As a follow up to my three-part blog on the Massachusetts Bay Colony, this blog will focus on historic sites to visit in Boston, which was settled in 1630 and became the major city of the region. In 2020, I took a History course on Colonial America, and for one of the projects, I had to research colonial sites to visit in Jamestown, VA, Charleston, SC, and Boston, MA. In researching Boston sites, I primarily used the Freedom Trail website (https://www.thefreedomtrail.org). Then in August 2022, my family and I were able to travel to Boston for the first time, and see most of the sites on the Freedom Trail, and those that I had researched two years prior. Boston is the most historic city in the country, and one of the oldest. When considering the lead up to the American Revolution, most of the major events took place in the city of Boston, including the many protests against British acts such as the Stamp Act (1765) , the Townshend Acts (1767) and the Tea Act (1773). Boston witnessed the Boston Massacre (1770) and the Boston Tea Party (1773). It was the epicenter of agitations between the colonists and the British crown between 1765- 1775 leading to Lexington and Concord. Boston was always a city that I felt that I needed to visit and it was wonderful to finally get there last summer. The structures and landmarks that still stand are reminders of those events that led up to the conflict, and the people who fought for freedom.

I highly suggest visiting Boston and going on the Freedom Trail with a tour guide. I particularly recommend you take your tour with Jeremiah Poope. He was extremely knowledgable and entertaining. In all of his anecdotes, he added engaging and sometimes comical tidbits. He truly made it a worthwhile experience for anyone with any level of interest and knowledge in history. We went on the “Walk Into History” Tour but there are other options as well. Below is a list of sites on the “Walk Into History” Tour. The tour ends at #11 Fanueil Hall, but Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church are just a short walk away. Next to each site is a link to its page on the Freedom Trail website for more information about its history and significance. I’ve also included our personal photos from some of the sites.

1. The Boston Common- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/boston-common
2. Massachusetts State House- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/massachusetts-state-house
3. Park Street Church- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/park-street-church
4. Granary Burying Ground- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/granary-burying-ground

5. King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/kings-chapel-kings-chapel-burying-ground

6. Boston Latin School Site/ Ben Franklin Statue- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/boston-latin-school-sitebenjamin-franklin-statue

7. Old Corner Bookstore- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/old-corner-bookstore

8. Old South Meeting House- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/old-south-meeting-house

9. Old State House- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/old-state-house

10. Boston Massacre Site- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/boston-massacre-site

11. Faneuil Hall- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/faneuil-hall

12. Paul Revere’s House- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/paul-revere-house

13. Old North Church- https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/old-north-church

Other sites to see that we didn’t have a chance to see this time included the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument. I’d also love to go to Fenway Park some day.

Besides the Freedom Trail, we also went to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and I would highly recommend getting tickets. You first enter the “Meeting House” where live reenactors plan the Boston Tea Party and rally you and the other visitors as the colonists. You then have an opportunity to go on board and explore an 18th century ship and then throw British Tea into the harbor. You also watch, on a theater screen (Minutemen Theater) the events of Lexington and Concord. They also had a great gift shop and tea room. Overall, we had a wonderful Boston trip considering that this was our first time. For the kids, we also went to the Boston Aquarium and the Children’s Museum which we all really enjoyed. We’re looking forward to going back!

Related Posts: