downtown boston walking tour

Walk Into History®

Boston Common Visitor Information Center 139 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02111

Daily, 10 am, 11 am,  12 noon, 1 pm  (plus 2 pm Sat. & Sun.) Purchase Tickets  

About This Tour

Boston's official Freedom Trail tours!  The Freedom Trail Foundation's most popular, introductory, tours highlight the diverse history that took place at 11 of the 16 official Freedom Trail historic sites, featuring Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel & King's Chapel Burying Ground, Boston Latin School site/Benjamin Franklin statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre site, and Faneuil Hall.  Experience stories of the American Revolution, as well as the history of traditionally underrepresented peoples spanning from the 16 th – 21 st centuries.  

*Boston Town Crier Tours - Endorsed by the Freedom Trail Foundation, however Foundation-led tour tickets are not valid to use on Boston Town Crier-led tours.

Group Tour Information

School, private, or corporate groups may request specific tour dates and departure times here or by calling (617) 357-8300.

General Information

Access route, public transit, what people are saying, yelp review.

The Freedom Trail is one of the iconic touristy things to do in Boston, and there's a reason for that. I did the full trail many, many years ago but decided to go with this shorter, more compact trail with our family. The 1.5 hour length is the right duration for kids, and our guide, Jeremiah Poope (his actual last name!), kept it interesting the entire time. He has been a tour guide in Boston for many years, and he had a ton of interesting stories and facts beyond the typical revolutionary war factoids.

The Freedom Trail Walking tour presents full of historic knowledge and our guide, Parker, provides us the best experience for this amazing learning adventure. That is to say, in this tour you can also learn about the myth and the truth of the history we learned from our textbooks. I would recommend anyone who visit Boston and is interested in learning history or simply just want to listen to funny stories

TripAdvisor Review

We only had 1 day to explore downtown Boston, and this tour was a great way to see several different sites, learn about history, and get a bit of walking in. We were a few minutes late for the start of the 1pm tour but easily able to catch up and join in.. Our tour guide was fantastic! One member of my group uses a wheelchair, and the guide was great about leading the WHOLE tour through accessible entrances to sites and to sidewalks with curb cuts so that all of us could participate without feeling singled out.

Email Review

We had a wonderful time and your guides were wonderful. They were energetic, informed, and brought history to life. Thank you once again!

Great tour with Isaiah Thomas! Great local guide who was very engaging and a walking encyclopedia of Boston history. It was a nice 1.5 hr walking tour hitting most of the south end Freedom Trail points of interest. For the money, it’s hard to beat!

Freedom Trail Store

The Freedom Trail store offers tour ticket discounts, books, such as the Freedom Trail Walking Guide and A Kid's Guide to the Freedom Trail, in addition to other student-friendly and grown-up intriguing books, audio guides, and other Freedom Trail related items.

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Visitor guide, subscribe to our, e-newsletter, online store, the freedom trail®, walk through america’s history.

The famous Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red-brick trail through Boston’s historic neighborhoods that tells the story of the American Revolution and beyond. From the Old North Church to Faneuil Hall, and through resonant burying grounds, visit the temples and landmarks of the Revolutionary Era.

Freedom Trail Sites | Map of the Freedom Trail |  Freedom Trail Walking Tours  | FAQ

Freedom trail sites.

Begin your journey at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center located at 139 Tremont Street and conclude at the USS Constitution in Charlestown.

BOSTON COMMON

Massachusetts state house, park street church, granary burying ground, king’s chapel & burying ground, boston latin school site/benjamin franklin statue, old corner bookstore, old south meeting house, old state house museum, boston massacre site, faneuil hall, paul revere house, old north church, copp’s hill burying ground, uss constitution - old ironsides, bunker hill monument.

The Boston Common is America’s oldest public park, purchased from Wm. Blackstone in 1635 to be used as common grazing land for the feeding of  cattell . The British militia used it as a  trayning  field.  

The Common has also been the site of hangings, duels, public celebrations and spirited oratory. Today it continues to host public celebrations as well as concerts, ice skating, Shakespearean plays, holiday festivities, sports activities and public rallies.  

Designed by Charles Bulfinch, the State House was completed in January 1798 at a cost of $133,333 (more than five times the budget). John Hancock, a wealthy merchant, patriot, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first elected Governor of Massachusetts originally owned the land. The oldest building on Beacon Hill is now the seat of the Massachusetts state government. The golden dome, one of Boston’s distinguishing landmarks, wasn’t always gilded. It was originally built of wood. Paul Revere & Sons was commissioned in 1802 to cover it with copper to prevent water leakage. In 1874, the dome was gilded with 23-karat gold leaf.

Park Street Church acquired the nickname Brimstone Corner, both in reference to the fire-and-brimstone sermons and to the gun powder that was stored in the crypt during the War of 1812. Founded in 1809, the Church’s 217-foot white steeple was the first landmark a traveler saw upon approaching Boston.  

On July 4, 1829, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison gave his first public anti-slavery address here, and two years later, on July 4, the hymn America, better known as My Country ’Tis of Thee, was first sung on the Church steps. 

So named because of its proximity to Boston’s first granary, this is the most visited burying ground in Boston and the final resting place of many prominent Bostonians. Buried here are John Hancock, Samuel Adams, nine governors, all five Boston Massacre victims, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin’s parents and Peter Faneuil.

Under orders from King James II in 1686, land was seized, and the first Anglican Church was constructed. By 1749, the original wooden structure was too small for the congregation, and so the Georgian chapel was constructed around the original church.  

Adjacent to King’s Chapel is Boston’s first burying ground. Here you will find the graves of John Winthrop, Massachusetts’ first governor; William Dawes, Paul Revere’s compatriot who also made the ride to Lexington, and Mary Chilton, believed to be the first woman to step off the Mayflower.    

Embedded in the sidewalk in front of Old City Hall is the mosaic City Carpet, which commemorates the site of the first public school in the U.S., Boston Latin School (1635). Among the school’s alumni are Ben Franklin, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Charles Bulfinch and Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Richard Greenough’s statue of Ben Franklin, erected in 1856, prominently stands in front of Old City Hall. Look closely at Franklin’s face. The sculptor said that he found  the left side of the great man’s face philosophical and reflective and the right side funny and smiling.

The original building on this site was the home of Anne Hutchinson, who was banished from Massachusetts in 1638 for her unorthodox religious views. By the mid-1800s, the Old Corner Bookstore was a flourishing literary center. Here, Ticknor and Fields published works by Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Tennyson, Hawthorne, Emerson, Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Julia Ward Howe among others. The Atlantic Monthly, a Boston institution, was originally published here as well. Today, the building continues as a place of commerce. 

