Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a marked 2.5-mile (about 4 kilometre) walking route through central Boston that links a sequence of sites associated with the American Revolution and early United States history. It connects ground-level sites, museums and historic buildings in a continuous visitor route.

The trail passes 16 designated historic sites including civic buildings, churches, meeting houses and battle monuments, with interpretive plaques and museums at many stops. Wayfinding is provided by a painted red line on sidewalks and a variety of visitor centres, maps and guided tour options.

The route was established in the mid-20th century as a means to present Boston’s Revolutionary-era landmarks to the public and to promote historic preservation and tourism. Over decades the trail has been maintained as a curated sequence of sites with both original buildings and reconstructed features.

Running through central Boston from Boston Common northward to Charlestown, the trail traverses the city’s downtown, North End and waterfront neighbourhoods and finishes at the Bunker Hill Monument.

• Length and logistics: Best experienced on foot; the full route covers roughly 2.5 miles (about 4 kilometres) and links 16 official historic sites. Guided tours and self-guided walks with maps are widely available year-round.
• Timing tip: Start at Boston Common early to avoid peak crowds and to have easier access to indoor sites along the route.

What to See #

• Trail length and route: A 2.5-mile marked route beginning at Boston Common and ending at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown; the trail is marked by a continuous red line on sidewalks and pavement.
• Historic district concentration: One of the primary concentrations of sites is within Boston's Freedom Trail Historic District including Faneuil Hall and the Old State House.
• Bunker Hill Monument: The trail's northern terminus features the Bunker Hill Monument, a 221-foot granite obelisk erected to commemorate the 1775 battle.