|
Travel Information |
Boston National Historical ParkBoston, MA Description: Consists of eight historic sites associated with the colonial struggle for independence and American ideals of liberty and freedom. Seven of the sites are connected by the 2.5 mile-long Freedom Trail (TM). The park includes three visitor centers, which are located downtown, at the Charlestown Navy Yard, and at the Bunker Hill Monument. It also includes the USS Constitution and other properties in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Please select a destination point from the following list: Ranger Tips:  Wear comfortable clothing and shoes if you plan to walk the Freedom Trail. Bring water and plan your restroom stops! Theme related special events enhance regular park programs during Patriot's Day weekend in mid-April, Bunker Hill week in mid-June, and Harborfest during 4th of July week. Family oriented exhibits and programs are offered at the USS Constitution Museum, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and Paul Revere House. Travel Tips: Use of public transportation is encouraged. The MBTA Boston Visitor Pass allows unlimited travel on the subway, local bus, and inner harbor ferry. One day, three day, or seven day passes are available. Contact the T at http://www.mbta.com. Boston Downtown Visitor Center
15 State StreetBoston, MA 02109-3502 Description: Right in the heart of Boston, the Downtown Visitor Center distributes free maps, brochures, and information on the Freedom Trail and the Boston area. Eastern National Bookstore sells books, maps, historical toys, and reproductions. Transit Directions:  Take the MBTA (Orange or Blue Line) to State Street Station. There are two exits from State Street: one next to the Old South Meeting House and one located inside the Old State House. If you exit from the former, turn right and walk one block on Washington Street. The Downtown Visitor Center is located at 15 State Street, across from the Old State House. Driving Directions:  Although is it possible to reach this destination by car, it is strongly suggested that visitors use public transit, due to the difficulties of driving and parking in Boston. From the North (I-93): 1. From I-93 southbound, take Exit #24A (“Government Center”). 2. From the offramp, continue straight on Atlantic Avenue. 3. Turn right onto State Street. 4. The Old State House (a brick building w/ a white cupola) is straight ahead. The Visitor Center is located just to the left in the brick pedestrian plaza. From the West (I-90 Mass. Turnpike): 1. From I-90 eastbound, take Exit #18 (Allston/Cambridge). 2. Continue towards Cambridge/Somerville on Cambridge Street. 3. Turn right onto Soldiers Field Road, and continue on Storrow Drive towards downtown Boston. 4. From Storrow Drive, take the “Gov’t Center/Kendall Square/Cambridge” exit. 5. At the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp, proceed straight, following signs for “Government Center” (keep CVS on your immediate right). 6. Pass under the elevated train tracks and proceed onto Cambridge Street. 7. Continue on Cambridge Street as it curves to the right and becomes Tremont Street. 8. Just past the fenced cemetery on the left, turn left onto School Street and drive one block. 9. Turn left onto Washington Street. The Visitor Center is located on the small brick pedestrian plaza 1/2 block ahead on the right, before Washington Street ends. From the South (I-93): 1. From I-93 northbound, take Exit #23 and follow the signs to Government Center, turning right onto North Street. (Quincy Market will be on your left.) 2. Turn left onto Congress Street and immediately right onto State Street. 3. The Old State House (a brick building w/ a white cupola) is straight ahead. The Visitor Center is located just to the left in the brick pedestrian plaza. Downtown parking is limited and expensive; there is no dedicated parking for the Vistor Center. Commercial parking garages are located throughout downtown. Ranger Tips: Freedom Trail Tours - Free 90-minute walking tour led by National Park Service rangers along the heart of Boston's Freedom Trail. Discover Boston's role in the American Revolution. For more information call 617-242-5642. Tours are offered weather permitting. Each tour is limited to 30 people: first-come, first-served. Rangers will distribute free stickers 30 minutes before tour time. Tours fill up quickly in summer months. Back to Top Bunker Hill Monument
Monument SquareCharlestown, MA 02129 Description: The site of the first major battle of the American Revolution and the last stop on the Freedom Trail. Free maps, brochures, and information on the Freedom Trail and the Bunker Hill Monument. Transit Directions: Follow the Freedom Trail from Downtown Boston on foot or board MBTA #93 bus at State Street Station (Orange and Blue Lines) or Haymarket Station (Orange and Green Lines). Exit at Bunker Hill Street and Lexington Street; follow Lexington for one block to the Monument. Driving Directions: Although is it possible to reach this destination by car, it is strongly suggested that visitors use public transit, due to the difficulties of driving and parking in Boston. From Boston: (Due to construction in downtown Boston, these directions suggest a longer, but simpler route.) 1. From Storrow Drive eastbound, follow signs for I-93. 2. Past the Charles/MGH rotary, get into the far left lane as soon as possible, and follow signs for MA-28/Somerville/Museum of Science. 3. Turn left at the traffic light and cross the bridge. (Do NOT get onto I-93.) You will see the Museum of Science on your left. 4. At the second traffic light, turn right onto Austin Street (signposted “Charlestown”). 5. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Rutherford Avenue. 6. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Chelsea Street (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 7. At the first light, turn left onto Warren Street. 8. Turn right onto Monument Avenue and proceed up the hill to Monument Square. From the North (via I-93): 1. From I-93 southbound, take Exit #28 (“Charlestown/Sullivan Square”); Stay left on exit ramp for approx. 0.3 miles. 2. Exit onto Maffa Way, and continue on Rutherford Avenue past the rotary. 3. Pass Bunker Hill Community College (on your right), cross Austin Street, and get into the left lane. 4. Turn left onto Chelsea Street, (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 5. At the first light, turn left onto Warren Street. 