One Day in Boston
Boston may be one of my favorite cities. True, it has a special place in my heart because I’m a Massachusetts native, but it’s also just really cool. Although I have many favorite to-dos, the Freedom Trail tops the list. If you have one day in Boston, you definitely have to check it out. It’s a perfect way to do a self-guided tour of the city while learning so much about America’s history!
About the Freedom Trail
Boston’s Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile redbrick line that meanders through the city connecting sixteen historically significant sights.
Starting at the Boston Common, you can follow the trail to each of the landmarks, which include museums, churches, meeting houses, cemeteries, parks, and a ship.
Boston’s historic sights are seamlessly intertwined with the modern city, so it’s easy to miss something significant without the trail. Plus, seeing the very old surrounded by modern skyscrapers is striking and a juxtaposition that’s unusual in most American cities.
You’re free to “hop-on” or “hop-off” the Trail at any point. The flexibility is awesome; you can go with the flow and do what suits you.
It’ll probably take about two hours to walk the trail if you don’t take too many detours. If you decide to stop for lunch or do a little shopping, it may take a full day!
You may also enjoy:
Stops on the Trail
There are sixteen stops on the trail, which are as follows:
(If you’re short on time, I’ve detailed my top five favorites in the next section.)
- The Boston Common
- Massachusetts State House
- The Park St. Church
- Granary Burial Ground
- King’s Chapel
- Boston Latin School
- The Old Corner Bookstore
- Old South Meeting House
- Old State House
- Boston Massacre
- Faneuil Hall
- Paul Revere House
- Old North Church
- Copp’s Hill Burial Ground
- USS Constitution
- Bunker Hill Monument
* For further information regarding each site
My Top Five Favorites
- Boston Common: I love a good park (like NYC’s central park) and the Boston Common is the oldest public park in the US! Plus it’s in the heart of the city with the gold dome of the state building in the background. It’s a really beautiful place to spend an hour or so having a picnic and lounging in the sun.
The Boston Common is directly across the street from the Boston Public Gardens, so together they make one giant park. The Boston Public Gardens are known for their fleet of Swan Boats as well as the Ducklings statue from the children’s book, “Make Way for Ducklings.”
- Granary Burying Ground: It may seem weird to include a cemetery on my list of favorites, but this is no ordinary cemetery. Its list of “residents” includes: Sam Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, to name a few. Questions regarding the US Constitution? You may find some spiritual guidance at the Granary.
- The Old South Meeting Hall (tied for 3rd): Where Bostonians would meet for the OG of town halls. They discussed the current politics of the city, and of the crown. This is where the tea-tax debate (which eventually led to the Boston Tea Party) began its simmer.
The Old State House (tied for 3rd): The oldest surviving public building in Boston. It’s similar to the Old South Meeting Hall (in style) so I actually used to get them confused! I love this building; when I look at it, I can imagine what the US looked like when it first began to develop into a nation. I take a few steps back and look up at the massive skyscrapers, and I’m reminded of how far we’ve come and grown.
- Faneuil Hall: Originally a marketplace (still is, actually) and meeting space frequented by the masterminds of the revolution. If you’ve been following the Freedom Trail for a while, you’re probably hungry by now, and Faneuil Hall will have tons of options. Sit and relax with a Sam Adams beer and some fried clams before heading on to the next stop.
- The USS Constitution: The oldest commissioned warship afloat. By this point you’re probably tired of churches and cemeteries, so this ship really changes it up. If you have a few days in Boston, do a quick check to see what days you can hop on board for a tour.
The Night is Young
Maybe the trail took a few hours, maybe it took most of the day, but one thing is for sure, you’re probably ready for some fun! Although you have many options, I suggest the following two:
- Catch a red sox game at the historic Fenway Park. If you’re learning about history, you might as well stop at America’s oldest major league ballpark. The fans are passionate, the food is traditional, and the beers are cold.
- Dinner in the North End: the oldest residential neighborhood in Boston. This charming neighborhood has a rich and diverse history, but it’s most famous for the impact left by the Italian community. If you’ve got a hankering for a big bowl of pasta and a glass of red, the North End is where you should head.
That’s it – what I would do with one day in Boston. If you have a bit more time, there is plenty more to see and do. If you’re interested, leave me a comment below and I’ll let you know some of my other Boston favorites.
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