7 Historical Sites To Visit In Boston

Any history lovers out there? Boston is your city. It has buildings that date back to pre-revolutionary times and many of them have seen some pretty incredible moments in history. Most of these locations can be found on the Freedom Trail, but we’ve highlighted a few that are notable on their own. Boston is full of incredible history and historical sites so please do not stop at this list while you’re planning a visit. There’s so much it’s impossible to include everything in one go.

Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a convenient group of historical sites that spans over a 2.5-mile route. It consists of sixteen sites that history lovers will admire while visiting Boston. The Freedom Trail presents a great opportunity to see a lot of sites in one morning or afternoon. The flexibility to choose what you visit and when is certainly a perk if you’re short on time but if you can spare a few hours, try a guided walking tour. Stops on the trail include the Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Benjamin Franklin Statue & Boston Latin School, Old Corner Book Store, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Site of Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, Bunker Hill Monument, and USS Constitution.

Granary Burial Ground
The Granary Burial Ground is an extraordinary stop along the Freedom Trail. Cemeteries are a unique destination to visit while discovering a city. The stories of the people who are buried there go back generations, and in this case, centuries. You can often find architectural gems in old cemeteries and, if you’re lucky, stumble upon a famous name or two. Pere Lachaise in Paris has a plethora of notable individuals, including Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Colette, and Chopin.

The Granary in Boston offers a similar experience. It is home to Paul Revere's resting place, where there is now a beautiful monument. You can also see his original headstone, small and insignificant at first glance but powerful and goosebump-inducing once you come to terms with exactly what is in front of you. It’s also home to Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin’s parents, and other notable people who fought during Revolutionary times.

Longfellow House
Not exactly in Boston, Longfellow House is right over the river in Cambridge. Longfellow House-Washington’s National Headquarters is a National Historic Site, and for good reason. Constructed in 1759, the house has been home to many notable owners, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and George Washington. Many strategies and conversations happened in the parlor with the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and other leaders of the time (queue “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton). It later became the home of the poet Longfellow, who raised his family and hosted visitors such as Charles Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The house is gorgeous and has been beautifully preserved. Book a tour to experience it fully and learn about the history.

*Note: Longfellow House is only open seasonally. Check the website for tour availability.

Nichols House Museum
The Nichols House Museum is a popular spot for visitors interested in history. Expect a perfectly preserved rendition of life at the turn of the century. Experience what it was like to be in the American upper class circa 1890-1910. You will undoubtedly be astonished.

Old North Church
Located in the North End, the Old North Church is associated with Paul Revere’s midnight ride. It is the oldest standing church building in Boston, erected in 1723. According to the story, two men in the church held lanterns to warn the patriots of approaching British troops, directions given by Revere. If one lantern flashed, it warned the patriots the redcoats were coming via land - two via water. Old North Church is another one of the 16 sites on the Freedom Trail.

Park Street Church
Park Street Church is another stop on the Freedom Trail but not associated with the Revolutionary War. Established in 1809, Park Street is known for having a large role in social justice and human rights. It has been involved in several progressive movements, including prison reform, women’s suffrage, education, and anti-slavery. It’s known for creating one of the first Sunday School programs, which intended to teach children who were not in school so they could work for their families on how to read. Many speeches were made at Park Street, publicly criticizing and denouncing slavery. (source)

Paul Revere House
Tucked away in the North End neighborhood, once you turn the appropriate corner, you’ll notice the Paul Revere House right away. The old construction stands out among everything around it. The Paul Revere House is exactly what it sounds like — the home of Paul Revere during the Revolutionary era. It’s a very old colonial home preserved to represent what it would have looked like while the Revere family lived there. It’s one of Boston’s oldest buildings and only one of a few remaining 17th-century homes in an urban area. The house has been through quite a bit in the last few hundred years, but in the early 20th century, Paul Revere’s great-grandson purchased it back and raised money to preserve its history, which made it one of the earliest historic house museums in America. (source)