Bunker Hill Monument
Park Granite obelisk commemorating the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill
A granite obelisk on Boston’s Breed’s Hill commemorating the 1775 battle; the Bunker Hill Monument draws history visitors to its museum, spiral staircase and views over Charlestown.
Bunker Hill Monument is a granite obelisk on Breed’s Hill in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston commemorating the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. The monument is a prominent Revolutionary War memorial and part of Bunker Hill National Historical Park.
The site includes the obelisk, a small museum with battle artefacts and interpretive displays, and a historic greenspace marking the battlefield area. Visitors commonly view the monument, read interpretive panels and visit the museum to understand the battle’s significance during the early Revolutionary War.
The monument commemorates the June 17, 1775 engagement between colonial militia and British forces; it was erected in the 19th century as a national memorial and has been maintained as a historic site since. The obelisk structure itself was constructed in the early to mid 1800s and has been a public landmark since its completion.
The monument stands in Charlestown, Boston, overlooking the Charles River and the central city. It is managed as part of a federal historical park and is accessible from central Boston by public transport and road links.
- Battle date: The 1775 engagement occurred on June 17 during the opening months of the American Revolutionary War.
- Height and climb: The granite obelisk rises 221 feet and is reached by an interior stair of nearly 300 steps, offering elevated views over Boston from the top on clear days.
What to See #
- Breeds Hill: The grassy oval and monument plinth marking the battle location where visitors can view the obelisk and interpretive plaques.
- Bunker Hill Museum: A small museum adjacent to the monument that displays artifacts, maps and exhibits about the 1775 battle and the monument's construction.
How to Get to Bunker Hill Monument #
From Boston, take the MBTA Orange Line to Community College Station (short walk across the bridge) or the 92 bus to Charlestown. The monument is a 5-10 minute walk from Charlestown Navy Yard and about 1.5 km from North Station.
Tips for Visiting Bunker Hill Monument #
- Visit early on a weekday to avoid school groups and tour buses that flood Charlestown mid-morning.
- Climb the 294 steps if physically able - the view rewards the exertion and provides a panorama of the Boston skyline and river.
- Combine with a walk through the adjacent Bunker Hill Historic District to see colonial-era houses and interpretive plaques.
Best Time to Visit Bunker Hill Monument #
Spring and fall provide the best mix of comfortable weather and moderate crowds; summer is peak season and can be crowded.
Weather & Climate near Bunker Hill Monument #
Bunker Hill Monument's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1128 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (104 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).