Due to scheduled events, the Great Hall will be closed on June 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13. The Great Hall will close at 2 pm on June 24 and 25. The Visitor Center Desk on the market floor will remain open.

Great Hall, Faneuil Hall Closures: June 2026

Discover how one city could be the Cradle of Liberty, site of the first major battle of American Revolution, and home to many who espoused that freedom can be extended to all.

A desk with paper and two sets of quills frame a person in colonial wear standing in the aisle.

Town Meetings at Faneuil Hall

Rainbow over Faneuil Hall

View of the Navy Yard from the harbor showing the USS Constution, USS Cassin Young and Bunker Hill

Charlestown Navy Yard

A tall white obelisk stands amongst leafy trees. Two colonial American flags hang from its windows

Bunker Hill Monument 250

A white granite building next to the Bunker Hill Monument

Bunker Hill Lodge

A four-story rectangular meeting house with arched windows and a cupola.

Faneuil Hall

Three double brick lines in the ground meet at a medallion for the Freedom Trail.

Freedom Trail Medallion

Statue of Paul Revere on horseback, with the white steeple of Old North in the background

Paul Revere and Old North Church

A white marble steeple-looking tower stands amongst trees in a community park.

Dorchester Heights Monument

A three-masted ship sits in still water as the sun sets over Boston Harbor.

USS Constitution

A gray naval destroyer sits next to a dock. It has "793" on the side and colorful signal flags.

USS Cassin Young (DD-793)

Looking up at a brick meeting house with a tall white steeple.

Old South Meeting House

Boston

Only 25 people are allowed in the Monument at a time. Last climb is 30 minutes before closure.

Be advised: The Monument may close for climbing due to weather conditions and/or other safety considerations.

Summer Hours

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

New Year's Day

Memorial Day

Bunker Hill Monument

Dorchester Heights marks the site of George Washington's first Revolutionary War victory. The park grounds are open to the public daily.

Dorchester Heights

The Paul Revere House is a Boston National Historical Park partner site operated by the Paul Revere Memorial Association.

Winter Hours

Christmas Eve

Paul Revere House

Old North is a Boston National Historical Park partner site operated by Old North Illuminated.

Winter

Spring

Fall

New Year's Eve

Old North Church

The Old State House is a Boston National Historical Park partner site operated by Revolutionary Spaces.

For more visitor information, please visit the Revolutionary Spaces website.

Summer

Old State House

The Old South Meeting House is a Boston National Historical Park partner site operated by Revolutionary Spaces.

For more visitor information, please visit the Revolutionary Spaces website.

The Great Hall is operated as a historic site by the National Park Service in partnership with the City of Boston. Faneuil Hall is owned and managed by the City of Boston. The Great Hall is closed to public visitation when City-permitted events are scheduled.

Visitors can find maps and other visiting materials in the Great Hall.

Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday)

The Great Hall of Faneuil Hall

USS CONSTITUTION is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy. Naval officers and crew still serve aboard the ship. The Navy operates the ship as a historic site in cooperation with the National Park Service.

Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

USS Constitution Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the stories of "Old Ironsides." The museum is a partner of Boston National Historical Park located in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

USS Constitution Museum

USS CASSIN YOUNG is a Fletcher Class destroyer docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Park staff operate the ship seasonally. Weather conditions may alter hours without advanced notice.

Off-season

USS Cassin Young

Guided Tours

Join a Park Ranger for a special guided tour.

These programs are free and open to the public.

