Traveling through Massachusetts is a trip back in time that focuses on Boston's historical significance. This city was the cradle of the American Revolution and the birthplace of the United States struggle for independence and self-determination.
One of the best things to do in Boston is visit Faneuil Hall, which was a marketplace and meeting hall established in 1743. It has been dubbed the “Cradle of Liberty,” and it was the location of several meetings and speeches by patriots who argued for independence from Britain.
Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall is one of the most visited stops on Boston's Freedom Trail and an essential stop for visitors to this historic city. First constructed in 1742 as an open marketplace and meeting hall, its history of political activism includes Samuel Adams and Sons of Liberty demonstrating here against British taxation policies while Abolitionists staged rallies there as well. Nowadays it serves as a bustling marketplace with shops, restaurants and more making it one of the country's key meeting places.
During the American Revolution, large galleries above Boston Market Place served as a venue for many rallies and speeches that led to the the Independence War; hence it came to be known as Cradle of Liberty. Here many grievances that led up to the American War for Independence were debated; here Samuel Adams, James Otis and other Patriot orators delivered inspiring speeches that helped mobilize Bostonians against British colonists.
By the late 1700s, it had become apparent that the hall would need to be expanded in order to accommodate large crowds that gathered for speeches and rallies. Boston architect Charles Bulfinch was charged with expanding it while keeping many original walls. A second floor was added for retail space in addition to expanding the Great Hall.
In the late 1860s, its exterior was upgraded by covering it in brick to make it more in line with other civic buildings in Boston. Later, in 1976, vital renovations took place that upgraded and brought up to code the aging structure - now considered a historic landmark and cooperating site with Boston National Historical Park.
Similar to other monuments and statues across America, this building has recently been at the center of controversy. Protests over George Floyd's killing in 2019 galvanized people nationwide while activists have demanded changes in how we memorialize history - including calling for its name to be changed so as to no longer pay tribute to Peter Faneuil who owned and traded slaves.
Quincy Market
Quincy Market is both a tourist attraction and shopping paradise with thousands of unique pushcarts and kiosks offering visitors everything from hot clam chowder to fresh seafood, as well as other Boston icons like its legendary bakeries. Quincy Market is an increasingly popular tourist destination as well as being beloved among Bostonians themselves, day trippers and locals.
The Boston Marketplace's popularity has propelled preservation efforts and led to revitalization in downtown Boston in the 1970s, setting an example for other urban areas and showing the power of community involvement in historic preservation.
Built in 1825 by architect Alexander Parris and featuring a post and lintel support system with an open central rotunda design, the market stands as an important example of 19th century commercial architecture. Though popular, however, controversy still arises around it from time to time; for instance Eater recently published an article regarding two Houston tourists not satisfied with their cold lobster roll from a nearby restaurant which later apologized for this mishap.
With the city market's increasing popularity, city leaders have strived to improve the quality of vendors and other services provided at this marketplace. Food vendors at this market face many obstacles such as rising ingredient costs and labor shortages; additionally there is limited prep and refrigeration space in its food hall which often results in sloppy preparation of meals which ultimately impacts their quality.
Even with its challenges, Boston Market remains an integral part of downtown Boston and provides residents with numerous dining, entertainment and shopping opportunities. Multiple subway or "T" stops are within walking distance from this marketplace and it is easily accessible from many parts of the city.
The marketplace also hosts free performances ranging from music and juggling acts to magicians and more, making it a wonderful place for kids. Kids will especially love experiencing all that the marketplace offers while discovering exciting attractions for themselves! Additionally, its food options are delicious at reasonable prices.
Boston Common
Boston Common, America's oldest public park, provides the ideal setting to relax and absorb some American history. Additionally, this location serves as an excellent starting point for Freedom Trail tours or programs; situated nearby is the gold-domed Massachusetts State House, Public Garden with its famous swan boats, and Cheers pub which was the inspiration for the popular TV show Cheers; not too mention walking distance of both downtown shopping districts and Chinatown!
Boston Common forms part of Boston's Emerald Necklace, an interconnected system of parks and urban open spaces extending from Roxbury to Roxbury Neck. Each year over 1.5 million visitors visit this 50-acre park bounded by Beacon Street, Charles Street, Park Street and Tremont Streets.
Since its establishment by Puritans who contributed five shillings per family to purchase it, Boston Common has played many roles: from providing pastureland for grazing cattle to being used as a military camp, public execution site and platform for political activism - it remains at the core of Boston.
In 1713, hundreds of Bostonians rioted on the Common to protest high bread prices and shortages; militia formations left from here for Lexington and Concord. Later on in 18th-century Bostonian law grazing was banned while 19th-century Bostonians added trees, fountains, and statuary that transformed it into the park-like space it remains today.
Imagine this, once the scene of public hangings and sermons by George Whitefield. Now the park serves as a hub of activity - skating can be found here during winter months, along with a spray pool designed for kids! On the eastern side of the park is located the Parkman Bandstand for musical and theatrical productions, while its central plaza boasts statues representing Industry, Learning and Religion. The park serves as the starting point of the Freedom Trail, an approximately 2.5-mile red pathway leading to several of Boston's historic sites. There are various monuments located throughout the park, such as the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial which honors the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry regiment that served during the American Civil War. Furthermore, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Boston Symphony Hall can also be found within this space.
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is an absolute must for visitors to Boston. Spanning 25 miles through 16 historic locations related to the American Revolutionary War and struggle for American independence, including Paul Revere's house, Old South Meeting House, Old North Church, site of Boston Massacre, Boston Latin School Old Corner Bookstore and Bunker Hill Monument - among many others!
The Freedom Trail also contains several historic burial grounds, including Granary Burying Ground where some of the most notable revolutionaries such as Paul Revere and victims from the Boston Massacre were laid to rest. Copp's Hill Burying Ground on this tour is another noteworthy graveyard where many individuals connected with Salem Witch Trials can be found buried.
During the Revolutionary War, Bostonians' tensions were running high and tempers frequently flared, creating an electric atmosphere in the city. On March 5, 1770, a street brawl led to five colonist deaths including Crispus Attucks of both African American and Native American descent; his killing became widely known as The Boston Massacre by Sons of Liberty who saw this act of violence as symbolic of British oppression.
Suzanne Segura Taylor, executive director of the Freedom Trail Foundation, notes that many organizations conduct tours along the Freedom Trail; however, many tour guides don't mention slavery during these tours. Segura Taylor points out that Frank, whom John Hancock likely owned as slave, can be seen near John Hancock's gravestone and discussed by tour guides trained to discuss him. Segura Taylor notes this may indicate where Frank may have come from as it likely came into Hancock's ownership as part of their tour experience.
She states that tour guides should emphasize Boston was the first city in America to outlaw slavery in 1783; however, more needs to be done to bring Black history alive in Boston.
The Black Heritage Trail provides a good starting point for those interested in discovering more of Boston's Black history. Consisting of several walking tours that highlight important sites throughout Beacon Hill neighborhood, it allows participants to witness how Black residents in colonial Boston played an instrumental role in shaping our nation's past and future.
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