Freedom Trail Attractions Near Boston Common
What is the Freedom Trail?
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long path through the streets of Boston commemorating famous landmarks along the path to America’s independence. It's marked by a red line painted along the ground which connects 16 nationally significant historic sites. Along the way, you’ll visit museums, churches, cemeteries, parks, meeting houses and a ship.
How did the Freedom Trail Come to Be?
The Freedom Trail was established in 1951 after the destruction of John Hancock’s house next to the Massachusetts State House awakened several Bostonians to the need for preservation of other landmarks essential to the history of Boston and the American Revolution.
Boston Herald-Traveler writer, Bill Schofield and Bob Winn, a member at the Old North Church decided that a better “wayfinding tool” was needed to help tourists navigate to the various sites. The original Freedom Trail was just over a mile long, beginning at Boston Common and ending in Boston’s North End. The original trail was marked by signage but in 1958 the current red line was painted along the sidewalks and streets. In 1974, in time for America’s bicentennial celebrations, the trail was extended into Charlestown, expanding the trail to its current length and adding sites to round out the current 16.
How to Visit
Over 4 million people visit the Freedom Trail annually. There are many options for navigating it including several 90-minute partial tours, a Lantern Tour of the macabre side of its history held in the evenings during autumn or an end of year holiday stroll to take in the lights. There’s even an historic pub crawl tour on which you can raise a toast to your patriotic forebearers and ancestors. For a full list of tour options, follow this link. Or, of course, you can also set out on your own and follow as much, or as little, as you want with resources and sample itineraries found here.
Stops Near Boston Common
All of these walkable historic sights are within a block or so of each other, covering all critical stops located near the beginning of the Freedom Trail.
Boston Common Starting Point
Address: Freedom Trl, Boston, MA 02108
Boston Common is where with Freedom trail kicks off, with a starting point located near the Boston Common Visitor Information Center. Picture this: it’s the oldest public park in America, founded way back in 1634, and over the years, it’s seen everything from British soldiers camping out before the Revolution to spirited public protests. In colonial times, British troops actually set up camp here as they geared up for battles like Lexington and Concord.
As time went on, this place stayed true to its roots—hosting rallies for abolition, civil rights protests, anti-war demonstrations—you name it. Whether it’s calls for freedom or social justice, Boston Common has been a stage for voices demanding change, making it the perfect launchpad for a trail that’s all about freedom.
Massachusetts State House and Capitol Building
Address: 4 Beacon St,
The Massachusetts State Capitol Building, with its iconic golden dome, is a must-see on the Freedom Trail. Built in 1798 and designed by none other than Charles Bulfinch, America's first native-born architect, the building has stood as a beacon of history and civic pride for over two centuries. The golden dome, originally wooden and then covered in copper by Paul Revere’s company, now gleams with 23-karat gold leaf.
Inside, you’ll find stunning architectural details, murals, and artwork that tell stories of Massachusetts' role in shaping the nation, from its early days through key moments in the Revolution and beyond. From the Hall of Flags to the Sacred Cod (yes, a fish symbolizing the importance of the fishing industry), the State House is filled with quirky and meaningful details that showcase the state’s unique character.
Robert Gould Shaw Memorial
Location: 26 Beacon St,
Across from the Massachusetts State House, this monument honors Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first all-Black regiment from the North to fight in the Civil War. Shaw, a young white officer from a Boston abolitionist family, led his soldiers—many of them formerly enslaved men—into a fierce assault on Fort Wagner in 1863.
Though it claimed Shaw’s life and many of his men’s, their stand marked a pivotal moment, proving to the nation that Black soldiers were not only ready to fight but willing to die for freedom. The memorial’s bronze relief, crafted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, shows Shaw riding solemnly with his men at his side, each face and figure rendered in stunning detail. sacrifice
Park Street Church
Location: 1 Park St.
Park Street Church is a must-see on the Freedom Trail, and not just for its stunning architecture and historic steeple. Founded in 1809, this church quickly became a powerful platform for social change, hosting some of the earliest abolitionist speeches in the country. In fact, it’s famously known as the place where “America’s first anti-slavery speech” was given in 1829, making it a pivotal spot in the fight for freedom.
Beyond abolition, Park Street Church was a site of early missionary work and social justice movements, embodying Boston’s progressive spirit. Its prominent steeple, once the tallest point in Boston, was a welcome sight for ships coming into the harbor, giving it the nickname "Brimstone Corner."
The Granary Burying Ground
Location: Tremont St.
One of Boston’s most historic and evocative spots, the Granary Burying Ground was establish in 1660, and is the final resting place of some of America’s most famous patriots and Revolutionary War heroes. Here, you’ll find the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, along with the victims of the Boston Massacre and Benjamin Franklin’s parents.
Walking through the cemetery’s ancient headstones and markers, you can feel the weight of history, as names familiar from history books come to life in a whole new way. The burial ground’s unique carvings and symbols reflect Puritan beliefs and early American life, and its quiet, shaded paths offer a peaceful contrast to Boston’s bustling city streets.
King’s Chapel & Burying Ground
Location: 58 Tremont St.
Roughly a 2-3 minute walk from the Granary Burial Ground, King’s Chapel was the first Anglican church in New England, Build in 1686, it stood as a symbol of the British presence in colonial Boston. Its architecture—a blend of Georgian style with elegant columns and a grand, still-original wooden pulpit—creates a distinctly historic atmosphere. Though now a Unitarian church, its roots in Anglicanism make it a rare link to colonial religious practices.
Adjacent to the chapel, King’s Chapel Burying Ground is Boston’s oldest cemetery, established in 1630. Here, you’ll find the graves of notable figures like Massachusetts’ first governor, John Winthrop, and Mary Chilton, a Mayflower passenger. Walking through this cemetery is a chance to connect with Boston’s earliest residents and the origins of America’s oldest public institutions.
Boston Latin School Site / Benjamin Franklin Statue
Location: 45 Freedom Trl.
A quick yet fascinating stop on the Freedom Trail, the Boston Latin school Site marks the birthplace of public education in America. Established in 1635, Boston Latin School was the very first public school in the country, and it’s where some of America’s most famous minds, including Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, began their education. Although the original school building is no longer standing, the site is commemorated by a statue of Franklin, who, in a twist of irony, is one of the school’s most famous dropouts.
More to Explore
Further afield along the trail you can follow the painted red line to the site of the aforementioned Boston Massacre, to Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church, visit the U.S.S. Constitution, and more....
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