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Old State House

Old State House: Our most recommended tours and activities

Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour

1. Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour

Enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour aboard Boston’s charming orange and green Old Town Trolley and visit more than 100 points of interest in the city at your own pace. Enjoy the freedom to hop on or off all day and discover sights like the Boston State House, Liberty Wharf, and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Take in double-decker height views while protected from the elements. The comfortable enclosed trolleys allow you to experience elevated viewing come rain, snow, or shine. Choose between 1-day and 2-day ticket options with free unlimited re-boarding. The Boston Trolley tour covers all the major areas including downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the theater district, and the waterfront. Conductors narrate the tour, offering a fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. There are 14 stops conveniently located close to over 100 points of interest in Boston, these are: • Stop 1: New England Aquarium/Faneuil Hall Marketplace • Stop 2: Historic North End • Stop 3: USS Constitution/Charlestown Navy Yard • Stop 4: North Station/TD Bank Garden • Stop 5: Old State House * Stop 6: Beacon Hill/Antique Row • Stop 7: Cheers Bar "The Original" • Stop 8: Prudential Center/Skywalk Observatory (Currently closed due to construction) • Stop 9: Christian Science Plaza/Symphony Hall • Stop 10: Copley Place Shopping Galleries • Stop 11: Copley Square/Trinity Church • Stop 12: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center • Stop 13: Boston State House/ Boston Common/Beacon Hill • Stop 14: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (discounted admission included)

Boston: Guided Walking Tour of the Freedom Trail

2. Boston: Guided Walking Tour of the Freedom Trail

See all 16 of Boston's iconic Freedom Trail sites in a single tour with an experienced guide. Learn about famous Americans like Paul Revere and John Hancock, along with lesser-known stories of women, African Americans, and immigrant patriots and pioneers. Start your tour just inside the Boston Common at the back of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, located at the corner of Park and Beacon Streets. Discover tales of rebels, gangs, and Midnight Riders, with a few cheap dad jokes for good measure. Gain an understanding of Boston's role in the American Revolution and how the city became a pioneer in the fields of abolition, American education, and immigration. Along the way, learn about the explosive events of the American Revolution like the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre in the places they happened. See Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, the Benjamin Franklin Statue, the Old Corner Bookstore, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, the Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument.

Boston: Freedom Trail Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour App

3. Boston: Freedom Trail Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour App

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Once you’ve downloaded the tour, your journey will begin in the center of the city at Boston Common. Here, you’ll turn back the clock all the way to the city’s founding in the 1930s, then learn about the first murmurs of independence from Britain. You’ll get to know the Stamp Act Riots, the Liberty Tree, and much more! Then you’ll head to the historic State House (complete with a dome of real gold!) and find out about the time capsule placed there in 1795. On your way to the Park Street Church (a landmark loaded with history), you’ll stop by the memorial to Robert Gould Shaw, famous for his role in a different war: The Civil War! Then, return to the 1700s and learn what led Britain to levy such harsh taxes against the colonies, as well as how those colonists responded. Then, at the Granary Burying Ground, you’ll have the chance to visit graves of famous figures like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere! After that is King’s Chapel, the first Anglican church in Boston, which dates all the way back to 1754! Even older is the Latin School, up next, founded in 1635. Benjamin Franklin, Robert Paine, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams all studied here! Then it’s on to the Old South Meeting House, where you’ll get the many ins and outs of the true story behind the famous Boston Tea Party protest. Next is the Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians! Then you’ll head to the site of the infamous (and oft-misunderstood) Boston Massacre and get the truth behind that fateful night. Following a stop at the famed marketplace of Faneuil Hall (where you’ll find just about any kind of refreshments you need), you’ll see the beautiful Rose Kennedy Greenway. It may not be an official stop along the Freedom Trail, but this gorgeous urban park is well worth a look regardless! Continuing on, you’ll get a great look at the historic Custom House, one of Boston’s most iconic structures, before reaching Paul Revere’s house, perfectly preserved since his famous Midnight Ride. Past that is the Old North Church, where Revere famously asked for “one lantern if by land, two if by sea.” The next stop is almost impossible to miss—it’s the USS Constitution! This enormous ship, nicknamed Old Ironsides, is enough to make the trip worth it all on its own. Here, you’ll get familiar with some of the old warship’s most nail-biting battles. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Bunker Hill Monument, memorializing a pivotal battle during the Revolutionary War. Your tour concludes here, but there’s lots more of Boston to see, including a bonus tour which dives deep into the Battle of Bunker Hill itself!

