Massachusetts Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tours Bundle

Massachusetts State House

5 min

The first stop along our red-bricked Freedom Trail tour is right at the corner of Boston Common: the Massachusetts State House! This building is both historic and architecturally beautiful.... and of course, we can't forget about it's eye-catching golden dome! We'll pause in front of the State House to catch up on a couple of key Revolutionary War characters (and soon-to-be American heroes) and a little colonial history. We'll also take a look at the Robert G Shaw and 54th Memorial, which stands opposite the State House. Who was Shaw and what made the 54th Regiment so significant? We'll get into all of those details right here.

Park Street Church

5 min

From the State House and Shaw Memorial, we'll continue following the Freedom Trail. That brings us through Boston Common and out to the Park Street Church. As we walk, we'll dive into the most important question of all: what prompted the Revolutionary War? As we peel back the layers, we discover that the battle for American Independence was one falling domino in a long chain of dominos stretching across multiple continents and older wars...

Granary Burying Ground

5 min

This brings us to the truly ancient Granary Burying Ground! Established in 1660, this is only Boston's third-oldest burying ground. Can you imagine what's changed in the last 400 years? Well for one thing, this ground is so old it actually holds the grave of Mother Goose. We still hear her stories today! We'll also visit the graves of American legends like Paul Revere, Robert Paine, and James Otis. And we can't miss John Hancock and Sam Adams' graves either! Lastly, we'll visit the graves of those killed in the Boston Massacre, one of the stepping stones to the full-blown revolution. We'll be heading to the site of this Massacre later.

Boston Latin School

5 min

From the Granary, we'll continue following the Freedom Trail's red bricks. We'll check out the King's Chapel along the way and pause in front of the Latin School. This historic site contains a number of fun statues to pose with (including a donkey!) and quite a lot of rich history to dive into.

Boston Irish Famine Memorial

5 min

A few steps down from the Latin School, we'll find the Irish Famine Memorial. Here we'll jump a bit later into Boston history and talk about the new wave of immigrants after the revolution. We'll learn about the hardships they faced and overcame... and where these communities are today.

Old South Meeting House

5 min

Just across the street from the Irish Famine Memorial, we'll find the historic Old South Meeting House. This small, tucked-away building is easy to miss but we'll pause in front of it. Here, we'll be transported back in time to one of the most fateful events leading up the Revolutionary War... the Boston Tea Party. We'll learn all about the organizers, their motivations, and of course the consequences of their "tea party".

Old Corner Book Store

5 min

As we continue along the Freedom Trail, we'll learn more about the Tea Party and the Sons of Liberty who were behind it. We'll also pass the historic Old Corner Bookstore while walking and dive into it's connection to colonial Bostonians.

Old State House

5 min

Our red-brick road finally brings us to the one of the most popular stops along the Freedom Trail: the Old State House. We'll pause here to identify key architectural features and learn about it's significance (and long history!). Then, we'll walk around to the other side....

Boston Massacre Site

5 min

... to see the site of the infamous Boston Massacre! But was it a massacre? Or just a rowdy riot, as the British said? We'll dive into the thrilling tale while standing at the very spot where history unfolded. We'll also learn about Crispus Attacuks, an honored American hero.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

5 min

We'll follow the Freedom Trail to another popular resting spot: Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market! First we'll explore the site's fascinating history and then explore it's huge range of food options!

Haymarket

5 min

As we continue our journey along the red-bricked path of the Freedom Trail, we'll also dive into the story of the historic Haymarket, the new and striking Holocaust Memorial out in front, and the stunning view of the Custom House Tower a little beyond. We'll learn a bit about each of these sites as we make our way to another popular stop.

The Paul Revere House

5 min

Our path brings us to another popular stop along the Freedom Trail: Paul Revere's House! Here we'll learn about Paul Revere's famous "Midnight Ride", it's immortalization in a poem by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, and the truths and myths behind this historic moment.

Old North Church & Historic Site

5 min

From Paul Revere's House, we'll make our way to the Old North Church. This is the iconic site where the "one if by land, two if by sea" lanterns were lit, silently signalling the British troops' movements to colonial revolutionaries.

Copp's Hill Burying Ground

5 min

From the Old North Church, we'll follow the Freedom Trail farther up to the historic Copp's Hill Burying Ground. This historic cemetery in Boston's North End is older than the Granary... but only by a year!

USS Constitution Museum

5 min

Our last few stops are a little farther along, over the bridge and into the Charlestown Navy Yard. There we'll see the historic and impressive USS Constitution -- and learn all about her epic battle against the Guerriere. We'll explore the naval battles of the War for Independence in more detail while at this historic site.