6. Turn right onto Monument Street and proceed up the hill to Monument Square. From the North (via US-1): 1. On US-1 southbound, cross the Tobin Bridge. 2. Take the exit for I-93 North, towards Charlestown/Somerville. 3. Turn right onto Rutherford Avenue. 4. Turn left onto Chelsea Street (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 5. At the first light, turn left onto Warren Street. 6. Turn right onto Monument Avenue and proceed up the hill to Monument Square. From the South (via I-93): 1. From I-93 northbound, take Exit #28 (“Sullivan Square”). 2. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Cambridge Street. 3. At the first traffic light, turn right into the rotary and immediately take the first right onto Rutherford Avenue. 4. Pass Bunker Hill Community College (on your right), cross Austin Street, and get into the left lane. 5. Turn left onto Chelsea Street, (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 6. At the first light, turn left onto Warren Street. 7. Turn right onto Monument Street and proceed up the hill to Monument Square. From the West (Mass. Turnpike I-90): 1. From I-90 eastbound, exit onto I-93 North. 2. From this point, follow the directions from I-93 in “From the South (via I-93)”, above. On-street parking is available in some areas near the site. Pay attention to "Resident Permits Only" areas; visitors' cars will be ticketed. Back to Top Charlestown Navy Yard
Constitution RoadCharlestown, MA 02129 Description: One of the nation's first naval shipyards and home of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Transit Directions: By ferry: MBTA ferries to Charlestown Navy Yard leave from Long Wharf (at the foot of State Street) 7 days a week. By bus: You can board MBTA #93 bus at State Street Station (Orange and Blue Lines) or Haymarket Station (Orange and Green Lines). Exit at 1st Avenue and 8th Street. Driving Directions: Although is it possible to reach this destination by car, it is strongly suggested that visitors use public transit, due to the difficulties of driving and parking in Boston. From Boston: (Due to construction in downtown Boston, these directions suggest a longer, but simpler route.) 1. From Storrow Drive eastbound, follow signs for I-93. 2. Past the Charles/MGH rotary, get into the far left lane as soon as possible, and follow signs for MA-28/Somerville/Museum of Science. 3. Turn left at the traffic light and cross the bridge. 4. Turn right at the second traffic light, following signs for Charlestown. 5. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Rutherford and get into the left lane. 6. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Chelsea Street, following signs for “City Square/Constitution Road.” 7. At the first light, turn right onto Warren Street. 8. Turn left onto Constitution Road. The entrance to the Navy Yard is one block ahead. From the North (via I-93): 1. From I-93 southbound, take Exit #28 (“Charlestown/Sullivan Square”); stay left on exit ramp for approx. 0.3 miles. 2. Exit onto Maffa Way, and continue on Rutherford Avenue past the rotary. 3. Pass Bunker Hill Community College (on your right), cross Austin Street, and get into the left lane. 4. Turn left onto Chelsea Street, (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 5. At the first light, turn right onto Warren Street. 6. Turn left onto Constitution Road. The entrance to the Navy Yard is one block ahead. From the North (via US-1): 1. On Route 1 southbound, cross the Tobin Bridge. 2. Take the exit for I-93 North, towards Charlestown/Somerville. 3. Turn right onto Rutherford Avenue. 4. Turn left onto Chelsea Street (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 5. At the first light, turn right onto Warren Street. 6. Turn left onto Constitution Road. The entrance to the Navy Yard is one block ahead. From the South (via I-93): 1. From I-93 northbound, take Exit #28 (“Sullivan Square”). 2. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Cambridge Street. 3. At the first traffic light, turn right into the rotary and immediately take the first right onto Rutherford Avenue. 4. Pass Bunker Hill Community College (on your right), cross Austin Street, and get into the left lane. 5. Turn left onto Chelsea Street, (signposted “City Square/Constitution Road”). 6. At the first light, turn right onto Warren Street. 7. Turn left onto Constitution Road. The entrance to the Navy Yard is one block ahead. From the West: 1. From I-90 eastbound, exit onto I-93 North. 2. From this point, follow the directions from I-93 in “From the South (via I-93)”, above. Discounted parking with Boston National Historical Park validation is available from Nautica Parking Garage across from park's Visitor Center on Constitution Road. Ranger Tips: It's a short walk from the Charlestown Navy Yard to the Bunker Hill Monument. Don't miss it! Back to Top Dorchester Heights Monument
Thomas ParkBoston, MA Description: Dorchester Heights is significant for its role in the evacuation of the British from Boston during the Revolutionary War. Transit Directions: From downtown Boston, take an outbound Red Line train (either Quincy or Ashmont) to Broadway Station. Take a City Point bus from Broadway to G Street. Walk two blocks south from the intersection of Broadway and G Street to Thomas Park, which surrounds Dorchester Heights. Driving Directions: From the North (including Downtown Boston): 1. From I-93 southbound, take Exit #20 (“I-90 (Mass. Turnpike) West/Albany Street”). 2. Once on the exit ramp, continue toward Albany Street / South Boston. 3. Turn left at the second set of lights onto Broadway, and follow Broadway until the fourth set of lights. 4. Bear left onto East Broadway. 5. Take the first right onto G Street. 6. Take the second right to Thomas Park. Dorchester Heights is on the left after South Boston High School. From the South: 1. From I-93 northbound, take Exit #14 onto Morrissey Boulevard toward the JFK Library. 2. You will pass the UMass Boston campus (on your right). 3. Bear left onto the overpass and proceed into the rotary. 4. Bear right onto Columbia Road, and continue on Columbia Road to a second rotary. 5. Enter the rotary, and take the second exit onto Old Colony Avenue. 6. Turn right onto Dorchester Street. 7. Turn right onto Telegraph Street and proceed to the Monument. Some on-street parking is available in the area. Back to Top |