Built in 1729, this is the second oldest church in Boston. The largest building in colonial Boston, Old South was used for public meetings when the angry crowd outgrew Faneuil Hall. Many of the crucial events that led up to the Revolution took place here. The most famous of the meetings was held on December 16, 1773, when over 5,000 gathered to protest the tax on tea.  

During the British occupation of Boston in 1775-1776, British troops desecrated this sanctuary of freedom by using it as a stable and riding school, while drinks were served from the balcony. The pulpit and pews were chopped into firewood and the library was used as kindling. 

On another note, Phillis Wheatley, the first female African American published poet, was a full member of the Meeting House. An original copy of her work is on permanent display here.  

Built in 1713, the Old State House is Boston’s oldest surviving public building. It was the center of political and commercial life, housing the merchant’s exchange (a precursor to today’s stock exchange) on the ground floor and the royally appointed government offices and the freely elected members of the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on the upper floors.  

The site played a central role in the story of rebellion, from James Otis’ 1761 speech against the Writs of Assistance to the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the east balcony in July 1776.  

Adjacent to the Old State House, a ring of cobblestones commemorates the Boston Massacre. Five men were killed in this clash between Colonists and Redcoats. Among the slain men was Crispus Attucks, the first African American to die for the patriotic cause.  

Interestingly, John Adams and Josiah Quincy, loyal to justice as well as the patriotic cause, defended the British soldiers. All but two were acquitted. The guilty had their thumbs branded and were then set free. 

The building was a gift from wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil in 1742. Faneuil Hall served as a meeting place and an open-air market. It was here that Bostonians met to form their opposition to British authority. As a result of the impassioned speeches by such patriots as Samuel Adams and James Otis, the nickname Cradle of Liberty was earned, especially when citizens rallied against the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Townsend Acts and the landing of British troops.  

Charles Bulfinch enlarged the building in 1806. After the Revolution, Bostonians continued to gather at Faneuil Hall for the anti-slavery speeches of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Frederick Douglass. The women’s rights movement, early temperance rallies and nearly every war since 1812 have been debated within these walls. 

Built around 1680, the Paul Revere House is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston, and only official Freedom Trail site that is a home. It was from here that its famous occupant set out for the midnight ride. Revere was not only a patriot, but also an expert silversmith, copper manufacturer, part-time dentist, engraver and the father of 16 children. As many as eight children lived here with him, along with his mother, his first and (after 1773) his second wife.  

It was from this steeple that Sexton Robert Newman hung two lanterns on April 18, 1775, to signal the beginning of Paul Revere’s momentous ride. The action is widely regarded as the spark that ignited the American Revolution.  

Built in 1723, Old North is Boston’s oldest church building. See a wealth of historic works, including the first bells brought to the Colonies, its original 18th-century brass chandeliers and clock, and the 17th- century carved angels that were captured by a Colonial privateer. More than 1,000 individuals lay in rest in the underground crypt, including the Royal Governor’s second-in-command at Lexington and Concord.

Copp’s Hill was Boston’s largest colonial burying ground, dating from 1659. Some notables buried here include the Mather family, a very prominent New England ministerial family; Edmund Hartt, builder of the USS Constitution; Robert Newman, who hung the lanterns for Paul Revere’s ride, and Prince Hall, anti-slavery activist, Revolutionary soldier and founder of the African Grande Masonic Lodge. Copp’s Hill is also the final resting place of countless free African Americans.  

Because of its height and prominent location overlooking Boston Harbor, the British used the burying ground to aim their cannons on Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Target practice was also conducted here. Be sure to take a look at the grave marker of Daniel Malcom, a member of the Sons of Liberty.

Launched in Boston in 1797, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Her nickname was earned during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs appeared to bounce off her impenetrable hull and the seamen cried out Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron! Today she is manned by an active duty U.S. Navy crew and docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. "Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" became the legendary battle cry, according to lore, and immortalized the determination of the ill-equipped Colonists who stood facing the powerful British Army on June 17, 1775. Today the 221-foot granite obelisk commemorates the site of this first major battle. 

Map of the Freedom Trail

Freedom trail walking tour operators.

Stop by a Visitor Information Center to purchase a ticket. Tours leave from the red brick line in front of the Boston Common Visitor Center. 

Freedom Trail® Foundation — Official Freedom Trail Tours®

• (617) 357-8300

Boston By Foot, Inc.

• 87 Mount Vernon Street
• (617) 367-2345

Boston Town Crier - Tours of Freedom Trail

• (617) 794-7512

Hub Town Tours: Freedom Trail Small Group Tour

• 7 Marshall Street
• +1 (844) 482-8696

Tour of the Freedom Trail

• Boston Common Visitor Center
• (978) 741-1170

Action Tour Guide: Self-Guided Walking Tours in Boston

Boston Freedom Trail & Bunker Hill GPS self-guided audio tours: Experience the rich history of Boston and its role in the American Revolution with the Freedom Trail & Bunker Hill…

Activities & Events

Heart of the freedom trail guided walking tour.

This 1 hour tour is the perfect introduction to Boston’s Revolutionary history! Visit some of the key sites along the world-famous…

Road to Revolution Guided Walking Tour

Explore the makings of a revolution! From the Boston Massacre to Paul Revere’s midnight ride, the birth of the American Revolution…

Tour: Benjamin Franklin - Son of Boston

Celebrate the life of Benjamin Franklin on this guided walk along his homes and haunts in Colonial Boston. Born in Boston, he came…

Guided Tour: Footloose on the Freedom Trail

A Boston tradition! Footloose on the Freedom Trail is a 3-hour guided walking tour of the entire Freedom Trail from the Boston…

Freedom Trail FAQs

How long is the freedom trail.

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red-brick path featuring a unique collection of 16 historic sites throughout Downtown, the North End, and Charlestown. How much time it takes to see the entire Trail depends on how much time one dedicates to each site.   Most guided walking tours take around 90 minutes and cover 1 mile of the Trail. 

Where does the freedom trail start?

We recommend starting your journey at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center at 139 Tremont Street and concluding at the USS Constitution in Charlestown. However, the suggested Freedom Trail route is based solely on geographical location, and sites can be visited in any order.

Does it cost money to experience the Freedom Trail?