A park ranger points out something on a historic 18th century gravestone

Nathan Die is Cast

<h2>2026 Tours</h2> While walking the historic streets of Boston, become immersed in the stories that have shaped this city. Join National Park Service Rangers as they share Boston’s diverse history through unique guided tours. These tours will be offered weekly on Thursdays throughout the summer and fall. Each tour will begin at 5:30 pm and last approximately 75 minutes, covering 1-2 miles in distance. Registration is required in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/o/42476850053">Eventbrite</a>.  Note: Some tours may involve navigating hills, narrow sidewalks, and uneven surfaces. <hr /> <h3>Taking the High Ground</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-taking-the-high-ground-tickets-1989747852389">June 18</a></h4> Follow the route British troops took in attacking the colonial defenses of Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill. This 90-minute guided tour of the Bunker Hill battlefield will use notable modern landmarks to pinpoint the locations of battle positions. Learn about the battle, its immediate aftermath and far-reaching global consequences.  Meeting Point: Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center, 5 1st Ave, Charlestown, MA 02129 Final Stop: Bunker Hill Monument Route Info: The tourour will cover approximately 1.5 miles thgh the Charlestown neighborhood over uneven surfaces and up moderate hills. <hr /> <h3>Boston: An Underground Railroad Hub</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-boston-an-underground-railroad-hub-tickets-1989747957704">June 25</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-boston-an-underground-railroad-hub-tickets-1989748025908">September 24</a></h4> Did you know that Boston played a central role in the Underground Railroad? Explore the inspiring stories of freedom seekers in the Beacon Hill neighborhood who escaped to Boston, as well as the people, organizations, and historic buildings that gave them refuge. Meeting Point: Museum of African American History, 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108 Final Stop: Museum of African American History Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 0.75 miles through Beacon Hill over uneven surfaces and moderate hills <hr /> <h3>Pirate or Patriot?</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-pirate-or-patriot-tickets-1989748138244">July 2</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-pirate-or-patriot-tickets-1989748383979">October 8</a></h4> Did you know that colonial Boston was a hub of activity for the most notorious pirates in the 1700s? During this “Golden Age of Piracy” pirates lived in Boston, were imprisoned here, and sometimes executed here. This tour examines the lives of several of the most famous pirates who walked the streets of Boston, including Captain William Kidd, “Black” Sam Bellamy, Ned Lowe, and William Fly. Meeting Point: Sam Adams Statue, outside Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109 Final Stop: Old State House Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.5 miles over uneven surfaces and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area. <hr /> <h3>Merchants, Mariners, Men of God and Mayhem: Boston 1845-1855</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-merchants-mariners-men-of-god-mayhem-tickets-1989748652783">July 9</a></h4> Explore how Boston's North End transformed into a bustling, working-class neighborhood in the 1800s. This 90-minute guided tour will weave together stories of merchants and mariners, as well as social reformers, nativists, and newcomers forging new lives. Visit the sites of historic warehouses and wharves, sailor’s hotels, and immigrant tenements, immersing yourself in the vibrant history that helped shape Boston’s identity. Meeting Point: Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center, 191 W. Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110 Final Stop: North Square Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 0.75 miles over uneven surfaces and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area. <hr /> <h3>Becoming American During the Siege of Boston</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-becoming-american-during-the-siege-of-boston-tickets-1989749223490">July 16</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-becoming-american-during-the-siege-of-boston-tickets-1989749611651">September 10</a></h4> During a year under siege, colonists in Boston began to see themselves not as subjects of the crown but as citizens. Discover how a new American identity emerged here in Boston on the eve of the Declaration of Independence. Explore the site of Boston's Mill Pond neighborhood, the home of Rachel and Paul Revere, and the Copps Hill Burying Ground. Meeting Point: Sam Adams Statue, outside Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109 Final Stop: Copp's Hill Terrace Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.5 miles over uneven surfaces, moderate hills, and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area. <hr /> <h3>Pirates and Puritans: Cotton Mather and the Pirate Trial of 1717</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-cotton-mather-and-the-pirate-trial-of-1717-tickets-1989750129199">July 23</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-cotton-mather-and-the-pirate-trial-of-1717-tickets-1989750464201">October 22</a></h4> In 1717, six captured pirates faced trial for piracy in Boston. Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister, condemned piracy but also offered salvation to these six pirates. This tour will explore the moment during which the opposing worlds of Puritan Boston and piracy collided. Walk in the footsteps of the condemned pirates through Boston’s North End where they met their fate. Meeting Point: Find Your Park Space in the lower level of Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109 Final Stop: Copp's Hill Terrace Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.1 miles over uneven surfaces, moderate hills, and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area. <hr /> <h3>Henry Knox: A Pillar of the Early American Republic</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-henry-knox-a-pillar-of-the-early-american-republic-tickets-1989751551453">July 30</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-henry-knox-a-pillar-of-the-early-american-republic-tickets-1989751829284">August 27</a></h4> On March 5, 1770, a young Henry Knox witnessed the chaotic scene of the Boston Massacre. This moment sparked the transformation of Knox from a bookstore owner to son of liberty, revolutionary war hero, and Secretary of War. Explore sites that played a significant role during Knox’s life in Boston. Meeting Point: West side of the Old State House, 206 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02109 Final Stop: Long Wharf Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 0.71 miles over uneven surfaces and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area. <hr /> <h3>The Siege, or Ruin and Back Again: Life in 1776 Boston</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-the-siege-or-ruin-and-back-again-life-in-1776-boston-tickets-1989751915542">August 6</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-the-siege-or-ruin-and-back-again-life-in-1776-boston-tickets-1989752576519">October 15</a></h4> When the sun set on June 17, 1775, General Thomas Gage held the heights outside Charlestown at the cost of roughly 1,000 British casualties. Charlestown lay in ruins, and Boston remained a city under siege. Nine months later British soldiers evacuated Boston as General George Washington and the new Continental Army entered Boston victorious. This 90-minute walking tour explores how everyday colonists navigated uncertainty and hardship under occupation and rebuilt their lives after the siege ended in March 1776. Meeting Point: Find Your Park Space in the lower level of Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109 Final Stop: Bunker Hill Monument Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.5 miles over uneven surfaces, moderate hills, and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area. <hr /> <h3>A Man Kidnapped: Boston Resists the Fugitive Slave Act</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-boston-resists-the-fugitive-slave-act-tickets-1989752620651">August 13</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-boston-resists-the-fugitive-slave-act-tickets-1989752768092">September 17</a></h4> On June 2, 1854, more than 1,500 troops marched Anthony Burns down State Street to T wharf where he was taken aboard a steamer bound for Virginia. The arrest, trial, and re-enslavement of Anthony Burns was the last time an enslaver captured and returned a freedom seeker to slavery from Boston. This tour traces paths of resistance by Boston residents as they fought to protect freedom seekers from the Fugitive Slave Act. Meeting Point: African Meeting House, 8 Smith Court, Boston, MA 02114 Final Stop: Long Wharf Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.25 miles over uneven surfaces, moderate hills, and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated area. <hr /> <h3>Desegregation in the Cradle of Liberty</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-desegregation-in-the-cradle-of-liberty-tickets-1989752865383">August 20</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-desegregation-in-the-cradle-of-liberty-tickets-1989753453141">September 3</a></h4> Boston earned its nickname as the “Cradle of Liberty” by fostering the revolutionary ideals and values that serve as the foundation of this country. As the home to the oldest public school in America, Boston has historically considered access to education as one of these core values. But to whom were those doors open for? Explore Boston's long struggle for equal education, from Prince Hall’s petitions of 1787 through 1976 with the fight for school desegregation. Meeting Point: African Meeting House, 8 Smith Court, Boston, MA 02114 Final Stop: City Hall Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.5 miles over uneven surfaces, moderate hills, and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated area. <hr /> <h3>Memento Mori: the Significance of Gravestones and Burying Grounds</h3> <h4><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-the-significance-of-gravestones-and-burying-grounds-tickets-1989753810209">October 1</a> & <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-at-sunset-the-significance-of-gravestones-and-burying-grounds-tickets-1989753852335">October 29</a></h4> While walking through Boston’s Granary Burying Ground, learn what burying grounds meant to the Puritans in the 1600s and other residents of colonial New England. How did the emblems and imagery on gravestones change over time? How have Bostonians of the founding generation been honored and remembered within these burying grounds? On this tour, view gravestones of patriots such as Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. Meeting Point: Granary Burying Ground, 120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116 Final Stop: Granary Burying Ground Route Info: The route will cover approximately 0.25 miles and consist of walking over uneven surfaces.

