Location: Boston
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Things to do in Boston, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Historic Sites
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. Castle Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
The site of a fort erected in 1634, Castle Island is a great place to walk, jog or just unwind and enjoy the view.
Reviewed By Northern_Traveler00 - Boston, United States
12 months a year you can find us at Castle Island, enjoying the breezes (and winter winds) taking the approx 2 mile walk around Pleasure Bay and the old fort. Lunch (or breakfast) at Sullivan's is a great and inexpensive stop to enjoy a meal watching the planes and boats and people
2. Fort Warren
3. Granary Burying Ground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,602 reviews
The burial ground for famous American patriots like Paul Revere, John Hancock and Sam Adams, is also the final resting place for Mother Goose.
Reviewed By MRayTraveler - Orange County, United States
Granary Burying Ground is one stop on the Freedom Trail, and features the final resting places of Paul Revere, John Hancock, Sam Adams, the victims of the Boston Massacre, Ben Franklin's parents and many more. So much history in such a small space. Stop by for 20 or 30 minutes and enjoy the opportunity to experience a small bit of our nation's history.
4. Old State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,366 reviews
Relive the drama and excitement of the American Revolution with fun and engaging programs and tours, interactive exhibits, beautifully restored period rooms and unsurpassed 18th century treasures. Celebrating 300 years as America's oldest and most historic colonial building, the Old State House is now Boston's Revolutionary Museum. Visit us at the heart of the Freedom Trail and only steps away from Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and the New England Aquarium.
Reviewed By TheAviator0765 - Ripon, United Kingdom
This really is a 'must-see' on the Trail. Not only is the building beautifully kept and steeped in history in its own right, the museum will guide you around the story of Boston and allow you to fully understand the part it and its people played in the War Of Independence. Access is via the Visitors' Centre desk in the gift shop. The fee is well worth it, for inside the exhibits and interpretation boards describe clearly and in chronological order what happened in the famous city. Now as a Brit, I was curious on what slant the events would be described, but rest assured the story is sold factually without a hint of partisanship. That said, I fully recognise George III was best described as an absent landlord who saw the Colonies as a cash-cow, while the British Army's idea of defence diplomacy of the era was to pour more fuel onto the nearest available spark! But the collection of exhibits in its own right amounts to a truly fascinating collection. There are also a number of tours throughout the day. Do try and catch one; the briefers are knowledgable and full of enthusiasm, and add immensely to the overall experience. There is a gift shop on the ground floor, well stocked with good quality and interesting products; all things to do with the Revolution. Plan to spend at least an hour here. It's not a 'poke head inside and tick off' kind of place. We spent nearly two hours here, but felt much the richer for it.
5. 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.
6. Boston African American National Historic Site
7. Charlestown Navy Yard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
Established in 1800 as one of the country's original naval maintenance centers, the Navy Yard is now the home of the USS Constitution.
Reviewed By Exnorther - Delray Beach, United States
Our family visited the Boston Navy Yard on Saturday and had a great time. We started at the visitors center where we spent time in the small museum and gift shop. We then got to go aboard and tour the USS Constitution. Wow, was that a thrill. As a former Navy man, I was really interested in it’s history and very impressed by its condition. It was especially fun to interact with the active duty Navy personnel who dress in period clothing and answer all questions. After touring the ship, we visited the Constitution museum, which was another great time. Beautifully laid out to give you a real sense of the time and its people. To finish up, we had lunch at Decca (great food). We spent over three hours at the Navy Yard but you can certainly spend more time looking at all there is to see.
8. Massachusetts State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
Designed in 1798 by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch, the historic building is dominated by a magnificent gold dome.
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Presiding above Boston Common on Beacon Hill sits the "New" State House, designed by prominent architect Charles Bulfinch. The seat of Massachusetts government since 1798, Oliver Wendall Holmes proclaimed: "The Boston State House is the hub of the solar system". Designated a National Historic Landmark, it is considered a masterpiece of Federal Style architecture. Paul Revere covered its original wooden dome with copper, which was replaced with shimmering 23 karat gold leaf in 1997. Atop sits a pine cone, reflecting the logging history of Massachusetts. Art work, statuary, stained glass, mosaics, murals, marble floors and columns, sweeping staircases,coffered ceilings, exquisite details; this is a must see! Stately, stunning and impressive!
9. Bunker Hill Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,860 reviews
This 220-foot granite tower commemorates the Patriots' undaunted bravery in defeat at the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill.
Reviewed By suitlaw
I recommend starting at the beginning of the Freedom Trail and working your way here. While Bunker Hill is great by itself, it gives one a better understanding and appreciation of all the parts that led to this battle on Breed's Hill (yes, I said Breed's). Stop by the museum across the street first to explore and get tickets to climb the stairs up the middle of the monument. It's free but usually requires tickets. The monument is great from the outside and inside. Inside at the top gives you a great perspective of the surrounding area. Even today you can see how prominent the Old North Church is and why it was used as a beacon in 1775. By the way, if you're not keen on climbing stairs or heights, the trip is still worth it.
10. Gibson House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Located on historic Beacon Street, this museum is housed in a 1859 Boston brownstone with Victorian furnishings.
Reviewed By Sobieski54
While visiting a family friend living in a similar house on Beacon Street 3 blocks away, we decided to take the tour of the Gibson House. It was interesting for us to compare the two 1890's homes, my friends house with modern plumbing, electricity, and newer bathroom and kitchen amenities, with the same size house and similar floor plan filled with all the original fixtures and furnishings. The docent was excellent, and commented that Charles Gibson, the last owner, stated that he wanted to keep the home in the original condition because people living in the 1940s were not be interested in how upper middle class Victorians lived, but folks living after the year 2000 would want to experience that moment in time.
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