Perhaps the most underrated point of interest on the Boston Freedom Trail, this granite obelisk rises 221 ft. above Breed's Hill, where every alert school child can tell you the battle was actually fought (on June 17, 1775 to be specific). Take a few deep breaths and climb the 294-step spiral staircase (there's no elevator) for a splendid view of Boston, the Harbor, and beyond. Be warned that the monument, completed in 1843, closes during icy times, though exhibits stay open. “Battle talks” are offered by rangers upon request. Admission is Free. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Sam Adams Brewery, located in Jamaica Plain, is a Boston landmark. This is the original brewery for Sam Adams beer and is where you can go to take a tour, learn about the brewing process, sample all of the products (the most fun part), and learn all about the history of the company of Sam Adams. Tours are held on: Monday-Thursday 10-3, Fridays 10-5:30, Saturday 10-3, Tours depart on an hourly basis and last around 45 minutes.

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.

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.

You know the kid who got more attention growing up, who consequently became the favorite? That's the Public Gardens compared to its "ugly" counterpart, the Boston Common. Always pristine, always in everyone's wedding photos- this park is beautiful. Manicured with the best flowers, and shrubbery sculpted weekly- The Public Gardens is the city's crown jewel of parks. Situated at the head of both Back Bay and Beacon Hill, the park offers a beautiful lake, the famous bronze ducks sculpture (from a great children's book), swan tours (big boat shaped like swans), a wonderful bridge, and small little fountains at the corners. The statues of note-worthy Bostonians gives the park a "larger-than-life" feel. The Public Garden has been compared to Oz. You almost feel comfortable enough to run around barefoot in the grass. In the summer, you'll find musicians playing soft music. By fall, the leaves on the trees change and the park transforms into a picture-worthy playground. Set up a picnic, or just come to stroll. You won't be disappointed.

This large play area has safe and well maintained climbing structures, sandboxes, swing sets and open play areas, making this location very popular with youngsters and parents alike. After you've done Newbury Street, take the kids over to the Clarendon Street Playground. This is the spot where real city kids hang out. Inside the fenced and gated area, you'll find lots of playing possibilities. The equipment is fairly new and the playground is kept reasonably clean. Climbing is the big attraction; several structures invite children of all ages to test their muscles. There are slides (large and small), and bucket and sling swings, a sand area, and a tire swing. Free-use toys galore: Tonka trucks, riding toys and even a few plasma cars. The play surfaces are mostly sand. There is plenty of shade all day. For kids who need to run, the playground has a large open area where kids can play soccer, tag, or a small-scale game of baseball. Watch toddlers around the many steps that lead to this area - when they venture down alone, scraped arms and knees may ensue.
Clarendon street playground is celebrating it's 30th birthday on Monday September 29th 2008 4PM - all welcome for play.

Dell Avenue Rock consists primarily of a puddingstone ledge arising approximately 40 feet above Hyde Park Avenue. There are some outcrops near the top of the rock. The site is dominated by woodland, comprised of small and medium sized maples, oaks, cherry, and birch with sparse, grassy ground cover. This site provides a pleasant visual buffer along a busy, dense stretch of Hyde Park Avenue. Views from the top of the rock overlook the Stony Brook Reservation and in the winter there are views of the Blue Hills. The open, grassy areas on the lower portion of the site provide a quiet retreat for picnics or reading.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace has been a staple of Boston's freedom and bustling economy since it's creation in 1742. Faneuil Hall was originally created as a meeting house and a forum for our most famous Patriots to give speeches regarding our emancipation from Great Britian. Although Faneuil Hall is primarily a tourist spot today, the building is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places and is an intrinsic part of Boston's Freedom Trail. Often called "the Cradle of Liberty", Faneuil Hall continues to remind residents and visitors alike of this city's rich and exciting past.