2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour

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2 hours (approx.)

Mobile ticket

Overview

The Story of Boston told on the Freedom Trail differs from all other Freedom Trail offerings in that it covers not only our celebrated Revolutionary sites, but gives visitors a full history of our city. We cover the story, from the early punitive and superstitious Puritans, to the Revolution, the boom years as 'America's Harbor and finally the ascension of the Irish Catholics bringing us to the Hub we know. Along the way, rascals and residents from Ho Chi Minh, Carles Ponzi and Malcolm X to Mayor James Michael Curley, our 'Robin Hood,' are covered.

What's Included

In-person Guide: English

Gratuities

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Freedom Trail
Boston, MA 02108, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Congress St @
North Street, Boston, MA 02108, USA

The one-mile tour ends directly across the street from Faneuil Hall.

What To Expect

Boston Common

Begin your journey at Boston Common, the oldest public park in America. Learn about its storied past, from colonial military drills to civil rights rallies, and appreciate its role as a gathering place throughout the centuries. The townspeople pastured their cattle on its forty-five acres, gathered for hangings and duels, and in more genteel times strolled beneath the elms on its promenade.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Park Street Church

Park Street Church is known for its significant contributions to the abolitionist movement and its fervent missionary activity. Hear about the famous speeches and influential figures who stood here advocating for freedom and justice. The church hosted the debut of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” also known as “America,” by Samuel Francis Smith on July 4, 1831

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial

Pay tribute to the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African American units in the Civil War, and its commander. The monument stands as a testament to their courage and dedication, and you'll learn about their remarkable story of heroism.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Massachusetts State House

Marvel at the iconic golden dome of the Massachusetts State House. Discover the architectural beauty and historical significance of this government building, which has been the seat of the state's legislature since 1798. Pause by the statues of General Joseph Hooker of unfortunate legend and Mary Dyer hanged for her Quaker beliefs.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Boston Athenaeum (Pass By)

Hear the stories of the Private Library of the Brahmins, a hidden gem that holds rare and valuable books. Delve into the literary and intellectual history of Boston's elite who played a pivotal role in shaping American thought.

West End

Explore the vibrant and sometimes rowdy history of Scollay Square. Once a bustling entertainment district, it was known for its theaters, vaudeville shows, and colorful characters. Along the way, glimpse the Love Nest of the Kennedys, with a peek into the romantic history of one of America's most famous families.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old State House (Pass By)

Stand in the shadow of the Old State House, a landmark steeped in revolutionary history. Learn about the key events that took place here, including the reading of a copy of the Declaration of Independence to the citizens of Boston in 1776. When the oldest public building in Boston fell into disrepair at the end of the nineteen century, the city of Chicago offered to buy it. Bostonians came to the rescue and salvaged the site meticulously restored over the years.

Boston Massacre Site

Visit the site of the Boston Massacre, a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution. Hear the gripping account of the confrontation between British soldiers and American colonists that sparked widespread outrage.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old South Meeting House (Pass By)

Plain and unadorned in Puritan style, here five thousand citizens gathered on December 16, 1773, during the tea crisis agreeing to prevent the landing of the cargo of the British tea ships. A group of men disguised as Mohawk Indians led a mob down Milk Street to Griffiths Wharf for the "Tea Party" which stirred an American rebellion.

Boston Irish Famine Memorial

Poignant memorial to thousands of Irish immigrants who fled the Great Famine of 1845-52, and found refuge in Boston, becoming the largest ethnic group by 1850. It is also a tribute to all immigrant groups who came to the city.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old Corner Bookstore

Built as a residence and apothecary in 1718, first used as a bookstore in 1828, and for three decades home to Ticknor and Fields publishers. A meeting place for authors such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Boston Latin School

School Street named for the site of the first public school in the United States, Boston Latin School, passes King's Chapel, Old City Hall, and the Parker House. You also meet Boston's beloved donkey waiting ever so patiently on School Street.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Under its grasshopper weathervane (believed to be modeled after that of London's Royal Exchange) and sometimes referred to as the "Cradle of Liberty." Gifted to Boston by slave trader, Peter Faneuil, it became a meeting place for revolutionary leaders earning an enduring legacy as a symbol of American democracy. It is the headquarters of The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, the oldest military body in the Western Hemisphere which got its charter in 1837.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Boston City Hall

Our tour ends in the shadow of Boston City Hall beside two statues of James Michael Curley, four-time mayor of the city, governor of Massachusetts, and congressman, a flamboyant big-city boss, who was the rascal king of politics for fifty years. A few steps away lie the Union Oyster House, the Bell in Hand tavern, the oldest pub in town, and Hanover Street, the gateway to the historic North End.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the 2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025