There is no fee associated with walking the Freedom trail, making it the perfect activity during your visit to Boston! There is, however, a fee associated with admission to some historic sites and guided walking tours. Visit the map above for more information on site admission.

How do I buy walking tour tickets?

Tickets to guided tours of the Freedom Trail can be purchased online or at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center (139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108). 

Is the Freedom Trail wheelchair-accessible?

Yes, the Freedom Trail and guided walking tours are wheelchair accessible. 

Are dogs allowed on the Freedom Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Freedom Trail as it is a path on city sidewalks and in public spaces such as Boston Common, Bunker Hill Monument grounds, and Charlestown Navy Yard.  Dogs are not permitted in the historic burying grounds or the historic sites’ buildings.  Please call historic sites directly to inquire about service animals.

Where can I find maps of the Freedom Trail?

A downloadable map of the Freedom Trail can be found here .

View All Trails & Tours

Retrace the steps of Boston's first Gay Pride March, uncover the stories of a thriving colonial-era black community, walk in the footsteps of Irish immigrants, or discover Boston's innovative spirit. Check out Boston's top walking tours.

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The 10 best Boston walking tours

See the city on foot with these fun and informative walking tours around Boston

Boston has a history that spans centuries, and the city offers hundreds of landmarks and historic locales where you can learn about some of America’s most important events. Boston is also a compact, walkable city, so its landmarks can be easily explored on foot. Guided tours of the Freedom Trail and other neighborhoods are a great way to take in local history and culture. The city also has a rich culinary scene, and food tours will steer you towards the best of the best. For a deep dive into Boston’s history and culture, check out the best walking tours the city has to offer. And once you ’ ve finished a tour, keep the fun going by checking out the  best Boston attractions ,   best free things to do in Boston , and   best museums in Boston .

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the  best   things to do   in Boston RECOMMENDED: The best Boston attractions

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Best Boston walking tours

1.  Freedom Trail to Copley Square

This two-hour guided tour from Boston City Walks begins with historic highlights along the Freedom Trail. As it continues, you’ll get a glimpse of the fancy homes in Beacon Hill, explore the Public Garden, see Victorian brownstones in Copley Square, walk along Newbury Street, and end up at the Boston Marathon finish line. This informative and accessible tour is ideal for families and anyone who wants to explore picturesque neighborhoods and the Freedom Trail in one go.

2.  Boston Movie Mile

Movie fans can visit more than 30 filming locations from movies and TV on this tour from On Location Tours . From benches ( Ted and Good Will Hunting ) to bars ( Cheers and The Departed ), historic homes ( The Thomas Crown Affair ) to Dunkin Donuts ( The Town ), you can reenact movie scenes while also learning about some of Boston’s historic landmarks. A local actor leads the tour, so you’ll also get some behind-the-scenes info about Boston’s film industry. This one often sells out, so book in advance. 

3.  PhotoWalks Highlights of Boston

For photo enthusiasts and Instagram influencers, PhotoWalks offers walking tours through Boston landmarks and give instructions and creative tips on how to best capture them, whether with a digital SLR or just a smartphone. The Highlights of Boston tour covers the most photogenic parts of the Freedom Trail. Beacon Hill, the Public Garden, and Back Bay. Lead by a professional photographer, this tour will ensure you see city’s historic highlights and head home with some great pics to share. 

4.  Boston Jewish Culture Walking Tour

Learn about Boston’s Jewish roots on this Boston City Walks tour that explores historic synagogues, homes, gathering spots, and neighborhoods. The tour begins in the “back side” of Beacon Hill, where Jews resided in the 19th century. Stops include the Vilna Shul, Puffer House Cigar-Rolling Factory, and the Holocaust Memorial. The tour concludes in the North End, which was home to Jewish immigrants before Italians transformed it into Little Italy. 

5.  Boston Pizza and Taverns Tour

Beer and pizza make a history lesson a whole lot more fun. With Boston Pizza Tours , you’ll visit a series of historic taverns and try some of Boston’s best pizza. Explore Faneuil Hall, Blackstone Block, and the North End. Settle in at Bell in Hand, a tavern in operation since 1795, and grab a drink where Paul Revere once did. And, of course, enjoy slices from a range of famous Boston pizzerias.

6.  PhotoWalks Beacon Hill Tour

Beacon Hill is one of the most exclusive residential areas in Boston. The neighborhood’s narrow streets, 19th-century homes, charming architectural details, brick sidewalks, gas lamps, and colorful flowers make it one of the most photographed segments in the city. To make sure you capture the beauty of this area, while also learning about its fascinating history, take a PhotoWalks tour led by a professional photographer. You’ll pick up creative photography tips and learn how to capture the beauty of a scene from unexpected angles. 

7.  Davis Square Food Tour

For a unique, food-focused tour, check out Off the Beaten Path Food Tours. Tastings, tours, and progressive dinners are offered in Harvard Square, Kendall Square, Jamaica Plain, and more. The Davis Square Food Tour highlights the colorful, diverse Somerville neighborhood that has become a hot destination for dining. With knowledgeable guides, you’ll learn the history of the neighborhood, sample innovative eats, try your hand at candlepin bowling, and finish up with a taste of marshmallow fluff, a sweet treat invented in Somerville. 

8.  Harvard Campus Walking Tour

You might just soak up some smarts on this Trademark Tours Harvard Campus Walking Tour . Current Harvard students will guide you around the campus and share their experiences. Visit historic buildings in Harvard Yard, see the famous John Harvard Statue, explore the surrounding Harvard Square neighborhood, and hear stories about some of the famous people who attended the school. 

9.  North End Market Tour

The North End is an easy neighborhood to wander and sample delicious Italian delicacies on your own, but exploring with Michele Topor’s Boston Food Tours can take your knowledge to another level by teaching (and feeding) you along the way. On this tour you’ll learn how Italian food traditions were adapted to America, get insider cooking tips, and find out where to buy the best ingredients. You’ll also learn about the best hidden gems in the neighborhood, ensuring you’ll get more out of your future visits. 

10.  North End Wine Tour

With this offering from City Wine Tours , you’ll learn about the North End while tasting wines at top restaurants and wine shops. Limited group sizes keeps the tours intimate, as knowledgeable guides teach tasting, pairing, and buying fine wines amidst the charming, historic venues. City Wine Tours also offers tasting tours in South End, Back Bay, and Assembly Row in Somerville. 

