Anytime students head off-campus, the Boston Common, Newbury Street and Fenway Park are all popular destinations. However, if you’re interested in learning more about the city’s past, in addition to how it is today, grab some friends and spend a couple hours walking along the city’s Freedom Trail.
Starting in the Boston Common (between the Boylston and Park Street T stops), the 2.5-mile trail loops through 16 historical stops in downtown Boston, ending all the way up at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.
Amongst the stops along the way are the Massachusetts State House, the site of the Boston Massacre and the Paul Revere House. In a city so important to America’s establishment, the trail serves as a fantastic opportunity to walk through history.
Not a history buff? The trail brings you straight through the heart of downtown, so you can enjoy the contemporary sights of the city as you take in the fresh air. The back half of the trail takes you through some beautiful neighborhoods in the North End, and plenty of restaurants that serve delicious food and provide an incredible atmosphere if you’re looking to make a stop along the way. Or you could just grab Chipotle that stands on the site of the Old Corner Bookstore, if that better fits your style (or budget).
Another cool part of the trail is toward the tail end. To get to the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument, you cross the North Washington Street bridge. With East Boston on one side and TD Garden and the Charles River to the other, you can get stellar views of a different part of the city. If you’re a photographer looking for a new spot to take photos, this part of the trail is calling your name.
And really, any part of the trail has great photo opportunities. Whether it’s the bustling squares surrounding Faneuil Hall or the cozy brick neighborhoods in the North End, there are countless places that you can document forever.
With the usual weather in Boston, it’s important to take advantage of the nicer days. The next time we get some nice weather, and you and your friends have a few hours to kill, try taking a walk down the Freedom Trail to learn more about this great city we live in.