There are many unique and exciting cities along America’s east coast. However, one town, in particular, was instrumental in helping to write the story of this nation. Boston is teeming with history surrounding the Revolutionary War and offers visitors a glimpse back in time. If you’re traveling to the northeast, there are several historical places in Boston that shouldn’t be missed.
One of the founding fathers most known for his late-night ride to warn that the British were advancing, Paul Revere, lived in Boston’s North End. This site includes a large visitors center and a museum with expanded exhibits relating to the famous midnight ride and Revere’s work as a silversmith.
Steeped in history, Boston’s oldest surviving church, Old North, played an important role one night in April 1775. On this spring evening, a church officer and a parish member scaled the church’s heights and held up lanterns to signal the British were marching. In addition to group tours of the grounds, you can also explore a guided walkthrough of the upper balcony, which houses the ornate 1759 pipe organ.
See and experience one of the events that sparked the Revolutionary War, when colonists threw chests of tea into the bay to protest British taxation. This historic site includes a full-size 18th-century ship replica, live reenactments, and tours by costumed guides. The museum offers interactive exhibits and allows visitors to throw mock chests of tea into the water.
The Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre
One of the oldest public buildings in the US, the Old State House was the location for colony government business in the 1700s. Many notable figures in American history spent time here leading up to the revolution. The Old State House offers exhibits and gallery talks for curious guests.
Nearby, an ornate marker on the ground denotes where the Boston Massacre occurred. Tensions between colonists and British soldiers boiled over in the spring of 1770 and ended with five dead. Reenactments are performed every anniversary of the event.
The Old South Meeting House holds great historical significance as it’s where colonists planned the Boston Tea Party. Tours and interactive exhibits bring the history of this building to life. See public art, watch performances and hear fascinating tales surrounding the events that led to the birth of the United States.
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
While still under British rule in the early 1770s, many colonists flocked to the Faneuil Hall to gather and hear rousing speeches. Among the speakers were James Otis and Samuel Adams, who solidified the colonist’s desire to separate from Great Britain. Previously voted as one of “America’s 25 Most Visited Tourist Sites”, guests can shop, dine, and tour the hall and Boston landmark, Quincy Market.
Visit the site of a brutal battle that took place during the initial stages of the Revolutionary War. You can learn more about this significant conflict from the Bunker Hill Museum, which provides exciting exhibits and historical artifacts. Bunker Hill is a National Park Service Site that brings guests closer to history with a large monument, lodge, and museum.