Boston: Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App

4. Boston: Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App

Discover Boston's Revolutionary history on a Freedom Trail self-guided audio walking tour with an app. Explore historic downtown Boston, the North End, and Charlestown all at your own pace and without the crowds. Simply press start and follow the arrow on the app to find your next stop, listening to professional narration along your way. Head off on a historical adventure through Boston's colorful past with this self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail. Start by walking through downtown Boston and see the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Sam Adams grave, Old South, and much more. Then, continue by following the directions on your app to Boston's North End. See Paul Revere's House, Copp's Hill Burial Ground, Old North, and more to truly get a flavor of what this part of the city has to offer. Carry on to Charlestown to see Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, and more. Best of all, take the tour anytime, at your own pace, and on your own schedule. This tour never expires on your downloaded app, so you can take it as many times as you like.

Boston: Small Group Freedom Trail History Walking Tour

5. Boston: Small Group Freedom Trail History Walking Tour

Learn about the tumultuous 15-year period that culminated in the American Revolution on this small-group tour. As you walk through the heart of Boston with a local guide, you’ll follow the footsteps of Colonial Bostonians, all of whom grappled with the difficult question of loyalty or rebellion to crown and country. Start your walking tour on Boston Common, where the Freedom Trail originates. As your guide leads your small group along the Freedom Trail, hear gripping stories from Revolutionary Boston and learn the significance of landmarks such as Granary Burying Ground, Old South Meeting House, the Boston Massacre Site, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, and more. Your walking tour concludes in Boston's North End on Copp's Hill Terrace, steps from the Old North Church and delicious Italian restaurants. This final viewpoint allows guests to see the U.S.S Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument over in Charlestown. Guests will thus see all 16 official landmarks that comprise the Freedom Trail.

Boston: Holiday Lights and Festive Sights Trolley Tour

6. Boston: Holiday Lights and Festive Sights Trolley Tour

Experience the magic of the holiday season with a guided nighttime trolley tour of Boston. Ride through town as carolers fill the night air with music, passing by the Old State House, Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, and more. Finish with a hot chocolate and take home a gift bag with a souvenir. Enjoy festive New England holiday vibes in one of America's most historic cities. Tour the sights and festive lights in heated trolleys designed especially for winter. Take in the fun and merriment of the holiday season from your front-row seat as storytellers share tales of Christmas celebrations. Make a short stop at Boston Common for photos by the ice skating rink on Frog Pond and the Christmas Tree from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Pass through the historic North End neighborhood where the Puritans once banned Christmas. See Beacon Hill's candlelit windows and the glorious Old State House. Travel down Charles Street, Boston’s most historic street. Learn about the renowned writers and artists who called this street home, and where the Prince and Princess of Wales took a family Christmas stroll in 2022. Be dazzled by the bright lights of Commonwealth Avenue, Quincy Market, and Faneuil Hall. Finish the tour with a gourmet marshmallow-filled hot chocolate bomb and a decadent cookie at the Marriott Long Wharf. Go home with a festive gift bag that contains a Boston souvenir.

Boston: North End to Freedom Trail Food and History Tour

7. Boston: North End to Freedom Trail Food and History Tour

Learn about Boston's own Little Italy district of North End and its rich culinary scene. Also, learn about the significant role the city played during the American Revolution on a fascinating guided walking tour of Boston.  Make your way through to the heart of the North End, home to some of the city’s oldest buildings and renowned for its variety of food offerings. Try some fresh bread and Italian meats and cheeses at a hidden bakery. You will also indulge in some sweet local pastries. On the Freedom Trail, explore the Rose Kennedy Greenway, State Street, and the historic Custom House Tower. Then, head over to Old City Hall, which was the birthplace of public education in America. Don’t forget to get a picture of the bronzed Donkey outside the entrance Your tour will finish at the Boston Public Garden. Enjoy the rest of your day relaxing in the park and its beautiful surroundings. 

