Explore the Black Heritage Trail®

The Black Heritage Trail® Tour weaves through the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

NPS

Take a self-guided tour of the Black Heritage Trail^®. This trail explores the neighborhood of Beacon Hill, which served as a center for Boston's Black community in the 1800s. Learn about this community's integral role in the Abolition Movement and the fight for equal rights and access to education.

Visitors can choose to start at either the Robert Gould Shaw/Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial or the African Meeting House at the Museum of African American History. The trail weaves through the neighborhood of Beacon Hill, highlighting ten stops. Many of the stops are private residences today and are not open to the public. Please respect the privacy of the homeowners.

For information about the trail, get a brochure from the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center or download the NPS App, search Boston African American National Historic Site and select "Self-Guided Tours."

Interested in taking a tour led by a Park Ranger? Check out Walk the Black Heritage Trail^® for times and availability.

NOTE: Construction in the area may affect the trail route. Additionally, several of the sites on the trail are private residences and not open to the public. Please respect the privacy of homeowners.

Details

Duration

60-90 Minutes

Activity

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Pets Allowed

Yes

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial and Museum of African American History

The Black Heritage Trail® consists of 10 sites, from the Robert Gould Shaw/Massachusetts 54^th Regiment Memorial to the Museum of African American History.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

NOTE: This trail goes through a neighborhood. Several of the sites on the trail are private residences and not open to the public. Please respect the privacy of homeowners.

Accessibility Information

The Black Heritage Trail weaves through the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood. Sidewalks are either brick or paved; visitors are advised to proceed with caution over uneven sidewalks. There are several steep hills that might be challenging for those with mobility issues. As streets are small and often busy, please take caution when crossing streets.