The Freedom Trail is an introduction to Colonial Revolutionary history and is one of the oldest public parks in the country. Starting at the Boston Common, the trail then continues to hit as many as 16 historical points, until it ends at the Bunker Hill Monument. Different tour companies may offer different routes. Locations highlighted are the Old State House, the King's Chapel and Burying Ground, the First Public School Site and Ben Franklin Statue, Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground, Old South Meeting House, Old Corner Bookstore, the Massachusetts State House, the Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the USS Constitution and Charlestown Navy Yard. You need to devote a full day to the trail, since its length is about 2.5 miles, and many visitors like to linger and taste some of the local flavor along the way.

Tours of The Trail are offered daily from The Boston Common Visitors Center! This tour was awarded official Best Historical Tours of Massachusetts 2008. 978-741-1170 "take The Right Tour"

Tourist Tip:

Povo makes it easy to find where to park, eat or shop around each Freedom Trail attraction. Simply go to a specific attraction page that you'll be visiting, find the "Tags In This Area" box in the right hand column, and click on the keywords that interest you.















ADDITIONAL INFO: For additional information on The Freedom Trail, please visit the the Freedom Trail Foundation Web site HERE. Or check out the foundation's Povo listing HERE.

The Massachusetts State House, also called the 'new' State House, was built in 1798 and operates as the state capitol and seat of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It overlooks the Boston Common on Beacon Hill, and is recognizable by the gilt gold dome topped with a lantern and pine cone. Originally, the dome was made of wood shingles and leaked terribly, then replaced with copper in 1861. The front of the building features an elevated portico with classical Corinthian columns, set against the red brick of the facade. A wooden codfish hangs in the House of Representatives chambers, representing the importance of the fishing industry to the Commonwealth. The building was expanded in 1895 with a large annex, and in 1917 marble wings were added. This is one of the stops on the Freedom Trail, and guided tours are offered daily and are free of charge. Halloween Fun: A special Halloween walking tour of Beacon Hill's murders, executions, ghosts and politicians among the spooky decorations and celebrations of the residents. Tickets are $15. For more information check it out Here

After 70 years in the Back Bay, the Institute of Contemporary Arts has re-opened in full glory on the reviltalized Waterfront of Boston. Designed by world renowned architects, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the ICA is an imposing and captivating piece of art in itself. Grab a friend and head on over to the Seaport district where the ICA is a neighbor to an ever gentrifying and hip neighborhood. Open until 9 pm and closed Mondays. Admission $10-12($10 Students with ID) The gallery is free on Thursdays from 5-9pm. Here is a handy map of parking lots in the area.

Afloat in the Navy Yard in Charlestown, the USS Constitution, or more commonly referred to as "Old Ironsides" is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. It was built on orders from George Washington and has been an active military ship since 1797. It is part of The Freedom Trail and free tours are offered daily. Check out the website for complete details on hours.

_

Initiated in 1965 with the purchase of a Tremont St. block, the Boston Center for the Arts is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all types of artists in their creative endeavors. This 4-acre complex houses the Mills Gallery, The Cyclorama, the Calderwood Pavillion, 2 rehearsal spaces and artist studios open to public viewing. The theaters host a frequently changing array of contemporary performances; check the website calendar for upcoming events. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Atlantic Works is a collaborative space for art and ideas. With a growing number of artists displaced by Boston's soaring rents, East Boston is a richly diverse community which is quickly becoming a vibrant artist enclave. The Atlantic Works Gallery, composed of 29 members of the thriving East Boston Artist Group (EBAG), is a manifestation of this trend. A great opportunity to venture across the river is for the annual Open Studios that happens in the Fall. Check out EBAG's websitefor details.