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Thing to Do

Walk the Freedom Trail

Boston National Historical Park

Originally conceptualized in the 1950s, the Freedom Trail ®  is an iconic symbol of Boston. Its red brick line snakes through some of the oldest parts of the City, navigating visitors to some of the most significant historic sites in the Downtown, North End, and Charlestown neighborhoods of Boston. The trail itself does not necessarily tell a narrative. Rather, it aids tourists with a starting point—an opening sampler of Boston's storied, complicated, and multi-faceted history. While many sites are primarily recognized for their role in the American Revolution, all the sites on the Freedom Trail ®  remained significant because of the role they played in subsequent social, political, and religious movements, controversies, and challenges.

Exploring Boston's History

Some choose to walk the entire 2.5 mile trail, end to end. Others select a handful of sites of particular interest and focus on those places. Visits can be as short as a few hours—however those who wish to enter every historic site and explore what each site has to offer can spend a full weekend along the Freedom Trail.

Guided tours are available seasonally from both National Park Service staff and through private organizations. Generally, few public tours walk the entire trail. Many sites are part of Boston National Historical Park, however they are independently owned and operated and may charge admission fees.

Free Self-Guided Audio Tour

The National Parks of Boston have developed a FREE Freedom Trail ® Audio Tour for visitors. This tour is available online on our Freedom Trail® Audio Tour webpage , or by downloading the NPS App. Once downloaded, search "Boston National Historical Park" and select "self-guided tours."

• Stairs to the 54th Massachusetts/Robert Gould Shaw Memorial: When in the Boston Common, head toward the Park Street MBTA station at the intersection of Park and Tremont Streets. Follow the sidewalk up Park Street toward Beacon Street.
• Stairs to enter the Granary Burying Ground can be bypassed by entering an at-grade entrance off Beacon Street. When at the main entrance at Tremont Street, continue down Tremont to the intersection with Beacon Street. Turn left to head up Beacon Street. The first alleyway to the left ends with an at-grade entrance to the Burying Ground.
• Old State House can only be entered via stairs.
• When following the trail from Paul Revere Park to the Old North Church, a detour around the block on Tileston Street is required.
• Copp's Hill is only accessible by stairs.
• USS  Constitution  and USS  Cassin Young  are historic ships with stairs, ladders, and gangways that move with the tide.
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Freedom Trail Map and Self Guided Tour

The Freedom Trail at the center of historic Boston is a red brick path through the city leading visitors to many of the city's historic sites.

This self-guided tour and map will cover the entire 2.5 miles (4 km) and 16 Freedom Trail stops.  

• Where does the Freedom Trail Start?
• Map and Self-Guided Tour
• Guided Tours
• 30-Minute Video Tour

Where Does the Freedom Trail Start?

The Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common, America's oldest public park. The trail begins just outside of the Boston Common Visitor Center ( map ).

The visitor center and the Freedom Trail are both free of charge.

The Green or Red Line will take you to  Park Street Station  ( map ) ,  which is the closest station to the start of the Freedom Trail in Boston Commons.

The  State Street Station  on the Blue and Orange lines is literally on the Freedom Trail! It is 5 minutes from the start of the trail.  

One of the Station entrances and exits is on the ground floor of the  Old State House .

Another one on Washington St. at the Old South Meeting House, and one on Congress St. at New Sudbury St. which is down the street from the Old State House.

The Freedom Trail ends at the U.S.S. Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. You can walk or take the  Charlestown Water Shuttle  to get back to downtown Boston.

There are parking garages located on the Freedom Trail map.

There is an underground parking garage beneath the Boston Common on Charles Street and one garage at the Charlestown Navy Yard near the USS  Constitution.

How Long Does It Take to Walk the Freedom Trail?

The Freedom Trail is 2.5 miles (4 km) long and walking it will likely take you an entire day at least.  

Plan on it taking longer if you have children or want to spend more than a little time at any of the sites.

Are There Restrooms on the Freedom Trail?

Not officially! But we've made a post of insider tips on  where to go when you gotta go !

Map of The Freedom Trail

This is a very historical map and tour and will cover some of the many sites and characters which/who were important in the founded our great nation. 

Some of the characters we will meet are John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and Peter Faneuil.  

You can also take this tour as a GPS-enabled Audio Tour . Listen to a sample of our Freedom Trail Tour  (the Old South Meeting House)

If you're taking our self-guided tour, let us know and tag us on social media @freetoursbyfoot

Click here for a fully interactive map .

Stop A - The Boston Common

The oldest public park in the United States (1634) outside the Park St. Subway Station, the first subway in the United States (1897).   

The Boston Common was used from 1634 to 1830 as a common space for the grazing of cattle and continues to be an active spot for visitors and locals to meet, relax and enjoy a day in the park.  

Be sure to stop by the Boston Common Visitor Center and pick up some information about visiting Boston.

Stop B -  Massachusetts State House

Follow the Trail up to the Massachusetts State House (1798), which is the oldest continually running state capital building in America.  

The dome is gilded in 23k gold and was originally made of wood.  

The golden dome was covered in copper by Paul Revere in 1802 and was gilded on our nation’s 100 birthday in 1876.  

During weekdays the State House offers free guided tours of the inside of the State House. 

Tours run every 30 minutes past the hour on weekdays, Monday through Friday from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.

For reservations for the free guided tour call:   617-727-3676.

Stop C -  Robert Gould Shaw Memorial

Walk back across the street and you will be at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial which shows Gould-Shaw and his men of the 54th regiment of the Union Army.   

The 54th Regiment is the first all-volunteer African American unit in the US Army which was formed in 1863 during the American Civil War.  

The 1989 film Glory tells the story of the 54th regiment and stars Matthew Broderick as Col. Robert Gould Shaw.  

The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial is a stop on the Black Heritage Trail which runs through our Beacon Hill Neighborhood.   

Free tours of the Black Heritage Trail are conducted by the US Parks Department.

For more information on tours of the Black Heritage Trail:   www.nps.gov/boaf

Stop D - The Park Street Church

Follow the trail back into the Boston Common to the starting point take a left down Tremont St. (follow the brick line) and cross Park St.  

This church was the site of  the first Sunday school in the United States in 1818;  the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison made his first anti-slavery speech on this church’s pulpit in 1829; and the church choir sang for the first time ever in public on July 4th, 1831, the song “My Country Tis of Thee.”

Stop E -  Granary Burial Ground

The next spot on the Trail sits just on the other side of the Park St. Church is the Granary Burial Ground.

Here is where three signers of the American Declaration of Independence rest as well as Paul Revere, Mary Goose (credited with being Mother Goose), and the parents and siblings of Benjamin Franklin.  

