Boston National Historical Park
Quick Facts
Boston National Historical Park
Massachusetts
(617) 242-5601
Map DirectionsThings To Do
Overview
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 visitor centers can be found at two convenient locations along the Freedom Trail. The downtown visitor center is located on the first floor of Faneuil Hall. The Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center is located in Building 5 next to the USS Constitution in Charlestown, just inside Gate 1 of the Navy Yard. Each provides free comprehensive orientation to the culture and history of the city.
The Faneuil Hall Visitor Center is staffed by park rangers and volunteers eager to help plan a vacationer's visit. Maps, brochures, free ranger guided tours, and information about sites along Boston's historic Freedom Trail® can be found here.
The Navy Yard Visitor Center, at Building 5, provides an orientation to the sites in Charlestown. Maps, brochures and restrooms are also available here. Visitors can enjoy a 10 minute introductory video of the Navy Yard and view the "Serving the Naval Fleet" exhibit.
Both Visitor Centers are open 9 am to 5 pm daily. Boston National Historical Park is closed on Christmas, New Year's Day and Thanksgiving.
Activities
Historic Sites
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/Cold War 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). 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 and Navy Yard visitor centers.
Seasonality/Weather
Visitor centers and sites are open year-round.
Directions
Driving
From South: I-93 N to exit 28(Sullivan Square). At end of ramp, turn right onto Cambridge St to first light. Enter traffic circle and take first right onto Rutherford Ave. Move left and at City Square, just before bridge, turn left onto Chelsea St. Follow directions for all (below)
From West: Mass Turnpike to I-93 N. Follow above.
From North (Route 1): Rte 1 South over Tobin Bridge. Follow signs for Charlestown. Exit is 1 mile after bridge and takes you into tunnel. In tunnel, follow exit sign for Charlestown and proceed to light. At light, turn right onto Rutherford Ave and immediately get into left lane. At next light, turn left onto Chelsea St. Follow directions for all (below)
From North (93 South):I-93 S. to Exit 28/Sullivan Square. Stay left on exit ramp for about 1/3 mile. Proceed up ramp to Rutherford Ave. Follow signs for Rutherford Ave/City Square. After Bunker Hill Community College, get into left lane. Just before bridge at City Square turn left onto Chelsea St. Follow directions for all (below)
For All: At first light, turn right onto Warren St, then first left onto Constitution Rd. Discounted parking with validation is available in the Nautica Parking garage.
Visitor Center is in Building 5 through Gate 1, by pedestrian access only. Please enter through security screening building.
Parking: Although public transportation is strongly recommended, discounted parking with Boston National Historical Park validation is available from Nautica Parking Garage on Constitution Rd.
Flying
Boston is serviced by Logan International Airport. Easy access by MBTA subway and water shuttle from airport to downtown Boston.
Public Transportation
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.
TO CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD Commuter Rail: From suburbs north and west of Boston, take the commuter rail to North Station, then walk approximately fifteen minutes to the Navy Yard. Exit the commuter rail station and turn left (onto Causeway Street). Walk about one block and a half, and take a left, walking over the Charlestown Bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn a right onto Chelsea Street, walk a block then turn right at the next intersection onto Warren Street followed immediately by a left onto Constitution Road, and go straight ahead through Gate 1 into the Charlestown Navy Yard. For suburbs south of Boston, take commuter rail to Back Bay station, then orange line subway to North Station. See directions from the subway below.
Subway: Take the subway, either the Green Line or Orange Line, to North Station. Exit the station and turn right (onto Causeway Street). Walk about one block and a half, and take a left, walking over the Charlestown Bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn a right onto Chelsea Street, walk a block then turn right at the next intersection onto Warren Street followed immediately by a left onto Constitution Road, and go straight ahead through Gate 1 into the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Water Shuttle: Take the water shuttle from Long Wharf, near the New England Aquarium and Marriott Long Wharf, to Charlestown Navy Yard. Boats run 7 days a week, and leave from Long Wharf on the hour and the half hour. Ten-minute boat ride.
Bus: From the Downtown Crossing area, take the 92 or 93 bus to the Navy Yard. Ten-minute bus ride from downtown.
Phone Numbers
Primary
(617) 242-5601Links
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