Boston: Revolutionary Story Walking Tour

8. Boston: Revolutionary Story Walking Tour

During the tour, the sightseeing is synchronized with and unfolds to the storytelling. The city of Boston and the story of America are connected together into one unified narrative. Most tours stick exclusively to Boston's Freedom Trail and pass by the sights in whatever order they happen to be laid out in geographically while providing a cursory overview of each separate landmark along the way. This tour does not limit itself to the touristy spots but goes both on and off the Freedom Trail visiting the sights in their historical order with each stop moving the story of the America's Revolution along one step: beginning with the founding of Boston and culminating with the Battle of Bunker Hill. This tour is not meant for those who are in a hurry or who want to see the most sights possible in the shortest amount of time possible. The goal of this tour is to bring everything together and do justice to the legacy of the single most formative event in American history and on American culture. Our hope is not just to show you the sights but to connect the dots and impart a meaningful understanding of the history of the revolution as well as an abiding appreciation for the city of Boston. The history itself is meticulously researched and incorporates insights from the most prestigious scholars in the field but is presented with light-hearted humor and enthusiasm. This tour is meant for people who want their vacation to be both relaxing and fulfilling and has been designed to be equally entertaining as educational for hardcore history buffs and first-time visitors alike. Combine the fun of exploring a new city with an in-depth investigation into the culture completely unique to it. Go beyond the geographic confines of the Freedom Trail and experience the city as a whole. Gain perspective on the context, significance, and legacy of Boston's history with insights and interpretations from some of the most prestigious scholars in the field. Get the insider tips and restaurant recommendations of a twenty-year local resident. Characters include (but are not limited to) Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, Samual Adams, John Hancock, & John Adams. Events include (but are not limited to) the founding of Boston, the Stamp Act Riots, the Boston Tea Party, the occupation of Boston, the Boston Massacre, Lexington & Concord, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Sights include (but are not limited to) Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, Old City Hall, Old Corner Book Store, the USS Constitution, the Old South Meeting House, the Paul Revere House, the Old State House, Old North Church, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Boston: Old State House & Old South Meeting House Entry

9. Boston: Old State House & Old South Meeting House Entry

The unique relationship between the Old South Meeting House and Old State House creates a rich and dynamic story that speaks to the heart of urgent questions about self-government, free speech, and the role of civic engagement in a free society. Constructed in 1713, the Old State House was the center of royal government in the Massachusetts Bay colony and the focal point for many of the Revolution's most dramatic events, including the Boston Massacre. Built in 1729, the Old South Meeting House was the largest building in colonial Boston and the site of the most stirring mass meetings that led to the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution. Today, these historic sites and museums—located just two blocks from each other in the heart of downtown Boston—provide thought-provoking exhibits, compelling walking tours, exciting educational offerings, and engaging public programs. Visit both museums for one price. This ticket is good for entry at Revolutionary Spaces’ two historic sites: Old State House (206 Washington St.) and Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.), and all exhibits and gallery talks available therein. Each site is only a three-minute walk from each-other. Both attractions are open daily between 10 AM and 5 PM with periodic closures around the holidays or for special events. Be part of the story by donating (at checkout). Help change the way public history is experienced in Boston and beyond. With your support, Revolutionary Spaces can create dynamic programs and exhibitions that advance our understanding of our revolutionary past and continue the vital practice of democracy for all.

Ultimate Boston Self-Guided Walking Tours Bundle

10. Ultimate Boston Self-Guided Walking Tours Bundle

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Note: Each tour covers essential sights and takes 2-3 hours, over 3+ miles. Start in the city of Boston and walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary War heroes. Hear the story of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride and relive the fight for American Independence with a self-guided walking tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail. Immerse yourself in the stories of the American Revolution, the Boston Tea Party, and the Sons of Liberty as you stroll along Boston’s scenic Harborwalk. Uncover Boston's historic and storied past while enjoying its beautiful harbor views between South Station and Long Wharf. Then, travel to the city of Cambridge outside Boston and explore the heart of Harvard University's campus at Harvard Square. Use the app to take a self-guided walking tour that covers must-see campus sights like the John Harvard Statue, Widener Library, and former dorm rooms of famous alumni like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman, and more. Next, discover Cape Ann with a self-guided driving tour along the scenic waterfront. Enjoy the vistas, beaches, and natural beauty of the New England coastline at your own pace. Visit the famous Fisherman's Memorial, beautiful Beauport, all while diving into the stories of Massachusetts of days past. Shifting the scene to Salem, begin at the Salem Visitor Center. Learn about the Salem Witch Trials at the dedicated memorial and the Old Burying Point Cemetery. Stop by historic spots like the Old Town Hall, the Joshua Ward House, and Gedney House. Marvel at the Witch House and end your tour at The House of the Seven Gables, immersing yourself in the haunting history of Salem's Witch Trials.

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What people are saying about Old State House

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 968 reviews

Fantastic tour, Charlie was a Harvard grad and current adjunct history professor and was very passionate and knowledgable about the Revolution and Boston. He painted a great picture that brought you back in time.

The tour guide was very knowledge, and very informative along the way. He w made us feel as though we're we part of history in the way that he told the story. Made sure that he was heard by all.

Knowledgeable and friendly. Comes at the history from a unique perspective. I learned far more than I anticipated being someone who’s lived in Boston for more than 10 years.

The 2 tour bus drivers we had the pleasure of travelling with were incredibly entertaining as well as full of fun facts, I wish I could remember their names!

We loved the time we spent with Janet. She was warm and knowledgeable.