Registration is required in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/o/42476850053">Eventbrite</a>.

Join a Park Ranger for a special guided tour exploring Boston's rich history as a city of revolutions.

History at Sunset Walking Tours

American Revolution

Military

US Navy

Monuments and Memorials

Social Movements

The tall obelisk monument stands under a bright blue sky in the middle of curated grassy grounds

Bunker Hill

<h2>Bunker Hill Monument and Lodge</h2> Visitors may climb the Bunker Hill Monument’s <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/bhm-by-the-numbers.htm">294 steps</a> to reach the observation deck. To climb the Monument, enter the Bunker Hill Lodge. Visitors can also explore views from the top of the monument through <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/views-of-the-revolution-360-monument-webcams.htm">360 degree Live Webcams</a>. Please note: <ul> <li>Only 25 people are allowed in the Monument at a time.</li> <li>The top of the is only accessible via 294 stairs in a tight spiral stairway.</li> <li>The Monument may close for climbing due to weather conditions and/or other safety considerations.</li> </ul> Please check current <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm#anch_45">hours of operation</a> before visiting the Bunker Hill Monument.  <h2>Decisive Day Talks</h2> Throughout the summer season, join Park staff or a volunteer outside of the Bunker Hill Lodge for a "Decisive Day Talk." These talks provide an overview of the Battle of Bunker Hill and its memory. Hear the stories of the colonial militiamen who constructed the redoubt where the Bunker Hill Monument stands today. Consider the experiences of British soldiers who sustained substantial casualties in pursuit of this position. Learn about the early inspiration for a Monument to commemorate this early battle of the American Revolutionary War and the individuals and community effort it took to construct. <h3>2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h3> Join a ranger for a Decisive Day Talk Wednesday through Sunday at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. These talks are typically 15-20 minutes in length. If there is poor weather, these talks may be moved inside to the Bunker Hill Museum or cancelled. <h2>Bunker Hill Museum</h2> The exhibits at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/bunker-hill-museum.htm">Bunker Hill Museum</a> dive into the history of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-battle-of-bunker-hill.htm">battle of Bunker Hill</a> and the monument that memorializes the battle. Here, visitors will also learn about the construction of the Bunker Hill Monument, how the battle has been remembered, and the history of the Charlestown neighborhood. The exhibit includes numerous artifacts and several dioramas that will bring you back to the day of the battle. Located across the street from the Monument grounds, the exhibits are housed in the old Charlestown Branch building of the Boston Public Library. The museum is free to the public. Please check current <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm#anch_45">hours of operation</a> before visiting the Museum.   <h2>Remembering Revolution: Bunker Hill Monument Audio Tour</h2> Dive into the history and memory of the Battle of Bunker Hill through the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/remembering-revolution.htm">Remembering Revolution: Bunker Hill Monument Audio Tour</a>.  This self-guided audio tour is also available on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/mobile-app.htm">free NPS app</a>! You can download this tour ahead of your visit. <h3>How to find Remembering Revolution on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/app.htm">NPS App</a></h3> <ol> <li>Download the free NPS App from your preferred app store</li> <li>Tap "Find a Park" and search "Boston National Historical Park"</li> <li>Select "Boston National Historical Park, Massachusetts," which will take you to the park homepage on the App</li> <li>Tap "Self-Guided Audio Tours"</li> <li>Select "Remembering Revolution: Bunker Hill Monument"</li> </ol>

