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Time again for eBay Live and we need to know what's FREE to do in Boston. No need to spend money you don't have to (other than on eBay Live Fees, Hotel and Food). This Guide will let you know where to go, what to see and how to do it ALL for FREE!
Boston is ALL about History! If you're a history buff then Boston is the place to be! All of the following are FREE to do!
The Freedom Trail..
The Freedom Trail is a 3 mile walking tour around the heart of historic Boston. The path is marked by a red line painted or bricked into the sidewalk. The historic sites relate mostly to the American Revolution. The Freedom Trail begins in Boston Common and ends in Charlestown at the Bunker Hill Monument. A map can be purchased at the Information Booth near Park Street Station, but also note that most hotels offer free historic brochures that contain maps. The Freedom Trail can be very educational, but is also a great path to follow for shopping, dining, or to just enjoy the city.
If you want to spend a lot of time at each site, consider following the trail to the Old South Meeting House or Old State House, and then start again from there on the next day. The Trail can take many hours to explore if you are interested in a lot of detail. The Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common near Park Street Station. FREE!
Faneuil Hall..
Faneuil Hall has served as a marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742. Funding was provided by a wealthy merchant, Peter Faneuil, for the construction and local artisan to create the grasshopper weather vane that still perches on the building's cupola. Inspiring speeches by Samuel Adams and other patriots were given that eventually led to independence from the British. Faneuil Hall was expanded in 1806 by Charles Bulfinch. When Boston became a city the use of Faneuil Hall as a government meeting place came to an end, but it was still regularly used. Today, the first floor is still used as a lively marketplace and the second floor is a meeting hall where many Boston City debates are held. The fourth floor is maintained by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.
Hours of Operation: Second floor meeting hall and market level information desk open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm. National Park Service rangers present historical talks every thirty minutes, 9:30am - 4:30pm, except when Hall is in use for special events. FREE!
U.S.S. Constitution..
USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. It was first launched in 1797. Constitution is one of six ships ordered for construction by George Washington to protect America's growing maritime interests. The ships greatest glory came during the war of 1812 when she defeated four British frigates and earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides," because cannon balls glanced off her thick hull. The ship was restored in 1927 with contributions from the nation's school children.
The Charlestown Navy Yard was built on what was once Mouton's or Morton's Point, the landing place of the British army prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was one of the first shipyards built in the United States. During its 174 year history, hundreds of ships were built, repaired and modernized, including the World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young. Today, thirty acres of the Navy Yard are preserved by the National Park Service as part of Boston National Historical Park.
Free guided tours: 9:30am - 3:50pm; unguided top deck tours, 3:50pm to sunset.
Hours of Operation: Museum open 9:00am to 5:00pm in fall; 9:00am to 6:00pm, in the summer; 10:00am to 4:00pm in the winter.
Boston Common..
The starting point of the Freedom Trail. The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775.
Location: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
Old North Church..
Known as "Christ Church in the City of Boston," this Episcopal church was built in 1723 and is Boston's oldest Church building. On the steeple of this church, Robert Newman signaled with lanterns the approach of the British regulars; "One if by land, and two, if by sea.: The steeple is 191 feet tall, making it the tallest steeple in Boston. It is also the first set of bells ever brought to America. Paul Revere was one of the neighborhood bellringers. The interior high box pews and brass chandeliers, as well as the Church's first clock are all original.
Location:193 Salem Street. Hours of Operation: Open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm.
King's Chapel & King's Burial Ground..
King's Chapel Burying Ground is the oldest burying place in Boston proper. The Peter Harrison designed church was constructed on land taken from the burying ground. To insure the presence of the Church of England in America, King James II ordered an Anglican parish to be built in Boston. Since none of the colonists were interested in selling suitable land for the Church, the King ordered Governor Andros to seize a corner of the burying ground for the Church of England. The burying ground is the final resting place for many colonists, including John Winthrop, the Colony's governor; Hezekiah Usher, the colony's first printer; Mary Chilton, the first women to step off the Mayflower.
Location: Tremont and School Streets. Hours of Operation: Open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm, late spring, summer, and early fall; winter closed at 3:00pm. King's Chapel open 10:00am to 4:00pm. Closed Mondays.
Bunker Hill Monument..
The Bunker Hill Monument stands tall at 221 feet. It stands on the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution, fought on Breed's Hill, June 17, 1775. Important to the British occupation of Boston was control of the high ground near the harbor. When colonial forces chose to fortify Charlestown, they bypassed the more dominant "Bunker Hill" and dug in on Breed's Hill which was lower and closer to the water. "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes" is the legendary order attributed to Colonel William Prescott to make sure that each shot would count. The poorly trained and ill prepared colonial forces repelled two major assaults by the British Army before retreating. Almost half of the British soldiers were either killed or injured. Although the colonists lost the battle, their bravery and strong showing against the British encouraged them to fight on.
Location: Charlestown. Hours of Operation: Monument open daily 9:00am to 4:30pm. Visitors may climb 294 steps for a view of Boston (no elevator). Free!
Massachusett State House..
Built in 1798, the "new" State House is located across from the Boston Common on the top of Beacon Hill. The land was once owned by Massachusetts first elected governor, John Hancock. Charles Bullfinch, the leading architect of the day, designed the building. The dome, originally made out of wood shingles, is now sheathed in copper and covered by 23 karat gold. In the House of Representatives chambers hangs a wooden codfish that signifies the importance of the fishing industry to the Commonwealth.
Location: Beacon Street at Park Street. Hours of Operation: Open Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Free tours available.
Park Street Church..
Park Street Church, the site of the old town granary where grain was kept before the Revolution, dates back to 1809. This Evangical Church of "firsts" is the location of the first Sunday school in 1818 and the first prison aid in 1824. On July 4, 1829, William Lloyd Garrison gave his first public anti-slavery speech here and two years later, "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was sung for the first time by the church children's choir.
Founded in 1660, the Granary is the third oldest burying ground in Boston proper. In 1737, when grain was stored where the present Park Street Church stands, the burying ground was renamed the Granary. Along with Massachussetts Governors, Clergymen, and Mayors, three signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here.
Location: Park and Tremont Streets. Hours of Operation: Open Tuesday through Saturday, July and August 9:30am to 3:30pm. Winter hours by appointment only. Burying ground open daily 9:00am to 5:00pm. Free.
Other guides relating to jewelry and gemstone buying which you may find helpful are as follows:
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