Template:Library The Central Library is located in Copley Square and comprises two buildings. The McKim Building houses the non-circulating research and reference materials (also known as the "old" building), and the Johnson Building (known as the "new" building), houses the circulating collections. There are individual entrances, McKim on Dartmouth Street and Johnson on Boylston Street. Home to tens of thousands of books - all at the tip of your fingers (two forms of ID and a utility bill will get you a card). You can reserve books via website, and pick the books up when they become available. The best part about the library is the old part. It takes you back to a European vibe- and people are often found studying in the picture-worthy sitting room. The library was founded in 1852 as the first public library in the United States. A little know fact is a French ventriloquist named Alexandre Vattemare (aka Monsieur Alexandre) was one of the founding members of Public Library and donated books from Parisian libraries in order to persuade them to found a Boston library. To this day, it is the largest and busiest city library in the country. Don't dare keep your cell phone up or utter a decimeter over a whisper.... you'll be shunned for life. There is also a small cafe and a restaurant for food and beverage. The BPL is known for it's stunning murals painted by John Singer Sargent in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Free guided tours of the library are offered every day with the exception of Wed. A small and functional cafe (Sebastian's) and strangely empty Novel Restauraunt are in the McKim building. They are close proximity to a gem of hidden tranquility- the fountain and courtyard. The courtyard has chairs and tables, and benches. (you can stop to have a snack) even on a rainy day as the perimeter is covered. Along the other three walls rounds an arcaded promenade which is an almost exact facsimile of the arcade of the Cancelleria Palace in Rome. Frederick MacMonnies' "Bacchante and Infant Faun," is the bronze cast fountain statue. (viewing only) The Boston Public Library has assembled more than 3,500 e-books as well. The Boston Public Library system also offers FREE and "near FREE" passes to local museums. For a complete listing, click here. It is first come first serve,(but hardly anyone partakes) and you must get them for that same day. The Margaret and H.A. Rey Children's Room (named after the creators of Curious George and longtime BPL supporters) offers a great collection of kids' books and magazines, three On-line Public Access Catalogs, two Little Tikes computers for preschool children, and four Multimedia PCs, for ages 8 to 13, with Internet Access. A spacious room, the older children can enjoy their space amongst the littlest ones. Rich and constant programming includes concerts, storytime, crafts and weekly sing-alongs. There is a small (sadly shabby) play space, always crayons set out on the table, and there are (single) bathrooms which include diaper changing stations. In need of some upkeep, the space is still clean and stocked enough to make it a great "drop in" on a rainy day and even better for a planned event. Information on the events is not easy to eschew from the website, it is better to drop in and pick up the flyers. Summer is especially well programmed with events on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, (mornings and afternoons). Public Restroom: The restrooms and water fountains are in the basement near the elevators.

Learn about robots and artificial intelligence, see amazing holograms, follow the making of MIT scientists and engineers, catch the time-stopping beauty of strobe photography, discover the art in architecture, journey with leading edge oceanographers, even thrill to a roomful of ingenious kinetic sculptures. The Museum features changing and ongoing exhibits, unique hands-on experiences, and community programs for visitors of all ages. The Museum also presents the annual Cambridge Science Festival in late April and hosts a huge variety of events, demonstrations, and activities for all ages during that time period. Admission is free with your MIT ID other students, kids under 18, senior citizens: $3.00 all others: $7.50 Check out the museum's calendar for a listing of their special (and often free) events.

One of the great art collectors of the 19th century, Isabella Gardner bequeathed this imitation Venetian palazzo (designed by Willard T. Sears) to house her treasures, along with her enormous private art collection, to be seen by the public as a museum. Her will stipulates that if any of the art is moved from its present location, the entire collection must be given to Harvard. Mrs Gardner was quite the free spirit, she also stipulated that any woman named Isabella could can free admittance to the museum, any time.
In 1990, the museum fell victim to one of the largest art robberies in recent US history when 13 major works were stolen, including several Rembrandts and Degas, a Vermeer, and a Manet. The case has yet to be solved and empty wall space reminds visitors of the travesty. However, the mansion still houses some remarkable works of art, among them Titian's Rape of Europa, Sargent's El Jaleo, two Botticellis, two Rembrandts, and works by Whistler, Manet, Degas, and Matisse.
The mansion is built around a lush, four-story glass-roofed courtyard adorned with delicate reliefs, columns, fountains, and flowers that bloom year-round. Free guided tours Tu-F 2:30pm. Admission M-F $10, Sa-Su $11; students $5. Children under the age of 18 are admitted free with a parent or guardian. If your name is Isabella, you are granted free admission - for life! For a listing of events (some of them are free) click here. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Note: Unfortunately the free admission does not apply to people named Isabel, only Isabella!