Bunker Hill Monument

5 min

Finally we'll follow the Freedom Trail up to the Bunker Hill Monument, built to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill. We'll walk around this hill, exploring the site of this epic battle and getting an understanding of the brutality and intensity of the battle for freedom. This site is the last along our comprehensive tour along Boston's historic Freedom Trail.

Science Center

5 min

Our tour continues past two picturesque student dorms - Mower and Holworthy. We'll learn about their significance and then continue to the famed Harvard Science Center.

Memorial Hall

5 min

Next up: the imposing High Victorian Gothic Memorial Hall. This is the most beautiful building on campus, without contest.

Weld Hall

5 min

Our tour continues beyond the Library and towards more dorms. First up: Weld Hall, once home to President JFK. As we check out the beautiful architecture, we'll also learn about the dorm's other famous residents.

Wigglesworth Hall

5 min

Then we continue to Wigglesworth Hall, Bill Gates' once-domain. We'll learn about Gates and other notable alumni who lived in this dorm.

Grays Hall

5 min

Prefer someone more recent? Gray's Hall was home to Malia Obama.... and a couple other names you're sure to recognize.

Matthews Hall

5 min

That brings us to Matthews Hall, where Matt Damon once lived!

Straus Hall

5 min

And we can't forget Straus Hall, once home to Mark Zuckerberg. And so many others too! Our tour continues through campus, exploring traditions and anecdotes until we're almost back to where we started: Johnson Gate.

Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center

5 min

Your tour through this quaint New England town begins at the Salem Visitor Center. From here, you'll embark on a journey which will peel back the seemingly pleasant exterior of Salem and reveal a dark, violent past which still haunts it to this day

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

5 min

After that, make your way to the Samuel Pickman House, a creepy house with an even creepier history. Supposedly, a father chained his daughter up in the basement for days without food or water... and some say she still lingers to this day

Old Burying Point Cemetery

5 min

Up next is the graveyard where most of the witch trial victims are buried. Ironically, this is also the final resting place of the chief investigator during those trials, who directly caused many deaths

Salem Old Town Hall

5 min

The path takes you next to the old Town Hall. There's a little-known secret about this place, though--supposedly, it sits atop miles of secret underground tunnels!

John Ward House

5 min

At the Joshua Ward House, up next, you'll get a glimpse of what remains of the residence once belonging to Sheriff George Corwin, who signed the arrest and execution warrants of those accused of witchcraft

St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church

5 min

After that, you'll arrive at St Peter's Episcopal Church, which sits on land the town confiscated after the owners, accused of witchcraft, skipped town

Howard Street Cemetery

5 min

The next cemetery is the Howard Street Cemetery, the final resting place of Giles Corey. Corey was another victim of the trials, and was later immortalized by Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible

Roger Conant Statue

5 min

Then you'll pass by an impressive statue of Roger Conant, Salem's founder and first governor, as well as the Witch Museum, filled with all sorts of deep-dive info about the trials and the surrounding mass hysteria

Gedney House

5 min

One optional stop takes you to the Gedney House, a perfect example of the peculiarities of colonial architecture

Broad Street Cemetery

5 min

Another detour brings you to the Broad Street Cemetery, where Sheriff Corwin ended up after suffering a mysterious heart attack

Hamilton Hall

5 min

Then you'll see Hamilton Hall, a venue which has hosted esteemed figures like Alexander Hamilton, FDR, and the Marquis de Lafayette

Ropes Mansion and Garden

5 min

The next optional stop is the Ropes Mansion, the former home of a wealthy Salem resident who became the center of a bitter distrust in the midst of a smallpox epidemic

The Witch House at Salem

5 min

After that is the so-called Witch House. Once home to Judge Jonathan Corwin, who presided over some of the witch trials, it is one of very few buildings still standing from that era

John Bertram House

5 min

Next on the optional route is the John Bertram House, one of the oldest assisted living facilities in the entire country

Hawthorne Hotel

5 min

If you like hauntings, you'll have to stop at the Hawthorne Hotel, supposedly one of the most haunted buildings in town!

Nathanial Hawthorne Statue

5 min

Literature fans won't want to miss the Nathaniel Hawthorne statue, dedicated to one of America's greatest authors

Mercy Tavern

5 min

The next stop along the optional route is the Mercy Tavern, which has a seriously seedy history, including a whole lot of kidnappings!

Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace

5 min

You can also visit the birthplace of famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne, which has been preserved in its original condition

The House of the Seven Gables

5 min

The final optional stop is the House of the Seven Gables, a dour building which inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's supernatural Gothic novel of the same name

South Station

5 min

Our historic tour begins at one of Boston's most underappreciated marvels of architecture: South Station. We'll take a moment to analyze the enormous eagle and clock dominating the facade.

