The Freedom Trail- Boston City Tour Part 2

Whew! I feel much better! Now onward we go!

Heading north on Congress Street, continue until the buildings open and you arrive at Faneuil Hall. Here, Faneuil Hall hosted America's first Town Meeting. Built by Peter Faneuil in 1741, this building is often referred to as "the home of free speech" and "the Cradle of Liberty". It was within these walls where the Sons of Liberty proclaimed their dissent against British royalty. Also, Boston's first marketplace, a tradition that carries on to this day. Between May and October there are ongoing street performers daily, please stop and support.

I promised you chowda right? Follow the red trail around Faneuil Hall to Union Street. You needn't walk far until you arrive at America's oldest restaurant, Union Oyster House, established in 1826. It will be the best clam chowder you have ever tasted. Oh, yeah, ask for a toothpick while you are there. It was here that they were first used in the United States (can't let the trivia buffs down!). For a thirstier bunch, visit the Green Dragon Tavern right next door.

At the end of Union Street, turn right onto Hanover Street. Don't loose the red trail, it gets a little tricky here. Turn right onto Richmond Street, then left onto North Street. At 19 North Street we arrive at Paul Revere's House. Built around 1680, it is the oldest remaining structure in Boston and the only home on the Freedom Trail.

On the road again! Continuing to follow the trail, it's back to Hanover Street, cross through the Paul Revere Mall to reach the Old North Church. One of the most visited sites in Boston, it is also the city's oldest church. On April 18, 1775, Robert Newman climbed the steeple and hung two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

Hiking north to Hull Street, be sure to stop by Copp's Hill Burying Ground. Here you will find the final resting place of Cotton and Increase Mather of the Salem witch trial fame and the lantern man, Robert Newman.

From here we cross the Charlestown Bridge, built in 1899. Once over the bridge, turn right and follow Constitution Road. Follow the signs to the Bunker Hill Pavilion. This is a privately owned show about the first battle of the Revolution, fought here in 1775. The visitor's center shares the building with the Charlestown Navy Yard. The Navy Yard was decommissioned in 1974 and is now maintained by the National Park Service (tax dollars well spent for a change!). Here you will see "Old Ironsides", the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Officially known as the USS Constitution, she received her nickname during the war of 1812.

From the USS Constitution, you can certainly see our final destination, the Bunker Hill Monument. Follow the red trail up Chestnut Street, then past Winthrop Square, finally connecting to Weslley High Street. "Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes!", an order believed to have been given by Colonel William Prescott during the famous battle fought on this site on June 17, 1775.

This historical hike can be taken self guided, with a costumed guide, or with an audio guide. While I enjoy, sometimes crave, the feeling of a dirt path, nothing compares to the feeling of walking the same path as my forefathers did, my journey was theirs. I encourage everyone reading this blog to walk the Freedom Trail just once, or like me several times (it never gets old), words in a book will never compare to standing in the same spot that these great Americans did. Their cries of freedom ring as true today as it did so long ago.

For more information, please visit: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/