This site is in the cute little town of Concord, and the site itself has a beautiful visitor center…read more(former Buttrick family residence) which contains a small informational exhibit. What's really nice is the outdoors. There's a garden space where you have a good lookout of the North Bridge, a significant location where the Minute Man faced the British Army. The path to the bridge is not too far of a walk, and you can see a beautiful memorial quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "the shot heard round the world." I also liked the plaque honoring the graves of the British soldiers since a lot of lives were lost on both sides for American Independence. The bridge is a great scenic walk and great to do for both history and nature lovers.

Apart from being an important part of American History, this park is GORGEOUS! The North Bridge…read moreoverlooks a steady stream with trees along the banks. Plaques and monuments are erected over the places where one of the first battles of the American revolution was held. Plenty of space for walking as well

The Historic area winds through Salem, from a starting point of a large brick building across from…read morethe Peabody Essex museum (and convenient parking deck!) down to the wharf area. There's a video and exhibit at the visitor center, another couple of buildings, and the USS Friendship, which is currently under repair. There's also a small lighthouse walking distance from the pier which had a nice harbor view.

Really an all day visit, especially if walking the whole area. Start at the main Visitor to get all…read morethe info from friendly Rangers & Volunteers. There are clean restrooms and a giftshop with unique items. You can pick-up your Junior Ranger book & get your cancelation stamp. The whole area is full of history and you can spend all day visiting. Witch Trials to history of commerce and a Bewitched (not part of park).

This Historic Massachusetts STATE HOUSE IS NOT TO BE MISSED!…read moreThis Majestic building completed in 1798, Governor Sumner was the first Governor to be at the GOLD DOME STATE HOUSE at that time overlooking BOSTON COMMON, Charles Bulfinch was the early American Architect and designed the State House! This building is a wealth of historical designs and extraordary works of art. The Grand Stair case and marble floors and the Flag room are just a small number of examples to see. It houses the Executive Office of our Present Governor Maura Healy! TODAY WAS VERY MUCH A HISTORIC DAY FOR MASSACHUSETTS! The Very First Annual 2026 COMMONWEALTH PRIDE AWARDS! The Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus Presented Awards to talented and the very accomplished Recipients from all around the State in the Senate Chamber from 11 am on with the Award Ceremony and Reception to follow! Many prominent Guests and Speakers in Attendance and with over 100 Awardee's and a Senate Chamber and Gallery's Over flowing with Families, Special Invited Guests and Members of the many Pride Committee across Massachusetts this First EVENT was a committed suggestion years ago by so many in the community that wanted to give attention to the many who struggled to give LGBTQ+ a voice and so much more! MASSACHUSETTS IS THE ONLY STATE THAT HAS ADVANCED THE LGBTQ+ Voice to the forefront like the First State to Allow Gay Marriage in 2004 and never stopped continuing the health and welfare of each and everyone under that wide umbrella! I am so very proud to have witnessed this Historic Event and also very Proud that my Own Ward 2 City Councilor of Quincy , RICHARD C. ASH ESQ. was Honored with this FIRST PRIDE AWARDS! Personally Councilman Richard Ash as President of the Quincy Pride Committee and his other City Agendas has worked very hard for ALL the Residents of Quincy and his Ward 2! CONGRATULATIONS! I have posted some photos that will highlight the days events! I hope everyone should visit this Landmark Building but also read about the accomplishments the MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAS ACHIEVED IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY!

From a historical perspective this place is awesome. We were crunched on time but it was free to…read moreexplore and we loved it! Standing on Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts State House was designed in 1798 by Charles Bulfinch, it marked a shift toward American-born architecture. Its iconic dome, later coppered by Paul Revere's company, has seen everything from abolitionist-era debates to WWII camouflage, when it was painted black to avoid detection. During World War II, the iconic gold dome of the Massachusetts State House became a potential liability. That bright, reflective surface wasn't just beautiful--it was basically a beacon from the sky. In an era when cities feared aerial bombing, anything that could catch a pilot's eye was a problem. So in 1942, officials made a decision that feels almost cinematic--they painted the entire dome black. Not bronze. Not dull gold. Black. The idea was simple: reduce visibility from enemy aircraft. Boston wasn't bombed during the war, but the fear was very real, especially after Pearl Harbor. Coastal cities like Boston were on edge, running blackout drills, dimming lights, and preparing for the possibility of attack from German U-boats lurking in the Atlantic. After the war ended, the dome was restored to its gold finish in 1945.

After we left Boston on our recent organized guided tour of New England fall foliage we stopped…read morebriefly here before heading to Hyannis. The first shots occurred here which started the American Revolutionary War. There is a statue of Captain John Parker, leader of the Lexington militia. The flag flies 24 hours a day. Across the street from the Battle Green is Buckman Tavern and the visitor center.

