Photo by Arlan Fonseca, Courtesy of National Parks of Boston
Welcome to Boston National Historical Park
This 43 acre historical park encompasses portions of Downtown Boston, Charlestown, and South Boston. In addition to managing its properties that are a part of the park, the Park operates two visitor centers at Faneuil Hall and in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The park also works and cooperates with many different partner organizations which comprise the Freedom Trail.
Looking to plan your visit to Boston's historic sites? Stop by the NPS Visitor Center located on the first floor of Faneuil Hall, where park rangers and volunteers eager to provide general information and insider tips. While here, you can also find maps, brochures, videos, exhibits, and information about sites along Boston's historic Freedom Trail®. During the summer, ranger-guided tours begin in the Find Your Park space in the basement of the Visitor Center.
Ranger-led programming and tours available seasonally.
Faneuil Hall is accessible via the ramp entrance on the southern side of the building. An elevator is available to access the basement (restrooms) and upper levels of the Hall.
While the first floor of Faneuil Hall has shops and the NPS Visitor Center, the second floor is home to the Great Hall. This gathering space has hosted meetings, orations, debates, and protests for over 275 years. Bostonians continue to use the Great Hall to this day. Political rallies, debates, concerts, and natruralization ceremonies are just some of the events which regularly take place here.
Experience the building where colonists gathered to challenge British rule in the years leading up to the American Revolution - including protests of the Boston Massacre and the historic meeting of over 5,000 people that led to the Boston Tea Party. The Old South Meeting House is stewarded by Revolutionary Spaces.
Photo by Arlan Fonseca. Courtesy of National Parks of Boston.
Old State House
Boston National Historical Park Partner Site
The Old State House served as the center of the royal government in Massachusetts during the 1700s. On July 18, 1776, Bostonians gathered underneath its balcony to hear the Declaration of Independence for the first time. While visiting, see exhibits and experience programs about how colonists debated and protested the future of British rule inside and outside the Old State House. The Old State House is stewarded by Revolutionary Spaces.
Built around 1680, Paul Revere House stands as the oldest standing residential building in downtown Boston. Although only living here for about twenty years, Paul Revere and his family made this place their home during the transformative period of the American Revolution. On your visit, explore this house, restored to the Revere family era, and see exhibits about Revere's life, trade, and his famous Midnight Ride on April 18 & 19, 1775.
The first floor of the house is accessible via the courtyard ramps. The second floor is accessible via the elevator in the visitor center and then taking the catwalk to the house.
This church served as a backdrop for the famed two-lantern signal warning the movement of British forces towards Lexington and Concord by way of the Charles River on the evening of April 18, 1775. Join one of Old North Church's many tours, including to the bell ringing chamber, balcony, or crypt. Old North Church maintains an active congregation and is stewarded by Old North Illuminated.
Old North's sanctuary is accessible. Note: To avoid steps in the courtyard while following the Freedom Trail from downtown, you will have to make a left at Unity St., take the right on to Tileston St., then make a right on to Salem St.
The Bunker Hill Monument stands as a commemorative obelisk memorializing the Battle of Bunker Hill at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Climb the monument's 294 steps to the top for a spectacular view of Boston and surrounding towns. Visit the nearby Bunker Hill Museum for exhibits about the battle, the building of the monument, and the history of the Charlestown neighborhood.
Free admission. Reservations for groups (10 or more) are strongly recommended.
Access the Bunker Hill Lodge and the base of Bunker Hill Monument via ramps. There is an elevator near inside the entrance of the Bunker Hill Museum for access to all floors.
The top of Bunker Hill Monument is only accessible via 294 stairs in a tight spiral stairway. For safety, service animals cannot be accommodated inside the Monument. As an alternative, there are touch screen kiosks inside the Bunker Hill Lodge that provide live views from the top of the Monument.
Explore one of the nation's original six Navy Yards, Charlestown Navy Yard. While originally a site of innovation and technology for 174 years, it now serves sa the home of USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young. Begin your visit at the Visitor Center located in Building 5, just beyond the original main entrance of the Yard, Gate 1. Restrooms and exhibits are available within the Visitor Center, which provides secured access to the USS Constitution.
See below for information on USS Constitution, USS Constitution Museum, and USS Cassin Young.
Climb aboard the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, USS Constitution. Berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard, the ship earned the title of "Old Ironsides" in the War of 1812, remaining undefeated in combat. Guided tours are given by active duty US Navy sailors.
Free admission. To ensure safety, all visitors ages 18 and over wishing to embark USS Constitution may be subject to present a valid federal or state-issued photo ID at the ship's security entrance.
Only yards away from "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution Museum offers hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Discover the ship's construction, its role in the US Navy, and its ongoing preservation.
USS Cassin Young is a Fletcher class destroyer built in 1943 in San Pedro, California. Serving in the Pacific during World War II, Cassin Young earned seven battle starts and survived two Kamikaze hits. Overhauled at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Cassin Young remained active until it was decommissioned in 1960. Today, USS Cassin Young welcomes visitors as a museum ship.
Ranger-led and Volunteer-led tours available seasonally and on select weekends.
USS Cassin Young is a historic warships with limited accessibility. Access to the gangway aboard is via steps. Inclines can be very steep and the deck uneven. Hatchways have a very high threshold to access compartments. Due to safety reasons, service animals are not permitted aboard the ship.
Overlooking Boston's harbor and waterfront from the south, Dorchester Heights stood as a strategic military position during the American Revolutionary War. In March 1776, the Continental Army built fortifications overnight, hastening General Howe's decision to evacuate British troops from Boston.
The grounds of Dorchester Heights are accessible, however the hill is very steep.
Planning Ahead is Important!
Keep yourself and others safe by making a plan before arriving at the National Parks of Boston and our partner sites.
Site hours and programs may be modified or cancelled at short notice due to weather. This includes extreme heat or cold index temperatures, thunderstorms, blizzards, or other extreme weather. For more information, please visit our Weather page.
Public facilities will be limited so bring everything that you will need with you. This includes water, food, masks, and hand sanitizer.
Our partner sites have varying hours of operation and safety procedures. If visiting our partner sites, please be sure to check out their websites before visiting.
Want to learn more? Dial A Ranger and we will be happy to assist. Just call (617) 242-5601 or (617) 429-6760. Available daily, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
A Few Steps to Help Ensure a Safe Visit:
Most importantly, if you feel sick, stay home!
Practice good hygiene: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (use hand sanitizer out on the trail), cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and avoid touching your face.
On warm summer days, be sure to drink lots of fluids and take breaks in shaded or cool areas. Keep on the look-out for signs of heat-related illnesses.
Last updated: April 2, 2025
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
Boston National Historical Park
21 Second Ave
Charlestown,
MA
02129
Free admission.
Today's Hours:
Ranger-led programming and tours available seasonally.
Faneuil Hall is accessible via the ramp entrance on the southern side of the building. An elevator is available to access the basement (restrooms) and upper levels of the Hall.
Old State House can only be accessed via stairs.
USS Cassin Young is a historic warships with limited accessibility. Access to the gangway aboard is via steps. Inclines can be very steep and the deck uneven. Hatchways have a very high threshold to access compartments. Due to safety reasons, service animals are not permitted aboard the ship.