13 Historic Landmarks & Buildings in Boston, MA (2023)

As someone who loves immersing myself in history and architecture, I was thrilled to spend a long weekend exploring the many historic landmarks & buildings in Boston. This iconic city is filled with fascinating Colonial-era sites, pivotal Revolutionary War monuments, and stately stone meetinghouses and churches that give a vivid glimpse into early American life. Walking the Freedom Trail and visiting sites like the Paul Revere House, Faneuil Hall, and Old North Church gave me goosebumps as I imagined the critical events and passionate debates that unfolded within their walls so many years ago.

Given Boston’s seminal role as the birthplace of the American Revolution, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience living historic landmarks & buildings in Boston of our nation’s founding firsthand. If you appreciate early American history and colonial architecture, I highly recommend spending time discovering Boston’s treasure trove of landmarks & buildings. Keep reading for details on some of my favorite historic sites I was able to explore during my memorable visit to this one-of-a-kind city.

See Also: Places to stay away from in Boston

 

1. The Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile brick walking path that connects 16 historical sites in central Boston relating to the colonial era and leading up to the American Revolution. As I followed the trail past sites like the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, and the Paul Revere House, I felt immersed in the revolutionary spirit of 1770s Boston. I highly recommend walking the Freedom Trail to experience pivotal sites and get an excellent self-guided introduction to Boston’s historic landmarks, as well as its crucial role in America’s fight for independence from Britain.

 

2. Paul Revere House

Built around 1680, the Paul Revere House provides an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the home where the famous American patriot and silversmith lived and worked. I was fascinated by the well-preserved original colonial architectural details throughout the modest two-story home, as well as exhibits displaying family artifacts and explaining Paul Revere’s critical role as a messenger prior to pivotal events like the Boston Massacre and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Listening to interactive accounts of Revere’s legendary midnight ride brought one of Boston’s best historic sites to life in an engaging way.

 

3. Old North Church

Climbing up to the steeple of Old North Church, gazing out at the views of Boston, and seeing the window where two lanterns were hung on the night of April 18, 1775, to signal the advance of British troops was a goosebumps-inducing experience. This pivotal Revolutionary War site, one of the must-see sites in Boston, is where Paul Revere began his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia in Lexington and Concord that the British were coming. In addition to its incomparable revolutionary history, the stunning stained glass windows and tranquil cemetery at Old North Church captured my imagination and made this a memorable stop.

 

4. Faneuil Hall

Faneuil Hall has served as a marketplace and public meeting hall in Boston since 1742, earning it the nickname the “Cradle of Liberty.” On my visit, I was awed by the historic Great Hall, where Samuel Adams, James Otis, and other revolutionary leaders delivered impassioned speeches advocating for independence from Britain. Taking in the bustling shops and restaurants along with exhibits profiling Boston’s history as the birthplace of American independence brought this iconic site to life. As one of the notable landmarks in the Hub City, the grasshopper weathervane atop Faneuil Hall seems to be a proud symbol of free speech and civic engagement in Boston both past and present.

 

5. USS Constitution

Stepping aboard the 217-year-old USS Constitution, docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, provided an interactive lesson in United States naval history, and became one of my favorite historic sites in Boston. As I explored the lower decks, gazed up at the towering masts, and learned about epic battles this wooden-hulled frigate fought against the British, I gained an appreciation for what life must have been like as an 18th-century sailor. It was fascinating to walk the weathered planking of “Old Ironsides,” America’s oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat.

 

6. Bunker Hill Monument

The 221-foot granite obelisk of Bunker Hill Monument towering over Charlestown marks the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution on June 17, 1775. Climbing to the top of the monument rewarded me with panoramic views of Boston and the surrounding landscape. The excellent museum at the base uses dioramas, artifacts, and interactive exhibits to vividly showcase the bloody battle between colonial militiamen and British troops. Reflecting on the lives lost at the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the most famous buildings in Boston, gave me solemn insight into the sacrifices required on the road to claiming America’s independence.

