Freedom Trail
Boston’s famous Freedom Trail is a two-and-a-half-mile-long path of red bricks or painted red lines linking 16 of the city’s most historic sites. Some of the stops include Paul Revere’s House, the Old State House, the Old South Meeting House, the Old Granary Burying Ground and the Bunker Hill Monument, which was the location for the first formal battle in the American Revolution. The Freedom Trail is a great way to explore Boston’s abundance of Revolutionary history and all the major sights have placards explaining their significance. The walk is self-guided, but you can also join free tours led by the National Park Service’s costumed guides.
Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center in Boston Common. Just follow the line of red bricks or red paint to get from stop to stop.
Telephone: (617) 357 8300.
Email:info@thefreedomtrail.org.
Website:www.thefreedomtrail.org.
Transport: Park Street subway station.
Opening time: Most attractions are open daily 9am – 5pm. Some close at 4pm in winter.
Admission: Most are free. Old South Meeting House, Old State House and Paul Revere House charge admission.
Black Heritage Trail
Beacon Hill was the center of Boston’s African-American community until the end of the 19th century. Freed and escaped slaves from southern states settled in this area and created a thriving community of houses, churches, schools and black-owned businesses. The Black Heritage Trail reaches 14 locations vital to the local history. One of the most interesting sights is the African Meeting House, the first black church in the country. Other highlights in the area include a memorial to abolitionist Robert Shaw, a stop on the Underground Railroad and homes of famous citizens. The trail is self-guided, but you can pick up brochures and maps at the Museum of African-American History. There are also free two-hour tours led by park rangers, starting at the National Park Service Visitor Center.
Address: Start at the Visitor Information Center in Boston Common or the Museum of African-American History located at 46 Joy St.
Telephone: Museum of Afro-American History: (617) 742 5415 for guided tours.
Email:history@afroammuseum.org.
Website:www.afroammuseum.org.
Transport: Park Street subway station.
Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm. Guided tours run by appointment year round and at 10am, noon and 2pm in Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Admission: $5.
Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum
The Beaver II is an exact replica of one of the three ships attacked by patriots in 1773’s Boston Tea Party. The group of revolutionaries dressed as Mohawk Indians and stormed the boats to protest the new tax laws. The ships’ contents, crates of tea, were emptied into the harbor. The boat is now a floating museum to commemorate these important Revolutionary War events. A newly renovated version of the ship and museum are expected to open in 2012.
Telephone: (617) 204 4248.
Website:www.bostonteapartyship.com.
Transport: South Station subway.
Cambridge
Cambridge is a separate city from Boston and home to two of the most prestigious educational centers in the country: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With more than 30,000 university students in the area, you can always find a lively time in Harvard Square, a local gathering spot surrounded by bookstores, cafés and restaurants. It’s a great spot to soak up the local atmosphere and across the square you can wander through Harvard’s campus.
Website:www.harvardsquare.com.
Transport: From Boston Common’s Park Street station take the Red Line to Harvard Square.
Harvard University
Harvard University is one of the most prestigious colleges and the oldest institute of higher learning in the country. Some of Harvard’s most famous graduates include President John F Kennedy and Bill Gates. The school revolves around Harvard Yard, a courtyard surrounded by ivy-covered buildings. The school also has four excellent museums including the Harvard Art Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
Address: Harvard University Events and Information Center, Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave.
Telephone: Art museums – (617) 495 9400, Museum of Natural History – (617) 495 3045.
Website:www.harvard.edu.
Transport: From Boston Common’s Park Street station take the red line to Harvard Square.
Opening time: Information Center: Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm. Art museums: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm. Museum of Natural History: daily, 9am – 5pm.
Admission: Museum of Natural History - $9.
