Location: North End
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The 5 Best Historic Sites in North End, Massachusetts (MA)
Walk the Freedom Trail the first time you visit Boston and you'll quickly get a sense of this coastal city's revolutionary spirit and history. But make sure you also explore some of Boston's fine museums (try the Isabella Stewart Gardner, featuring masterpieces displayed in their collector's mansion) and old neighborhoods (like the North End, Boston's Little Italy). You can't claim to have experienced real Boston culture, though, until you've watched a Red Sox game from the bleachers.
Restaurants in Boston
1. Old North Church & Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,050 reviews
Old North has modified the visitor experience in order to adhere to COVID-19 health & safety guidelines. At this time your admission to Old North includes a specialized group experience that invites you into our iconic church to learn more about both the role we played launching the American Revolution and our deeper legacy as one of our nation’s most revered historic sites. During your visit you will be seated in our unique and original box pews, maintaining a safe distance from other visitors, and hear from our dedicated education staff about the founding of the church in 1723, the remarkable events of April 18, 1775, the Longfellow poem that cemented our place in history, and more about the people and stories that have made Old North the icon it is today. Your admission also includes digital access to interpretive signage and an exclusive online photo gallery to commemorate your visit.
Reviewed By LHShore - Cleveland, United States
The Bell Tower Tour is a great addition to a visit to the Old North Church, the church from which the "two if by sea" lanterns made famous by Henry Longfellow Wadsworth's poem "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." In addition to admission to the church which includes an informative presentation by a docent, you also get to climb the stairs to the bell tower. Be warned - the steps are steep and there's curve, but it's manageable unless you really are not able to climb stairs normally. Unfortunately, the stairs are not original to the church, and the minister who hung the lanterns from the bell tower that fateful night climbed a series of internal ladders that no longer exist, but the area you visit on the tour is the area from which the bells are still rung. Additionally, the tour takes you underground, into the original crypt and the docent provides intriguing details about its inhabitants.
2. The Paul Revere House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,386 reviews
The Paul Revere House is the home of legendary patriot Paul Revere, where he began the famous “Midnight Ride.” A rare example of 17th-century urban architecture, and a National Historic Landmark, it is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston, and the only home on the Freedom Trail. Historic rooms contain artifacts from Revere’s era, including Revere family furniture and documents. One room is furnished with artifacts from the time of the first owner. Exhibits in the Visitor Center include beautiful silver made in Revere's shop. Visit to discover the true story of the “Midnight Ride” and the man behind the myth.
Reviewed By Midnight2673 - Bridlington, United Kingdom
This is worth seeing as part of Boston’s history as this man was central to many things happening, he has a statue in the north end and his house is one of the last wooden houses standing opposite the Rachel revere square named after his wife. Seen as part of the freedom trail, there is a museum you can go in but they day I visited it was closed due to thanksgiving.
3. St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
Paul Revere may have worshipped at this church, which has gone from Congregational to Unitarian to Roman Catholic in its almost 300 years of history.
Reviewed By L3775HDadamf
Was a very nice change of pace from other Catholic Churches in that the building is very simple, sort of a staple of Bullfinch design, of which this is the oldest remaining example in Boston. Excellent history to this church and a very welcoming community made Mass feel very meaningful, plus right out front is the Revere statue and Old North Church. Down the street is more Freedom Trail plus many restaurants. Recommend a visit just to see or to celebrate Mass.
4. Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 186 reviews
In preparation for the Battle of Bunker Hill, British soldiers used Copp's Hill gravestones for target practice.
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
This is Boston’s we one burying ground and holds the tombs of the Mather family! Not to mention some very prominent African American tombs as well, such as Phyllis Wheatley, the first published woman of African descent that was also a poet. You can see the tomb of Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister that was a central figure of the Salem witch trials...very cool burying ground! The headstones are remarkably beautiful - very Victorian gothic style! There are many other ancient historical internments here as well, but I did have some difficulties finding some of the graves as they’re very old and worn so it’s almost impossible to read a lot of them. Still, it’s very eerily beautiful and well kept. It’s easy to find but parking can be a challenge...I think there’s some street parking but it was all full. I ended up parking in a garage a block away - was only there for an hour and it was an exorbitant $15!!! So be aware! Probably better to just walk it.
5. Old North Memorial Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765
Around the North Church and adjacent to the Paul Revere Mall (look for the equestrian statue), there are red brick courtyard pathways surrounding the red brick historic buildings (Clough House and St. Francis Chapel). In one part of the "Garden" is a tribute to American soldiers who died in the Iraq-Afghanistan wars. An attractive iron archway announces itself as "The Washington Memorial Gate." Many of the building walls and garden walls have commemorative plaques giving historical color to our tourist-oriented experience. The grounds are so well maintained and, even as September drew to a close, the flowers still graced the grounds. The war memorial consists of 6,970 blank dog tags, one for each of the soldiers who died in those wars. When the wind blows, they sound a little like wind chimes. The monument is all the more memorable for its simplicity. People stopped to reflect upon our nation's loss. Walking in the Old North Memorial Garden is an integral part of visiting Old North Church and visiting the historic buildings inside these grounds.
