Plan Your Trip

• Directions & Parking
• Hotels - Special Freedom Trail Packages
• Discounts & Special Values
• Weather
• About Boston
• Steps Off the Trail
• FAQs

FAQs

1. What is the Freedom Trail?
   The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walking trail marked by a red-brick path that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites. Established in 1958, the Freedom Trail today is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.
2. What are the 16 Freedom Trail sites?
   The official Freedom Trail sites are: Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel and Burying Ground, Ben Franklin statue and Boston Latin School, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, USS Consitution, Bunker Hill Monument.
3. What is the Freedom Trail Foundation?
   In 1964, the Freedom Trail Foundation was established as the official non-profit charged with marketing and helping with preservation of the Freedom Trail. The Foundation works in partnership to develop educational and public programs, and to improve the visitor experience to historical Boston.
4. Can you walk the Freedom Trail by yourself?
   Yes. But the Freedom Trail Foundation offers 90 minute walking tours led by 18th century costumed guides.
5. Is the Freedom Trail handicapped accessible?
   Yes. However, many of the Freedom Trail sites are not.
6. Where can I rent a wheelchair?
   Gary Drug located at 59 Charles Street in Beacon Hill. 617.227.0023
7. Where should I park?
   We recommend the Boston Common Parking Garage located underneath Boston Common. Access to the garage is on Charles Street. www.mccahome.com/bcg.html Parking garages can also be found on State Street, Congress Street, Broad Street, and North Street.
8. Is the Freedom Trail free?
   It is free to walk the Trail. The Old State House, Old South Meeting House, and Paul Revere House each charge an entrance fee. King’s Chapel and the Old North Church suggest a donation, but it is not required for entrance.
9. When is the Trail open?
   The Trail is open year-round. Freedom Trail sites have different hours of operation throughout the year. Only the USS Constitution is closed seasonally on Monday - Wednesday and is closed year-round on Mondays.
10. How long does it take to walk the Freedom Trail?
    The Trail is 2.5 miles and is walked at your own pace. Foundation walking tours are 90 minutes and only cover part of the Freedom Trail and do not include admission to the Freedom Trail sites. You should allow at least 1/2 hour inside each Freedom Trail site.
11. Can I bring my dog on the Freedom Trail?
    Yes, but not into the sites.
12. What are the hours of the sites?
    Most of the Freedom Trail sites are open daily 9 a.m. to 4 or 4:30 p.m..Read through each Freedom Trail site for hours of operation. The USS Constitution is closed on Monday; and seasonally Monday - Wednesday.
13. How do I book a group or student tour?
    Groups can walk the Freedom Trail independently or with a costumed guide. Please call the Freedom Trail Foundation at 617.357.8300 to book a tour with an 18th century costumed guide.
14. What is the Freedom Trail Foundation Preservation Fund?
    It supports preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and capital projects for official Freedom Trail sites. These projects help avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects of the elements and man-made wear and tear on these precious 17th and 18th century sites and enhance the visitor experience of those sites.
15. What are the Freedom Trail Foundation walking tours?
    The walking tours are the official tours of the Freedom Trail. Led by 18th century costumed guides, the 90 minute walking tours follow the red-brick Freedom Trail and are approximately one mile long. The tours are outdoors and do not enter ANY Freedom Trail sites. You will see up to 12 of the 16 sites on any tour. Tours depart from various locations and times vary, but are generally offered every hour from April through November. Tours are offered throughout the year with a reduced schedule from November through March. Tickets are available online and at various locations in the city. Boston Common, ArtsBoston Booth at Faneuil Hall, Old Town Trolley kiosk at Long Wharf, and the Tea Party Ships & Museum Visitor Information Center at Congress and Pearl Streets.
    $1 of the ticket price is designated for the Freedom Trail Foundation Preservation Fund for capital improvements and restoration of the official Freedom Trail sites. Check http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/book-tour/public-tours.shtml for all current tour information.
16. Do tours sell out?
    No.
17. Are there tours in the winter?
    Yes.
18. Are there any days where tours are not offered?
    We offer tours of the Freedom Trail every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Tours may also be cancelled do to severe weather. Please call if you're not sure.
19. Is there an audio tour of the Freedom Trail?
    Audio tours are available for rent at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center, which is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $15. They are same day rentals. You return the audio devices at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center, the Union Oyster House, and the Charlestown Marriott Residence Inn. MP3 version of the audio guide is also available for download online for $15 at http://store.thefreedomtrail.org/walkintohistorymp3.aspx.
20. What is the address of the Boston Common Visitor Information Center?
    139 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02111 (99 Chauncy St. is the Foundation office)
21. Are there other historic sites near the Freedom Trail?
    There are several. They are listed on the on this site Steps off the Trail and in the Freedom Trail Official Guidebook.
22. Can I hire a costumed guide for an event?
    The Freedom Trail Players® are available for special events and tours. Please call the Freedom Trail Foundation at 617.357.8300 to speak to a representative.
23. What is the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum?
    The three tea party ships are replicas of 18th century ships that might have been docked in Boston Harbor at the time of the Boston Tea Party. The location also includes a museum, café, shop, and introductory movie.