 

7. Massachusetts State House

The gold-domed Massachusetts State House occupying the summit of Beacon Hill has served as the state’s active capitol building since 1798. The elegant white granite neoclassical architecture with stately pillars and iron fence makes the State House a stunning historic focal point in Boston. My favorite aspects of visiting this iconic building, one of the famous buildings in Boston, were admiring the marble grandeur under the dome inside, viewing intricate murals and artifacts throughout the building, and taking an excellent free guided tour that provided fascinating historical insights.

 

8. Old South Meeting House

Stepping into the soaring open interior of the Old South Meeting House instantly transported me back to the colonial era. Constructed in 1729, this large brick meeting hall was the gathering place for fiery debates and speeches stoking revolutionary fervor in the years before the American Revolution. I could vividly picture the impassioned crowd of over 5,000 colonists who met here on the night of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Multimedia exhibits and reenactments at Old South Meeting House, one of the famous buildings in Boston, captured the tensions and emotions in 1770s Boston in an engaging way.

9. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

The interactive Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum uses historical recreations and unique exhibits to relive the famous act of rebellion known as the Boston Tea Party. Highlights included exploring replica ships, viewing depictions of colonial Boston streets, watching reenacted debates between revolutionaries like Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and even throwing wooden crates of tea into the harbor myself. This floating museum on the Congress Street Bridge provides an immersive experience that excitingly transports visitors back to the pivotal events in Boston preceding the American Revolution and is one of the must-see historic sites in Boston.

 

10. King’s Chapel

First founded in 1686, the historic Georgian-style granite King’s Chapel in downtown Boston contains one of the most architecturally significant church interiors in early America. As I wandered the period interior with box pews and columns supporting the high wooden ceiling, I appreciated how the chapel has been a house of worship for Bostonians for over three centuries. The adjacent burying ground contains graves dating back to 1630 including many early Massachusetts leaders, making it one of the must-see sites in Boston.

 

11. Granary Burying Ground

Established in 1660, the Granary Burying Ground near Boston Common is a relatively small but highly historic cemetery and one of the must-see sites in Boston. It is the final resting place of several prominent Revolutionary-era figures like John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. I found the elaborate winged death head carvings and poetic epitaphs on the gravestones fascinating to view up close. Walking slowly along the quiet paths while reading inscriptions and reflecting on the notable early Americans buried here made this a moving and memorable experience.

 

12. Old State House

The iconic redbrick Old State House, one of the famous buildings in Boston, was constructed in 1713 and stands as one of the oldest historic sites in downtown Boston. As I explored, I was able to view artifacts like the ceremonial coat worn by John Hancock when the Declaration of Independence was first read from the balcony to jubilant crowds in 1776. Costumed reenactors also helped bring to life legendary moments in history that unfolded at the former seat of the Massachusetts Assembly. I enjoyed learning how the Old State House has linked Boston’s colonial past and Revolutionary heritage to the present for over three centuries.

 

13. Boston Common

As America’s oldest public park, the 50-acre Boston Common has served as a scene of community gatherings and public events since 1634. Strolling the tree-lined paths while appreciating scenic views transports visitors back centuries to colonial times. Highlights of my time at Boston Common included seeing the bronze sculpture memorial to George Washington, watching artists and performers, and reflecting on how the Common has served as one of the important historic sites in Boston for nearly 400 years. Its central place in the city since its founding makes the Common an unforgettable historic landmark.

 

Conclusion

After my incredible weekend exploring historic landmarks & buildings in Boston, I left with a much deeper understanding of colonial America and the factors that drove the push for independence. Walking in the footsteps of America’s founders and seeing the places where they gathered, debated, and protested British rule brought this pivotal time period to life unlike any textbook could. My time visiting Boston’s iconic historic landmarks & buildings gave me vivid glimpses into the past that I will never forget.

Whether you want to learn more about life in colonial times, the philosophies that fueled the American Revolution, or how our early leaders helped shape the course of history, make sure to spend time discovering Boston’s treasure trove of historic landmarks & buildings firsthand. You’ll gain unforgettable insights into the birth of America while exploring this historic city.