Pets are allowed on-leash on the grounds around the Bunker Hill Monument. For safety, service animals cannot be accommodated inside the Monument. Service animals are allowed inside the Bunker Hill Museum.

Visit Bunker Hill to climb the Monument, explore the Museum, and learn about the history of the battle from a ranger.

Visit our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm#FH">operating hours and seasons</a> page for more information.

Visit Bunker Hill

American Revolutionary War

Living History

A woman in a green 1800s dress stands in front of the stage and paintings in the Great Hall

Sumer 2025 Town Meeting

Make your voice heard by joining the National Parks of Boston for compelling reenactments of three historic town meetings! Inspired by real words spoken in historic town meetings in Faneuil Hall and around Boston, these programs encourage audience members to participate in debates from pivotal moments of Boston's history. Debate with your fellow audience members and vote on the issue. Have your voice heard in town meeting!   <h2 paraeid="{93e9613d-cb17-4e35-8ea2-287b66a6fe0b}{201}" paraid="1260895183">2026 Season (June 25- September 7)</h2> Join a ranger for a historic town meeting Thursday through Sunday at 2 pm. No registration is required. The following town meeting reenactments will be offered throughout the summer: <h3>"Declaration of Independence" 1776 Town Meeting</h3> 250 years ago, citizens gathered at local town meetings throughout Massachusetts. Each town had to determine if they supported their delegates decision to declare independence from Great Britain. How will Boston vote?   <h3>"Rocking the Cradle" 1854 Town Meeting</h3> In May of 1854 Federal Marshals arrested <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/articles/-god-made-me-a-man-not-a-slave-the-arrest-of-anthony-burns.htm">Anthony Burns</a> under the <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/articles/000/fugitive-slave-laws-boston.htm">1850 Fugitive Slave Law</a>. Immediately following Burns’ arrest, Bostonians gathered at <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/places/faneuil-hall.htm">Faneuil Hall</a> to discuss whether they would abide by this federal law or appeal to a higher law of freedom and liberty for all. The eyes of the nation were firmly fixed upon Boston. How will Boston respond? <h3>"Woman's Tea Party" 1873 Town Meeting</h3> On December 15, 1873 Boston’s suffragists held the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/boston-womens-tea-party.htm">New England Women's Tea Party</a>, a massive suffrage rally in the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall. Leading suffragists, including Lucy Stone, Frederick Douglass, and Mary Livermore, delivered rousing speeches to a crowd of more than three thousand, furthering the suffrage movement in Boston. Will Boston support women's suffrage?

Join National Parks of Boston Rangers as we recreate historic town meetings.

Join a Historic Town Meeting at Faneuil Hall

African American Heritage

Abolition Movement

Voting Rights and Suffrage

Women's History

This tour is best suited for individuals aged 8 and above.

The Black Heritage Trail® Tours typically lasts 1.5 hours.

An NPS Ranger speaking to a group of children in front of a monument, holding an image of soldiers.

