This 43 acre historical park encompasses portions of Downtown Boston, Charlestown, and South Boston. In addition to managing its properties that are a part of the park, the Park operates two visitor centers at Faneuil Hall and in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The park also works and cooperates with many different partner organizations which comprise the Freedom Trail.
The Visitor Center is staffed by park rangers and volunteers eager to help you plan your visit to Boston's historic sites. Maps, brochures, videos, free ranger guided tours, and information about sites along Boston's historic Freedom Trail® can all be found here.
The first floor of Faneuil Hall was built as a market and still functions as one today. On the second floor, the Great Hall has hosted meetings, orations, and protests which have enlivened debates and fueled activism for some 275 years. To this day the Hall is still used. Political rallies, debates, concerts, and natruralization ceremonies are just some of the events which regularly take place here. More...
Experience the building where colonists gathered to challenge British rule in the years leading up to the American Revolution - including protests of the Boston Massacre and the historic meeting of over 5,000 people that led to the Boston Tea Party. More...
Old State House
Boston National Historical Park Partner Site
Explore the building which served as the center of royal government in Massachusetts during the 18th century. See exhibits and experience programs about how colonists debated and protested the future of British rule inside and outside the Old State House. It was from this building's balcony on July 18, 1776 that Bostonians heard the Declaration of Independence for the first time. More...
Built around 1680, the Paul Revere House was occupied by Patriot Paul Revere and his family in the late 18th century. Explore the house of the family and see exhibits about Revere's life, trade, and his famous Midnight Ride on April 18 & 19, 1775. More...
The first floor of the house is accessible via the courtyard ramps. The second floor is accessible via the elevator in the visitor center and then taking the catwalk to the house.
Tour the church where Paul Revere arranged for two lanterns to be hung from the steeple on April 18, 1775 to signal patriots in Charlestown that British troops were heading to Lexington and Concord by way of the Charles River. More...
Old North's sanctuary is accessible. Note: To avoid steps in the courtyard while following the Freedom Trail from downtown, you will have to make a left at Unity St., take the right on to Tileston St., then make a right on to Salem St.
The Bunker Hill Monument is a major commemorative obelisk, memorializing a key battle during the outset of the Revolutionary War. Climb (no elevator) the monument's 294 steps to the top for a spectacular view. Visit the nearby Bunker Hill Museum for exhibits about the battle, the building of the monument, and the history of the Charlestown neighborhood. More...
Free admission. Reservations for groups (10 or more) are strongly recommended.
Bunker Hill Lodge, the base of Bunker Hill Monument, and the Bunker Hill Museum are accessible.
The top of Bunker Hill Monument is only accessible via 294 stairs in a tight spiral stairway. For safety, service animals cannot be accommodated inside the Monument.
Explore one of the nation's original six Navy Yards—home of USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young. Begin your visit at the Visitor Center located in Building 5, just inside Gate 1 of the Navy Yard. An introductory film and exhibits showcase the role of the Charlestown Navy Yard as a workplace and innovation center for 174 years. More...
See below for USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young information.
Climb aboard the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Undefeated in combat, she earned the title of "Old Ironsides" in the War of 1812. Guided tours are given by active duty U.S. Navy sailors. More...
Free admission. To ensure safety, all visitors ages 18 and over wishing to embark USS Constitution may be subject to present a valid federal or state-issued photo ID at the ship's security entrance.
Only yards away from "Old Ironsides," the museum offers hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Discover how a wooden hull helped the ship earn its nickname, how it remained undefeated since being launched in 1797, how schools contributed pennies to save the vessel, how sailors ate a diet of hardtack and grog, and climbed masts 200 feet in the air. More...
USS Cassin Young is a Fletcher class destroyer built in 1943 in San Pedro, California. Serving in the Pacific during World War II, Cassin Young earned seven battle starts and survived two Kamikaze hits. Following the war, she ultimately served another decade throughout the 1950s. This was because of the overhauling and maintenance she underwent here at the Charlestown Navy Yard on several occasions. Today, she is an example of what naval shipyards like Charlestown built, repaired, and modernized during the 20th century. More...
Ranger-led and Volunteer-led tours available seasonally and on select weekends.
USS Cassin Young is a historic warships with very limited accessibility. Access to the gangway aboard is via steps. Inclines can be very steep and the deck uneven. Hatchways have a very high threshold to access compartments. Due to safety reasons, service animals are not permitted aboard the ship.
These hills, overlooking Boston's harbor and waterfront from the south, were the site of fortifications built at night by the Continental Army in March, 1776. Artillery mounted here hastened General Howe's decision to take his troops away from Boston, which in turn ended the siege of Boston, gave General Washington his first victory, and inspired the Patriot cause. More...
Boston National Historical Park is part of Maritime History of Massachusetts: A National Register Travel Itinerary. Experience the maritime history of Massachusetts by visiting https://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/maritime/.
Last updated: January 2, 2024
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
Boston National Historical Park
21 Second Ave
Charlestown,
MA
02129
Free admission.
Today's Hours:
Ranger-led programming and tours available seasonally.
Faneuil Hall is accessible via the ramp entrance on the southern side of the building.
Old State House can only be accessed via stairs.
USS Cassin Young is a historic warships with very limited accessibility. Access to the gangway aboard is via steps. Inclines can be very steep and the deck uneven. Hatchways have a very high threshold to access compartments. Due to safety reasons, service animals are not permitted aboard the ship.