Boston's rich history is best seen on foot by following the Freedom Trail. The past and the present survive side by side along the trail, giving visitors the opportunity to see the real Boston while learning about its history. At 2.5 miles, the red-brick walk will take you to 16 nationally significant historic sites that exist nicely within contemporary Boston. Although the Freedom Trail is set up as a self-guided tour, guided walking tours are also available through the visitors bureau.
Go to the Visitors Information Center on the Boston Common. Pick up a map of the Freedom Trail, and get information on the historical walking tours. Nine daily tours are available between April and November. Tours operate on a limited schedule December through March.
Decide whether you would like a guided or unguided tour. If you decide on an unguided tour, the map you picked up from the visitors center will guide you through the city and give you information on each of the historic sites along the way. Guided tours are led by historical characters in costume who add a rich bit of history and humor as you tour the sites.
Start your tour. You may want to devote two days to walking the trail so you can spend more time at the sites that interest you. If you will be walking the tour with a guide, relax and enjoy the park until your tour starts. Several plaques commemorate points of interest on the Common, and exploring the park is a great way to start your tour.
