The Boston African American National Historic Site commemorates the role that people living in Boston played in the Abolition Movement and the events following it. Except for a small park office, this facility does not have exhibits and buildings to see. Instead, take a ranger-led tour of the north slope of Beacon Hill. It was the largest area of black-owned homes and businesses in the nation before and during the Civil War. Prepare for the weather because summers can be hot and humid while winters can be cold and snowy.
Make the most of your time in Boston by bringing your RV so that you can build beautiful memories with your loved ones. Rent one on RVshare.com to enjoy camping fun if you do not have your own.
Stroll Beacon Hill to learn about the most extensive area controlled by African Americans during the Civil War. See one of the first interracial schools in the city, the oldest home built by African Americans, where the first black regiment was formed and other sites along this 1.5-mile route. At each of the 24 sites, the park ranger will tell you more about what happened in the building and how it helped shape America’s future.
Hiking TrailsIconic landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted imagined this trail over 100 years ago. The trail connects six city parks, including Boston Common and Franklin Park. This well-marked trail also passes two art museums, a public garden and the zoo.
Boston Public Garden, 4 Charles St, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
7 Miles
Moderate
This beautiful trail through forests and wetlands runs from Lexington Common National Historic Site to Concord Bridge. Read the historical markers along this well-maintained trail. Consider starting your visit at the Lexington Green visitor center by seeing the film so that you understand more about this trail that the Minutemen marched.
Lexington Common National Historic Site, 1625 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
5 Miles
Moderate
Visit 16 historical sites along this three-mile trail starting at Boston Commons. Each of the sites played an essential role in the American Revolution. The burial sites of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are along this trail.
Boston Public Garden, 4 Charles St, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
15 Miles
Easy
SightseeingTour the Old North Church, where Paul Revere started his iconic ride. Workers constructed this church, the oldest in Boston, in 1723. The campus also contains five gardens, a chocolate shop, a gift shop and an art gallery.
193 Salem St, Boston, Massachusetts 02113
Dine and shop at Faneuil Hall, where people have held protests for over 275 years. The hall is often called the Cradle of Liberty because it was a popular meeting place for early American Revolutionary War organizers. Bunker Hill Monument, Charleston Navy Yard, Old South Meeting House and many other historical sites are part of this park.
21 2nd Ave, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
MuseumsSee over 7,500 fine and decorative art objects, 2,700 books and manuscripts, and over 8,000 historical objects in the Venetian-style palazzo that is surrounded by an elegant courtyard at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This location is a fantastic place to see works by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and John Singer Sargent.
25 Evans Wy, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Harvard University staff started amassing the collection found at Harvard Museum of Natural History in 1760. The museum features the only mounted Kronosaurus in the world. The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models showing over 780 plant species in glass created by Leopold and his son Rudolf Blaschka in the mid-1800s is impressive.
26 Oxford St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Nearby Shops and RestaurantsReaders have been coming to Brattle Book Shop since 1825. This building's first two floors are full of used and new books while the third floor contains antiquarian and rare books. Additionally, this store often hosts special events.
8 West St, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111
Find pens from over 40 brands at Bromfield Pen Shop. This store that opened in 1948 also carries a wide range of stationery. They have ink and many various specialty products as well.
5 Bromfield St, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Get fresh chowder, oysters and other outstanding seafood options at the Union Oyster House. You will enjoy this restaurant’s architecture as much of it has been kept intact from when staff served the first meal there in 1826.
41 Union St, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Sample up to five historic teas at Abigail's Tea Room. If tea is not your thing, they also offer lemonade and their craft beer. This restaurant located within the Boston Tea Party Museum also features sandwiches at lunch.
Tea Party Ships & Museum, 306 Congress St, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
The Boston African American National Historic Site tour starts at the Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial on the Boston Commons and ends at the Museum of African American History. Take Massachusetts 1 South to the Government Center exit. Keep left and get on New Chardon Street. Continue straight to get on Bowdoin Street, which becomes Derne Street. Turn right onto Hancock Street, which becomes Mt. Vernon Street. Turn left onto Joy Street and right onto Beacon Street.
Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial, 139 Tremont St, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Fee: Entry Fee (Per Person)
There is no entry fee.
If you love history, then take the National Park Service’s Black Heritage Trail tour. While most people opt to take this tour with a park ranger, you can also pick up a map and brochure for the tour at the National Park Service’s office at 46 Joy Street. The tour takes you along the north slope of Beacon Hill. Across Boston, you can also find many other places to explore, so bring your RV. There are great campgrounds to stay in on your adventure. Keep in mind that many campgrounds are not open in the winter, when Boston can get up to 48 inches of snow annually. If you do not have an RV, then renting one on RVshare.com is quick and convenient.