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

5 min

Right across the street, we'll find a stunning example of modern architecture with the Federal Reserve. As we walk past, we'll learn the intriguing stories behind the bland name.

Atlantic Wharf

5 min

At Russia Wharf, we're officially at the start of our Harborwalk journey and our trip into the past. We'll learn about the booming international trade during the colonial era.... the foundation which would later lead to the epic Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

5 min

As we walk along Boston's Harborwalk, we'll look out across the water for a glimpse of an actual blast from the past: a colonial ship packed with tea crates! We'll learn about the events of Boston's Tea Party but we'll also dive deeper: what really caused this riot? Why were taxes so high? What did a far-away international war have to do with the price of tea in Boston?

Rowes Wharf

5 min

Our journey brings us to Rowe's Wharf — named for one of the tea smugglers who encouraged the "Tea Party"! We'll learn about John Rowe and his adventures with the law as we walk through.

The Marina at Rowes Wharf

5 min

The Harbor Hotel is a stunning piece of architecture, blending modern and colonial styles seamlessly. It's 80-foot copper dome contains a glass cupola. If you walk to the center of the archway and look straight up, you can see all the through the top of the dome to the glass cupola above.

John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse

5 min

As we continue our walk along Boston's Harborwalk, our journey back in time takes us from the Boston Tea Party into a more recent era. As we walk, we'll admire the beautiful Moakley Courthouse across the water and learn about its significance to the city and its people.

Harbor Towers

5 min

The Brutalist-style Harbor Towers are unmissable. Brutalism was all the rage in the 1970s. Today, the style polarizes observers. Some people see a kind of strange beauty in the sparse, overbearing structures. Others see, well, just plain ugly buildings! These days, you can always identify the style anywhere by its grim, fortress-like appearance. We'll learn about the towers, Boston's struggle between affordable and luxury living, and one of the city's most ambitious projects: cleaning up this very harbor.

New England Aquarium

5 min

We're now approaching a popular stop in Boston and along the Harborwalk: the Aquarium! This huge attraction is partially built over the Harbor, allowing the aquarium access to the natural environment of Boston's Harbor.

Long Wharf

5 min

Our tour along the scenic Harborwalk ends at one of Boston's most historic spots: Long Wharf. From colonial battles against the British to modern crowds of tourists, this Wharf remains a Boston hotspot. Enjoy the views and the history as we conclude our story at this scenic stop.

Plymouth Visitor Information Center

5 min

The MA Visitor Information Center is a major stop for visitors traveling to and from Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and throughout all of New England.

Mayflower II

5 min

"Mayflower II is a reproduction of the 17th-century ship Mayflower, celebrated for transporting the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620. The reproduction was built in Devon, England during 1955–1956, in a collaboration between Englishman Warwick Charlton and Plimoth Plantation, an American museum.
"

Mayflower Society House

5 min

"Across the street and up the hill from Plymouth Rock is the historic Mayflower Society House – an 18th century home originally built by Edward Winslow, great-grandson of the Pilgrim Edward Winslow. The story of the Society House extends across three centuries. Experience its rich history on a tour where you will learn about the many influential Plymouth families who lived here and preserved this home over the years. Hear fascinating stories about the struggles of the Winslow family – Loyalists during the Revolutionary era; stand where Ralph Waldo Emerson and Lydia Jackson exchanged vows; relive the great restoration in 1898 by famous New England architect Joseph Everett Chandler, and imagine the hive of activity this peaceful house would have been when it was used as a Red Cross headquarters during World War II.
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Plymouth Rock - Pilgrim Memorial State Park

5 min

Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded the Plymouth Colony in December 1620.

Massasoit Statue

5 min

"Massasoit is a statue by the American sculptor Cyrus Edwin Dallin in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was completed in 1921 to mark the three hundredth anniversary of the Pilgrims' landing. The sculpture is meant to represent the Pokanoket leader Massasoit welcoming the Pilgrims on the occasion of the first Thanksgiving.
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Brewster Gardens

5 min

The park up ahead and walks toward the center. This is Brewster Gardens, named for William Brewster, one of the original Mayflower passengers.

Pilgrim Maiden Statue

5 min

"Brewster Gardens is a bronze statue, The Pilgrim Maiden by Henry Hudson Kitson (1922), and a stainless steel sculpture honoring Plymouth’s immigrant settlers from 1700 to 2000. The Pilgrim Maiden is dedicated to the intrepid English women whose courage and devotion brought a new nation into being.
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Burial Hill

5 min

"Burial Hill is a historic cemetery or burying ground on School Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Established in the 17th century, it is the burial site of several Pilgrims, the founding settlers of Plymouth Colony. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
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Richard Sparrow House

5 min

"The Richard Sparrow House is a historic house at 42 Summer Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the oldest surviving house in Plymouth. The house was built around 1640 by Richard Sparrow, an English surveyor who arrived in Plymouth in 1636.
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Plimoth Grist Mill

5 min

The Plimoth Grist Mill is a working grist mill located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is a reconstruction of the original Jenney Grist Mill, and it stands on the site of the original mill.

