Main St @ Park St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Are you ready to get started? Great! This journey begins in City Square Park. Head on in there and I’ll tell you about it. So, according to the directors of Friends of City Square Park, this patch of beauty was once an “urban wasteland.” It’s hard to believe when you stroll through the park now, but it’s true. Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s there was a rather ugly old highway here that would no lo
Main St @ Park St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
This beautiful fountain has been the backdrop for many events since 1995. Weddings, annual wreath hangings, concerts and even yoga. Go take a look! Then come back to this spot and head north.
Main St @ Park St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
See all those stones in the grass over there on your right? Well, they aren’t here by any sort of accident. These are actually the foundation stones of what’s known as “The Great House” which was built as part of the Charlestown settlement way back in 1629. It was Governor John Winthrop’s house, then a community center, and then a tavern. Three Cranes Tavern, to be exact. It was a place for travel
19 Main St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Cool! You found your way out. See those red bricks with the grey brick outline that cross the street at the crosswalk? That’s the Freedom Trail and we are going to follow it for a while. Please cross the street and turn left.
19 Main St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
You are so good at following directions! Please turn left.
19 Main St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Please turn right as we keep following the Freedom Trail. On your right you will see a small Charlestown Veterans Memorial Park. Keep walking until you get to Henley Street..
3 Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Hi! It’s me again. Please cross over Henley Street. and stay on the trail. Are you enjoying this nice little walk? How’s the weather?
3 Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Keep following the trail to the right. I promise we will reach a Point of Interest soon. And by the way, we are heading to the very famous Bunker Hill Monument but we have some fun stuff to see along the way.
37 Freedom Trail, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
So that’s a pretty good looking building just ahead on your left, isn’t it? That is Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Their parish combined with the St. Catherine of Sienna parish back in 2006 and now both occupy this historic building. It was built way back in the 1890’s by Irish-American architect Patrick Charles Keely. He was a busy man and designed nearly 600 Roman Catholic buildings in his
60 Winthrop St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
Not sure I’d want to live in that home right next to the firehouse on your left. How about you? I’m guessing it probably gets pretty loud. Although, if your house caught on fire, help would be right next door! Anyway, this is Engine 50 Firehouse and is the oldest Fire station in Boston. The first Firehouse at this location was built in 1853. They probably wish they had this back in 1775. Remember
72 Winthrop St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
This park is also known as The Training Field. Head on in there and turn left at the T junction. This place was originally farm land. Then it became a training ground for the colonial militia. After the battle of Bunker Hill, the park was rebuilt and had a firehouse, a school and a munitions depot. Those aren’t here anymore since the depot was destroyed and the other buildings moved to different
72 Winthrop St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
How about a Civil War Memorial? Well ok then. I have one for ya. It’s ahead on your right, sculpted in granite, and was dedicated in 1872. This piece was the work of an Irish immigrant by the name of Martin Milmore. Sculpting must be hard work because Martin died at age 38. Time to leave the park and keep heading toward Bunker Hill. Follow the trail to the corner of Adams and Winthrop Street and
48 Monument Sq, Boston, MA 02129, USA
60 Chestnut St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
Head north, following the Freedom Trail. Remember it’s the red brick with the grey brick outline. You’ll probably start to see the Bunker Hill Monument jutting up into the sky as you walk. Don’t get too excited though! We aren’t there yet.
60 Chestnut St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Resist the urge to run across the street and sprint up the stairs to the monument. It’s not time yet.
Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Ooh Look! We found a Museum! Run inside and check it out in preparation for our stop at the Bunker Hill Monument! It’s open daily from 9 to 5. Inside you can find some neat artifacts from this historic Revolutionary War battle along with an original diorama from that famous battle. Also, and this is important, if you want to climb the Battle of Bunker Hill Monument, you need to get your FREE ticke
Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Wait! A statue! Let’s talk about it. Have you ever heard that quote that says “Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes?” Well that’s what this guy said. His name was William Prescott and he was the commander of the Patriot forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He said these famous words so that his soldiers would wait on firing and be more accurate with their shots. The militia had limit
Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Here it is! The Bunker Hill Monument. First, let’s talk a little about the structure itself. 294 steps is all it takes to get to the top of this granite obelisk. There’s an exhibit lodge around the back side of it, but we will talk about that later. That lodge is how you get to those 294 steps. This monument is 221 feet tall and is actually one of the very first monuments to be built in the Unite
Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02129, USA
The building up on your left with the pillars is the Bunker Hill Lodge. Rangers that work there are more than happy to put on 20 minute lectures at the top of every hour from 10 am to 4 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays from June through September you can watch a live musket firing demonstration! Also, the lodge is where you will enter to climb the monument, if you already got your free ticket from the
60 Chestnut St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
Seriously, you are one of the best followers of directions that I have ever met. Please turn right at the “V”. We want to stay on Chestnut Street. Enjoy this casual stroll through the neighborhood of both older and newly renovated homes
Chelsea St @ Constitution Rd, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Don’t feel lost. Look at the corner of Adams and Chestnut Street. See the familiar red brick with gray brick lining? Yeah! We found the Freedom Trail again! Hop back on it and keep heading south on Chestnut.
Chelsea St @ Constitution Rd, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Yup, you are headed the correct way. Go through the tunnel. You know, when I was a kid and used to go on road trips with my family, we would always have competitions to see who could hold their breath the entire way through a tunnel. I bet you can manage this one. Follow the crosswalk after you come out of the tunnel and turn left after you cross Chelsea Street. We are staying on the Freedom Trail
Chelsea St @ Constitution Rd, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Were you able to hold your breath through the tunnel? Yeah, that was an easy one. Turn left please and cross over Constitution Rd.
Chelsea St @ Constitution Rd, Boston, MA 02129, USA
And now turn right, following the Freedom Trail once again.
Chelsea St @ Constitution Rd, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Stop! We need to take a little detour off of the Freedom Trail for a bit. Who’s with me? You are? Awesome! Please turn left and follow the sidewalk along 2nd Avenue. We are headed toward the Charlestown Navy Yard.
13 3rd St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Hi! I’m still here. Look at that beautiful house to your left. It’s the Commandant’s House and is one of the oldest structures in the Charlestown Navy Yard. It was built back in 1805 for the USS Constitution’s first commander. His name was Samuel Nicholson and he and his lucky family probably really enjoyed taking in some amazing panoramic views from that house! Five other USS Constitution comman
20 1st Ave, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Why don’t you turn right for me here. We are getting really close to our next big destination.
13 3rd St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Ok, if you’d like to turn left and go explore the Charlestown Naval Shipyard Park, go for it. There are some nice memorials and even a restaurant over there. If you decide to do that, please make sure you come right back here and keep following 1st Avenue. Or, turn right here and let’s go explore the USS Constitution Museum! The entrance is around the corner.
13 3rd St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
I know you can’t wait to climb aboard the USS Constitution but you really ought to spend some time in the museum to understand what a special Naval ship she was. The museum has some suggested admission prices, which help keep the doors open for visitors. It is free to visit the ship itself, but you do need a form of ID in order to board. Ok, so what’s in the museum? Amazing exhibits, super fun da
13 3rd St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Did you enjoy the USS Constitution Museum? Did you swab any decks or eat salted meat? Well you missed out if you didn’t. This building here is the Charlestown Navy Yard and Visitor Center. It’s free to enter and has some nice exhibits that tell the story of the Charlestown Navy Yard. Are you about ready to climb aboard the USS Constitution? You know, “Old Ironsides?” AWESOME! Me too! Follow the
13 3rd St, Boston, MA 02129, USA
Have you ever wanted to see the world’s oldest commissioned, and seaworthy naval boat? How about a ship that has never been defeated in battle? What about a ship whose sides are so strong that cannon balls bounced off its wooden hull. A wooden boat so strong that it was nicknamed “Old Ironsides?” How about a War Ship who’s copper bolts and fastenings were made by Paul Revere himself? You know Paul