Read and download our  self-guided tour of the Granary Burial Ground for a self-guided tour of this spot.

Stop F -  King’s Chapel

Follow the Trail to the corner of Tremont and School Street and you will see King’s Chapel.

This stone church was built around the original wooden church which was built in 1688 and then the wood from the church was carefully disassembled and the wood and glass were shipped to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and rebuilt to construct St. John's Anglican Church.  

King’s Chapel is free and open to the public for self-guided tours (there is a donation box at the entrance) and is worth going inside.  

Although the church looks a bit plain on the outside, inside it is ornate and you can grab a self-guided tour information pamphlet at the entrance of the church to help guide you through this wonderful stop.

There is also a burial ground here where you could find the frame of Mary Chilton, the first woman to step foot off the Mayflower.

Stop G -  Boston Latin School

Follow Trail down School St. and next to King’s Chapel you will see the monument for the Boston Latin School, the oldest school in America (1635) and still in operation today.  

The school’s current location is near Fenway Park. The monument for the school is in the design of a hopscotch game.  

Some of its famous students include Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Sam Adams, and John Adams just to name a few.  

There is a Benjamin Franklin Statue on the grounds.

Stop H -  Old City Hall

Where the Boston Latin School once stood is now the site of Old City Hall (1865).  

For 104 years Boston’s mayors held court here until they move into City Hall’s Current location (across from Faneuil Hall), New City Hall (1969).  

Stop I -  Old South Meeting House

Follow the Freedom Trail to Washington St. and you will come to the Old South Meeting House (1729).

This church is where the Sons of Liberty departed from a meeting on Dec. 16, 1773, and dumped 242 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor.  The famous Boston Tea Party.

The clock tower was restored in 2009 and is the oldest American-made clock in the US which is still in operation (1766) in its original location. 

The bell tower houses a bell cast by Paul Revere in 1801. It is one of only 46 surviving bells he made.

The bell resided at several locations around Boston and was placed at the Old South Meeting House Bell Tower in 2011.

The Old South Meeting House is open to visitors daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm April 1st to October 31st and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm from Nov. 1st to March 31st.  

Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, students, and $1 for children 5-17 years old, and free for children under 5 years old.    

For more information on visiting the Old South Meeting House: www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org .

Stop J -  The Old Corner Bookstore

On the Corner of Washington and School Street is one of Boston’s oldest brick structures (1712) and was the site of the Old Corner Bookstore.  

The bookstore was made famous for meetings on the second floor by the likes of Nathanael Hawthorn, Harriet Beecher-Stowe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Charles Dickens (who lived in Boston for two years) would meet and discuss poetry, politics, and literature.  

It is now the site of Chipotle.  

Stop K -  Old State House

Continue down Washington Street and you will be at the Old State House (1713).  

This was the center of civic life in Colonial Boston and was where folks like Sam Adams and James Otis would argue against the policies of the British Crown.  

On the front of the building is a balcony where, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time and cause a mini-riot during which the Lion and Unicorn which sit on top of the Old State House were ripped down and burnt in a bomb fire.  

The gilded Lion and Unicorn were put back up on the Old State House in 1883 when the building was refurbished. 

Every July 4th at 10:00 am the Declaration of Independence is read from that balcony.  

The Lion and Unicorn, however, is not torn down.

Open daily every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  

It closes at 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve and closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. 

They also raised their admission price to $12 for adults, $10 for students/seniors, and kids from 6 to 18 are free. Veterans and Massachusetts Teachers are free.

For more information on visiting the Old State House: www.bostonhistory.org/

Stop L -  Boston Massacre Site

On the walkway in front of the Old State House is the monument for the five victims killed on March 5, 1770, during the Boston Massacre which took place in the middle of what is now called State Street (formerly known as King Street).  

In the center of the monument is a five-pointed star signifying the 5 deaths enclosed by six cobblestones, signifying the six wounded that night, and stretching from the center are 13 cobblestone spokes representing the original 13 colonies.

Stop M -  Faneuil Hall

Follow the Trail to “the Cradle of Liberty” Faneuil Hall (1742).

This building which was given to the city of Boston by rich merchant Peter Faneuil is famous for the meetings and protests that led to the American Revolution.

Notice the grasshopper on top of the building? 

The grasshopper (his name is Gus) was copied from the grasshopper on the London Royal Exchange Building (which Peter Faneuil model his building after) and was chosen as a sign of prosperity.  

There is a statue of Samuel Adams on the western side of Faneuil Hall.  

Read our post on the top things to see and do here .

The National Park Service Rangers present historical talks every 1/2 hour from 9:30 am- 4:30 pm.

Stop N - Paul Revere House

Follow the Freedom Trail down Union St. (notice the Union Oyster House the oldest restaurant in the United States) and down Hanover St. into our Northend/Little Italy Neighborhood.  

The trail winds down Richmond Street to North Square.  

In North Square sits the oldest structure in Boston, the Paul Revere House (1680). Paul Revere lived for 30 years from 1770 to 1800.  

The Paul Revere House is now a museum that you can visit, where you can learn about the man and his famous ride to signal to the patriots that the redcoats were coming.

The Paul Revere House Museum is open daily from April 15 - October 31 - from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm November 1 - April 14 - 9:30 am to 4:15 pm Closed on Mondays in January, February, and March.  

Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.    

The admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for college students and seniors, and $1 for kids 5 to 17 years old.

For more information on the Paul Revere House Museum:   www.paulreverehouse.org/

Stop O -  Paul Revere Statue

Follow the Trail to the Paul Revere Prado and you will be at one of the most photographed statues in Boston, the Paul Revere Statue which sits in the shadow of the church which made him famous, The Old North Church.  

The statue was designed by Cyrus Edwin Dallin in 1883 and he spent 16 years working on it (1899). The statue was not displayed until 1940. 

Cyrus Edwin Dallin created 260 works over his life and a few of his most famous sculptures are of the Angle Moroni which sits on top of the Salt Lake City Temple in Utah, and also the Appeal To The Great Spirits Sculpture in front of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Dallin died in 1944.

If you go by this statue when one of Boston’s sports teams is in a championship series/game, Paul will be donning a shirt of the team playing for the trophy.  

Stop P -  Old North Church

Walk across the Paul Revere Prado and to the Old North Church (1723), the oldest church building in Boston.  

The church is free to enter and there are guides inside the church who will give you a quick overview of Paul’s Midnight Ride the night of April 18, 1775, which resulted in the battle that started the American Revolution.  

