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We took this quick trip to Boston in February of 2020, just before the pandemic became very scary here in the states (and before lockdown in late March). Over one year later and I’m still struggling to process how drastically our lives have changed along with everyone else, but I finally feel like I can share this trip. While travel is still not a possibility for most people, perhaps this will help to inspire some family-friendly trip planning, and in the meantime, you can virtually tour many of the sites! We (actually I–my husband was at a work conference) managed the entire Freedom Trail – most of it in one day, with two 7-year-olds (we only missed two sites). I’m a history buff (plus my father was born in Boston), so I enjoyed it for so many reasons. The kids said it felt like a treasure hunt, and it truly is – there is so much to discover along the trail. I’m sharing our full itinerary below, and you’ll find video and more here in my Massachusetts highlights!
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We began at the Boston Common Visitor Center, a recommended starting point. Thankfully, mama nay gifted us with amazing weather (especially for February in New England)…it was brisk but sunny. I downloaded the Freedom Trail App and shared my airpods with the kids…we stopped and listened to the audio for each site along the way. Before heading to the State House we took a moment on the bench to have a snack, listen and learn! We admired the State House from afar but our first true stop was Granary Burying Ground. Here you’ll find the graves of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere (shown below). In the early days of this country, when Paul Revere was a silversmith and the new government needed to create coinage, Paul Revere supposedly contributed the copper to mint the first pennies, which is why you’ll see a lot of coins at his grave. We left a penny for Paul and headed down the street to King’s Chapel.
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For some reason I mostly used my phone at Kings Chapel, as we were the only ones there and got very generous attention from the rangers. We were given a personal tour of the chapel, to include the booth where the family of Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women) sat, and all the private hidden compartments. They also provided a seek and find for the kids which kept them occupied and engaged during our visit. We were growing hungry so we walked down School Street to the spot of the Old South Meeting House which was the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party and also of the “one if by land, two if by sea” fame. I neglected to get a good photo of it, as the kids and I were getting hangry and too focused on the Shake Shack next door. It was the perfect place to catch up on the audio guide while we devoured our cheeseburgers.
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The Old State House was my personal favorite, sitting so proudly amongst the modern world that’s been built up around it. We didn’t have time for the full tour but the gift shop was excellent (a great halfway reward for the kids). Outside we took a moment to discuss the Boston Massacre and the fact that the first American killed in the Revolutionary War was a person of color named Crispus Attucks. Our next stop was Faneuil Hall and it was where the kids grabbed their Junior Ranger activity books so they could earn their Boston badges (a point of pride for them). We spoke at length with the ranger within the Great Hall and were awed by all the greats who spoke there, to include Frederick Douglass and Lucy Stone. While our country is a baby compared to much of the rest of the world, the history here can be felt in your bones.
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The walk to our next stop was the longest stretch, but there were many fun sights along the way (only while editing the above photo did I realize that my children are posing in front of a mural promoting alcohol, lol oops). Don’t miss the Rose Kennedy Greenway as you head in this direction…the Park Swings are a great place to stop for a snack. Having already learned a good bit about Paul Revere, Henry and Marie were thrilled to make it to our last stop of the day, the Paul Revere House! Just a heads up that the house tour requires tickets, and they only take cash – I hardly ever carry any and only had enough for the kids…thankfully the kind soul behind us in line paid my way. There are no photos allowed inside the house, but it was a fascinating peek into his family life in the 1770s, with his wife, five children, and his mother. We ended our day there, exhausted but bursting with new knowledge…excited to finish the trail the following day.
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My husband was able to join us on the last leg of the trail since his work was complete, which is how I have a this rare photo of me and the kids. Before we left town we spent the morning at the USS Constitution museum, and as you can see…the path literally leads you right to it! First we toured the museum (which was conveniently hosting a LEGO building challenge at the time), and learned a lot about life aboard the ship. It’s super kid-friendly and interactive…I highly recommend it. Side note: if you’re working towards a Junior Ranger badge, don’t forget to stamp your booklet at each location. After the museum tour we boarded the boat, which was very cool. The kids loved it and had so many questions!
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We said goodbye to Boston after disembarking…this was the end of our Freedom Trail adventure! While we really wanted to see the Bunker Hill Monument, we needed time to stop by my Dad’s childhood home in Arlington before the long drive home. It just gives us another reason to return! I miss travel, and introducing the kids to new cities and experiences. We look forward to the day we can explore again as a family. I hope this post is helpful to you if you’re planning a trip to Boston with (or without) kids…here’s to keeping America’s history (the good, the bad, and the ugly) alive.
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