Walking the Black Heritage Trail

Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston to explore the rich history of the Black community in 1800s Beacon Hill. The Black Heritage Trail® showcases residences and community buildings associated with a Black community that thrived on, and near, the north slope of Beacon Hill before, during, and after the American Civil War. Throughout that time, this community organized for equal rights and access to equal education. Community members championed the movement to abolish slavery and even housed freedom seekers on their journey along the Underground Railroad. This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Register for the tour in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521?aff=oddtdtcreator">eventbrite</a>. It begins at the Massachusetts 54th Regiment across the street from the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/massachusetts-state-house.htm">Massachusetts State House</a> and ends at the <a href="https://www.maah.org/">Museum of African American History</a>, covering about 1.4 miles. <hr /> <h2>2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h2> Join a ranger for a Black Heritage Trail Tour Wednesday through Sunday at 10 am and 1 pm. Registration is required in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521?aff=oddtdtcreator">Eventbrite</a>. If you have a group larger than five people, please <a href="mailto:boaf_mail@nps.gov">e-mail us</a> or call us at 617-429-6760. *In case of weather, rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." For a self-guided audio tour, see either <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/virtual-black-heritage-trail-tour.htm">The Virtual Black Heritage Trail</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/mobile-app.htm">NPS App</a>.

Pets are allowed while walking through Beacon Hill. The Museum of African American History only allows service animals into its buildings. Please visit our page on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm">Accessibility</a> to learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm#General_Guidelines_for_Visitors_with_Service_Animals">General Guidelines for Visitors with Service Animals</a>.

Guided tours are offered in the summer and into the fall.  For the 2025 season from May 24 - October 13, Black Heritage Trail Tours will occur Wednesday through Sunday at 10am and 1pm. Register for the tour in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-905004281167?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl">eventbrite</a>. *In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." For a self-guided audio tour, see either <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/virtual-black-heritage-trail-tour.htm">The Virtual Black Heritage Trail</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/mobile-app.htm">NPS App</a>.

Guided tours are offered in the summer and into the fall. For the 2025 season from May 24 - October 13, Black Heritage Trail Tours will occur Wednesday through Sunday at 10am and 1pm. Register for the tour in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-905004281167?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl">eventbrite</a>. *In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." For a self-guided audio tour, see either <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/virtual-black-heritage-trail-tour.htm">The Virtual Black Heritage Trail</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/mobile-app.htm">NPS App</a>.

Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston on a Black Heritage Trail® Tour to learn about the Black community of Beacon Hill that thrived before, during, and after the American Civil War.

For the 2025 season from May 24 - October 13, Black Heritage Trail Tours will occur Wednesday through Sunday at 10am and 1pm. Register for the tour in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-905004281167?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl">eventbrite</a>. *In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." For a self-guided audio tour, see either <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/virtual-black-heritage-trail-tour.htm">The Virtual Black Heritage Trail</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boaf/mobile-app.htm">NPS App</a>.

Walk the Black Heritage Trail®

Enslavement

Religion and Spirituality

Churches

Schools and Education

Civil Rights

Trails

Civil War

Ranger talking to a group of people. Faneuil Hall stands in the background.

Enemies to this Country Tour

Tours begin inside the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center and end at Old North Church.

In 1774 Paul Revere and his neighbors in the North End were forced to make difficult and dangerous choices. As sides were drawn, both Patriots and Loyalists labeled the other "enemies to this country." Join a National Park Service Ranger for a free 75 minute walk and decide who the real "Enemies to This Country" were in the months before the breakout of the War for Independence. Tours begin inside the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center and end at Old North Church, covering about 0.5 miles. <h2>2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h2> Join a ranger for an 'Enemies to this Country' tour Wednesday through Sunday. <ul> <li>May 23-June 21: 11 am and 2 pm</li> <li>June 22-September 8: 11 am</li> <li>September 9-27: 11 am and 2 pm</li> </ul> Register in advance on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-freedom-trail-enemies-to-this-country-tickets-372161985517?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl">Eventbrite</a> or check in with the ranger at the desk for same day registration. *In case of weather, rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." <hr /> For a self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail, see either the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/freedom-trail-audio-tour.htm">Virtual Freedom Trail® Tour</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/app.htm">NPS App</a>. If you have any questions, please <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/contacts.htm">contact us</a>.

Check back for information regarding 2026 programming.

Check back for information regarding 2026 programming. *In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." For a self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail, see either the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/freedom-trail-audio-tour.htm">Virtual Freedom Trail® Tour</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/app.htm">NPS App</a>. If you have any questions, please <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/contacts.htm">contact us</a>.

Join a park ranger for a free 75 minute walking tour and decide who the real "Enemies to This Country" were in the months before the breakout of the War for Independence.

For 2025, "Enemies to This Country" walking tours will run May 24 through August 30. Tours will be offered Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00am. *In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space." For a self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail, see either the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/freedom-trail-audio-tour.htm">Virtual Freedom Trail® Tour</a> or download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/app.htm">NPS App</a>. If you have any questions, please <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/contacts.htm">contact us</a>.

The Freedom Trail: Enemies to this Country Guided Tour

Museum Exhibits

Three story brick building with white furnishes and a white and gilded cupola atop.

