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To get a feel for the layout of Boston, start off on the tourist trail on your own or as a tour around the famous "Freedom Trail", a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites to see the real history that Boston is famous for. You can pick up a map at most newsagents or tourist centres and take a day to cruise around the city. Sail Boat on Boston Harbour
Start off at the Boston Common, 50 acres of parkland in the centre of Boston among the trees, statues and even swan boats on the lake where once hangings took place but now people just seem to hang out. You can take in the old buildings such as the State house and follow the trail to the Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground and the King's Chapel Burying Ground where you can find graves dating back to the 1800's. If you have plenty of time you can browse more historical sites such as the Ben Franklin Statue just near his birthplace - plus the first public school and the Old Corner Bookstore site. The Old South Meeting House, built in 1728, is where the Boston Tea Party began when Samuel Adams declared there was nothing he could do to stop the rise in taxes on tea and the angry mob dumped 3 shiploads of tea into the harbour. Move from here along State St to the Old State House which is now the history museum then the site of the Boston Massacre where 5 people died in 1770 (hmm)! Faneuil Hall Marketplace which has shops, markets, old pubs and even a Cheers Pub (though not the real one which is up at !) Kingfish restaraunt has great food but the whole area is very cheesy and really set up for the tourist market. It is also where you will find the Holocaust Memorial, incredibly moving colums representing all the people who died. Around the hall is the Aquarium and harbour and easy access to the North End, Financial District and into Downtown Boston. The next official stop is the oldest building in downtown Boston - the Paul Revere House built in 1680 and where he left on his famous 'midnight ride'. The Old North Church is said to be the oldest church in Boston and the most visited historical site in Boston as it is where it was announced by lantern the British we coming as the start of the American Revolution. With magnificent views, the Copp Hill Burying Ground is where many famous merchants are buried. The warship USS Constitiution was fist commissioned in 1797 and is stationed permanently in Charlestown on the Boston Harbour but strangely enough still has a fully functional crew. Lastly the Bunker Hill Monument marks the first time Colonial forces held its own against the British army. Today a 221-foot granite obelisk denotes the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution. A place to stop and remember the history behind a lot of Boston.
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