out to explore, not knowing its significance, known as “Brimstone Corner.” Many human rights activities started here— the women’s suffrage movement, prison reform, and protests against slavery.

GRANARY BURYING GROUND

I visited a cemetery located right across from my hotel, The Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel, which is now the AKA Boston Common Hotel. Many famous people are buried here, including Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. Benjamin Franklin’s parents are also buried here, as well as Peter Faneuil. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and rich in history. The cemetery is directly across from my hotel. I could have lingered here for much longer, considering the numerous famous people buried here.

KINGS CHAPEL & BURYING GROUND

Kings Chapel & Burying Ground claims to be the longest-used pulpit in America. In 1754, they built the current chapel to replace the original one from 1688. A Paul Revere bell hangs in the belfry.

BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL SITE AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STATUE

The courtyard where Benjamin Franklin’s statue stands is quiet and peaceful in front of the OLD CITY HALL. I sat here for a few moments just contemplating all of the history in this town and the men like Benjamin Franklin, who were instrumental to the foundation of our country.


This statue marks the spot of the school in which Benjamin Franklin attended and dropped out from.

OLD CORNER BOOKSTORE

The Old Corner Bookstore is the oldest commercial building in downtown Boston.

OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE

The Old South Meeting House is where the revolution began. It is where the Colonials met to plan the Boston Tea Party and protest against a tax on tea.

OLD STATE HOUSE

The government conducted business here. The Boston Massacre occurred just in front of it. A plaque on the sidewalk marks the spot.

THE BOSTON MASSACRE SITE

This site is where British soldiers opened fire on a group of Boston residents protesting outside the Old State House. The soldiers tried for murder killed five people. John Adams, who was also a patriot, represented them.

An overview of the first half of the Freedom Trail in Boston.

A. BOSTON COMMON
B. MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE
C. PARK STREET CHURCH
D. GRANARY BURYING GROUND
E. KINGS CHAPEL BURYING GROUND
F. BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL SITE AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STATUE
G. OLD CORNER BOOKSTORE
H. OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE
I. OLD STATE HOUSE
J. THE BOSTON MASSACRE SITE

Walking Boston involves quite a bit of walking so make sure to bring your walking shoes. If needed, you can use an Uber to take you to the farther locations along the Freedom Trail. It was a lot of fun – I would compare it to a scavenger hunt. There was so much excitement in finding the next location along the “follow the red brick line” Freedom Trail.

Continue to Part 2 of Walking Boston, The Freedom Trail.

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