Looking to plan your visit to Boston's historic sites? Visit the Cradle of Liberty, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/historyculture/fh.htm">Faneuil Hall</a>!  The City of Boston owns and operates Faneuil Hall. Since the establishment of Boston National Historical Park in 1974, National Park Service rangers interpret the stories of this historic building. Can't visit in-person or the Hall is closed? Experience Faneuil Hall through our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/faneuil-hall-virtual-tour.htm">virtual tour</a>!  <hr /> <h2>First Floor: Visitor Center and Marketplace</h2> Stop by the NPS Visitor Center located in the first floor of Faneuil Hall, where park rangers and volunteers are eager to provide general information and insider tips. While here, you can also find junior ranger books, maps, brochures, videos, exhibits, and information about sites along Boston's historic Freedom Trail®. You can also explore the different shops in the first floor market.  <h2>Second and Third Floor: Great Hall</h2> The second floor is home to the historic Great Hall. This gathering space has hosted meetings, orations, debates, and protests for over 275 years. Bostonians continue to use the Great Hall to this day. Political rallies, debates, concerts, and natruralization ceremonies are just some of the events that regularly take place here.  When open for public visitation, rangers offer Faneuil Hall Talks about the history of the building and the Bostonians who have met here. Faneuil Hall Talks take place Wednesday through Sunday at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. No registration required.  Take a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/faneuil-hall-virtual-tour.htm">virtual tour of Faneuil Hall</a> to learn more about the Great Hall. <h2>Fourth Floor: Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company</h2> The fourth floor of Faneuil Hall is home to the headquarters of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. Their museum and meeting hall are independently operated. Please visit the <a href="https://www.ahac.us.com/">Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company website</a> for more information. Take a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/faneuil-hall-virtual-tour.htm">virtual tour of Faneuil Hall</a> to experience the headquarers of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. <h2>Lower Level: Find Your Park Space</h2> In the "Find Your Park Space" in the lower level of Faneuil Hall, watch "Fighting for Freedom: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad." This <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1205/index.htm">Network to Freedom</a> film follows the story of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/people/lewis-hayden.htm">Lewis Hayden</a> and his family as they seek freedom on the Underground Railroad and become activists living in Boston, Massachusetts, determined to crush the institution of slavery. The film runs for just over 17 minutes and has captions in English, Spanish, French, and simplified Chinese and Vietnamese, as well as audio descriptions. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=BA117BF0-97CC-43C0-D0B9010B67E016EB">"Fighting for Freedom: Lewis Hayden and the Underground Railroad"</a> is also available online. During the summer, ranger-guided tours begin in the "Find Your Park Space" in the basement of the Visitor Center.

Service animals are allowed inside Faneuil Hall. 

Visit the Historic Cradle of Liberty's marketplace, Visitor Center, Great Hall, and Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.

Visit our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm#FH">operating hours and seasons</a> page for more information.

Visit Historic Faneuil Hall

A ranger dressed in period clothing has a musket resting on his shoulder in front of an audience

Muskets, Men, and Liberty

This program is held on the grass lawn next to the Bunker Hill Monument.

Who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill? Listen to a ranger dressed in period clothing discuss why three men from different backgrounds stepped onto the battlefield. They each had different ambitions, motivations, and concerns. The program concludes with a musket firing demonstration! <h2>2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h2> Join a ranger for a 'Muskets, Men, and Liberty' program on Saturdays at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Programs are held outside the Bunker Hill Monument and last approximately 30 minutes. <hr /> To learn more about the battle, visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/historyculture/bhm.htm#battle">Battle of Bunker Hill page</a>. If you have any questions, please <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/contacts.htm">contact us</a>.

Pets are allowed on-leash on the grounds around the Bunker Hill Monument. NOTE: The loud noise from the demonstration may be uncomfortable for some pets.

Listen to a ranger dressed in period clothing discuss why three men from different backgrounds fought in the battle. The program concludes with a musket firing demonstration!

Bunker Hill: Muskets, Men, and Liberty

Infantry and Militia

The mess of the USS CASSIN YOUNG which has white square tables with gray food trays on top.

USS Cassin Young Tour

USS Cassin Young sits at the end of Pier 1 of the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Explore above and below the main deck of USS Cassin Young (DD 793), a Fletcher-class Destroyer that served in the Second World War and throughout the 1950s. Learn how such ships were built and see how the sailors lived, served, and made sacrifices aboard. Visitors will be able to see various parts of the ship on the tour, including: the Combat Information Center, the Plotting Room, Officer's Country (or Berthing Area), Ammunition Handling Room, Officer's Mess, Sailors' Berthing Area, Crew Mess, the Galley, Barber shop, and the Bridge. <h2>2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h2> Join a ranger for a tour of USS Cassin Young Tuesday through Sunday at 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Tours begin on the deck of the ship and last for approximately 45 minutes. Tickets are available for FREE on a first-come, first served basis aboard the ship. Since this tour highlights small spaces, only 12 people are allowed per tour. Visitors must be over 48" in height to safely climb the ladders. <hr /> *To learn more about the USS Cassin Young, explore the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/usscy-virtual-tour.htm">USS Cassin Young Virtual Tour</a> or visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/uss-cassin-young.htm">USS Cassin Young page</a>. If you have any questions, please <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/contacts.htm">contact us</a>.

