Freedom Trail Part II

Continuing on the Freedom Trail...

Old South Meeting House:
When it was built in 1729, it was the largest building in colonial Boston. It is best known as the site of where the Boston Tea Party began.

 Old State House: This house was occupied by the British during the Revolution. On July 18, 1776, citizens gathered in the street to hear the Declaration of Independence read from the building's balcony, the first public reading in Massachusetts.

Boston Massacre Site: In front of the Old State House, there is a circle of cobblestones to commemorate the Boston Massacre. 5 colonists were killed.

Faneuil Hall: I had been here before when I went to downtown Boston to celebrate Amy's 21st birthday. However that was on a cold December night when there wasn't much going on. Coming back in May, it was much more hopping. Faneuil Hall is basically a huge marketplace and has been since 1742. The NPS visitor center recently moved here.

Quincy Market: By the time Boston was incorporated as a city in 1822, downtown commercial demand grew beyond the capacity of Faneuil Hall.To provide an expansion of shop space, Quincy Market was built, as an indoor pavilion of vendor stalls. It is quite overwhelming to walk through and I just pushed my way through as I wasn't interested in buying any food. The smells are all quite delicious though.

North market is another extension of Quincy Market.

 

  Paul Revere House: The oldest building in downtown Boston (built around 1680). It was the home of silversmith Paul Revere and his family from 1770 to 1800.

Old North Church: Boston's oldest Church building. The steeple is 191 feet tall, making it the tallest steeple in Boston.

Copp's Hill Burying Ground: Boston's second oldest burying ground.

Then it was time to cross the water for the last leg of the Freedom Trail.

Charlestown Bridge

  The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. It was first launched in 1797. You have to go through security to enter the visitor center and can then decide to go on a guided tour that goes into the ship or a self-guided tour that just allows you to explore the deck. Due to timing, I opted for the deck. I had never been on a ship this big before and it was a lot to take in.

     The USS Cassin Young was the other ship at the Yard. I had never seen a ship in dry dock before and it was really cool, especially learning about the process.

My final stop of the day was at the Bunker Hill Monument. It is 221 feet tall. My feet were so tired from walking all over that I sat on the hill overlooking Boston and got a good rest before I had to head back to the subway station. I got there after 5pm so I was unable to climb it but I honestly didn't have the energy even if it had been open.

The Freedom Trail is a great way to spend a day because it offers a little bit of everything and all you have to do is follow the red brick road!