Pilgrim Hall Museum

5 min

The Pilgrim Hall Museum at 75 Court Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts is the oldest public museum in the United States in continuous operation, having opened in 1824.

National Monument to the Forefathers

5 min

"The National Monument to the Forefathers, formerly known as the Pilgrim Monument, commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrims. Dedicated on August 1, 1889, it honors their ideals as later generally embraced by the United States. It is thought to be the world's largest solid granite monument.
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Hedge House

5 min

"The Plymouth Antiquarian House is a historic house museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts owned by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. The house was built in 1809 for William Hammatt, a New England sea captain. The Hedges, a family of entrepreneurs, purchased the house in 1830 and lived there until 1919.
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Jenney Interpretive Centre

5 min

Exhibits in the Interpretive Centre focus on the Pilgrims, stories of their faith and values, the abolitionists and slavery, the family – the cornerstone of society.

Jabez Howland House

5 min

"The Jabez Howland House is a historic house at 33 Sandwich Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The oldest portion of this two-story wood-frame house was built by Jacob Mitchell in 1667 and purchased by Jabez Howland, son of Mayflower passengers John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley Howland, two of the original Pilgrims.
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Long Beach Rock

5 min

Long Beach is a barrier beach– a peninsula that serves as a barrier between the open ocean and the mainland coast.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

5 min

"Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, founded in 1947. It attempts to replicate the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by the English colonists who became known as the Pilgrims.
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Cape Cod Visitor Center

5 min

We begin our journey into America's distant past at the Cape Cod Visitor Center. Prepare to dive into the Pilgrims, the nation's origins and the long history of the Cape. As we begin our drive through picturesque Massachusetts towns, we'll learn about the Nauset tribe, their legends and traditions, and why they were wary when strange ships appeared on the eastern horizon.

Scargo Tower

5 min

An optional detour takes us past the fish-shaped Scargo Lake. According to Nauset legend, this lake was built by a great chieftan to comfort his daughter, who could not stop weeping over three dead fish. We'll also learn about the Nauset party who first spotted the Mayflower, and the fears they had about its approach.

Harwich

5 min

Another optional detour takes us to Harwich, a quaint Cape town known for its numerous beautiful beaches. If you fancy a swim, this is one of the best places on the Cape for it!

Cape Cod Lavender Farm

5 min

While in Harwich, we'll visit the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, a secluded estate that's just as gorgeous and fragrant as it sounds. Walk any of the woodland trails for free, soak up the smell of lavender, and pick up a few souvenirs!

Bank Street Beach

5 min

Next, our Harwich detour will take us to Bank Street Beach, the perfect place to relax or dip your toes into the Atlantic.

Eastham

5 min

As we continue our drive, we'll enter Eastham, a perfectly picturesque little Colonial town. We'll also hear about the embattled first encounter between the Pilgrims and the Nauset, the daring assistance offered by Squanto, and the very first Thanksgiving, where the Pilgrims and Nauset celebrated a truce.

First Encounter Beach

5 min

Continuing down the Cape, we'll arrive at First Encounter Beach, where that dramatic skirmish between Nauset and Pilgrims took place. The beach now bears a plaque commemorating the encounter and the eventual truce.

Salt Pond Visitor Center

5 min

A little farther on, we'll arrive at the Salt Pond Visitor Center. This miniature museum is the perfect opportunity to catch up on some extra Cape history, use the bathroom, or just stretch your legs.

Nauset Lighthouse

5 min

As we continue our drive up the Cape, we'll spot the Nauset Light, the quaint little lighthouse that features in every quintessential Cape Cod photograph. We'll also learn about its importance, and how the Cape's rough waters earned the nickname of "ocean graveyard" before the lighthouse was built.

The Three Sisters Lighthouses

5 min

Continuing our drive, we'll come to three squat white lighthouses called the Three Sisters Lighthouses. What's peculiar about these lighthouses is that they're not on the coast at all! They're actually nestled among a thicket of trees pretty far inland. Hear about why that is, and how they came to be there. We'll also learn about how the Cape transformed from Nauset land to Colonial fishing towns, and then from fishing towns to a tourist hotspot.

Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

5 min

Another optional detour takes us to the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. With five miles of trails through four different biomes, and more species of birds and other critters than you can count, this stop is bound to delight nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and avid hikers alike.