Boston Things to Do Tips by Hopkid

Just across the street from the Boston Common at Park and Tremont is the stately Park Street Church with its noticeable tall steeple. To me it's a church that makes me think of Boston and the days of a new nation. It was built in 1810 and was the sight of the first singing of "America" by Katherine Lee Bates on the Fourth of July 1831.

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Phone: 617.523.3383
Address: Corner of Park and Tremont Streets
Directions: At the north east corner of Boston Common

This is the place where Bostonians hang out when the weather is nice. Situated across the street from the State House directly adjacent to the southern boundary of Beacon Hill, this large open park area is great to lay out a blanket and have a picnic, throw a frisbee, or discuss the politics of the day. It is the oldest public park in the U.S., having been established in 1634. There are also several monuments dotting the park including the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Boston Massacre Monument. The Central Burying Ground, a 17th-18th century graveyard is located on the southeast corner of the Commond near Tremont and Bolyston Streets and includes portrait artist Gilbert Stuart among its residents.

There is a visitor's center on the Tremont Street side near West Street where you can get more information (of course) and inquire about free tours offered by the Boston Park Rangers.

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Phone: 617.635.7383
Directions: Bounded by Tremont, Beacon, Charles, and Boylston Streets.
Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

The seat of Massachusetts' governement, the State House sits on Beacon Street looking down on Boston Common. It is very distinctive with its golden dome designed by Charles Bulfinch and built in 1789 on land owned by John Hancock, a prominent signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Free tours are offered Monday through Friday between 10am and 3pm. Call ahead for reservations (see number below). There is also an option of a self-guided tour from 9am through 5pm Monday through Saturday.

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Phone: 617.727.3676
Directions: NW corner of Beacon and Bowdoin Streets
Website: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/trs/trsbok/trstour.htm

Robert Gould Shaw was a Boston native and the commander of the first all African-American infantry unit that fought for the Union Army during the Civil War (1861-1865). Shaw the the 54th Massachusetts were the focus of the movie Glory starring Matthew Broderick as Shaw and also starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. Located directly across Beacon Street from the State House, the bronze bas-relief was sculpted by Augustus St. Gaudens. Be sure to read the inscription on the Boston Common side of the memorial.

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Address: South side of Beacon Street near Park Street
Directions: In Boston Common directly across Beacon Street from the State House

For a good part of the 19th century, Beacon Hill was home to a promiment group of African Americans and abolitionists. A wonderfully educational walking tour has been mapped out and is operated by the National Park Service. Although the trail starts at the Shaw Memorial, the base for the trail is the Museum of Afro-American History, housed in what was originally the Abiel Smith School, the first schoolhouse built specifically for the education of African American children, built in 1834. A museum store operated by the National Park Service and the adjacent African Meeting House (1805) are part of the museum complex. Go to the museum store to get a National Park Service pamphlet describing the trail complete with a map. Give yourself at least 3 hours to enjoy the museum and take the walking tour. If the weather is nice, strolling through quiet Beacon Hill and learning a bit of history is a great way to spend a couple of hours. We found it to be very educational, and it didn't hurt that it was a beautiful spring day!

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Phone: 617.742.5415
Address: 46 Joy Street
Directions: In Beacon Hill north of Beacon Street
Website: http://www.nps.gov/archive/boaf/home.htm

Housed in what was the first schoolhouse built to educate African-American children (in 1834 as the Abiel Smith School), the Museum of Afro-American History focuses on preserving the history of African Americans from the time the arrived on the shores of North American and through the 19th century. It's a fascinating look at African-American communities and how they functioned amidst extreme racial prejudice. They are currently fronting a renovation of the nearby African Meeting House, the oldest African meeting house in the U.S. In combination with the Black Heritage Trail, it's an eye-opening look on a chapter of U.S. history that I certainly didn't know about beforehand. Very educational and worthwhile!

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Phone: 617.725.0022
Address: 46 Joy Street
Directions: In Beacon Hill north of Beacon Street
Website: www.afroammuseum.org

This building at the NW corner of Pinckney and Anderson Streets was the first racially integrated public grammar school in Boston. It was formerly known as the Boston English High School. It's been converted into condominiums.

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Directions: NW corner of Pinckney and Anderson Streets in Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is undoubtedly one of the most affleuntial addresses in all of Boston, currently home to Senator and former presidential candidate, John Kerry. However it was settled in the early 19th century by free African-Americans who led early civil rights battles and had a hand in the abolition of slavery in the mid-1800s. It was one of the northern stops on the infamous Underground Railroad by which slaves escaped from the south to be free in the north. It is now the home to many beautiful brick townhomes and tree-lined streets.

Take a stroll through the residential streets on a spring day and relax. Be sure to walk down one of the most scenic streets, cobblestoned Acorn Street and stop to admire the townhomes surrounding Louisburg Square including a former residence of American author Louisa May Alcott and the current residence of the aforementioned senator. Visit the Museum of African American History and get a self-guided walking map of the Black Freedom Trail. End your walk amongst the shops and restaurants along Charles Street.

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Directions: Area bounded by: Storrow Dr., Cambridge St., Beacon St., Bowdoin St.
Website: http://www.beaconhillonline.com/

This pretty square with a private park surrounded by cobblestoned streets and 19th century brick townhomes is the most prestigious residential address is Boston. The park is private and owned by those who own homes surrounding it. Italian marble statues of Astrides and Columbus can be found at either end and can be viewed from outside the park. Louisa May Alcott used to live at No. 10 while Senator John Kerry and his wife live on the northern corner of the square.

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Directions: In Beacon Hill between Mt. Vernon and Pinckney Streets east of W. Seadar Street.

Louisa May Alcott is one of the best-known and among the first successful women writers in U.S. history. She was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1832 and is best known for writing, in 1868, Little Women, the story of a group of sisters growing up in Civil War (1861-1865) New England. She and her family lived in this home at No. 10 Louisburg Square after her rise to fame. She also died here just two days after the funeral of her father.

The home is privately owned and there is no opportunity to go in for a look unless you want to try your luck and knock on the door.

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Address: 10 Louisburg Square
Directions: In Beacon Hill north of Mt. Vernon and south of Pinckney Streets.