- The Freedom Trail itself is free, but several indoor historic sites require paid tickets or advance reservations.
- Book tickets ahead during summer, weekends, holidays, or school breaks to avoid long lines and sellouts.
- Most paid sites open around 10 a.m., so starting your walk around 9 a.m. helps you stay unrushed.
- Plan to split the trail into two days if touring interiors, especially the Charlestown stops.
- Wear comfortable shoes—cobblestones, uneven pavement, and hills make this a longer walk than expected.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Which Sites Require Advance Tickets?
- When to Book Ahead
- Where to Buy Tickets for the Freedom Trail and its Sites
- Tips for a Smooth Visit
- How Much Time to Budget for Each Stop
The Boston Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking path that winds through the heart of Boston, Massachusetts.
It guides you through some of the most significant and historic sites in U.S. history.
Marked by a distinctive red brick—or sometimes red-painted—line on the sidewalks, the trail connects 16 historic landmarks.
Together, they tell the story of America’s fight for independence and the birth of the United States.
Walking the Freedom Trail is like stepping back in time.
Along the route, the atmosphere shifts from the bustle of the modern city to the echoes of 18th-century Boston, where revolutionaries gathered to challenge British rule.
Which Sites Require Advance Tickets?
Matthew Caracciolo
The Freedom Trail itself is free to walk, and many outdoor sites can be visited without a ticket.
But for the indoor or museum-type stops listed below, it’s wise to book ahead – especially during times of high tourism.
Here are the key stops along the Boston Freedom Trail where it’s best to plan ahead.
Purchase tickets or make reservations early, and always double-check hours and admission policies since they can change frequently.
- Massachusetts State House
- Free guided tours or self-guided tours of the interior are offered. Advanced reservations required.
- Paul Revere House
- Admission fee applies. General walk-in tickets are available.
- Old South Meeting House & Old State House
- These two sites are operated by a non-profit called Revolutionary Spaces, so you’ll need to purchase tickets for admission. A combined ticket which also includes Old North Church is also available and advance booking is recommended. Shaka Secret: The gift shop inside the Old State House carries some of the best and most reasonably priced souvenirs!
- Old North Church
- Admission is required (or you can get a joint ticket with Old South & Old State as mentioned above).
- USS Constitution ship & museum
- The ship itself is free, but the museum has a suggested admission.
When to Book Ahead
Matthew Caracciolo
For certain indoor historic sites, guided tours, or timed-entry sites along the Freedom Trail, booking ahead can save you wait time and ensure you get in.
If you’re visiting on busy days (like weekends, holidays, or during a major event) book ahead, especially if you plan to visit mid-day.
Peak season for Boston:
- Summer months (June through August) is when tourist season is high and the lines are longer.
- Late Spring/Early Fall (May and September). The weather is good in Boston during these times so it gets crowded.
- Weekends tend to be more crowded than weekdays.
- Holidays and special-event weekends can mob the city. Examples include:
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts
- Boston Marathon weekend
- and any time the Red Sox are playing
- School Holidays: Think Spring Break weeks
Less crowded times to walk the Freedom Trail are in late autumn, winter, and early spring – that’s when it’s usually quite cold, icy and windy in Boston.
If you’re planning to walk the Freedom Trail on a weekday morning in off-peak months, you’ll have more flexibility with same-day walk-ins, making it easy breezy without having to fight long lines.
However, beware that off-season hours may be shortened, and some places may even be closed, so know before you go to avoid disappointment.
Where to Buy Tickets for the Freedom Trail and its Sites
Photo by Arlan Fonseca
Shaka Guide offers one of the most comprehensive tours of the Boston Freedom Trail. Visit Shaka Guide or download the two-part walking tour on the Shaka Guide app.
As for the individual locations along the tour route mentioned above, keep in mind that there are likely to be discounts available for students, seniors, military, and children.
Keep in mind that the sites and areas along the Freedom Trail are operated by various organizations, including:
- the city of Boston
- the National Park Service
- and other non-profit organizations
So rules, regulations, hours and ticket prices vary.