As of Jan, 2024, there will be an admission charge to enter ($8 for adults, $6 for students, military and seniors, and $4 for children under 12)

Stop Q - Copp’s Hill Burying Ground

After you leave the Old North Church, follow the Trail up Hull St. to Copp’s Hill Burying Ground (1659).

It's one of Boston's most important cemeteries and the final resting place of many early Bostonians, including the Puritan Ministers Cotton Mather and his father Increase Mather; Shem Drowne, who made the grasshopper weather-vain on top of Faneuil Hall as well as the banner weather-vain on top of the Old North Church; Robert Newman who hang the lanterns the in the steeple of the Old North the night of Paul Revere’s ride and Prince Hall, the first African American Mason and found of the Prince Hall Masons.

Stop R -  USS Constitution

The Freedom Trail continues down Hull St. to Commercial St. and travels to the next stop the USS Constitution (1797) which is the oldest warship in the US Navy.  

Built to protect American Merchant Ships from pirates off the coast of North Africa, it was made famous during the War of 1812 where it never lost a battle.

It earned the name “Old Ironsides” because the ship was so strong (it is made out of wood) that the cannonballs from British ships would bounce harmlessly off its sides.

The USS Constitution is currently in dry dock but can still be viewed at the location.  

It is open to the public for free guided tours, but tours are now limited due to the construction. For information on touring the ship, read our post .  

Also at the site of the USS Constitution is the USS Constitution Museum .

The Museum is open to the public and provides guests with wonderful tidbits about the ship’s history and what life was like aboard the ship.  

The Museum is open daily from Nov 1st to March 31st from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and from April 1st to Oct. 31st from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Admission is a suggested donation. For individuals and families the recommended donation of $5-$10 for adults, $3-$5 for children, and $20-$25 for families, are suggested donations and any amount is welcome.  

Groups of 10 or more people are required to make an advance reservation to visit the Museum.

Stop S -  Bunker Hill Monument

Follow the Freedom Trail to the final destination and you will be at the Bunker Hill Monument.

The monument was dedicated on June 17th, 1843, 68 years after the famous battle took place.  

The statesman Daniel Webster was the keynote speaker that day.  

The 221-foot monument took 16 years to construct and commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill and has 294 steps.   If you are feeling energetic you can climb the monument.  

The Bunker Hill Museum at 43 Monument Sq. is located at the base of the Hill and is a great little museum.

It is free and has excellent exhibits that will give you a great sense of the battle that took place.  

For more information about how to visit (and climb!) the monument and museum, read our post, Visiting the Bunker Hill Monument & Museum .

This concludes your walking tour of the Freedom Trail.

Guided Tours of the Freedom Trail

We offer a guided tour of the area both on and off the Freedom Trail in our 2-hour tour walking tour.

We also have a self-guided tour of North End/Little Italy that includes some stops on the second half of the Freedom Trail.

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Hop On-Off Bus Tours

Many of the city's buses (and ducks!) drive through the Freedom Trail map area. The Boston Tourists Passes  offer the option to use hop-on- off buses .

FREEDOM TRAIL AUDIO TOUR

Listen to a sample of our Freedom Trail Tour .

Here is how it works:

• Purchase an audio tour from our Booking Page .
• You'll receive a confirmation email with a .pdf, Google Map link, and audio tour.
• Enjoy the tour(s).

We also offer the following audio tours:

• Beacon Hill
• Harvard University and Cambridge

Where to Eat Near the Freedom Trail

• The Prime Shoppe (inside Quincy Market)
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop
• Sam Lagrassa's
• Luke Lobster at 290 Washington St. ( https://www.lukeslobster.com )
• Boston Public Market ( Wed-Sun  8-8) https://bostonpublicm
• Daily Catch (323 Hanover St.) thedailycatch.com/restaurants/north-end
• Union Oyster House 41 Union St  unionoysterhouse.com
• Black Rose (Quincy Market) 160 state Street https://www.blackroseboston.com/
• Pagliuca's (14 Parmenter St)  www.pagliucasrestaurant.com/portal
• Warren Tavern (2 Pleasant St. Charlestown) https://www.warrentavern.com

BATHROOMS ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL

Officially, there are no Freedom Trail bathrooms outside the Visitor Centers. So where do you go when you gotta go?

We've created a handy guide to free (or close) and clean (or close) public bathrooms on the Freedom Trail.

• 9 am-5 pm Daily
• 139 Tremont St
• 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday
• 24 Beacon St
• 75 State Street
• Stop by Guard Desk and ask for the bathroom key
• 8 am-9 pm Daily
• 1 City Hall Plaza
• Pay Toilet $.25 per use
• As of Jan, 2024, there will be an admission charge to enter ($8 for adults, $4 for children under 12)
• Langone Field (35 Commercial Street)
• 9 am-6 pm Daily

30-Minute Video Tour of Freedom Trail Sights

Related Posts

• Downloadable Freedom Trail Map
• Other Boston Locations off the Freedom Trail Map:  Lexington /Concord
• Check out our guide to free things to do in Boston .

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

Brian Burgess

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

Behold Boston Walking Tours

Time Travel on Foot! See 100 photos from 400 years of Boston’s history on this incredible tour!

Your guide’s “magic scroll” is a portal to the past, displaying moving pictures from Boston’s brightest stories! Join a journey across time & witness the inspiring transformations of both the city’s iconic landscapes & the bold individuals who shaped its spirit!

Sign up now! Tours have limited availability to ensure everyone has visibility of the magic scroll’s display!

Tour Details

Start Point: Boston Common Visitors Center

139 Tremont St, Boston, Ma 02111

Duration: 2 hours, 1.3 miles [2 kilometers, 1364 smoots ]

End Point: 11 Congress St, Boston, MA, 02109

15 minutes to walk back to the start point

Price: $36 per adult, $16.30 per child or university student, plus tax, Book Here

No tours during intense rain or temperatures below 25 F (-4 C) . You will be refunded for those cancellations

The tour’s theme is Transformation! In both physical and figurative forms. Specifics stories include:

• Boston’s beginning
• Back Bay landfill
• Urban architecture
• MIT & Harvard’s downtown presence
• Trains, brains, Cow Lane, Circles , Colonels, bricks, famous pics
• Shafts, bones, telegraphs, telephones
• Shoes, news, springs, & Kings
• Come curious! Your guide loves entertaining guest questions!

Contact Info

Follow me on Instagram or Twitter , you will find a 10% off discount code there!

