Directions

NPS Photo/MWoods

Welcome to the Boston African American National Historic Site!

As an active city, Boston and its historic sites can be accessed through several different forms of transportation. Visitors can most easily access the park and its sites by using the public transportation system, the MBTA. Commonly called the "T," public transportation provides easy access to The Black Heritage Trail^®, the Museum of African American History, and the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center. Below are directions for how to get to each of these locations. For help planning your trip by public transportation, visit the MBTA's website.

Need a general map for trip planning? Visit Boston African American National Historic Site maps.

 

The Black Heritage Trail^®

"T" or Subway: Take the Green Line or Red Line to Park Street. Exit onto the Boston Common. Walk up the hill towards the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Street. On the Boston Common side of Beacon Street is the Robert Gould Shaw Massachusetts 54^th Regiment Memorial. This is the first stop of the Black Heritage Trail^®. OR take the Blue Line to Bowdoin. Exit onto Cambridge Street and walk south down Bowdoin street towards the Massachusetts State House. Across the street from the State House is the Massachusetts 54^th Regiment Memorial, the first stop of the Black Heritage Trail^®.

Bus: There are several bus stops in the area. We recommend you use the MBTA Trip Planner website to find the best bus route from your location.

Train or Commuter Rail: Boston has three train stations: South Station, North Station, and Back Bay Station. While visiotrs can walk to the Robert Gould Shaw Massachusetts 54^th Memorial from South Station and North Station, all three stations also have access to the "T."
South Station: Take the Red Line towards Alewife and get off at Park Street. See "T" directions to get to the start of the Black Heritage Trail^®.
North Station: Take the Green Line to Park Street. See "T" directions to get to the start of the Black Heritage Trail^®.
Back Bay Station: Take the Orange Line towards Oak Grove and get off at Downtown Crossing. Switch to the Red Line and take it towards Alewife. Get off at Park Street. See "T" directions to get to the start of the Black Heritage Trail^®.

Car: Driving in Boston can be difficult; we strongly suggest that you take public transit. Many subway stations have parking lots with rates ranging from $2 to $15 for the day. You can learn more about these locations at Parking - MBTA.
To park near the start of the Black Heritage Trail^®, we recommend entering the address of the Massachusetts State House into your GPS, which is 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA. The Robert Gould Shaw Massachusetts 54^th Memorial, the first stop of the Trail, is located directly across from the State House. There are multiple locations to park downtown. The Park does not validate parking in downtown Boston.

 

The Museum of African American History

Directions to the Museum of African American History are also available on The Museum's Boston Campus visitor info page.

"T" or Subway: The closest stops to the Museum are Charles MGH and Park Street on the Red Line and Bowdoin on the Blue Line. Take the Red Line to Park Street and exit onto Boston Common. Walk up towards the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Street. Facing the State House, turn left and walk down Beacon Street. Turn right onto Joy Street. Walk up and down the hill on Joy Street to the Museum. Or take the Red line to Charles MGH and exit onto Cambridge Street. Walk east on Cambridge Street for 6 blocks and turn right onto Joy Street. Walk up Joy Street to Smith Court. The Museum of African American History is located at 46 Joy Street. When taking the Blue Line, get off at Bowdoin. Exit onto Cambridge Street. Walk west down Cambridge Street. Turn left onto Joy Street. Follow the same directions as the Red Line.

Bus: There are several bus stops in the area around the Museum of African American History. We recommend you use the MBTA Trip Planner website to find the best bus route from your location.

Train or Commuter Rail: Boston has three train stations: South Station, North Station, and Back Bay Station. All three stations also have access to the "T."
South Station: Take the Red Line towards Alewife and get off at Park Street or Charles MGH. Follow the "T" directions for the Red Line.
North Station: It is easiest to walk from North Station to the Museum of African American History. Exit North Station onto Causeway Street. Walk down Causeway Street south-west to Staniford Street. Turn left onto Staniford Street. Walk down Staniford Street and turn right onto Cambridge Street. Turn left onto Joy Street. Walk up Joy Street to The Museum of African American History.
Back Bay Station: Take the Orange Line towards Oak Grove and get off at Downtown Crossing. Take the Red Line towards Alewife and get off at Park Street or Charles MGH. Follow the directions for the Red "T" Line.

Car: Driving in Boston can be difficult; we strongly suggest that you take public transit. Many subway stations have parking lots with rates ranging from $2 to $15 for the day. You can learn more about these locations at Parking - MBTA.
There is no parking at the Museum of African American History. To park near the Museum, use its address in your GPS: 46 Joy Street, Boston. There are multiple locations to park downtown. The Park does not validate parking in downtown Boston.

 

Faneuil Hall Visitor Center

"T" or Subway: Take the Orange or Blue line to State and exit onto State Street. Walk north down Congress Street about half a block to arrive at Faneuil Hall.

Bus: There are several bus stops in the area surround Faneuil Hall. We recommend you use the MBTA Trip Planner website to find the best bus route from your location.

Train or Commuter Rail: Boston has three train stations: South Station, North Station, and Back Bay Station. While visitors can walk from North and South Station to the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center, all three stations also have access to the "T."
South Station: Take the Red Line towards Alewife and get off after one stop at Downtown Crossing. Take the Orange Line towards Oak Grove and get off at State Street. Both stops have exits on Washington Street. Exit on Washington Street and walk north to Court Street. Turn right onto Court Street. At the large intersection by the Boston Massacre Site and Old State House, turn left on Congress street and walk about half a block to arrive at Faneuil Hall.
North Station: Take either the Orange Line or Green Line. Take the Orange Line towards Forrest Hills and get off at State Street. Walk north down Congress Street about half a block to arrive at Faneuil Hall. Or, take the Green Line to Haymarket. Exit onto Congress Street and walk south about a block to Faneuil Hall.
Back Bay Station: Take the Orange Line towards Oak Grove and get off at State Street. Exit on Washington Street and walk north to Court Street. Turn right onto Court Street. At the large intersection by the Boston Massacre Site and Old State House, turn left on Congress street and walk about half a block to arrive at Faneuil Hall.

Car: Driving in Boston can be difficult; we strongly suggest that you take public transit. Many subway stations have parking lots with rates ranging from $2 to $15 for the day. You can learn more about these locations at Parking - MBTA.
There is no parking at or around Faneuil Hall. To park near the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center, the best address to use in your GPS is 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. There are multiple locations to park downtown. The Park does not validate parking in downtown Boston.