Explore above and below the main deck of USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD 793), a Fletcher-class Destroyer that served in the Second World War and throughout the 1950s.

Charlestown Navy Yard: Tour USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD 793)

Ships and Shipwrecks

Cold War

World War II

Admission to The Clough House is free. For visiting Old North Church and Historic Site, please visit <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Admission & Pricing</a> page on their website.

A three-story brick building with three rows of five paned glass windows.

The Clough House

The Clough House is located on Old North’s campus, behind the church, at 21 Unity St, Boston, MA.

<h2>Temporarily Closed</h2> The Clough House is temporarily closed. Please check back for updates. <hr /> The 1715 Clough House remains one of the oldest surviving brick residences in Boston. Now located on Old North Church and Historic Site's campus, the Clough House serves as the home to the exhibit Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids and Heritage Goods + Gifts. <h2>Unearthing Childhood Archaeology Exhibit</h2> A new family-friendly archaeology exhibit is now open in the Clough House! Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids explores the lives of seven real children of diverse backgrounds who lived in Boston’s North End in the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. This multimedia exhibit includes archaeological artifacts on loan from the City of Boston, videos, and activities for families with children. The exhibit is completely free and can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.  The exhibit is presented in partnership with the City of Boston Archaeology Department and was made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a grant from the Cabot Family Charitable Trust, and an anonymous donor. <h2>Heritage Goods & Gifts</h2> Heritage Goods + Gifts is a unique retail space that harkens back to childhood in days gone by. Taking inspiration from the new exhibit, Unearthing Childhood, this gift shop features vintage toys, games, and activities that kids have enjoyed since the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors will find classics like marbles, dominoes, jacks, and building logs. In addition to these throwback items, the shop also offers archaeology kits, gardening items, arts and crafts, specialty foods, sweet treats, and so much more. Stop by and find the perfect gift! For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/clough-house/">Old North Church & Historic Site's website</a>.

The exhibit and shop are open from 10am – 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Visit one of Boston's oldest surviving brick residences, the Clough House at Old North Church and Historic Site. The Clough House is home to the free exhibit "Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids," and Heritage Goods + Gift shop.

The Clough House at Old North Church & Historic Site

Archeology

Commerce

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Activity is available for families. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Old North Church's website</a>.

This activity is available for children ages 6-12 and their families.

This activity is included with your admission ticket! To participate, simply request a copy of Prince’s Pew Pursuit when you enter the church.

A black cat walks along an upper floor ledge that overlooks pews in a church.

Prince's Pew Pursuit: Family Activity

In this new activity designed especially for families, visitors explore Old North through a scavenger hunt narrated by Prince, the friendly North End cat who used to frequent the church. By finding clues and answering questions, participants will see highlights of the sanctuary and learn about Old North’s unique history.  This activity is included with your admission ticket! To participate, simply request a copy of Prince’s Pew Pursuit when you enter the church. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Old North Church's website</a>.

Explore Old North through a scavenger hunt narrated by Prince, the friendly North End cat who used to frequent the church.

Old North Church: Prince's Pet Pursuit Family Activity

Note: Participants should be comfortable in a basement setting and navigating tight spaces. The crypt has low lighting, uneven surfaces, and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

Visitors may purchase the Crypt Combo package during normal operating hours. The Crypt Combo is $9 per person when you book online, or $10 at the ticket booth. It includes a self-guided tour of the crypt, general admission to the church’s sanctuary and new exhibit, and an immersive audio guide with 300 years of the church’s secrets and stories. Children 5 and under are free. Visit Old North's <a href="https://oldnorth.doubleknot.com/openrosters/availableevents.aspx?orgkey=3965">online schedule</a> to plan your visit.

Inside a small red-brick crypt with a shelf that has a couple boxes and a coffin shaped box.

Old North Church Crypt Tour

Did you know that over 1,100 bodies lie underneath the sanctuary of Old North Church? Explore Old North’s crypt on a self-guided tour. You’ll find out about the burial practices of early congregants, get introduced to some of the notable crypt "occupants" who have rested in this unique space for hundreds of years, and learn about discoveries from recent archeological work. Content: Historical topics discussed include death, burials, and human remains. Note: Participants should be comfortable in a basement setting and navigating tight spaces. The crypt has low lighting, uneven surfaces, and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Old North Church's website</a>.