Interested in a private tour? See my offerings here!

Email [email protected] for other requests!

See reviews of Behold Boston Tours on Tripadvisor or Google

About Ye Guide

Dear patriot,

Pleasure being acquaint’d! Call me Arturas. Since moving to Massachusetts, i have fallen in love twice. First to a woman named Anne. Second to this city of Boston. This latter love is an open relationship & i invite you to join the fun!

Behold Boston tours is presently a one man show. I am the sole researcher, prop fabricator, photo colorizer, tour guide, web admin and accountant. This has been a delightful first foray into entrepreneurship! When not giving tours, i am building, breezey-machines.com

The contents of my tour come from many sources credit’d below. I am most grateful for them compiling information about this great city and sharing it freely.

• The Boston Athenaeum
• The New England Historical Society
• Digital Commonwealth
• Massachusetts Historical Society
• Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center
• Boston City Archives
• Library of Congress
• Boston Fire Historical Society
• Massachusetts Interactive Property Map
• The Biography of Benjamin Franklin
• Boston’s Back Bay: The Story of America’s Greatest Nineteenth-Century Landfill Project by William Newman
• Malcom X, by Alex Haley

If virtue and knowledge are diffus’d among the people, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great security Samuel Adams, Letter to James Warren February 12, 1779

A route starting in seaport is currently being written. Check this page for updates!

Guided Walking Tour of Copley Square to Downtown Boston Freedom Trail

• See more of Boston in a few hours on this guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail
• Learn about the city's history as you explore, with a guide's live narration
• Pass top sights, including the Granary Burying Ground and Park Street Church
• Meet-up in the Back Bay area, just steps from the must-see Copley Square
• Professional guide
• 2-Hour Walking Tour of Back Bay and The Downtown Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall
• See the Victorian brownstone homes in Back Bay and historic Beacon Hill neighborhood to Faneuil Hall
• 230 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116, USA Departure Point: Steps of the Boston Public Library on Dartmouth Street in Copley Square Address: 230 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116. Note that this tour does not return to the Starting Point.
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109, USA
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• John Hancock Tower
• Freedom Trail
• Copley Square
• Old State House
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Similar experiences

• georgemX2931DC 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Good but limited. Informative and easy walk. Didn’t feel like we hit some of important sites like North Church. Guess I didn’t get the difference between the Freedom Trail and the Revolutionary tour. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• 52verna 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Walking tour Great and very informative. Great sights loved the building and the tour person was very good with information. Would be great. Read more Written April 18, 2024
• weatherwatchersteve 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very pleased with their honesty concerning a possible bad battery that wasn't! March 30, 2024 3PM.... My wife's laptop battery was questionable. I first phoned the store, spoke to one of the two men there and he decided for me to come down with the laptop. While there he first checked the battery icon and it WAS charging. We waited about 10 minutes to make sure it was and I left for home. I felt very comfortable with their plan to physically check the battery compartment as the laptop fell onto the floor from a small coffee table and possibly loosened something. This wasn't 'the case as the laptop was working and the battery was charging. I was very impressed with his taking care of a problem that I really didn't have. They do replace laptop batteries. I was given a price complete with the battery and installation and the time it would take to replace it. Of course I didn't have to do any of that and when we realized the battery was charging, there was no charge for his efforts. I would certainly return here if a problem arises in the future. They are trustworthy. Read more Written March 30, 2024
• Trail579188 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Historic tour of Boston Alan took my boyfriend and I on an amazing tour of Boston, showing us all the key landmarks with a bit of history for each one. It was fun while giving us a bit of exercise. Alan was very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend! Read more Written March 25, 2024
• N P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Would recommend, good intro to the city Excellent walking tour! Would recommend, we did this as our first intro to the city of Boston. we got to learn a lot about the history of the city and saw a few gems we would never have known about! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny. Thank you! Read more Written February 19, 2024
• Y5920IWmichaels 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome Tour Guide Alan, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about the history and architecture of Boston. I would happily recommend this tour. Thank you. Read more Written January 15, 2024
• beatrizaA7792QB 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Terrible It was raining and the guide went inside the building so we couldn’t find him in the meeting place so we started late. He explain us about some places in a corner but did not took us to them. He took us to Walgreens ti make them do Sushi it was ridiculous. I was expecting to learn some history and dis not learn nothing. Read more Written December 29, 2023
• Beezerbub 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour! Our tour guide was very patient and informative. He took us on a great small group tour. It was easy to participate and felt very right. Be warned, we stayed at the Eliot, and we ran late to the tour because of street closures for a neighborhood race that morning- so plan to arrive early! This is a great tour to take to learn about the history of Boston. Read more Written December 6, 2023
• J7582AVmichaelk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great. Alan is was very knowledgeable an a great tour guide. I would recommend this tour. It was a great time. Read more Written November 19, 2023
• lesiag662 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Tour in Boston Far exceeded our expectations! If you want a small group and a very knowledgeable local, this is your tour! No theatrical character yelling about history, but extremely knowledgeable gentleman who made our experience wonderful! Tennessee Tourist Read more Written October 24, 2023
• tracycR2618KZ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Tour Guide Our guide Cathy was great! Since she has lived in Boston all her life, she was full of knowledge and fun. Read more Written October 8, 2023
• Nicole S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful experience Had a great experience with our tour guide Alma! She was very special and could tell she appreciated her role showing us around. Very knowledgeable. Great way to see Harvard for the first time! Read more Written October 4, 2023
• John L 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles First time visitors finding really interesting facts about Boston Although there was a mix up with the meeting place, it was very informative. Good voice and very interesting bits of history regarding Boston. Blessed with good weather. Read more Written October 2, 2023
• J1845IClizf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour Great tour, Alan was a wonderful guide. He obviously knows and loves Boston. A really good historical overview but then also fun stories, and even a song, from a local. Our group was a good size and we could easily move through crowded spaces all together and hear Alan. As I was watching other enormous groups go by I was so happy we chose a smaller more personal tour. Well worth the time and money! Read more Written September 25, 2023
• mikecC7271SR 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Educational, Entertaining and Fun-Great tour Tour was educational, entertaining with a guide who obviously loves her job and Boston. Thumbs Up for our experience Read more Written September 22, 2023

More to explore in Boston

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Buy it with

Guided Walking Tour of Copley Square to Downtown Boston Freedom Trail provided by Boston Citywalks

North End Boston: Mafia Mission - Exploration Game

Getting there.

