Freedom Trail in Boston: Explore Must-See Sites During Your Family Vacation

Boston Common – The First Stop on the Freedom Trail in Boston

Most tourists like yourself begin their Freedom Trail journey at Boston Common. This is one of the oldest public parks in the country. The park has approximately fifty acres. Centuries ago, this park was a pasture for Puritan settlers. The military then took it over for their use.

Today, you will see families having picnics, people running, and during the winter, ice skating on the pond.

Use my travel guide for Boston to help you before and during your family vacation. 

Park Street Church

Park Street Church was built in 1809. “My Country, Tis of Thee” was first sung publicly in this church in 1831. When you arrive at this Freedom Trail site during your family vacation in Boston, point out the two-hundred-seventeen-foot steeple to the kids.

Granary Burying Ground

Old cemeteries hold lots of history. The Granary Burying Ground dates back to 1660. Numerous notable people are buried here. The most famous people include Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams.

As you wander around, have your kids point out the oldest headstones. Or have them point out all the people they learned about in history class in school.

Old Corner Bookstore – Unique Stop on the Freedom Trail in Boston

A family vacation isn’t a family vacation until you have spent time inside a bookstore! Thankfully, the Old Corner Bookstore on the Freedom Trail in Boston isn’t any ordinary bookstore.

Nope! This building was constructed in 1718. And it was used by a Boston publishing company in the 19th century. In fact, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Harriet Beecher Stowe both had books published by this company.

I recommend wandering through this building, searching for historical items. And of course, making a purchase or two before you leave.

Check out these other bookstores to visit during family vacations. 

Old State House

The Old State House was constructed in 1713. It was where the colonial government met many years ago. It was also where those in government witnessed the infamous Boston Massacre in 1770.

I recommend going inside to explore the interactive exhibits. Your family can also stand on the balcony. It is on that balcony where the Declaration of Independence was first read in Boston.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace – A Popular Stop on the Freedom Trail in Boston

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace has been a part of Boston’s history since 1742. At that time, merchants and fishermen sold items to the locals. However, it wasn’t long before prominent people like George Washington and Samuel Adams used this area to give inspirational speeches.

This marketplace received major renovations back in the 1970s and it looks slightly different nowadays. Currently, there are approximately eighty shops, restaurants, and pubs at Faneuil Hall. And yet, your family can still see, and imagine, the history that took place at this site on the Freedom Trail in Boston.

Old North Church

April 18, 1775, was an important night in Boston’s history. This church was where Robert Newman signaled to the locals that the British were approaching.

The Old North Church is the oldest church in the city. You can see the family names from years ago on the private benches.

I recommend climbing the steps to the top of the tower to see the panoramic views of the city. Feel free to say, “one if by land, two if by sea”, while at the top to reenact history.

There is a museum tucked away into the gift shop next door. So, make sure you check that out before you continue along the Freedom Trail during your family vacation.

Paul Revere House

Everyone knows the important role Paul Revere played when the British were arriving to attack. However, not many people have seen his home.

Paul Revere’s home was built in 1680. He lived in that home from 1770 through 1800. It is the oldest home in the city.

You can tour his home during your family vacation in Boston. Inside, you will see the original furniture, as well as some of the silver he produced.

Bunker Hill Monument

You can see the Bunker Hill Monument well before you reach it, as you are walking along the Freedom Trail in Boston. This shouldn’t be surprising since it towers over the city.

If your children are old enough, I recommend climbing the two-hundred-ninety-four steps to the top of the monument. You should also take a selfie once you reach the top to commemorate your efforts. And to remember how you managed to persuade your kids to keep going.

Check out the best bars in Boston (and yes, Cheers is on the list!)

USS Constitution and Museum – The Last Stop on the Freedom Trail in Boston

The USS Constitution is known as Old Ironsides. It is the oldest warship still in the water today.

She first set sail on July 22, 1798. Her final voyage was July 21, 1997. The USS Constitution is currently a museum, so board the ship with your family for a tour. The tours occur every half hour. Your tour guide will be dressed in clothes from the Revolutionary War.

Exploring the Freedom Trail in Boston is more than just a walk through history. It’s a chance for families to step back in time and experience the stories that shaped the US. Every stop along the Freedom Trail offers an opportunity to spark curiosity and conversation. Unforgettable adventures are waiting your family at these must-see places in Boston, as well as many others. And I can help you see the destinations you want to see the most by creating a personalized itinerary for your family vacation in Boston.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your next trip to Boston or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. Clicking this link will take you to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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National Massachusetts Day – Fun Facts About Massachusetts

1. Massachusetts has numerous nicknames. They include Pilgrim State, Old Bay State, and Old Colony State.
2. The official berry of Massachusetts is the cranberry. And this state has the second largest crop of cranberries in the country!
3. Basketball was invented by James Naismith in Massachusetts back in 1891.
4. Volleyball was also invented in the state. William Morgan invented this sport in 1895.
5. The very first Dunkin Donuts was opened in 1950 in Quincy, MA.
6. The very first lighthouse in the US was constructed on Little Brewster Island in 1716.
7. Licenses were not required to drive in Massachusetts until 1903.
8. The very first Thanksgiving was held in Plymouth in 1621.
9. Boston Common was the very first public park in the US. It opened in 1634.
10. The very first post office in the US opened in Boston in 1639.
11. Alexander Graham Bell made the very first phone call in Boston on March 10, 1876. He called his lab assistant.
12. The divorce rate in Massachusetts is one of the lowest in the entire country.
13. Ruth Graves Wakefield invented the chocolate chip cookie at the Toll House Restaurant in Whitman in 1930.
14. Fig Newton cookies are named after Newton, MA.
15. One of the lakes in Massachusetts is called “Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg”. Most people call it Webster Lake now. Wonder why???
16. It is illegal to scare a pigeon in Massachusetts.
17. Stopping for a red light in Massachusetts is not required by law unless it is flashing.
18. There is a home in Massachusetts made from newspapers. The Paper House was constructed by Elis F. Stenman in 1922. It is in Rockport. Add this to your must-see list for your next family vacation.
19. 19 witches were hung after the witch trials in Salem in the 17th century.
20. Johnny Appleseed was born as John Chapman in Leominster, MA.
21. The Great Molasses Flood occurred in 1919 when a tank filled with molasses exploded at the Purity Distillation Company.
22. It is technically illegal to use tomatoes in clam chowder in Massachusetts.
23. Back in 1659, it was deemed to be illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts. This law was reversed 20 years later.
24. Boston Cream Pie is the official dessert of Massachusetts.
25. Dr. Suess was born in Massachusetts.

These are only some of the fun facts you may not have known about Massachusetts. There are many others, and you can learn many of them on National Massachusetts Day. Of course, you can learn even more when you take a family vacation in Massachusetts!

So, are you ready to plan a family vacation in Massachusetts?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not ready for a family vacation in Massachusetts, you can sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you will never miss out on any of the travel information I share.

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