Historic Boston

This monument marks the site of the Battle of Breed's Hill (often referred to as the Battle of Bunker Hill), which took place June 17, 1775. The 221-foot obelisk contains a spiral staircase to the top. Read more »

British officers used this building as a theatre during their occupation of the city. Well known for its weather vane, the hall contains paintings of well-known battles and a military museum. The adjacent Quincy Market is a renovated 19th-century complex containing more than 125 restaurants, boutiques, produce stands, and retail push carts. Read more »

Recognized as a National Recreation Trail, the three-mile Freedom Trail is a walking tour of 16 sites and structures of historic importance in downtown Boston and Charlestown. Ninety-minute tours begin at the Visitor Center and cover the heart of the Freedom Trail from the Old South Meeting House to the Old North Church. Read more »

You will accompany us on one of New England's most unusual and intriguing adventures - a macabre journey into old Salem's frightfully dark past. Costumed guides will regale you with true tales of documented hauntings, grisly murder, infamous characters and Colonial witchcraft, including a comprehensive analysis of the harrowing events of 1692. Read more »

Enjoy a guided tour of a full-length pirate ship and explore an 80 foot cave! You will fell like you are back in time in 1692 as you view artifacts from sunken ships and pirate treasures. Read more »

Known as "Christ Church in the City of Boston," this Episcopal church was built in 1723 and is Boston's oldest Church building. On the steeple of this church, Robert Newman signaled with lanterns the approach of the British regulars. The steeple is 191 feet tall, making it the tallest steeple in Boston. It is also the first set of bells ever brought to America. The interior high box pews and brass chandeliers, as well as the Church's first clock are all original. Read more »

No tax on tea! That was the decision on December 16, 1773, when 5,000 angry colonists gathered at the Old South Meeting House to protest a tax and started a revolution with the Boston Tea Party. Built in 1729, the Old South Meeting House was the largest building in colonial Boston, and provided a stage for the drama of the American Revolution. African American poet Phillis Wheatley and statesman Benjamin Franklin were members of Old South's congregation. As a meeting place and a haven for free speech and assembly, Old South Meeting House has been in continuous use for over 250 years. Read more »

The Paul Revere House is a national historic landmark. It is downtown Boston's oldest building and one of the few remaining from an early era in the history of colonial America. Read more »

Plimoth Plantation re-creates actual life during the immigration of the Pilgrims to the New World. Their lives, experiences, and concerns, along with those of the Wampanoag Indians on whose land they settled, are brought to life through character re-enactments at Plimoth Plantation. The Mayflower II is a reproduction of the ship that brought a small group of English colonists, popularly known as the "Pilgrims," to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. Read more »

See the place where the Pilgrims first set foot on the Americas in December, 1620. The rock is protected by a granite portico. Read more »

This museum presents a complete look at one of the most important and emotional events in American history...The Salem Witch Trials of 1692. See the audiovisual presentation of the hysteria of that time. Read more »

Hop aboard the ship referred to as "Old Ironsides" and learn about her history during an exciting exploration of this 200 year old ship, complete with uniform-clad crew members. Reportedly the oldest commissioned ship in the world, the USS Constitution was launched in 1797 not far from where it is presently docked. It was the nemesis of French privateers. Engagements with the British in the War of 1812 brought the vessel fame and the nickname of "Old Ironsides." Read more »

Held in a former 19th century church, you will view a scene from an actual 1692 witch trial that is performed live by professional actors. This live reenactment of the trial of beggar-woman Sarah Good is from the original transcript of 1692. A guided tour of the dungeon, a recreated village, and Gallows Hill are included. Read more »