Boston National Historical Park

Discover the revolutionary generation of Bostonians who blazed a trail from colonialism to independence. Boston National Historical Park is an association of sites that together give the visitor a coherent view of the city's role in the nation's history.

In downtown Boston, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House and Old North Church bring to life the American ideals of freedom of speech, religion, government, and self-determination. In Charlestown, visit the Bunker Hill Monument, the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution, the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the nation's first naval shipyards and the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.

Seven of the eight privately, municipally and federally owned and managed historic sites that comprise Boston National Historical Park are connected by the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile (4km) walking tour of 16 sites and structures of historic importance in downtown Boston and Charlestown. Located in South Boston and separate from the Freedom Trail, Dorchester Heights is significant for its role in the evacuation of the British from Boston during the Revolutionary War.

Boston National Historical Park
Charlestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA 02129-4543
617-242-5642 - Visitor Information
617-242-5601 - Visitor Information
617-242-5689 - Visitor Information

By Plane
Boston is serviced by Logan International Airport. Easy access by MBTA subway and water shuttle from airport to downtown Boston.

By Car
From the South:
Route 93 north to exit 25 (Causeway Street/North Station). At end of ramp, turn right onto Causeway Street to first traffic light. Turn left onto North Washington Street, cross the Charlestown Bridge, and turn right at first light onto Chelsea Street. Follow directions for all (below).

From the West:
Mass Turnpike to I-93 north (Expressway North). Follow above.

From the North (Route 1):
Route 1 south over Tobin/Mystic River Bridge. Follow signs for Charlestown. The exit is one mile after the Bridge and takes you into a tunnel. In tunnel, follow exit sign for Charlestown and proceed to traffic light. At light, turn right onto Rutherford Avenue and immediately get into left lane. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Chelsea Street. Follow directions for all (below).

From the North (93 South):
Route 93 south to Sullivan Square exit. Stay to the left on exit ramp for approximately 1/3 mile. Proceed up a ramp to Rutherford Ave. Follow signs for Rutherford Ave/City Square. After you pass Bunker Hill Community College, get into the left lane. Pass a Shell gas station on left. Immediately before Charlestown Bridge, at City Square, turn left onto Chelsea Street (If you go over bridge, you've gone too far). Follow directions for all (below).

For All:
At first traffic light, turn right onto Warren Street, then take first left onto Constitution Road. Visitor Center/Bunker Hill Pavilion is on Constitution Road on your right.

By Plane
The downtown visitor center (15 State Street) is at the State Street stop of the Blue and Orange subway lines. Water transportation runs frequently between downtown Boston (Long Wharf) and the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Getting Around
Boston is a walking city and most historic sites are within a short walk to one another. The Freedom Trail, a red line along the sidewalk connects most of the sites in the park. Points of interest, hotels and retail areas are accessible on foot or by the MBTA subway (T). Water transportation runs frequently between downtown Boston (Long Wharf) and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Limited visitor parking is located at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Several commercial parking garages are located in downtown Boston near the Freedom Trail sites and in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Temperatures range from warm, humid summer days to cold New England winter days. Wear comfortable sportswear in season, with comfortable walking shoes.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs

Recommended Activities
Boston National Historical Park sites provide information in a variety of ways, including tours, lectures, costumed programs, exhibits and publications. National Park Service Rangers are at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall and the downtown visitor center daily. Rangers conduct 90-minute walking tours of the downtown portion of Boston's Freedom Trail daily, from mid-April through November. Rangers present historical talks at Faneuil Hall and the Bunker Hill Monument year-round. At the Navy Yard, rangers conduct tours of the WW II destroyer, U.S.S. Cassin Young, weather permitting. At the Dorchester Heights Monument in South Boston, the grounds are open year round but the monument is only open seasonally (please call ahead for information).
The cooperating sites of Boston National Historical Park offer a variety of programs and services. The U.S. Navy conducts tours of U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nearby, the U.S.S. Constitution Museum features exhibits and a gift shop. In downtown Boston, the privately administered Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Paul Revere House and Old North Church all offer public programs, exhibits and gift shops.

Rest rooms are located at the downtown and Charlestown Navy Yard visitor centers, Faneuil Hall and the Bunker Hill Monument. Eastern National bookstores are located at the downtown visitor center, the Navy Yard visitor center and Bunker Hill (summer).