Boston: The Freedom Trail App

If you look at your app store there are a bunch of apps for traveling. Some are good, some aren't. I already had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do while I was in Boston but I wanted to have something that was easy to take with me while doing things like the freedom trail. The National Park Service has a bunch of apps depending on where you are going but their Boston one (the only one I've used) is amazing. it's easy to use, detailed, informative, and perfect for walking around Boston, and getting directions and info without looking too much like a tourist. as long as you aren't stopped in the middle of the street.

This is the app on the app store. All pictures are screen shots I took to show details of the National Park Service app.

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This is how the app shows up on your phone.

This is what it looks like when you open the app. As you can see it's great right off the bat divided into things you will use the most, the sites, tours, and map.

I chose tours here as i was using it mostly for the Freedom Trail. There actual Freedom Trail says it would take between 4-8 hours depending on what you stop to see and do.

First stage after selecting Freedom Trail. It starts with the Visitor Center at the north east corner of the Boston Commons. you can also see there is an info button to select for more information. And a blue route highlighting the steps of the trail. One part i really liked as well was that it showed you how far and how long it would take to get to the next destination at the bottom.

Another graphic from the app. The Old State House is highlighted and if you select info you will get history and details on hours, etc for the old state house. you can go to other steps on the tour from there as well. Also, a really great part, is the bottom left locator button. If you select it, the app will use your data to locate you and you can find your way along the trail that way. Although the Freedom Trail is very easy to follow through Boston if you are easily lost this could be helpful. or if you're like me and wander off the path to do something else for awhile it's easy to find your way back.

Just one more image of the details of the map. both with the freedom trail itself and highlights, street signs, metro stops, and other information.

Specific details. the old North Church after i selected info. It will take you back to the map but also you can read about an overview, visiting, and listen to a short audio tour (use headphones please). the picture is nice too. and at the bottom right you can select next/back to go between the more detailed information stuff about the specific landmarks of the trail.

It also lists the sites along the way so you can scroll down and read more about specific places. This was very helpful.

Overall i had such a great time exploring Boston and the Freedom Trail. i would highly recommend the National Park Service app for use around the city of Boston, an easy to use map, and a detailed adventure through the Freedom Trail in Boston. 

Boston: Freedom Trail part 2

This is the second half of my pictures and adventures in Boston walking the Freedom Trail. once again, i cannot recommend this experience enough. it was so great.

Paul Revere's house

A second look at Paul Revere's house. it's in the middle of Little Italy. it was kind of funny to find his house among millions of Italian restaurants.

More of the Freedom Trail and Little Italy. i would have spent more time in this neighborhood if i had it. it was totally adorable.

I can't get enough of the street views. it was a lovely day to walk around and sight see.

Honestly this was the landmark I was probably most excited about. i mean, everything was so cool to see in person, but the Old North Church is just so historical and iconic in my mind and throughout history. That's it below with the Paul Revere statue in the foreground.

Unfortunately it was closed for the day, i had really been looking forward to going inside. but it was beautiful from the outside too.

The gold plate marking the spot where the lanterns hung when Paul Revere placed them.

Random view walking back to the metro. Obviously just an empty field but with a cool view of the Boston skyline in the back.

That's the Freedom Trail. My phone unfortunately died the rest of the walk which includes across the bridge and to the Bunker Hill Memorial and USS Constitution. They are worth the extra mile or so to get to them and back to the metro.

it was such a great experience. i have a few more Boston related posts to share another day. Also, i wanted to say that there are plenty of companies that have tours that walk the freedom trail and are quite informative. i chose to walk it alone and had an app that was a huge help. both would be fine experiences i just feel the need to save money wherever possible and that meant a $20ish tour wasn't worth it. and i also get irritated in large groups of tourists. but it was great to walk it at my own pace, stop when i wanted to explore or visit a museum, or just stop for awhile and finish another time. Definitely worth a trip to Boston for the history alone, but there's so many other great things to see and do as well!

Boston: The Freedom Trail part 1

I was so impressed by the Freedom Trail in Boston. It really does take you past everything you will want to see as  a first timer in the city as well as classic places not to be missed again and again. It's about 2.5 miles and it's very easy to walk the entire distance (ie no other transportation or large hills). The route is easy to follow with information along the way for directions. Each building on the trail is fairly well marked and has a description of what the building is or what happened there (not everywhere but you can use your guide book or related app for the information too.)

this is the north east corner of the Boston Commons, where the trail starts at the visitor center. As you can see there are plenty of toursists but being March it's not too croweded or hot.

The graveyard attached to the Park Street church. There a quite a few famous people buried or remembered there. Also, the day I was there volunteers from the church were outside the gates with notebooks on who was buried there and a speaker dressed as someone from the colonies, although I didn't stop to listen.



This picture of the Benjamin Franklin memorial is neat because you can see the speaker who was (I'm guessing) talking about Franklin. Possibly as Franklin. I should have listened. I did hear however one tourist, after reading the info board, exclaim that he must be one of our most accomplished presidents. I literally sighed and rolled my eyes. Luckily the person she was with corrected her and looked mildly embarrassed. good haha

First public school. I think there's a steak house there now weirdly.

Old South Meeting House

Old State House. My favorite part of the tour. I love history anyway but this place was incredible to walk into. So many important people in the history of the US have walked through the doors. I came here twice actually, but went on the tour once. It was very informative to both walk around and see the exhibits, and follow the tour which led through some of the exhibits talking more in depth about what was there.

The scale model of the Old State House INSIDE the Old State House.

Part of the tour (which was $8) is a character you receive. The tour guide talks about who was influential in Boston around the American Revolution and you can apply that to your character. Of course, women, young people, poor people, etc had no power at the time. Luckily i was a doctor who did have some access to the state house and would have held some influence.

The biography was neat (although don't get me started on the social network aspect). But it was interesting to "get to know" someone who had been there at the massacre site and learn about the personal aspect of one of the people alive at that time.

The staircase at the Old State House. Although not original to first construction they are old enough that i was a bit in awe walking up and down them. They are gorgeous too.

Site of the Boston Massacre. A lot of what was said on the tour was things i had learned from school or from reading about subjects that interest me but it was still really great to stand where things happened in history and somehow make me feel apart of it.

This is the window where the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time to the city of Boston.

Faneuil Hall and market buildings. Very lively with shops and restaurants.The crowd is there watching some sort of magician of course (ugh).

Walking along the area around Faneuil Hall and shops i was so happy to find a Christmas store. Here's my thing about souvenirs  i don't really buy into them. On most of the trips I've taken i've bought things for other people but only when i know they would really love them, they were especially meaningful or part of a christmas gift. So when i was on VESPA in Europe for 3 months i purchased christmas gifts for my family. my dad got a swiss watch and my mom an italian leather bag. For myself, i buy christmas ornaments. i have a "travel tree" that has a collected works from the places i've been and i love it.

That's part 1 of the freedom trail for now. i will have part 2 up sometime soon!