Reservations are not required, but it is possible to reserve tickets in advance. Please visit Old North Church's <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Admission & Pricing</a> page for more information.

Take a self-guided tour of Old North’s historic crypt, where 1,100 people were laid to rest.

Old North Church: Crypt Tour

Architecture and Building

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite

People sitting on Long Wharf as someone in wellies stands in the flooded lower area of the walkway.

King Tide at Long Wharf

High Tide Trail begins at Dock Square (in front of Faneuil Hall) and moves towards the water.  King Tides can be seen on Long or Central Wharves.

For thousands of years, Boston's coastline has been filled, moved, and transformed thanks to both human and natural interventions. Learn about Boston's ever-changing coastline by following the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/boha/learn/high-tide-trail.htm">High Tide Trail</a>, a short 6-stop walking tour in downtown Boston. You can also join our partners, the <a href="https://stonelivinglab.org/">Stone Living Lab</a>, for onsite programming at Long or Central Wharves in downtown Boston during King Tide, or "Wicked High Tide" events. <a href="https://stonelivinglab.org/events/">See events on the Stone Living Lab's calendar.</a>  <a href="https://stonelivinglab.org/education/wicked-high-tides/">Learn more about King Tides and why they happen here in Boston.</a>

Leashed pets are allowed in downtown Boston.

The High Tide Trail self-guided audio tour is available year-round.  Wicked High Tide programming occurs during King Tide events in the fall.

Learn about Boston's coastlines and King tides by taking the High Tide Trail audio tour or joining a high tide program hosted by our partners, the Stone Living Lab.

Learn about Boston's "Wicked" High Tides

Climate Change

Coasts, Islands and Atolls

Oceans

Floods

Exhibit display of map of Charlestown Navy Yard with "Serving the Navel Fleet" sign hanging behind.

Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center

Entrance to this Visitor Center is via a security checkpoint. Photo ID may be required for access. This is for added security for USS Constitution, an active navy ship.

For 174 years, the Charlestown Navy Yard served as a hub of innovation, an employer of skilled workers, and a home to Naval officers, sailors, and U.S. Marines. Walk through the exhibits of the Navy Yard's Visitor Center to learn about the history of the Yard, the ingenuity of its workers, and its role in "Serving the Fleet." Explore the exhibit about the USS Mason, a destroyer-escort constructed here in the Charlestown Navy Yard in 1943 and one of only two US Navy ships in World War II with a predominately African-American crew. Learn about how the service of this ship and its crew in the Battle of the Atlantic helped speed the end of segregation in the US Military. Please check current <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm#anch_49">hours of operation</a> before visiting the Visitor Center. Entrance to this Visitor Center is via a security checkpoint. Photo ID may be required for access. This is for added security for USS Constitution, an active navy ship.

Service animals are allowed inside the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center.

Please check current <a href="https://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/hours.htm#anch_49">hours of operation</a> before visiting the Visitor Center.

Walk through the exhibits of the Navy Yard's Visitor Center to learn about the history of the Yard and the ingenuity of its workers.

Charlestown Navy Yard: Dive into The History of the Yard at the Visitor Center's Exhibits

Engineering

Industry

Laborer and Worker

World War I

The audio tour is recommended for ages 12 and up. Younger children may also find it enjoyable with explanations from a parent.

Some admission packages to Old North Church include the immersive audio guide. Visit Old North Church's <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Admission and Pricing webpage</a> for up-to-date fees.

a man holding up an audio tour set to his ear while standing in a pew.

Old North Church Audio Tour

Discover Old North’s secrets and stories with a brand-new audio tour! Available in English or Spanish, the tour weaves together the story of Paul Revere’s famous lantern signal with recent research into the lives of Old North’s free and enslaved Indigenous and Black congregants. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Old North Church's website</a>.

Reservations are not required, but it is possible to purchase audio tour tickets in advance. Please visit Old North Church's <a href="https://www.oldnorth.com/admission-pricing/">Admission & Pricing</a> page for more information.

Discover Old North’s secrets and stories with a brand-new audio tour! Available in English or Spanish, the tour weaves together the story of Paul Revere’s famous lantern signal with recent research into the lives of Old North’s free and enslaved Indigenous and Black congregants.

Alert: Great Hall, Faneuil Hall Closures: June 2026: Due to scheduled events, the Great Hall will be closed on June 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13. The Great Hall will close at 2 pm on June 24 and 25. The Visitor Center Desk on the market floor will remain open.

Boston

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

Category

History at Sunset Walking Tours

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Visit Bunker Hill

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Join a Historic Town Meeting at Faneuil Hall

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Walk the Black Heritage Trail®

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The Freedom Trail: Enemies to this Country Guided Tour

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Visit Historic Faneuil Hall

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