A good pause for any history buff. The green is exactly that - just a patch of grass the middle of…read moretown. There is a historical marker and a statue but not much else to see. We unfortunately did not have time for the visitors center, or the surrounding historical building tour but I would recommend it if time allows.

The Paul Revere Mall is not a stop on the Freedom Trail, but the path leads you straight through…read moreit. It is just outside the Old North Church where Paul Revere hung his lanterns to want the people of Charlestown that the British were coming. The mall is not a shopping mall but rather a large open courtyard. There is a statue of Paul Revere on a horse and along the walls it pays tribute to all those who fought it all of the conflicts America has been a part of. It would be easy to quickly make your way through this to get to the next stop, but I would say it is worth slowing down and taking the time to read the plaques on the wall.

Paul Revere Mall is a stop on the Freedom Trail; it's a corridor that connects the Old North Church…read moreand Hanover Street. It was created in 1933, and it has the famous Paul Revere Statue as well as plaques commemorating American Revolutionary War history. If you're walking the Freedom Trail, you'll be stopping here for a few minutes. It's a great place to take a break from the walk and people watch for a few minutes or read a book or eat a snack you walked over with.

"Built a fort out of sheets I finally found you…read moreMy missing puzzle piece I'm complete" (Katy Perry) Overlooking Marblehead Harbor, this coastal fort dates way back to 1644, and was one of the oldest English sites of seaside defenses in North America. It came under American control during the Revolution, was rebuilt in the early 1800's when a battery of big guns were added to defend the harbor from enemy attacks. It served an important defensive role in the War of 1812, transitioned into a town park in 1892, and even returned to military duty during the Spanish American War in 1898. Today, it's a public park and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. The park offers you stunning views of the harbor and the hundreds of boats crossing the waters. The Fort Sewall grounds are loaded with historical sights - maps and markers and plaques and remnants of the old fort including underground prison cells are everywhere. Some of those big guns that defended the harbor from enemy attack are still there, others are gone but there are ghostly markers on the stone walkway showing where they once proudly stood. It's a glorious place to walk around, enjoy the scenery and imagine those big guns blasting away to defend the harbor two centuries ago.

Nice little historic park. You will need to find parking down the street with a short walk up a…read moresmall hill. The park is well maintained with a path that wraps around the fort. Beautiful views and the fort has been maintained with replica living quarters.

Exhibit with 100 life-sized elephant sculptures elephants made from lantana weeds by artisans from…read moreIndia have arrived in Boston from August 8 - September 13, 2026. I got the chance to see them on the 2nd day of their arrival. You might not have heard, but the elephants are here. The Great Elephant Migration has officially arrived in the Back Bay. The wildlife conservation exhibition launched in Newport, Rhode Island in the summer of 2024 and traveled across the United States. Heading south to Miami, Florida before migrating west to Beverly Hills. The Red Elephant is named Mayflower after a tree that blooms with red flowers. You can volunteer or purchase the elephant's. Check out their site for more details: thegreatelephantmigration.org

The Great Elephant Migration AUGUST 8 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2026…read more BETWEEN FAIRFIELD & DARTMOUTH Such a Cool exhibit and for a great cause. If you can catch it on Comm Ave, definitely check it out. Free exhibit featuring 100 life-size elephants made from lantana weeds by artisans from India. My fav was Mayflower: The Red Elephant Named after a tree that blooms with red flowers, this distinctive sculpture was highlighted during the exhibit's-journey alongside supporting figures. You can volunteer and even purchase elephants! Check out their site: thegreatelephantmigration.org Metered Parking on side streets is your best bet for spots!

This guy lace is worth the stop. Longest ship under commission. Part of a fleet built under the…read moredirection of President George Washington, she never lost a battle even taking on two British ships at one. Go and look at the rich history in the museum and see why she was nicknamed ole iron sides!

The USS Constitution is docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard and holds the distinction of being the…read moreoldest commissioned warship still afloat in the United States. That fact alone gave our visit a weight that is difficult to replicate at a conventional museum, because what we walked onto was not a replica or a restored display piece but an actual vessel that has been continuously maintained and commissioned by the US Navy since the late 1700s. The ship is staffed by active duty Navy sailors who conduct the tours and answer questions throughout the visit, and that element transformed the experience from a passive walk through into something more engaged. The sailors knew the history thoroughly and presented it without the dry delivery that museum docents can sometimes fall into. The visit had two components. The land based museum came first and held artifacts, historical displays, and an introductory video that provided useful context before we boarded. The ship itself allowed us to explore the upper deck and, when fully staffed, the lower decks as well. Staffing levels can affect access on a given day, so calling ahead or checking current access before our visit was worth doing. Admission is free, which made the stop an easy addition to our Boston itinerary without any planning pressure. For a historic naval experience that feels immediate rather than distant, the USS Constitution is not to be missed.