The Rose Kennedy Rose Garden

Atlantic Avenue, Boston, 02110

Select date and session

No booking fees

Similar Experiences

Go city boston: explorer pass, back bay: small group tour of women's rights boston, boston exploration game - mystery walk with pub & cafe stops, boston classic: duck boat sightseeing tour, boston city view bicycle tour by urban adventours, guided walking tour of copley square to downtown boston freedom trail, boston citypass, boston's revolutionary and drunken past with ye olde tavern tours, portsmouth and surrounds mystery picnic: self-guided foodie adventure, boston codzilla high-speed thrill boat ride.

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There’s a lot of money floating around Miami. Here’s what to do there if very little of it is yours.

Big Cities, Small Budget is a series of occasional stories highlighting budget-friendly ways to visit popular destinations across the United States.

We cruised past colossal cruise ships docked at the Port of Miami, and then motored around pretty Biscayne Bay, past Watson Island, the Venetian Islands, and Fisher Island (with one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in America). “That’s Jackie Chan’s house,” our guide said. “There’s Ricky Martin’s house.” And Puff Daddy’s $35 million home on Star Island. Jennifer Lopez’s former house. David and Victoria Beckham’s penthouse condo. Tom Cruise’s condo. And the $80 million home of Robert Pera, founder and CEO of wireless equipment maker Ubiquiti Networks and the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies. We were on the 1½-hour Millionaire’s Row™ Sightseeing Cruise by Island Queen Cruises & Tours , checking out how the other half lives. There’s a lot of money floating around Miami.

The Magic City, known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and upscale, see-and-be-seen vibe has always been a magnet for the rich and famous, and one of the most exclusive tropical destinations in the world. (It’s also one of the most visited cities in America.) It can be wildly expensive to visit and vacation here — or not. Here are some suggestions on spending wisely in this sizzling seaside city.

Time it right

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts five Miami Temptations Programs with citywide savings on dining, spas, hotel stays, cultural activities, and outdoor experiences, including the Miami Arts, Culture & Heritage Months (December-January), Miami Attraction & Museum Months (April–May), Miami Spa Months (July-August), Miami Spice Restaurant Months (August-September), and Miami-Dade Farmers Month (November).

Stay in style

The are plenty of splurgy places to stay in Miami, and low budget motels and hostels, but we like the contemporary Kimpton Palomar South Beach boutique hotel for its value. We’re fans of Kimpton properties in general, and this one did not disappoint. The rooms are comfy, with small sitting areas, and sleek marble baths. The location is decent — within walking distance of Lincoln Road shops and restaurants, and about a 10- to 15-minute walk to the beaches and boardwalk. The hotel also offers a free beach shuttle. There’s a rooftop pool, bar, and lounging area, free Wi-Fi, and loaner bikes and scooters. Coffee and tea are free, along with Kimpton’s popular complimentary wine social hour (best happy hour in Miami!). We found early winter, midweek rates for under $200 a night.

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Trolleys & tours

Getting around Miami, like most big cities, can be a pain; the city is spread out and traffic can be a nightmare. Let someone else do the driving. The Miami trolleys are free and include South Beach, Middle Beach, and North Beach; the Collins Express trolley, connects North and South Beach and rolls through the Art Deco District. The free downtown Miami trolleys connect major sights, destinations, and neighborhoods throughout the downtown area.

If you’re on a tight budget, skip the guided walking and bus tours; it’s easy to see most of Miami on your own, including the popular Art Deco District, with the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the country. Stop at the Art Deco Welcome Center and pick up the free Miami Beach Architectural Guide, which lists more than 50 points of interest.

The free GPSmyCity app is a great resource, and includes four, self-guided walking tours in Miami: Miami Downtown with seven sights, Art Deco District with 15 sights, Little Havana Food with 10 sights, and South Beach with eight sights.

Good ‘hoods

Little Havana: It’s not what it used to be. That’s what we heard from the locals, but still we found it a fun place to visit. It’s colorful and historic, filled with rum bars, coffee “ventanitas” (little windows), fruit markets, and cigar shops. Walk Calle Ocho; visit Domino Park and stop by the longstanding Ball & Chain restaurant to hear live music and see traditional dancing.

The beaches in Miami are free. Walk the Miami Beach boardwalk, a scenic pathway that stretches seven miles from South Beach (South Pointe Park) to the Surfside border, with many beach access points and parks along the way.

Don’t miss a visit to Wynwood, a vibrant neighborhood filled with colorful street art, funky shops, craft breweries, and cheap eats. Wynwood Walls , an indoor-outdoor street art museum, is worth the price of admission ($12). The museum, often credited with revitalizing this warehouse district, showcases more than 50 large-scale works by some of the world’s best-known street artists.

Happy hours

Florida may be the land of early bird specials, but Miami is king and queen of happy hours. They are offered everywhere and can be a great bargain, especially combined with food specials. The drinks are a little weak, but the views are unmatched at Monty’s Sunset on South Beach, offered Mon.-Fri., 5-8 p.m., with $7 margaritas and mojitos, and $4.50-$5.50 beers. Beaker & Gray is a popular restaurant in Wynwood known for both its food and craft cocktails; their Thursday through Sunday happy hour includes $8 drink specials and discounted bar bites, like shrimp salad ($9) and lo mein ($7). Head to Tacombi Miami Beach for 2-for-1 tacos and $9 margaritas, 4- 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The waterfront Rusty Pelican has nice views, $5 beers, $9 cocktails, and half-off food like oysters, tempura calamari, crab cakes, and more, offered 4-6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A local favorite — and one of our favorite happy hours — is at Lost Boy Dry Goods , a local haunt with an eclectic Colorado cowboy bar meets English pub vibe. The drinks are stiff and half-price, Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m. Order their Sloppy Jose Cuban picadillo on a potato roll ($10) to soak up the alcohol.

Museum hopping

Miami has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a variety of museums and public art installations. Check out the Institute of Contemporary Art , with free admission, showcasing the works of local and international artists. The museum is in the Design District; walk around the upscale neighborhood to view several large-scale sculptures and murals. The Perez Art Museum Miami ($18) has an impressive collection of modern 20th- and 21st-century art, a sculpture garden, and views of Biscayne Bay. The Bass ($15) is as colorful and flashy as its location on South Beach, with a renowned collection of contemporary art and rotating exhibits. Some museums also offer free days.

In addition, there are more than 1,000 works of public art located throughout Miami-Dade County; get a listing and location map here . For more information, visit the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau .

Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at [email protected]