If booking tickets online, always check to see if you need to purchase a ticket and make a reservation for a timed entry on a specific day/time.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
Here are a few suggestions on ways to plan a smooth, efficient Freedom Trail visit, including the best way to group paid sites into one day, how to pace your walk, and insider tips to save time and energy.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Days Needed |
It’s a long way from the first stop to the last, since you’ll be on foot. That’s why it’s best to allow two days to walk the entire trail.This gives you flexibility to stop for meals, explore each site, enter buildings, or shop for souvenirs along the way. If you’re not rushing it, the entire Freedom Trail could take you about 4 hours or more. |
| Best Start Time |
Most of the paid sites along the Freedom Trail are open from around 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. So planning a 9 a.m. start time will allow you to be unrushed yet get to many of the buildings before they close for the day. |
| What to Wear | Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’ll encounter some cobblestone, uneven pavement, and hills. |
| Two-Day Option |
Check out Shaka Guide’s Freedom Trail Know Before You Go for their suggestions on breaking up the tour and how to do so. Here’s some of that advice: Just walking across the bridge into Charlestown takes about 20 minutes, so if you’re already tired, it’s nicer to begin that walk across the beautiful pedestrian bridge after you’ve rested. |
| Alternate Plan |
And here’s another suggested way to break up the Freedom Trail into two days: On Day 1, walk the entire trail, including the Charlestown stops, without stopping to enter any of the buildings to tour inside. Then, on Day 2, you’ll already have a better idea of the buildings you’d like to see inside of, so you can purchase tickets or make reservations for those specific spots you really want to explore in more detail. |
| Getting Back |
If you do complete the entire Freedom Trail in one day, consider taking public transportation or a ride share back to the starting point, instead of walking all the way back to the starting point. After all, you’re probably tired from being on your feet all day. So walk back across the Charlestown pedestrian bridge into Boston, then either take the MBTA train from North Station back to where you started the tour, or continue walking a few blocks to the North End (Boston’s Little Italy) for a long, leisurely dinner! |
How Much Time to Spend for Each Stop
Here’s a closer look at how long you may want to spend on some of the Freedom Trail stops, plus additional info to help you out:
- The Massachusetts State House: If you plan to tour the inside, allow about 30 minutes.
- The Granary Burying Ground (resting place of Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams) is a cemetery that you’ll want to walk around for at least 15 minutes or longer.
- Old South Meeting House: If you plan to tour the inside, allow about 30 minutes.
- Old State House: If you plan to tour the inside and see the film, allow about 40 minutes.
- Paul Revere House: This is a compact museum, so if you plan to head inside, you can probably see it in 20 minutes. It tends to be most crowded after 2 p.m.
- Old North Church: If you plan to head inside, allow about 30 minutes — longer if you also want to see the crypts and bell tower exhibits.
- Copp’s Hill Burying Ground: This is another cemetery that you’ll want to allow at least 15 minutes or longer to walk around.
- Bunker Hill Monument: If you want to climb the tower, it takes both time and energy. To reach the top, you’ve got to tackle 294 steps before closing time at 5 p.m.
- U.S.S. Constitution Ship: Should you choose to board the ship operated by the U.S. Navy, you’ll have to go through a security checkpoint, then you’ll probably want a minimum of 15 minutes or longer aboard the ship.
- U.S.S. Constitution Museum. If you choose to visit this museum, you’ll need almost an hour to see the exhibits.
Explore Boston Freedom Trail with Shaka Guide
You can walk Boston’s Freedom Trail on your own or join a group tour, but Shaka Guide offers a simpler, more flexible option.
With Parts 1 and 2 of the Boston Freedom Trail tours, you get expert local storytelling, clear directions, and rich audio commentary—right on your phone.
Go at your own pace, skip rigid schedules, and enjoy a more affordable experience you can replay anytime.
It’s an easy, informative way to explore Boston and the history that shaped America.
Ready to explore Boston Freedom Trail?
Take Shaka Guide’s Boston Freedom Trail Audio Tour for turn-by-turn directions, local stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Visiting more parks in the region?
Don’t miss our Boston Freedom Trail Tour Bundle — it includes tours for Part 1 and Part 2 of the Freedom Trail.
Still planning?
Check out our Boston Freedom Trail Itinerary and Know Before You Go guide to prep for your trip.
Have questions?
We’re happy to help — email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.
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